Ammo's Ute

[Wrongway Roger]

I have a Quck Silver in HJ ute, that Ammo did drive so she aware of how they work.
As this is cruise car for her, we need only to select drive and go.

On a new subject, I have the TIG welder up and running.
Ran into Gary Q from Mildura at the All Holden Day and he was able to impart some of his aluminum welding wisdom to me.
So today, with steady hand I'm going to give it a go again.

vanes.JPG (100.83 KiB) Viewed 485 times

Playing with a new front grill again.

Cheers,
Roger

[FireKraka]

Roger for my 2 cents worth even though the Lokar is expensive after having the B&M in Frank I would prefer the mechanical Lokar against the cable B&M, just my 2 cents as I said
When I built my V6 FC Sedan I used the VP floor hump so just keep the VP shifter that way I had the standard wiring and switch for the neutral safety.

[Wrongway Roger]

Thanks guys for your comments on the shifter.
I like the Lokar as it has a clean simple look.
Picked up the top section from VH Commodore centre console today so will continue to nut it out.

On the welding front, I have had some success with simple fusion weld but a fail when adding filler wire.

1st ally weld.JPG (48.75 KiB) Viewed 463 times

Only doing short 20 mm welds then move on so there is less heat build up.
Resting my elbows on the bench seems to work as I can hold the arc better.
A good clean up ofthe shitty weld and try to fill tomorrow.

Cheers,
Roger

[Blacky]

I haven't tried using my TIG yet, only planning to use it on mild steel , be a learning curve no doubt

[Wrongway Roger]

OMG, give me steel anyday.
I have little luck using the filler wire as it either did not melt on the plate or it contaminated the electrode when I touched it.

Good old U Tube, show the removal of any anodising or oxidising then clean with acetone.
Did this and my fusion welds look good but still not luck with filler rod. More practise and more minor adjustments of the welder.

The other thing mentioned on U tube was get in a comfortable position so I did.
Sat on my stool, one leg up on the shelf, forearms on the bench.
Probably should have worn long pants.

TIG leg.JPG (46.68 KiB) Viewed 433 times

[Wrongway Roger]

First up, I fail at aluminum welding so the grill slats on hold.
But I finished the diff and with Mitch's help put in under the ute. I may need to move the flex brake bracket.

Diff in.JPG (241.27 KiB) Viewed 366 times

The lowering block will be painted black after I sort out the ride height.
Too high for me even with the sedan leaf springs. I did sit my fat butt on the rear of the ute as there is a tailgate , hard cover floor to instal, which moved it about 60 mm. Time to get a another set reset.
Wheels do fill the opening nicely.

Wheels on.JPG (204.29 KiB) Viewed 366 times

I dropped in the tank to ensure there is good clearance.

tank complete.JPG (183.58 KiB) Viewed 366 times

Tomorrow I will drop the motor and gear box in so I can sort out the T bar shifter position. I got one on Ebay for $200.

Cheers,
Roger

[Errol62]

Fancy wheel dollies mate and those wheels look horn. Are those stock sedan springs? Definitely could be set flatter.

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

[Wrongway Roger]

I pinched the springs off of the sedan, in the hope it would be both a softer ride and a little lower.
Maybe a bag or 2 of cement in the back a a cheap lowering tool.
Cheers,
Roger

[Wrongway Roger]

Sedan springs still too high so I grabbed a set from Mike and had these re-set 65 mm lower.
Now I need install, firstly without an lowering block and hopefully it will sit where I want it.
I did get a quote from someone else here in Adelaide and they were more than double to price.

If any one is interested, this is the company business card.

Northern Spring Works.JPG (71.17 KiB) Viewed 244 times

I think these guys are the last in SA actually doing spring work.
Cheers,
Roger

[Wrongway Roger]

Checked out Clays sway bar mount on his ute then made a set from 50 mm angle with a couple of gussets on the sides.

sway mount 2.JPG (139.3 KiB) Viewed 178 times

Sway bar installed with brake lines.

sawy bar.JPG (199.2 KiB) Viewed 178 times

I got a flex hose made at Power Brakes to connect the metric VN brake lines to the imperial EK lines.
I was going to do a small line with different ends but it looked dodgy so I scrapped it.

I'm considering making a fill panel to close up the gap behind to rears wheels, similar to the sedans.
Cheers,
Roger

[Errol62]

Gussets you show off…
Good idea but.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

Diff looks nice. What’s the paint?


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Wrongway Roger]

I mixed the paint colour from blue and silver enamel. I wanted a colour that will contrast with the body colour.
Need to paint the brake lines black and straighten them a little.

engine paint.JPG (79.41 KiB) Viewed 147 times

Cheers,
Roger

[Errol62]

You’re an alchemist


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Wrongway Roger]

Slapped the wheels on today to check ride height and I think I will leave at this.
Still to load in the fuel tank, tail gate and hard cover so may go a little lower.

The flex brake line off of the calipers, is close the the chassis so may need to move the brake lines inbound.

Final ride height.JPG (46.14 KiB) Viewed 76 times

Cheers,
Roger