I haven't noticed much in the way of " project threads" on this board, the other ones I frequent are always full of them, so I figgered I'd make something of an update to this.
So anyways, I've made some progress. It isn't just an ill smelling wasp farm sitting in the driveway filling the wifes eyes with joy anymore.
( and I'm not kidding about the wasp farm, unbefinglievable how many nests were between the roofs...)
It's essentially going to be a landcruiser, with a 109sw body, the only rover mechanicals or electricals I'll be using are " possibly" the wiper motor and heater core.
3b diesel, 5 speed, power steering, and 4 wheel disc brakes. ( I have something of an allergy to spark plugs and drums.) I may throw a turbo on there once it's running...
Heater core is dependant on the tranny tunnel I make, if I have room I'll use an fj40 heater in the middle.
Mainly so the passenger has some leg room .
wiper motor, if it works ok, I'll leave it, but I suspect it's going to be turfed in favour of one that operates above the speed of " slow with a hint of urgency"
Presently, it's sitting on landcruiser axles, with an lc frame. I made a sub frame of sorts, so that I could use the cruiser body mount locations, and use rubber mounts.
worked out nicely that 1.5x3 box tubing works great to replace the rusty bit of channel under the doors, and ads some strength to an otherwise flimsy body, and makes it super easy to throw some sliders on.
Kindof have the pedal box and steering column mocked up, I'm at the point where I need to poke the engine in there and see how it fits. My plan is to shuffle the drivers seat inboard an inch or two, as it don't much care for how the rovers jam you into the door.
Pedal box was a tad awkward, but turns out an fj40 box fits in there quite well, and leaves room for a tilt column. ( and yes, I was bemusedly shaking my head as the rover clutch and brake MC's sailed over my shoulder into the scrap metal bin...)
How much I can move the seat towars centre depends on how much room I have around the bellhousing, as I need to make some more hoof room in the middle.
So we'll see how that goes. So far, everythings fit rather well, considering I was taking a wild guess that the rover body would actually fit on the frame.
I'm going to attempt a pic or two, but if the compexities defeat me, I'll just post a link.
Bear in mind, it's in it's original splendour cosmetics wise, at some point I will paint it, but I want to get most of the fab work done before I deal with the fripperies.
and yes, the shop is due for the next clean out. I had a rather vigorous torching session a few nights back and the results are the mound of crap under the truck.
ok, tried the image tags, couldnt get them to work, so here's a link to my photobucket site.
http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j171/ ... to1/rover/
http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j171/ ... T08003.jpg