Thread: My 86 Rangie Hiline

Hi Dan, the RRC has been on the back burner for too long. I'm usually yapping about the 101, so it's not surprising I forgot to mention it. Once it's all shaken down I'll bring it for a trip up that way - it needs a winch bar that's hanging in a shed that you know...

Well, my last attempt to finish this off stalled for one reason or another, but no more procrastinating! The RRC is now out the front and being finished off. Pulled the old screen and rubber ready for a new screen, and crossed my fingers that the frame would be ok - it's perfect! I also removed the top scuttle panel and cleaned/inspected under there - again, 100%, so pretty happy with that.

New screen fitted this morning, but as per usual, my luck ran out - the new windscreen seal I bought didn't have the locking bead with it, so although the screen is in, it's not sealed yet - the windscreen guys were great - they are coming back in the next couple of days to fit that and seal the screen - and don't want payment for the brand new screen that's sitting there now until it's 100% complete - bloody trusting! . I did tell them that the car doesn't go at the moment as I've got the thermostat housing off though...

That's the next problem - the thermostat housing was leaking, so I thought I'd bang a new gasket in there - easy.... Wrong.... . One of the bolts snapped off, so now I have to pull the dizzy to get a drill in there to sort that out...

After all that's done, then it's a new fuel pump (ordered), tidy up a bit under the bonnet, fit the air cleaner, then it should be drive able again.

Then I've just got to stick the other front seat in it and start building the camping setup in the back.... It's never ending, but I've got the funds sitting there to do everything at the moment, so I'm getting stuck in.

Will post some pics when I get a moment and the screens finished off.

Getting new glass in is a terrific feeling! The rest will follow in the days to come I'm sure

Well done so far, I look forward to the pictures

A few pics.

A couple of the windscreen frame and under the scuttle - like new.



And some new switches that just arrived to jazz up the interior....

A couple more pics - almost dark, so they aren't great quality, but I was excited when I got home this arvo with the new winch bar, and I also stuck the light bar back on it to see the whole effect. Pretty happy with it, and the number 1 son loves it. . Will start up fitting the winch this weekend.

Just looking at the Cibie Oscars on the bar, and they look good, but I'm wondering if my Super Oscars will fit.... They may be too big...

Tomorrow will reveal all...

Oh, and ignore the busted drivers mirror - I'm picking up a new one this weekend.

Ok, today was some indoors and outdoors stuff due to the persistent showers, interrupted by the odd bit of sunshine. While it was raining I was in the kitchen cleaning up the driving lights I've got. I cleaned and repainted one of the Oscars, and cleaned up both the Super Oscars, including removing the glass to polish the reflectors. They are in great condition and are now like almost new. The build date sticker shows 1991, so they have survived well as you'll see from the pics below.

Mounting the Super Oscars looked like it may be a challenge and it was touch and go if they were going to fit. Even when I worked out that I could squeeze them in there, I had my doubts that I should due to them blocking a sizeable chunk of the radiator, so I mounted 1 Super Oscar and 1 standar Oscar to see which may look the best.




After a bit of deliberating and the advice of number 1 son, I came to a decision.



The winch relay mount will go as this will be housed under the bonnet, so I'll free up some airflow by not mounting it there. The Super Oscars also sit back nicely in the bar and will be a bit more protected in the bush.

And, as number 1 son says 'They look tough as ****'

So, now to drag the winch out and figure all that out. Need to make up a few longer leads for it as I'm mounting the relays separately, so I want to get that all measured up before Monday so I can sort that out.

No pics tonight, but there's been some progress. The new mirror is on, the windscreen has its locking mould in and has been sealed so the tarp is gone and it looks great. The bull bar was also removed after its trial fit, modified slightly to allow more clearance to the trains oil cooler lines, then cleaned and all the back bits painted before being reinstalled for good. The Aldi winch I've had sitting in its box for 2 years was stripped, cleaned, regreased and reassembled then mounted on the bull bar, wired it up temporarily so I could wind the cable back on.