Dave's Orange Betty EK Sedan

[Errol62]

You should know that they don't have a crush tube from factory. Instead there is a shouldered bolt that bears on the back of the inner sill and this area should be reinforced accordingly. The bolts are available from Rare Spares as the originals are generally trashed. Bit exxy but.

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[FireKraka]

Hi Clay my mistake mate, of course I should have realised that

Neil

[Orange Betty]

Thanks for the comments guys. I splurged on new bolts as the old ones were cactus and they definately have the shoulder. The back of the inner sill extension is reinforced with 2mm plate on the inside face. The front section is also 2mm and doesn't deflect when the bolt is tightened up so I'm pretty happy with how it turned out for my first major bit of engineering.

Cheers

Dave

[Errol62]

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[In the Shed]

Good work Dave,
A neat piece of fabrication that looks very sound.

Regards
Stephen

[Orange Betty]

Well it's been nearly a year - progress has been slow - but progress nonetheless. Finally put the new Rares left outer sill on after having to remake the bottom on the A pillar and dogleg.

They were this:

Dogleg 1.JPG (35.71 KiB) Viewed 602 times

OB LH lwr A pillar.JPG (80.43 KiB) Viewed 602 times

Did the Frankenstein patch on the A pillar and some modification to the outsill bolt hole flange:

Frankenstein patch a pillar.JPG (34.46 KiB) Viewed 602 times

and ended up with this:

A pillar 3.JPG (36.45 KiB) Viewed 602 times

B pillar was easier and even managed to insert a seat belt mounting plate in there for later:

B pilllar.JPG (39.8 KiB) Viewed 602 times

Dog leg wasn't so easy with all those panels meeting up and folding in on each other but I'm happy with the end result

Dogleg 2.JPG (39 KiB) Viewed 602 times

and sill is welded on:

Sill final.JPG (34.75 KiB) Viewed 602 times

And the subframe and door still fit!

Door fit.JPG (40.09 KiB) Viewed 602 times

Good news is that the drivers side doesn't look nearly as bad so I think I will get away with A pillar and outer sill repairs in-situ.

Cheers

Dave

[Errol62]

Great effort Dave


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Brett027]

Hi Dave. Looking good. Door fit is perfect. Wilma and Betty will be hitting the town together in no time at this rate.

[Orange Betty]

Ha ha, don't hold your breath Brett - I'm aiming to have Betty ready for Daughter #1 Year 12 formal in 2024 and you and Wilma are going great guns!

However I could always chauffeur Betty around if she isn't ready, on the next side project:

Trailer.jpg (36.91 KiB) Viewed 560 times

Needs suspension, rear end bracing, brake overhaul and ramps made. Will be nice to weld with some thick metal for a change!

But then I've got to pick up my other non-FB/EK project. My 1988 Rangie - at least it's a v8!

Cheers

Dave

[Brett027]

Wow. You're getting very professional now with a trailer.

[EK283]

Great work,

You just have to chip away and eventually its done.

Mines 12 years on and off but I have done so much in between, other cars, holidays or just like winter not much just a bit of yard maintenance.

Greg

[Errol62]

Winter be gone I say

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[Orange Betty]

Yeah Greg chipping away and as much as I want to get it all done and see the end result, the chipping away is very enjoyable and satisfying.

More enjoyable when its warmer tho - sub zero's here lately

Dave

[Brett027]

I'm with you Clay. It's no use at all

[BILLY BLACKARROW]

ME TO CLAY I just turned 70 feeling the cold I have COPD (Emphysema) so my blood oxygen level is low ( I didn't think I would make it this far) I miss my traveling to warmer climates in my caravan and the virus isn't helping but I woke up this morning so that's a plusssssssss