Can Do Update

[PeterP]

Hi All,
Being keeping a fairly low profile lately, more like avoiding computers after working with them for 33 years.
I have been doing little bits and pieces on CanDo over the last few months. Done a few K's in it now, the motor seems to be run in nicely and I am very happy thus far. Apart from the mechanicals the biggest improvement are the Hastee springs, it makes it so much more pleasant to drive. On dirt roads its bumpy and noisy but at least it not trying to send me through the roof.

It was meant to be painted by now but the son in law has been too busy so it will be after Xmas. As such I am doing things I was planning to do after painting. I am currently overhauling the dash. A real $#!#@ thing to pull apart and I am sure it will be just as hard to get back together.
Getting the dash, dash end plates and a few other bits powder coated satin black.
Progress thus far -


Reading about overdrives on this and 101UK forum I decided to rebuild the very unprofessional change mechanism I threw together after putting the gear box back in. Looks the goods now -


CanDo fortunately has been very rust free. the worst I had seem was where the brackets that support the radiator bolt to the chassis. This was mostly severe surface-rust but if left unattended would have been problematic in a few years time.
The reason I mention it I have now seen slightly worse around the dash that I had not expected. The worst was where brake fluid had spilt on front but I have found a few other places I had not considered previously. The topside of the bottom lip of the dash was fairly rusty. Another was where the bolts come through into the cab for the windscreen pivots brackets. Waters obviously being getting in underneath the corner of the windscreen frame.

Now it is decision time on tyres as the light truck tyres fitted at present are not staying. I've been treading through all and every thread on 101 tyres and wheels and have come to the conclusion to bite the bullet, put the word 'authentic' through the shredder and get the rims widened to 8" thus opening up the world of modern tyres for CanDo.

Overall I am very happy with CanDo

Peter

[101RRS]

Peter,

If you are going to get wider rims put on to your centres have a careful think about whether 8" is wide enough. I did a check of various tyre brands around 305mm - 315mm/12.5" wide (you will need to get this wide to get the required 35-36" (900mm) rolling diameter) and most of the listings require rims larger than 8". I know a lot of people do put these tyres on 8" rims but I do not know enough to know whether this is good or bad other than to investigate a bit more.

Likewise, you could just stay with your current rims and put Michelin XZL 255/100/16 on. They cost a lot but wear well and look good on a 101 and you save the cost of rim widening.

Garry

[Mick_Marsh]

If you go the Michelin's, and you want numbers to do a bulk buy, I'll be in for ten.

[PeterP]

Likewise, you could just stay with your current rims and put Michelin XZL 255/100/16 on. They cost a lot but wear well and look good on a 101 and you save the cost of rim widening. Garry

Cooee told me he had his rims widened for $90 a wheel. I had been quoted from $210 to $250 but think I have found the $90 man on the Gold Coast. Will chase it up. I can get modern 35" tyres for 8.25" rims for about $325 each. Total $415 a corner and then more easily available radial tyres forever.
What are the Michelin XZL 255/100/16 worth?
Any thoughts on the best place to buy 15 of them? (with Mick's 10)?

Peter

[101RRS]

$90 is a good price. Eastern wheel works in Melbourne quoted me $80 for the rim, $50 for labour for each wheel and shipping my old centers to them and shipping the new wheels back for $25 giving a total price of about $150 per wheel.

I was reluctant to put a wider rim on my centres as the 101 wheels are so rare but I figure that if I keep the old rings I can always convert them back with an angle grinder and some rivetts.

I priced Michelin XZLs last month $825 at Bob Jane T Mart - $675 at a local independent tyre shop. So shopping around will give a range of prices.

Garry

[PeterP]

Arghhhh, that's Better





Cheers,
Peter

[Mick_Marsh]

Excellent work there Peter.

[101RRS]

Nice work there - mine sort of looked like that until just after the first couple of offroad trips and then it looked like I had done nothing to it.

But it does give you a great sense of satisfaction when it all starts coming together.

Garry

[PeterP]

Have finally got the hydraulics sorted, just a bit more bleeding of brakes and final adjustment on the apportioning valve.


Eventually decided on the Michelin XZL's. They look the goods and drive really well and just as easy on the steering.
The .996 hi-range gear still seems a reasonable road gearing with the 36" dia tyres (previously 33"). Time will tell.


Since doing the brakes and new tyres the roll-on rattle when backed off does seems as bad, cannot think of any reason why.
I still want to fix this annoying rattle if possible. Since doing the front pinion bearings the noise seems to be from the rear so I am going try some pinion angle blocks first (if I can find some). If that does not cure it dropping the RHS of the motor will be the next option.

Cheers, Peter

[101RRS]

Looking good Peter.

The XZLs are a great tyre for the 101 - they last well and give it a good stance. The biggest issue is their price.

So you still have the front end rumble - I assume you have put in your double carden front shaft?? And you still have it. I find it really annoying. I was thinking of going the whole hog - new bearings in the front of the tfr case, new pinion bearings, DC drive shaft, rotated diff and lowered engine. Not so sure about diff rotation as I do not know enough about the dynamics of UJs etc and the need to have the flanges at either end of the parallel.

So I am waiting for someone (you ) else to do each of the above and report back.

That aside your 101 is really coming on well - what else do you intend to do?

Cheers

Garry