Deadline!
Barring any foreseen issues (and haven't I had a few of those...) the truck is back in my shed next Thursday!!
Sep
16
20
09
Sep
15
The Shifter, The Bucket Seat And The Headers
Popped in again to see where things are at with the truck. It's been busier than usual at work so I've not had the chance to get out to see it or chase up progress as much as I would like. While it's not ready take home just yet, there has been progress and it is nearly there.
The bench seat is out, happily sitting in a '56 F100 cab where it's possibly going to stay. The drivers side is now sporting one of the BA bucket seats I scored a while back, tacked in place ready to test the seating position with my arse in it. The Lokar shifter is also in, and I'm glad that I made the right choice on the 16" shaft as it's the perfect fit. When I sat it in, if felt like it was made that - Cam had everything in spot on first go so thankfully there's nothing to move or change.
The wiring is also progressing, making everything legal so that the airbag controls are disabled unless it's in park. Once that's all done and the engine is ready to fire up again, it should be good to go - fingers crossed my next entry has it sitting in the garage.
I also took an opportunity to take a couple of shots of the headers, which look really good.
20
09
Aug
12
Shiny New Headers and the Panels Are Back On!
It's been a little while since the last update, as I've been flat out at work and haven't had the time to inquire about progress or make a visit to the workshop. However, Cam was kind enough to send through a few pics last night that I wanted to share.
The freshly ceramic coated headers returned from HPC last week, and it looks like the guys at Di Filippo did some very nice work on the tuned length pipes.
In been six months in the making, but the panels are all finally back on the truck! Ok, the bumper is missing, but that is because I have that at home. That reminds me to give a good polish this week and get it ready to go back on.
From the pics you can also see the BMW rims I mentioned in my last entry. Obviously, the backspacing on these means they are tucked in way too far on the rear, but that will be remedied once I order those billet rims I've been talking about for so long.
I'll get in touch with the workshop later today and get some more news, hopefully they've also got everything wired up and the engine going again - the end is in sight!
20
09
Aug
01
BMW and Jaguar Meet F100, Euro Truck?
While I wasn't successful on eBay, I did manage to pick up a set of the BMW 18" X5 wheels I was after thanks to Laine @ Australian Vehicle Locators who I contacted via the first eBay listing I missed.
The wheels, sharing the same PCD as Commodore wheels which is *almost* chev pattern, went onto the front of the truck no problems. With the wider 255 tyres up front tucked a little further into so the guards don't sit on them, full steering lock will need to be reduced to ensure the tyres don't rub on the guards or the chassis.
At least now I have a good idea of the backspacing, etc I need to calculate for the billet wheels once I order those. The rear we've already measured and shortened to the diff to suit so it's all good.
Not much progress otherwise, as the guys are waiting on the headers to come back before returning panels and permanently routing brake lines, air lines, wiring, etc. Did get a good gander though at the twin 2.5" system the boys at Di Filippo fabricated, and it looks great. Dumps nicely before the diff!
20
09
Jul
28
Headers and Exhaust Complete, Onwards to Assembly!
Got the word from Wayne at Di Filippo Performance Exhausts that my system is complete, and the truck is ready to go back to Hoppers. The headers are going seperately so they can be HPC coated, and put back onto the truck at a later date. Tow truck is booked to pick it up tomorrow for the return journey.
In leiu of the final set of wheels which I've yet to order, I'm hunting around for a cheap set of rollers so I can give back the loaner chev steelies that are on at the moment. While Commodores have a stud pattern that's close to the older chev pattern, I've found BMWs do as well, and X5s came out with 18" wheels fitted with 255/55/R18 tyres which is what I plan to run at the front. I'm hoping to pick up a set from eBay I can roll on until the proper wheels arrive, but so far not much luck on eBay yet. I've also put re-chroming the front bumper on hold until I get the truck back from Hoppers. Don't want to get too ahead of myself!
20
09
Jul
20
The Truck Has Left The Building... For Another One
As planned, the truck took a big step forward towards completion, being picked up and towed away to Di Filippo Performance Exhaust for the headers and system. Darren estimates it will be there a couple of weeks due to their workload. The system will be a set of HPC-coated 4-into-1 headers with 17/8 primaries, into a dual 2.5" stainless exhaust including a crossover pipe. Once the system is complete, it's back to Hoppers for final assembly, wiring etc.
Prior to pick-up, I managed to snag a quick video demonstrating the airbag setup before it's all wired in properly for engineering. Since my last visit, the compressor, air tank and battery are now located in the tub and the radiator support panel and the radiator are back with a temporary brace, most which can be seen in the few photos I grabbed as well.
20
09
Jul
16
I Learn To Weld Plus a Quick Update
Inspired by the work that's gone into my truck thus far, I'd considered enrolling in a evening welding course to learn some skills I could use myself. Thanks to my wife, plus some help from my folks as well as my own wallet, I enrolled in one at Geelong Gordon Tafe.
Tonight was the first of ten lessons, four hours long each. The early part was spent going over the necessary safety issues, but it wasn't long before we got stuck into some manual arc welding after a quick demo.
As you might expect, my first few welds on a solid chunk of scrap mild steel were pretty rough, but it wasn't long before I got the hang of it and started welding some nice straight, consistent beads. We were set a challenge to flat weld a piece of 10mm square steel which I managed to do both sides of. Not a bad effort for a complete novice I reckon - the picure below is the evidence. After that was spent welding rectangular pieces of 6mm plate into T shapes. Some welds were ok, some still a bit rough so more practise needed!
We'll also be covering MIG, TIG, oxy welding/cutting and bronze welding/braizing in future classes, so I should have some basic skills by the end of the course that I can improve on at home. I'd like to be able to do my own work in the future as I come up with more hair-brained ideas for the truck. I might be able to fix the old banger too!
Speaking of the truck, had a quick chat to Cam today, and there's been more work completed during the week. The radiator support panel and radiator is back, which I wasn't expecting, and the airbag system is working too! There's a little confusion about the controller system, as I expected Airirde to supply a height controller system, but the guys tell me it's a pressure system instead. Will need to sort that out on Monday. Might even manage to get a few more pics, and perhaps a video as well!
20
09
Jul
08
Of Tailshafts and Brake Boosters
No pics for this update unfortunately, but I've got news from Cam and Pete about the work that has continued during the past week!
The two piece tail shaft I sourced from Westcoast F100 has been shortened, though it did need some other remedial work to ensure it was in good condition for installation, and hopefully it will be fitted in the next day or two. The tub has been finished off, including stone guard under the new sheet metal. The brakes booster and master cylinder has been relocated as required, with all the brake lines finalised as well.
Wheels are still an issue, but hopefully I can get a lend of some temporarily to keep it rolling if I'm unable to source some myself before I purchase the billet wheels I'm after.
I've also booked the truck in for the custom headers and exhaust with Darren Di Filippo in Melton, where it will spend a week or so from the 20th before coming back to Hoppers Stoppers for completion.
The end is near and I'm more keen than ever to see how it drives.
20
09
Jul
02
The (Rear) End Complete
I managed to pop just after closing hours to see how the truck had progressed since Cam last sent a couple of pictures through last week. I was quite chuffed to see that there had been more work done!
The rear end is complete, sans a few minor bits and pieces. The rear brakes have been fitted and brake lines installed along with the handbrake cable. The disc brakes are Hoppers Stoppers own drum upgrade kit, which uses PBR F Body Camaro type calipers, 300mm late model Mustang rotors and Commodore pads. The gas lines have been refitted as well. The airbags are back in, with the air lines still to come. Any bare metal has been hit with chassis black, and it's come up very nicely I think. The lack of rear wheels is due to the chev stockies not being able to fit over the new brakes, and as I don't have my new wheels yet the guys will work out something to keep it rolling while it's finished off.
Speaking of finishing off, Cam has put more work into the tub and it's nearly done as well. Most of the recent work has been underneath, which I didn't get pictures of but it's looking really good. A small tunnel section needs to be added in front of the diff tunnel to clear the tail shaft, along with some final welding. Still waiting on the tail shaft to be modified to fit, but that's not far away either.
Not long now before I'll organise to get the truck taken away to get the headers and exhaust made up, hopefully in a week or two. I'm feeling more confident about estimating the schedule now as things have been moving along really well recently.
The title of today's update is inspired by Obituary, very appropriate I think!
20
09
Jun
26
More Progress on the Tub
Cam sent through another pic today, showing progress of the tub. The diff cover has been installed, and welding up the wheel tubs is well underway.
The axles are, fingers crossed, due back Monday, and the two-piece tail shaft will be measured up for shortening, which needs about 10" taken off it.
20
09