Project 80: Codename Grey Ghost

[SpinDrift]

Thanks for the link Chris. I had considered getting one when i went to Morocco but it was one if those things i never got round to

 

[moggy1968]

View attachment 19352

Very Smart

damn near fell off the sofa and pissed myself!

 

[GeorgeG]

Can't say I am experiencing the same. Been for a blast in it and it's no different. Noisier though than the forward facing thing, but no less performance

Yep, I could notice no difference either. I emptied it a bit more often but no effect on performance that I could detect.

Now that you've said that....lack of power could have been because of poor quality of diesel in the middle east I'll put the 'fish tank' on today and drive around...

Few hours later edit: It actually makes a difference The 80 performs better without the cyclon. Mine is an 8 inch wide.

 

[Chris]

First job was to clean out the goldfish bowl. Then I got on with the serious business of making some steps. Been a long day and I am knackered. Where's Ben when you need him?

Ok so this is a manual and the front supports are different on an auto due to the position of the cross member. So out with the jigs and a piece of 100 x 50 x3 went in. I used 5mm wall before but that was for sliders. These are steps with added protection and the weight saving is welcome.




I cut the rear two supports and added the mounting feet - all firmly tacked first just in case Uncle F*** Up comes to visit.



Pretty quickly I was able to get a first fitting. All lined up nicely no dramas.



Here's the step toppers lined up to see what the overall look will be. Quite happy with those



They don't stick out past the wheels and give plenty of foot room for standing on which in case you missed it, is the whole point of these.



Then I had to fit the two front arms. These slowed me down a lot. The foot position wasn't difficult but I had to mill out a section on one to get it past the bend in the exhaust downpipe. I made some changes to the jigs so that next time it would be easier on the near side at least. I did want to get the air tank in above the steps but that's going to be a faff. So I shall stick it in position number 2.



Here's the underside where the steps mount to the chassis. They are only tacked and nipped at the second and yet still take my weight. (Leave it)

Last job today was cut some gussets with the plasma. These allow you to use the high lift under there. Got some more gussets to cut tomorrow then a full weld round and they can go to the powder coater on Tuesday. All I'll have to do before that is weld in the supports for the side steps. They have captive nut rails running underneath so really fixing them couldn't be easier.


I need a beer.

 

[Ian Chuter]

Looking good as usual Chris............at what point will you be taking orders and have you a price in mind?

 

[AndyCook]

Good and fast work Chris, when I made some sliders it took me days!
How much clearance is there between that outrigger and the exhaust ? Since as you know the exhaust moves around a fair bit with engine load etc


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Chris]

Been there done that Ian. You wouldn't like the price. I have made a few sets over the years, it's a tried and tested design. As I say, easier for an auto. I can get a set cut and tacked in under 2 hours. But that's if I get the bolts and feet made locally. The U bolts are stainless which is good. But a set of bolts, nuts, washers and feet comes in around the £50 mark, then there's about £70 worth of steel in there at least and £100 powder coating so that's £220 before I make a penny then there's gas, wire and other consumables, running up to the coaters and a day of my time minimum. If I whored myself at £10.00 /hr that'd be another £100 but I can tell you I'm not working for that! I did offer someone a set uncoated for £350 once and they said they'd go and find some cheaper elsewhere.

This as always, the problem with making bespoke stuff and one offs. If I ran a fabrication shop, these would be so easy to do and could maybe be knocked out at £450 - £500 All the bits would be pre cut and just glued together.

Other than Frogs, there's no one who seems to offer these in the UK really.

 

[Chris]

Andy that was just a loose fit up. There will be more clearance on the exhaust and the steps will actually slide forward a little more too. There's plenty of room. The exhaust doesn't actually move that much. There's a great big flexible joint just above the bend. It will clear by the time I am done. I hate knocking noises.

 

[Ian Chuter]

Been there done that Ian. You wouldn't like the price. I have made a few sets over the years, it's a tried and tested design. As I say, easier for an auto. I can get a set cut and tacked in under 2 hours. But that's if I get the bolts and feet made locally. The U bolts are stainless which is good. But a set of bolts, nuts, washers and feet comes in around the £50 mark, then there's about £70 worth of steel in there at least and £100 powder coating so that's £220 before I make a penny then there's gas, wire and other consumables, running up to the coaters and a day of my time minimum. If I whored myself at £10.00 /hr that'd be another £100 but I can tell you I'm not working for that! I did offer someone a set uncoated for £350 once and they said they'd go and find some cheaper elsewhere.

This as always, the problem with making bespoke stuff and one offs. If I ran a fabrication shop, these would be so easy to do and could maybe be knocked out at £450 - £500 All the bits would be pre cut and just glued together.

Other than Frogs, there's no one who seems to offer these in the UK really.

I know Chris, I was only joking. I can appreciate the amount of work that goes into these things which is why I admire your (and others) build and why I still have my original (slightly corroded) side steps.

 

[fbnss]

Did you make the sliders on mine by any chance? I can't remember where it was written but you said they they looked familiar.


Ps. Nice work.

 

[Chris]

No they're not my work but the base pattern is the same one. I know, because I can't bend toob.

 

[fbnss]

Aww. I was hoping for a Chris original...
Something you can't do?

 

[Chris]

Oh there's plenty I can't do and little that I am good at. I only post the good stuff.

I broke my pipe bender and a really good one costs a LOT. I have access to a three phase hydraulic one but it's all too much trouble THB. If I ever do any more then I'll have the pipe net at the same place who does the plates and U bolts.

 

[fbnss]

I do like this thread no find it amazing the things you knock up at home and take apart and put back together. I might recognise what the odd thing is under the bonnet, I might google how something works and possibly understand how. But I always get stuck at the first rusty bolt plus fear of breaking something. Keep up the good work!

 

[clivehorridge]

Very nice job Chris, you've made me envious again, of you guys with the kit and the space to fab thing up...

I've got ARB steps, cost an arm and a leg and they're not half as good as yours.

Ho hum, such is life...

 

[Gary820]

Good work Chris, I used 60x40x3mm when made my sliders, been knocked about a fair bit and had no issues with 3mm thickness, ive used the same for previous motors and never an issue.

 

[Chris]

Thanks Gary. Yes it will be fine but there is a flex advantage with the 5mm wall when jacking up I think. But these will be fine I am sure.

Well glad to be of inspiration to you fbnss, that's how I started. I looked at what other people could do and though, I want to be able to do that. So I did. You just have to be determined. It's the precision stuff that I'd like to do. Building diffs and gearboxes etc. But I go all sweaty at the sight of a set of feeler gauges.

 

[Ben]

Nice work Chris.

 

[Chris]

Cheers Ben. Feeling my age today. Bit stiff. Might take an extra mug or two to get me going this morning. I shall be glad when this one's done.

 

[Blown80]

Looking good Chris.
The photo angles make them look 20' long, or do they go all the way around??