200 replies to this topic

[Shadow17]

Seeking help and advice from the collective brain trust on this fantastic forum.

 

I have finally got to the stage of lining up all the front end panels prior to welding them on.

 

I straightened the left rail using Marty’s set up and have the measurements where it is as square as I can get it.

 

Any advice on the best way to make sure everything fits would be a great help prior to welding. (I have access to a Mig  a Tig and spot welders)

 

My first rough fit up looks reasonable however I am a little nervous and don’t want to Fark it up. Any comments or links to the same type of job appreciated.

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[sibhs]

Hi James,

I understand your concern, took me a long time to grow the balls to weld mine on. Remember it's just metal that can be cut, welded and hammered into shape if it's not quite perfect

 

It looks like you have all your gaps sorted, just make sure you've checked with both doors on. I would also have the bonnet catch support fitted along with the bit of metal that sits behind bumper.

 

Marty

[Shadow17]

Thanks Marty thanks for the help, as you know this is my first project and I am just giving it my best shot. I still need to finish the drivers door so I will work on that this weekend and then check gaps. 

 

Dad gave me a hand to set up a pulling system like yours to sort out the LHS rail. I have been watching your build and getting inspiration from you.

[lctriples]

Hey james, also remember to use bonnet hinges you intend to use long term. I used old clapper out hinges i had lying around, welded, painted everything, then went out and brought a new set of hinges just before car hit the road. Now bonnet sits too high at the front drivers side. Havn't had a chance to tackle that bump in the road yet, but thought might be worth mentioning. Also you could tack weld everything first until 120% happy, then if anything needs to be tweaked only a matter of grinding back a few welds to change things. Good luck and keep up the good work, paul.

[Shadow17]

Hi Paul that great advice as the old hinges are pretty sloppy I had not thought about that one. I will go and get some from Rare Spares. Also tack welding sounds like the go I guess I am just a bit nervous as it is my first go Thanks once again 

[Toranamat69]

For critical things I like to screw them in place with self tapping screws before spot welding.

I second the new bonnet hinges. Made a big difference to alignment of my bonnet.

[sibhs]

Great advice from Paul.

 

You should have to modify Rares hinges by slotting rear hole and grinding back metal thickness at the rear.  They're made from thicker steel so sit slightly high at the back. I have done this to my Rares hinges.

 

Also make sure everything is clean and prepped under the guards before welding.

 

Marty

[Shadow17]

Hi Toranamat69

 

Good idea about the screws that way It should be easier to align and then go the spot welds as Paul suggests.

 

 

Marty thanks for the heads up on the hinges, don't suppose you have any pics of how much you slotted and in what direction ie front to back or vertically and did you have to grind much off?

 

 

Thanks James

[warrenm]

These might be ok. http://speedex.com.a...ory&path=62_194

[jd lj]

I've been thinking about getting some hinges reconditioned myself v's rare's hinges. Are rare's hinges visually any different from the original ones? Has anyone here had there hinges reconditioned and what were they like after that?

[sibhs]

Hi James,

I could put up a picture but then you won't learn as much.

The Rares hinges look identical but the steel is thicker.  Just trial fit them with-out bonnet and what you want is to get more rear downward movement. So the rear bolt hole needs elongating and the bottom lip of hinge needs thinning where it touches firewall, better to do more than you think. I'm going to take more off mine and slot it longer.

You can do-it.

 

Marty

[Shadow17]

Hi Marty thanks for the heads up Dad measured it up with me and I was able to Mill them on his mill ,down at the rear and slotted the holes. I then dummy fitted the bonnet and have much more adjustment than before. Thanks James

[Shadow17]

It has been a long time since I have had any time to work on the Lj. Starting my own Electrical contracting business has taken most of my time.

 

I bit the bullet and welded on the rare spares front guards today. I am reasonably happy with how it has all gone back together so far considering it is my first go at building my own project.

 

The panels fit quite well after replacing the following.

 

Both floor pans, inner and outer A pillars, Inner and outer sills, New Radiator support panel and nose cone.

I did a dummy fit of the old grill, bumper bar and headlight surrounds and they all seem to fit ok.

 

Now to stick it on the rotisserie and finish the welding and rust removal from the hard to reach areas.

 

 

 

 

 

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[SmacT]

All the hard bits! Well done, looking good.

[Shadow17]

Hi Sam thanks hopefully will get some more time this weekend

[Shadow17]

 IMG_6580.jpeg   262.81K   4 downloadsHad some more time to work on the car. It is now on the rotisserie which makes it much easier to work on.

 

I am finding a few more areas that need extra welds as some of my initial plug welds that looked fine seemed to have not held very well. 

 

I don't suppose anyone knows where I can get the transmission tunnel outer double skin as I have replaced the front floor pans.

[LJ RB30]

Hi James,

I have a double skin 4 speed tunnel.

Make me an offer if you want it mate.

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[Shadow17]

Thanks Trevor Message sent

[Shadow17]

Well you just keep finding more rust holes and bad repairs. I spent some time today repairing the spare wheel well cutting out some cancer and installing some new metal. One more step lots more to go.

 

 

 

 

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[Shadow17]

Had some more time over the long weekend to work on the car. It was time to try and sort out the huge holes that someone had literally just hacked into the rear parcel shelf to install speakers.

 

Whoever installed the speakers had no idea how to cut neat and even holes. They made a huge mess with all the edges butchered and bent all over the place.

 

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The only way to sort this mess out was to source a donor parcel shelf to get sections to cut out.

 

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Starting on the passengers side I found more surprises. It has had some repair work done to this area before. The uncut section of the parcel shelf next to the quarter panel and running to the rear window ledge has been unpicked and re welded with a mixture of steel welding and brazing on the seams. ( maybe it had a replacement or previous accident repair).

 

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It took a while but I got the section cut and installed this afternoon it fits pretty good but I ran out of gas so will have to pick up some more and then start on the other side.

 

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[71xu1]

Looking good.

[Shadow17]

Thanks Dave

[Rockoz]

Standard 70s and 80s speaker holes.

Just wasnt the access to better tools for the job back then.

And there were really no "professional" mobs that did stereo installs.

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[Shadow17]

Hi Rob I see so I was not sure as my green lj had no holes in the parcel shelf and I remember reading somewhere that it might be an issue when I am ready to get it over the pits.

[Rockoz]

Have heard that some people have had issues with non standard speaker holes whether they were done neatly or not.

Think it depends on how anally retentive the person is that is doing the inspection.

To be on the safe side I would repair it while access is easy.

Small job now that could be a nightmare once the car is finished.

 

After reading so many posts here over the years, the one consistent thing is that there is no consistency in what is allowable between inspectors.

An older guy doing an inspection would seem to be less problematic than a young guy. Or girl for political correctness.

Some inspectors/engineers will use the VSB14 as it was intended as a guide. Others will use it as hard and fast rulings.

Then there will be those who will allow a particular modification provided you do xyz. Others will tell you you need to do lmn as well as xyz and would like you to do pqr as well.

It is a hit and miss thing depending on how the inspector/engineer looks at things. But it is his business/insurance on the line.

 

I do remember years ago an engineer in Camden NSW.

He was passing just about anything, particular lift kitted 4WDs.

He had terminal cancer and didnt have long to live, and just wanted the money to make hos last months more comfortable.

 

Cheers

 

Rob