Thread: Shonky's '58 Series II SWB

I know it was a while back, but I cleaned out the garage on the weekend, well most of it and I had no luck finding that manual. I have a vague recolection of offloading it when I got rid of my old kingswood. If it turns up I'll let you know but don't hold your breath.

G'day Shonky,

Nice project you've got there, and great farm.
That's a magical place the valley, I used to live there (Glen Davis) as a wee fella, and have been going back there ever since.
Have to give you a yell next time we're down there.

Originally Posted by Shonky

Progress! Well... almost.

Bad luck mate - I know you must be anxious to see what's under there.
Next weekend? Don't forget the camera!

Originally Posted by XSiV

I know it was a while back, but I cleaned out the garage on the weekend, well most of it and I had no luck finding that manual. I have a vague recolection of offloading it when I got rid of my old kingswood. If it turns up I'll let you know but don't hold your breath.

Thanks Josh. I am sure there will be one around somewhere.

Originally Posted by FenianEel

G'day Shonky,

Nice project you've got there, and great farm.
That's a magical place the valley, I used to live there (Glen Davis) as a wee fella, and have been going back there ever since.
Have to give you a yell next time we're down there.

Thanks! I am enjoying it so far, but I am also coming to the end of my comfort zone (pulling things apart) and I will probably reach the point of "why the hell am I doing this?" fairly soon when I have to start putting it back together!

It is a beautiful spot isn't it? It's only a little farm but it's only mum on her own these days so not much point getting back into the big game. Glen Davis is a nice little spot, although I took my girlfriend there just on twilight and she got all freaked and said it looked like the town from "house of wax"...

Drop us a PM next time you will be in the area! If I am around (I am fairly regularly) you are more than welcome to drop in and say g'day! I have been going it alone so far with this resto and it would be good to get a few pointers from a more experienced hand!

Originally Posted by Sleepy

Bad luck mate - I know you must be anxious to see what's under there.
Next weekend? Don't forget the camera!

Too right I am Paul... I wanna know if the rest of my chassis is as good as it is under the seatbox!

Will be going up on Monday / Tuesday so will definitely have the tub off and will take plenty of pics for you!

This will be the last major update for a few months, as I have now pretty much gone as far as I can with the resto until my new shed is finished. The new shed will have power , lighting , heating and will not have a trench running through it , or smell like piggy poop.

That said, this has by far been the most exciting installment in the series (at least as far as I am concerned...) because I finally got a decent look at the overall condition of the chassis - and the news was all good!

The tub:




About 5 seconds after the tub came off:
It was very dirty and I was still praying that the brown was all just dirt...




Close eyes and spot check...


...happy so far!


Start scrubbing with a brush and hot soapies:



Black paint everywhere! My chassis is pretty much PERFECT except for the rear crossmember. I tapped and bashed and scrubbed and checked and couldn't find one spot that was of concern! I even stuck my fingers inside where I could and had a poke around (fortunately the OE Land Rover Spiders were in hiding due to the cold...) and apart from a lot of dust it was all smooth inside as well!

Of course, it came at a cost:



But it always does.

When I was cleaning my chassis I unearthed a few hand painted markings in grey or white paint.

One was on the mid-cross member (correct name?) and the other was on the RHS rail. It is the number "79". What was the significance of these markings if any?