Thread: SADF Radio Relay Truck - Gog

This does appear to be the vehicle I wrote about on a post on the Firefly thread this morning. Happy to see it survives.
Wagoo.

Well it has happened at last Gog is now sitting on his new shoes and no longer drags his bum on the ground.

As you know Gog was low at the back, not many will know that it was 100mm low with the spring shackles almost horizontal. I calculated that given that the standard tare weight from the original specs was 1975Kg and the plated tare from SA was 2750Kg, then the radio body and possibly the extra batteries and standard radios were about 800Kg. This means springs have more than half their payload all the time and with the camper conversion there is a gas stove and oven, and water tanks as well. So measuring the height sitting static on a level* floor, then I jacked up the chassis to where the body was now level and the measurement was a nominal 100mm.

I then removed both the rear springs and took them to the spring works, to be told that they usually do a re-set with the vehicle in the workshop. They then said that I should have measured the height difference at the bump stop not the rear body. Doh! Next they suggested that the max a re-set would give will be about 2 1/2", I asked about additional leaves, yes about 1/2" per leaf - so I thought re-set + 2 leaves plus thickness of the leaves (spring over rears on SIIB ) should be about 4" or the desired 100mm. That's what they did, so an extra week while the regular suspects attempted to acquire 9" "U" bolts, before I went to the Carrolls again and they had a metric alternative in stock at about half the price of having longer ones made.

Today the last side was finished, but not without a number of other problems, like needing the Hulk to lift the damned things, the wrong tab washers for the wheel bearings (too small), stage 1 hub oil seals instead of SIII and SIIa brake drums instead of SIII hubs on Gog.

So lower him off the chassis stands and back onto the ground. His bum is right up there. Really up there! Measuring stick and he's now sitting 135mm up from his previous position. Should settle a little when the springs start working, unfortunately am unable to bleed the system myself so will have to wait till after NYE when I can get a hand.

So things are looking up for Corowa!

Diana

P.S. no piccys till I've had a chance to clear away all the tools and equipment.

P.P.S. Does anyone know where I can get the fibrous rubber material for the check straps, I need some that are about 75mm-100mm longer?

* as level as a dirt floored chook shed can be.

Hi there

I would like to see a "Year of the Emergency Services"

All those pretty Ambulances, Fire Tenders and MP vehicles... Mmmmm.

Gets my vote of approval

all the best

Wayne

Me too....

while i think, can one send application for REMLR membership via email?? or as it got to be via post??

I did mine via email couple of years ago richards email is on the REMLR site

Had the same problem with our old S11 Rural fire truck - had 2 extra leaves and the best is a piece of small diameter fire hose. ( almost identical and strong) Talk to a local rural fire brigade or if you run into problems I could probably source you some. Remember to have it just shorter than max shockie travel. Thinking back I may once have actually folded the hose double for extra strength as we had some rough drivers.

Originally Posted by Shonky

I would like to see a "Year of the Emergency Services"

All those pretty Ambulances, Fire Tenders and MP vehicles... Mmmmm.

G'Day GUYS

If you want a specific theme for a future Corowa then don't forget to fill in your suggestion form.

The themes are chosen from these forms.
If enough entrants suggest A year of the Landrover or the Emergency Vehicle.
Then one will happen.
It's ALL up to YOU

Haven't done an update on Gog for a while. It's also not true that I haven't been working on him.

In the last few months:

• The front body has been removed and disassembled to prepare for painting.
• Radiator removed rodded 80% blocked and only 3 row core.
• New copper, 4 row radiator core fitted.
• Door tops removed, requiring 2 rusted in bolts to be drilled out.
• Rear fuel tank removed, found weeping upper seam. (also found diff lamp bracket)
• Fuel sender removed, seized and replacement acquired.
• Old civvy tow bar removed, replacement pintle bracket fitted up.
• Modesty skirt (?fitted during camper conversion) at bottom of rear cross member removed.
• Body paint about 40% rubbed back to prepare for primer.
• + too much more I've probably forgotten about.

Today I went to get paint without a lot of success.

1. Went to AutoBarn to get some touch up in spray can/s for the OEM bronze green, matched to Land Rover Bronze Green 1959 - 1989 (I should have guessed at this point) mixed and handed over my exorbitant $30 to find it is nothing like the LR late SIIa Bronze Green of Gog's interior. In fact it is too "lime" for any original bronze green I have seen on any LR. Must remember never to trust such a broad spectrum of years, when I know there was at least 2 BG within the period.
2. Went to Protec to see if I could get some paint mixed to code. No worries. I have been studying the BSC codes for a while and had chosen a brown which on-screen seemed to match SADF Brown. Mixed 8 litres with flattening base, took back to Gog only to find it's far too light! May have to add some black and use as a base coat.