Page 29 of 35

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:06 am
by 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
vanes.JPG (100.83 KiB) Viewed 967 times
Playing with a new front grill again.

Cheers,
Roger

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2023 2:41 pm
by 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 :lol:
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.

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2023 5:42 pm
by 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. :oops:
1st ally weld.JPG
1st ally weld.JPG (48.75 KiB) Viewed 945 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

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2023 7:29 pm
by Blacky
I haven't tried using my TIG yet, only planning to use it on mild steel , be a learning curve no doubt :crazy:

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:24 pm
by 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. :oops:
TIG leg.JPG
TIG leg.JPG (46.68 KiB) Viewed 915 times

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 5:17 pm
by Wrongway Roger
First up, I fail at aluminum welding so the grill slats on hold. :thumbsdown:
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
Diff in.JPG (241.27 KiB) Viewed 848 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
Wheels on.JPG (204.29 KiB) Viewed 848 times
I dropped in the tank to ensure there is good clearance.
tank complete.JPG
tank complete.JPG (183.58 KiB) Viewed 848 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

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 6:04 pm
by 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


Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:29 am
by 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. :lol: :lol:
Cheers,
Roger

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 1:41 pm
by 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
Northern Spring Works.JPG (71.17 KiB) Viewed 726 times
I think these guys are the last in SA actually doing spring work.
Cheers,
Roger

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2023 4:30 pm
by 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
sway mount 2.JPG (139.3 KiB) Viewed 660 times
Sway bar installed with brake lines.
sawy bar.JPG
sawy bar.JPG (199.2 KiB) Viewed 660 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

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2023 5:36 pm
by Errol62
Gussets you show off…
Good idea but.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2023 5:37 pm
by Errol62
Diff looks nice. What’s the paint?


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2023 10:31 am
by 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. :lol:
engine paint.JPG
engine paint.JPG (79.41 KiB) Viewed 629 times
Cheers,
Roger

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2023 10:41 am
by Errol62
You’re an alchemist


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Re: Ammo's Ute

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 2:19 pm
by 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
Final ride height.JPG (46.14 KiB) Viewed 558 times
Cheers,
Roger