LJ70 Build Thread!

[Runekebab]

Awesome

 

[Rob]

Been you never cease to amaze me, great work!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TonyP]

Nice Ben, if it was mine it would have ended up in the scrap heap!

 

[Ben]

Thanks guys!

Another busy day today.
Im hoping to update the thread, but I've sold 18 items on ebay that I've now got to package up and arrange couriers for.

 

[clivehorridge]

Well Ben, my goodness

I was looking forward to this part because I changed a roof on an old Vauxhall Cavalier. I knew the diagonal ratchet straps would come in handy.

Excellent job between you. I note "Huge thanks to my mate for his help. Couldn't have done it with out you dude. " and you must realise that from a reader's point of view all you appeared to do was to make the tea and take photos

No pun on Gra's post, but I was holding my breath reading the build. When you started to comment about your floor pans and bulkhead being twisted, I became nervous because the same thoughts went through my mind when I did the Cavalier. The "new" roof was twisted on that too. I presume that without a body to keep it in shape, the roof panel is quite unstable.


Great to see the doors fit, especially the passenger side, thought you might have problems there. My guess is that the "bad" joints as you called them, will be the strongest when you've done. Thy will get an extra plate and more attention.

Bravo Ben, she's going to be just fine and better than ever before.

And... she's really yours now, you built her!

 

[Ben]

Bit of a late start today.

Started welding everything up.

Needed to plate over the hole in the passenger side C post, so cut a piece off of the old pillars.

Im not a huge fan of welding bodypanels as its difficult to get nice seams of weld without blowing holes through the panels.

So I tend to weld in little bursts and keep moving around so as not to put too much heat into the panels. Doesn't make for very photographic welds though unfortunately.

Cleaned up ready for welding.

Welded along the windscreen next.

Thermal cut out kicked in whilst welding along the windscreen, so while it cooled down I started flap wheeling the welds down.

The most awkward area to weld was underneath the windscreen on the inside of the truck. I lost count of the amount of times I got burnt doing this bit.

Needed another small patch on the inside of the drivers side A pillar.

Used 3 gas cylinders in total.

Ground more of the welds down.

Needed to grind down the welds below the roof gutters, but couldnt get in with a flap wheel disc.

So used a normal grinding disc.

Worked well.

Main issue I had was I couldnt get into the corners.

I thought one of these might do the job but none of them would.

Gave all the welds and bare metal a coat of red oxide primer next.

Need to get some seam sealer to smooth over the welds before painting.

Also thinking of buying this:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-COMPR...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3f1cbcb62e

Which I'm hoping might smooth the corner welds down.

 

[Ben]

Well Ben, my goodness

I was looking forward to this part because I changed a roof on an old Vauxhall Cavalier. I knew the diagonal ratchet straps would come in handy.

Excellent job between you. I note "Huge thanks to my mate for his help. Couldn't have done it with out you dude. " and you must realise that from a reader's point of view all you appeared to do was to make the tea and take photos

No pun on Gra's post, but I was holding my breath reading the build. When you started to comment about your floor pans and bulkhead being twisted, I became nervous because the same thoughts went through my mind when I did the Cavalier. The "new" roof was twisted on that too. I presume that without a body to keep it in shape, the roof panel is quite unstable.


Great to see the doors fit, especially the passenger side, thought you might have problems there. My guess is that the "bad" joints as you called them, will be the strongest when you've done. Thy will get an extra plate and more attention.

Bravo Ben, she's going to be just fine and better than ever before.

And... she's really yours now, you built her!

Thanks Clive.

But your wrong!

I didnt just make tea and take pics.

I also made lunch!

Lots still to do but I'm making OK progress.

By this time next week I want it totally back together and finished!

 

[Yorkshire Devil]

These are quite good for getting into corners. We use them for fettling welds down on the steel frames. The wheel is V shaped and good for getting into corners.

 

[sae70]

Looking good Ben

Hows you getting to work tomorrow then? Push bike or mum

 

[clivehorridge]

Hi YD,

That looks like a similar tool to the Black&Decker power file.

They were great, used it for all sorts of jobs that it wasn't really intended for I'm sure. Do they still sell them?

What's the brand of the one in the photo YD?

 

[SpinDrift]

Looking great Ben. Well done!!!

 

[clivehorridge]

Thanks Clive.

But your wrong!

I didnt just make tea and take pics.

I also made lunch!

Glad to hear it Ben, you couldn't very well make the lad do lunch as well could you...

I might have been tempted to leave the welds proud.

Be proud of your welds! They also look cool painted red against the blue. How about just laquering them after the red oxide, leave 'em nice and visible!!

Good work Ben.

 

[Crispin]

Hats off to you Ben. I think I might have got half way and then burst into tears and given up.

How much effort would a body swap have been?

 

[Maverick]

Ben, as ever an awesome read/thread ... Time to update your CV to add Body Repairing to Carpentry (oh and well done Mike )

 

[Yorkshire Devil]

Hi YD,

That looks like a similar tool to the Black&Decker power file.

They were great, used it for all sorts of jobs that it wasn't really intended for I'm sure. Do they still sell them?

What's the brand of the one in the photo YD?

They are manufactured by Seco Engineering Ltd. They cost a but more than the B & D at around £600 but they are air powered and have a V shaped wheel and use a narrow 5mm wide belt.

 

[Ben]

Thanks guys.

Getting a lift to work with my Dad tomorrow Steven, then going to see if I can borrow a van for the rest of the week.

A body swap would have probably been less effort and work Crisp, but its finding one that hasnt got rusty rear arches and for sensible money.

Had it been an 80 for example then I dont think I'd have struggled finding a decent body. Im sure Karl would have sold me one from one hes breaking.

There doesnt seem to be anywhere near as many 70's around compared to 80's.

 

[Leopard]

Looking good, Ben. Welds look good after you've grounded them.

Interested to see how visible they'll be once you've finished up and painted.

Do they have any inspections when you import into Aus?

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[Graham]

I have run out of things to say,,,,,,,,,,,speechless,

Gra.

 

[Ben]

Looking good, Ben. Welds look good after you've grounded them.

Interested to see how visible they'll be once you've finished up and painted.

Do they have any inspections when you import into Aus?


Cheers,

Nigel

Thanks Nigel.

There will be an inspection by customs to make sure the vehicle is clean and hasnt got any mud/organic material on/in it.

Then there will be an MOT style inspection when I come to register it on the road.

I have run out of things to say,,,,,,,,,,,speechless,

Gra.

In a good way I hope Gra?

 

[wobbly]

Whilst its all stripped out, why not make up a roll hoop to put behind the seats? Bit of rsj or something.