53 replies to this topic

[Shiney005]

Is the old truck in the background a Chev Maple Leaf?

[Neils LX]

It's a Chev just not sure what sort exactly. It came from Molong and will be restored to a drivable condition as in tyres rewire and eventually rego but will keep the survivor look.
Cheers Neil

[Tyre biter]

Enjoying your account Neil.
Looking forward to your updates.If
Cheers, TB

[Neils LX]

Im glad your enjoying, even if it just helps someone out

I bought a few rust free front panels for it at local swap meet on the weekend. I already had all front panels but they both gaurds neaded lower patchs welding in.

Will finish removing old front this weekend and go from there.

Chears Neil

[Neils LX]

Hi There.

Small update on the build. Iv got some LX  front panels ready for conversion, a couple of gaurds from Gunnadah swap meet, a bonnet from a mate and a nose cone i got from wreckers a few years ago 

 

 

 

Iv got a fair few panels around but just wanted best ones for less work. 

 

Now time to finish removing the front

 

Left side off

 

 

My uncle cleaning up a few spot welds i ground off

 

Body number not moving from rail

 

And now No more UC front

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Neils LX]

Hi

Part 2 update i didnot finish last night

 

UC handbrake is getting binned.

 

And Uncle has made new Bonnet hinge supports.

 

Time to test fit LH front section and see how it looks

 

Looking very rough but better than square UC front

 

Not the best photo but its there

 

Nice Front

 

One happy Lad. 

 

Next item to find is replacement Battrey tray, bumper mounts and look into replacing UC Hatch floor with a LX one.

 

 

[Neils LX]

Thanks mate, will have to hang all panels inc doors replacement battrey tray, front bar to line it all up. Even got hole cut in firewall for LX wiring harness.

Not an easy job but not impossable.

Chears Neil

[SmacT]

I am really enjoying this build! Can I ask why you are removing the handbrake? That's one uc bit worth hanging onto for me.

Keep it going!

[UCgazman]

^ I was thinking the same thing about the handbrake.

Great build though Neil, looking forward to more...

[Neils LX]

Lost an argument (discussion) with my Uncle about handbrake and floor I was happy for it to stay but Uncle (welder, metal fabricator) said no wont be an LX then lol.

[Neils LX]

Before front is able to be sorted nead to find another LX Battrey tray as the UC one was different as nead to mount bumper mounts onto.

 

Old Battery tray removed

 

 

So dragged this LX around the front of shed to raid for parts

 

Factory V8 shell but its rooted.

 

Fronts had a hit and theres lots of rust in the roof.

 

 

Cut out Battrey tray support.

 

 

Trimmed up til front can be all lined up.

 

Hatch floor has some rust and my Uncle wants to fit a LX floor instead of patching UC floor.

 

We will see about that as this LX floor is going to nead some work.

 

Chears Neil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Neils LX]

Found some bonnet hinges in back of my other car that are good. Orange car hit a cow so probably bent.

[UCgazman]

Damn you got a lot of donor shells!

[Neils LX]

Yeah have a few stashed away

[Neils LX]

Hi there.

Photobucket is down so cant upload update pics but another possably insane idea has come up in changing the Hatch floor. Looking at removing whole LX sedan bootfloor, lower quarters (as UC ones rusty) and rear tailight panel and swapping the whole lot over into the UC. Have done a few measurement, oxy grinder and drill has been fired up and donar section has been cut out. Will now look at how hard it will be to swap it all over. Update pics when able to

Chears Neil

[Neils LX]

Okay , Photobucket is working so have uploaded some photos. Plan of attack. Measured LX sedan for rear tailight panel bootfloor lower quarters and Fuel Tank brackets. Cut away and grind off spot welds until all unwanted LX metal is removed then cut away whats not required in Hatch. 

 

So sedan parts cut out.

 

So Rails nead to be unstitched and anything not neaded tossed out.

 

 

Left lower quarter not much chop so cut another quarter out from another UC sedan.

 

Drivers side fine 

 

Fun job of grinding away more spotwelds

 

Towbar holes welded up, and couple of patch panels fitted. LX sedan towbar and botwing have on my current LX sedan for last 10 years

 

So heres the Crazy idea part on Hatch started

Should all slide in from behind. Rear rails where bumper mounts are will nead to be measured cut in half and welded back on afterwards.

 

Shall be getting few more pics uploaded tommorow or Monday.

[Neils LX]

Hey Dave as long as you make progress of sorts its all good. Im liking your work keep into it.

Hey Neil, wish I was able to make the same progress as you, I have only just unpicked the Plenum from the front cut you sold me a while ago.

 

Great work Mate.... I now understand what you meant about having a couple of shells around the farm.... very jealous....

 

Dave

[Neils LX]

Hey few updates on whats been happening.

 

 

Finishing off cutting out hatch floor

 

 

Bare Bum

 

 

Holden didnt skimp on goop. 

 

Lower quarter had rust so came off too.

 

Rust hiding behind.

 

Rear Pillar rust :(

 

 

 

Cant buy this piece curved so will probably have to get it made

 

Will get rear pillar join from this donar. It too has rust but in other places.

 

Using another UC donar for roof guttering

 

Uncle made up replacement inner. Pillar designed like crap and is a shocking rust trap so will design a drain.

 

Lets see whats under this.....

 

Hello rust :(

 

Not as bad as other side but will nead work and pillar drain too. Moisture has nowhere to go. Will replace outside join back to original.

 

Thats it for the moment. Have been on Family holidays and boys 4 day trip to Nats but back into it again.

Edited by Neils LX, 13 January 2015 - 07:55 PM.

[mick_in_oz]

Consider leaving the drip check out so that it can't ever stay wet, with it open it can breath. Did this with mine over 20 years ago and not a sign of trouble, fish oiled the hell out of it from up in the roof area so that the inside of the pillar is sealed and protected from hopefully ever rusting again.

[Neils LX]

Was going to seal it all up and force into a drain that went right down to under the car. All keen for ideas of what to do. I just hope nobody re copys factory idea.