tyrobenz: backyard restoration

Showing posts with label backyard restoration. Show all posts

Saturday, 4 February 2017

Restoration - Day 6

Day 6 - Restoration (03.02.17)

Day 6 was a day of great progress but not much to see in photographs.

First of all Leif dropped all his fluids:

Radiator drained

I thought the radiator was still the original Land Rover radiator; sadly it turned out to be a Holden one, and a very brittle one at that! New radiator needed.

Foul smelling engine oil drained, followed by the gearbox and transfer box

My restored dash panel was carefully removed to avoid damage

Red wires galore! Wiring is a complete mess presumably mucked about with when the Holden engine was installed. It is all getting ripped out and replaced with a new harness from Autosparks in the UK.

Not much to see in this photo, but the engine is totally disconnected and ready to be separated from the gearbox and lifted out. Exhaust is off, bulkhead is almost completely stripped with brakes and steering assemblies still to go. Vents and bug mesh is removed, and radiator panel is obviously off as well.

Sunday, 29 January 2017

Restoration - Day 5

Day 5 - Restoration (29.01.17)

Day 5 started with drilling out more blasted screw heads, this time to remove the splash guard from the footwell

Drivers wing removed fairly easily as most of the bolts were missing, presumably from when the engine was replaced

The passenger side took considerably longer to remove thanks to four silly rusty clips holding the wiring loom to the inner guard

Some minor rot found on the passenger side door pillar.....

.... and some on the driver's side.

After being told by people to be careful that the bulkhead might be rotten under the windscreen, I was pleased to find it was as good as new once the windscreen was lowered.

Windscreen removed and weather seal scraped off revealing the rust free bulkhead

End of day 5

Sunday, 8 January 2017

Restoration, Day 2

Day 2 - Restoration (08.01.17)

Today was a fantastic day with a lot achieved thanks to help from two friends. As they say, many hands make light work.

First task for the day was to remove the head-lining, trim and sun visors. The vinyl was very brittle and will need to be replaced

Rear headlining intact but very brittle and torn

Next, removal of all the bolts holding on the roof. All but three of the many bolts objected to being removed, two snapped and one very strange bolt saw its demise via an angle grinder. Despite the nut being held firmly on the back side, and a ratchet on the bolt, it turned and turned but never loosened or tightened, perhaps it was a mis-matched pair?

Roof finally comes loose once the endless amounts of silicon is cut, scrapped and pried off

It's summer and Leif has shed a few pounds and gotten his top off!

End of day: roof and side panels off, as well as the tow hitch which was an absolute nightmare taking two of us over 30 minutes of hard labour

Throughout the day it became evident that the passenger side b-pillar is absolutely stuffed. It is riddled with rust and will need to be replaced. Thankfully, I have a spare! It appears the roof has leaked at this location for a long time, and silicon has been applied more than once to try to plug the leak with disastrous results. Unsurprisingly, it was this b-pillars bolts that snapped and needed to be cut out.

What seems a bit odd was that both b-pillars show signs of yellow paint not seen anywhere else on the vehicle. The passenger side I had suspected could be a replacement with further evidence of repairs clearly seen on the tub, but that does not explain the driver's side being yellow.

Mystery yellow paint on passenger side b-pillar

To remove the passenger rear side panel an enormous drinking water tank needed to be removed first. I must say it is a very impressive tank, having been custom made to fit inside the side panel maximising the tank capacity, it has baffles for strength and is beautifully crafted. I will, however, not be reinstalling it, but I do not want to see it go to waste.

Water tank removed, volume unknown, but one could go on a long expedition and not be thirsty

Very neat rivet lines and folded corners

Shaped for maximum capacity

With the water tank out, it is clear to see what the second body skin is hiding; I wonder what caused these?

With the water tank out, holes in the original tub skin can be seen.....

.... and tool box revealed

mmmmmm, yummy! 40+ years of dirt and dried up rubber seals

Ending on a high, some beautifully preserved Mid-Grey paintwork

Monday, 2 January 2017

Restoration, Day 1

After a very long two year introduction I finally began the restoration of Leif. Having sat outside my house patiently waiting, he has been relocated to a friend's workshop where I have the space I need and a roof over my head. At 10:57am December 31st 2016 Leif was raised up onto axle stands and I set to work.

I have no idea what 2017 will have in store for me, but I am committed to this project, and am both excited yet daunted about the work to be done.

December 16th 2016, Leif drives onto the flat bed under his own steam

Strapped on and ready to move. Thanks again to Steve from Perth Tow

Relocated to be with some younger, shorter friends

Before (03.01.15)

As motivation, this is how Leif looked before I started; drivable but with no brakes, hammer finish, peeling paint and tatty interior, but complete and handsome with his rugged charm.

Monster wheels and roof rack were the first things to go

Had almost forgotten our back yard used to look like this!

Inside for the first time in a long time!

Battle scarred, but straight body panels, though repairs are obvious

Sun scorched hammer finish paint. Wish the original paintwork had been left alone as I would have kept the patina, this needs to go though - big job ahead!!