Rebuilding Sid

More tub repairs this week.

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Previous owner had cut the end out of the right side compartment (both ends). I’ve toyed with the idea of over sheeting the side wells but the work required to make the openings is about the same as repairing the old ones.

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Half way through, patches in and the 20+ rivet holes filled in. Rough sanding and hammer and dolly work done.

Tub needs to go outside now so I can use a torch and hose pipe to shrink the back edge into a straight (hopefully) line that can be dressed to a finished edge.

I’ve switched filler rods to 5356 in finding the 4043 is fine for most stuff but it hates being dressed or planished afterwards. Oddly, it’s also much easier to sand.

Saved the biggest job until last

When I power washed the tub, this became apparent
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I think there has been some seats fitted.

All rotted out.

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New patch, these really have to be accurate. 1.6mm sheet to match.

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This took all day, given the need to avoid distortion it was spot welds only, and that is painfully slow with tig.

Bit of filler work to to at the back where I can’t get a hammer underneath to dress it

One more patch to do on the other side, then it’s just random holes and I can finally fix the rear quarters in.

Tub structures are done, finished off all the patches and myriad of screw, rivet and bolt holes.

Between welding, I’ve focused this week on fit and finish for the tub. There’s quite a bit of work in this. Starting with the new rear brace I made, getting that aligned and getting the tub square took a while, I had to weld and redrill the bolt holes to get it right.

Then it’s a case of working each panel to square and fit until we get a tub there is a straight as it’s going to be.

Worth it though,

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I’ve still fix the rear quarters but need to clean the insides of the boxes first. After that’s done, tub will come off for sanding and body prep.

Looks great. Brilliant actually.

Do you have the lids for the compartments and/or the spare wheel tub that fits in there?

Thank you!

I do have the bits, spare wheel tub is off for galvanising this week, the lids look a bit worse for wear, but they make good patterns. It’s a 5 minute job to make new lids.

Probably worth mentioning here -

The position of the tub on the chassis is fixed, essentially by the rear panel bolting to the rear crossmember. The width of the door opening is set by the position of the firewall (bulkhead), whose position can be adjusted by washers between it and the chassis outriggers. This should be done by trial fitting of doors with the tub in place, before fitting the front mudguards.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

Probably worth mentioning here -

The position of the tub on the chassis is fixed, essentially by the rear panel bolting to the rear crossmember. The width of the door opening is set by the position of the firewall (bulkhead), whose position can be adjusted by washers between it and the chassis outriggers. This should be done by trial fitting of doors with the tub in place, before fitting the front mudguards.

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Yes, something I anticipating down the track, I’m trying to get it all close enough for now as the tub will be coming off for painting and I haven’t fitted sills yet.

I gave it a trial fit today

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Bulkhead needed a vertical adjustment on the passenger side, drivers side not too bad, suspect it will need a packer.

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Finishing the tub today, wire brushed it for a couple of hours, and fitted rear quarters.

Glue https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a569ace2cd.jpg
Keep acetone handy as this stuff gets everywhere.

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I’m using it where the spot welds were

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And on the top braces.

Instructions say 24-48 hours to dry so I’ve riveted the panels in temporarily, but an afternoon in the sun and they are pretty solid already. When the galv goes on it will be pretty strong.

Back to doors though, hinges look as though they will be trouble. I have new pin kits, but the top hinges look too long, and also look as though they need a packer. They are pushing the door back and in. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...03c0fc8833.jpg

Can’t take up any more movement.

My LH top hinge has a 1.5mm packer under the hinge onto the firewall, and I seem to remember having to make an enlarged brass ball for one of them!

New boots!!!

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Still working on the next project. On the lookout for a SWB chassis and tub.

If anyone knows of one in SA would be appreciated.