Front chassis cross member assistance please

[drifter]

Hi,

A couple of months ago I 'rescued' a 1971 88" 2a from a paddock near the South Coast (NSW). The vehicle was complete but has a very rusty chassis and there is quite a lot of rust in the firewall. Mechanically, it all seems intact and recoverable (It would need things like a replacement exhaust manifold).

Today I went to look at (and purchased) an older 2a that has been sitting in a paddock not far from here for a couple of years.

The chassis and firewall are in excellent condition - except for 2 things:

1. it is a 109"
2. the front crossmember has been cut out, flipped over and re-welded in as the PO was going to put a holden engine in it.

Apart from the missing engine - it is all complete and looks good (pictures to come when we do the recovery in the coming 7 days).

Now, my dilemma. Do I continue to look for a donor 88" chassis or do I shift focus a little and try to resurrect the 109"?

If it is easy to re-cut the front crossmember out and put it back where it belongs, it that feasable? I could probably use the crossmember from the shagged chassis as that is still OK. I could then think about moving the engine from the 88" across to the 109"

You guys have done all of this stuff before, I haven't, so I would appreciate your input.

Thanks in advance
John

[drifter]

I should also mention that, whatever I do, I am going to have to do quickly as she-who-shakes-her-head-a-lot is not going to be too impressed with 2 Series 2 vehicles getting stripped on her front lawn.

[Blknight.aus]

depends on what you need and want it to do.

the SWB was great for me when I was only doing recovery work or mechanicing work but once I started putting both hats on at once or needed to carry more than one other person the SWB was just too short.

[drifter]

Thanks, Dave

What do I want it to do?

I have been sitting here pondering the same question.

I used to have a 1957 LWB Series 1 and found it to be a very handy 'utility' for carting stuff around.

I chose the SWB 2a because it was free and because I was assured it was in great condition - so I went and got it. It is only the after sale inspection that showed up all the problems with rust (I am a novice - making mistakes and bound to make a few more).

The desire is to have something I can drive - sometimes take it to work (the Disco is racking up way too many miles, expensively) - something I can continue to carry 'stuff' in without having to strap it to the roof...

I am thinking that I'll try to get the 109 roadworthy

so - how feasible/problematic is it to replace the front chassis crossmember. Legalities? Problems with registration?

[Blknight.aus]

its easy...

how good are you with the welder and the cutting gear?

[drifter]

absolutely hopeless


but I have a friend.....


if you say it is easy, I will look more to that path than any other.

Thanks

[JDNSW]

Thanks, Dave
.......

so - how feasible/problematic is it to replace the front chassis crossmember. Legalities? Problems with registration?

Should be easy as Dave says for a competent welder. Legally the vehicle has the identity of the chassis (number on LH rear spring hanger on the flat above the shackle - you'll probably have to remove all the paint to see it). All you need to do is to have a receipt for that vehicle and the one with the engine.

Just check that the 109 is not a six - it gets more complicated if it is. Easy to tell - the six has the engine/gearbox/transfer case further back, just check the two firewalls have the same size bulge for the engine - the difference is very obvious if you compare them.

John

[drifter]

Thanks John.

The receipts will be a worry. The first one was given to me - I didn't ask for a receipt for the second...

I'll chase that up.

As for the 109 possibly being a 6 - he told me they (the owner before him) had taken a 2.25 out of it before he got it.

[Blknight.aus]

dont panic about that they'll take a stat dec.

[drifter]

dont panic about that they'll take a stat dec.

It will be a while before I am at the rego stage so I'll have something sorted by then.

Thanks.

John