Thread: 1985 County "Upgrade"

Attached are some pics of the Red County mods to accomodate LPG "scuba" tanks. Basically, they won't fit unless the protective guard is removed from the tanks, there are 4 screws holding them on, and to get the correct orientation with the tanks a corner of the floor support bracket needs removing with an angle grinder. Also the rear chassis member needs cutting back a bit.

Floor support. You can see the cuts on both of them.


Rear member cuts, these are on the project vehicle, same as the old County



These are the tanks relocated to the project vehicle, because its a Tray, I simply cut off the floor supports.




Cradle is now modded to sit the tanks higher.

Back to the project...
I got distracted by quite a few tonne of redgum at the right price (free) from the road widening nearby. Its all cut & stacked, so next winter will be warm at home.
I got rid of the flat plate on the Salisbury diff, its not as shaved back as I had on the Red County, but should lessen the bulldozer effect in ruts. Trick is to use those ultra skinny discs & cutting. Grinding heats it up too much and may fry the gasket.




Fitting up the main fuel tank. I got cold feet over 100% gas as I want the option of desert or extended travel.





I'm putting in a brace with the idea of fitting a 4 point harness for my 7 year old. If the engineer won't certify it I'll have to go back to the lap belt





I shortened the tray to 1840mm as thats what the canopy is. Its enough for little ol me to sleep in. Front hoop will double as an unofficial rollbar.




I will make up a bracket to hold the spare between the cab and tray. There is 250mm, should be enough for the swampers.





I know its a strange arrangement but I kinda changed my mind too many times. It may be different again next week....

The tray is finally on for good - although its removeable. All the brackets are done, all aligned etc. I also have made a bracket- the angled one- to hold the spare.

This is the main rollbar/ canvas bow. I welded 3 vertical bars for extra cabin protection. Dexion is for the mudguards.




There is a couple of storage opportunities underneath, so I put down some aluminium sheet before I put the tray back on. Its pretty thick stuff, about 8mm as it came from the seat box that had the Rangie seats on it. I might put a 3rd battery there with access via a hatch in the tray floor.
See below.


I also can put a 6" tube (downpipe) across the tray near the gas tank. I used a roll of matting to measure it. Also installed the front of the rear mudguards



Tail lights are in, yet to be connected.



Next will be the tray sides and floor plus the floor for the spare wheel, painting etc. Then the driver side rock slider/rail. I'm trying not to think of whats left, theres still a fair bit.

Fitting up & modding the fuel tank from the wagon



I cut out the filler as it was too high & would foul the tray




Fitted with a strengthener that the engineer wanted. I'll get around the same fill - 72 litres from memory. Vapour space is similar.



This is the spare wheel tray, not sure what else I will put there yet. It sits over the large gas tank.



Fitted up some worklights, they cost less than $25 each incl h3 globes. Spare is locked in with the old caravan wheel lock.


I bought an odd size 100amp AGM battery off Ebay. Its a good fit. Weighs 40kg. 558x128x230


Cheers,
David

The mudflaps are on now & I did a lockable petrol cap. Also wired up the gas tanks for a fuel guage as I found some wires going to the dash that were there for previous long range petrol tanks. The rims have had a rough paint job, they'll get galvanised later.


Side rails are on the driver side, the supporting brackets were
strengthened to take the vehicles weight



I fabricated this child support brace as my 7 year old really wanted a racing harness & the lap only belt is not really any use at all. Hopefully the engineer will OK it. If nothing else its added strength to the cab area (& weight )



Getting close to the paint job.

After 10 days off crook, its back into it !!

Whoops, this isn't too clever. Trying to match the County roof with the Series cab.



I think I'll have to invest in some aluminium sheet and try to get this to match up better. Unfortunately the front donor County roof had a couple of holes for air vents and I couldn't take it further back, but it does'nt seem to match anywhere. I cant use the County rear as it has the rear door gap & is square anyway.



The pressure is off timewise as the LPG rebate is here for another 12 months at least.

Roof has been hacked around a bit but it will tidy up OK. I've used heaps of Sikaflex & an internal sheet.



Putting insulation as a liner on the roof. I did well buying this. Tagged at @170.00 per roll in Clark rubber & I got it for $25.00. I think the manager just dosed up on a liquid lunch.




First paint application. It needs rubbing back & another few coats.

Looking good. Obviously you have a lot of patience...