Import Gal Chassis?

[JC Rover]

Has anyone imported a galvanized chassis from the UK? I was looking at the Richards Chassis for a defender. I'm assuming it would be 3 or 4 grand landed in Australia with freight, tax, duty etc. My chassis is a bit rusty. I love beach camping/driving. I'm thinking about rebuilding my baby from the chassis up, re-spray in bronze green (2 Pack). I've gone mad.:eek:

[Drover]

It is an idea with lots of merit.

I would like to do the same to my F'der when needed, some years away just yet though.....

[isuzurover]

Having a good S/H chassis sandblasted and galvanised locally will cost a lot less for the same result. Plus you can also send other parts for galvanising at the same time.

[manic]

if your chassis is not badly rusted and you like the idea of a rebuild what about stripping the chassis bare, blasting it, weld up any bits that need fixing and then have it treated/hot dipped. You also get to blast and dip any other bits you want to outlast you... Has to be cheaper?

I have a galv chassis from marsland but was fitted in uk before export - its still nice and shiny :p :D

[manic]

isuzurover quicker on the draw

[landy]

Also if you do your own chassis it retains its VIN number and saves all the hassle of re-registering and engineering the build.

Nino.

[wrinklearthur]

Also if you do your own chassis it retains its VIN number and saves all the hassle of re-registering and engineering the build.
Nino.

The VIN number would disappear under the layer of galvanising.
To combat this, tack weld a strip of thin plate over the number and when the chassis returns, knock the plate off, that should leave a patch with the number still visible.
.

[Jitterbug]

I have looked into bringing one over too. The guys i looked at in the UK will stamp your current chassis number on the new one.
Not had chance to check out the inside of the chassis with a boroscope yet but if the outrigger is anything to go by it need swapping out/repairing within the next couple of years.

[isuzurover]

The VIN number would disappear under the layer of galvanising.
To combat this, tack weld a strip of thin plate over the number and when the chassis returns, knock the plate off, that should leave a patch with the number still visible.
.

IME this isn't necessary. The chassis number is still legible after galvanising. Not sure how the later chassis numbers would go tough, which are stamped as a series of dots rather than using letter/number punches.

[lister]

I've just imported a Richards chassis for my 90, total costs all up were about $3500, but Richards have dropped their prices a bit since I ordered. Richards are very good to deal with, I asked if I could fill the spare space in the crate with parts they were happy to do this, I sent them a list, and they ordered the bits.

[bushrover]

IME this isn't necessary. The chassis number is still legible after galvanising. Not sure how the later chassis numbers would go tough, which are stamped as a series of dots rather than using letter/number punches.

All you do is heat the gal and wire brush it off over the number. It will still leave a thin layer of gal.

Rick

[samuelclarke]

Has anyone imported a galvanized chassis from the UK? I was looking at the Richards Chassis for a defender. I'm assuming it would be 3 or 4 grand landed in Australia with freight, tax, duty etc. My chassis is a bit rusty. I love beach camping/driving. I'm thinking about rebuilding my baby from the chassis up, re-spray in bronze green (2 Pack). I've gone mad.:eek:

I'm thinking about the same thing. No you haven't gone mad. Unless I'm mad too...but then again most of my family and friends think I'm mad for driving a Defender. That is until they get off road with it! :D

[dullbird]

I've just imported a Richards chassis for my 90, total costs all up were about $3500, but Richards have dropped their prices a bit since I ordered. Richards are very good to deal with, I asked if I could fill the spare space in the crate with parts they were happy to do this, I sent them a list, and they ordered the bits.

Thanks for this lister as this is what I intend to do for our 90 because our chassis has had it and 90 chassis are not easy to come by here, and if its going to get stripped down to the ground it might as well be done right

[landy]

Quote."I have looked into bringing one over too. The guys i looked at in the UK will stamp your current chassis number on the new one."

Surely that is illegal! The chassis IS the car for registration purposes.Everything else is just bolted to it really. Its essentially the same as buying a good second hand chassis, grinding the VIN number off and stamping yours back in.

I wouldn't like the hassle of that.

Nino.

[manic]

Surely that is illegal! The chassis IS the car for registration purposes.Everything else is just bolted to it really. Its essentially the same as buying a good second hand chassis, grinding the VIN number off and stamping yours back in.


You are allowed to replace parts on a car, the chassis is a component. If there is a law saying that you cant renew a chassis then its a stupid one and should be ignored!

Get a new galv chassis, have it stamped but cut out the VIN from your old chassis and keep it. No one will bother trying to prove that your chassis is not a restored and hot dipped original.

[isuzurover]

You are allowed to replace parts on a car, the chassis is a component. If there is a law saying that you cant renew a chassis then its a stupid one and should be ignored!

Get a new galv chassis, have it stamped but cut out the VIN from your old chassis and keep it. No one will bother trying to prove that your chassis is not a restored and hot dipped original.

The penalties for "rebirthing" a car are hefty. On newer vehicles the chassis is the VIN.

A new reproduction part may be OK - best to check though. But if you fit a 2nd hand chassis, the vehicle will become the VIN of the new chassis.

[landy]

There is no problem with replacing the chassis but the new VIN number is the number that must be used for registration. Once reported to the roads authorities you will most likely be given a new rego plate or have to pay to transfer the exiisting plate over. Anything less is, as said above rebirthing.