Thread: 1981 stage one omnibus

Got the tub off this afternoon and can see why they had fuel problems, fuel line was crushed under the rear tub. Only rust in the bulkhead mounts and the rear crossmember the rest of the chassis is in really good knick for its age. I did wash it down after I took the photos to get rid of all the dirt

Did a bit of wire wheel work to clean up some spots to check for rust and put some rust converter down and a bit of primer on until I get new crossmember and bulkhead mounts then it will head off to get sandblasted and painted. Just have to get out the stubborn suspension bolts next

Got the suspension bolts off only had to cut 1off and got the gearbox out now for a bit more wire wheel work

Did a bit more with the wire wheel in spots the chassis still has original paint in mint condition under the protective layer of engine oil , bit more rust converter and some primer so hopefully in the new year the new bits arrive and I can get it over to the sandblasted to get it made look like a new one

Finally got back to pulling more things apart found one of the swivels 1/2 full of water but all cleaned up better than I thought. The cv's are in mint condition and all the slplines look like the have hardly be used. Have new chassis piece to weld on then to get chassis blasted and painted. Hopefully will have that done in March when I'm off shift again.

Did a bit more on the front diff, waiting for it to cool down a bit so I can get back onto the chassis. The diff and the axles are immaculate on the inside not any sign of wear at all

So the Stage 1's have a proper steering box rather the a relay through the front cross member?

keep up the good work!

Almost ready for reassembly just waiting for some swivel seals and bearings and should have a rebuilt front diff after my next days off. Hopefully the temperature drops a bit and I'll be able to put the new cross member and bulkhead outriggers on and get the chassis sorted