Another 2a build thread

[drifter]

Thanks John. I didn't know it was common.

Here are the bolts that held the front bumper on. You will notice I broke 2 getting them off:

[JDNSW]

Look a bit like mine, only worse. I had to carry out some minor repairs to the bit of the chassis they came out of. You probably need to do a bit of checking for rust in the area.

John

[drifter]

Thanks John. They are off the donor which was made a donor because of the rust in the chassis and firewall.

That front end of the chassis is so bad I am surprised the front of the springs haven't come up through it to meet me.

I may take a pic of it - just for interests sake.

[drifter]

Here it is:

[COFFEY76]

Ahhh wow...that is some good rust.... Mine were that bad, but only as far up as where the plates that meet the springs joins the hanger...not back to the cross member...awesome rust...

[drifter]

agree!

I can't believe it all stayed together on the trip home. Looking at that, one bump on the road and I should have expected to see a pile of red, rusty remains on the trailer tray...

The back cross-member is just as bad. All the major outriggers have gone - including the one that the firewall bolts to.

Dis-assembly should be simple - a decent whack with a hammer - and a grinding wheel for those bits that haven't yet succumbed...

The radiator mount (grill assy) was totally rotten. The 3 bolts that hold it on to the front cross-member tabs weren't actually holding anything on. All of that area was hidden under an apron.

It was something of a surprise.

Good thing it was free (less trailer hire and traveling costs).

[COFFEY76]

Where did you pick the car up? Its always interesting to ponder about the life of the Landy to cause it to be so rusty...

[drifter]

Down on the South Coast (of NSW). He was/is a dam builder and this was his 'go on site' vehicle for quite a while. There is half of the region stuck underneath it, too. The steel never had a chance. That and 10 years of retirement - most of them out in the open but the past few under a tree.

Interesting thing is - the roof doesn't leak at all. It stays dry inside in all the wet weather we have had here - whereas the 109 rapidly becomes a paddling pool - until it leaks out.

[COFFEY76]

My 109 leaks everywhere...very enjoyable in a strange way.

Damn builder is different! Least you know some history on your car. All i know is that mine has gone to alice springs back in 1984 for the Department of Transport show, Including desert insulation. And has had wooden rifle racks behind the seats. And a previous owner welded a trailer hitch to the front bumper to reverse his boat into his back yard....

Glad i havent had to deal with much rust.

Good luck to you for the build!

[drifter]

The Series 1 I used to have had a tow ball on the front bumper. I had a fairly large boat at the time and I used that tow ball for the same purpose - as well as putting the boat in and pulling it out at the slip. Very handy.