The odd big brother, trying to restore a rusty A-series

[rizzla]

amazing work guys ive been a welder fabricator for 25 years and i would never attempt something like this i take my hat off to you keep up the good work

[sven]

thanks rizzla:) it really warms to get so good feedback....

a while since the last update now.... coming soon... have few pics on the digicam and some from Jørns phone....

but in the midtime I have lost a auction on two NOS A series wings on Ebay, too bad, they would have saved us lots of work...

but some good has happened:)

got a package on monday, containing this:

[pluspetit]

Love that threat. excellent work!

[sven]

thanks pluspetit

here comes an update on what we have got done the last few mondays..... havent got the time to update this thread since there is so much else to do these days...

Jørn have seamwelded the outrigger on the right side and have started on the inner wing and a reinforcement for the seat





and after taking this picture fron the inside of the outrigger(from through the A pillar which is rotted away) it seems like Jørn really is improving his skills in welding(few years ago he had allmost never used a welder)


and here is a little pic from the inside of the floor... really getting together and whole now


I on the other hand came later and mainly just removed the other lower wing, and had to use soem of the time this monday for other things

[sven]

Last monday Jørn continued on his inner wing, and I started to make the front part of the rail which holds the front crossmember... got round this a litlle different this time, and I think it will be lots beter when finished than the other one...

couple of pics of the front rail tacked together, to be finished tomorrow I guess



And Jørn continued on the inner wing...




So tomorrow its shopday again, and there is less and less rot to see each day

but there still one of the parts which I RELLY NOT are looking forward to, and thats the front xmember and the outer skin under the front valance(grille)

[Grenadekid]

Very classy piece of work guys keep it up

[noah]

u really are determind

[roelsmits]

I find this really nice to read good work
I can not wait until Monday

[Frank190]

I find this really nice to read good work
I can not wait until Monday

X2 - keep up the good work Guys

Frank

[sven]

Thanks for great comments guys, really ispiring getting all that grat feedback:)

well, another monday has gone, end we got a few peces closer...

Jørn finished off the piece of the inner wing he started on last monday, still some work needed, but we decided to remove the rest of the wing first, to get easy access



and of course, this just got more of the brown stuff out in the open....



I had enough work completing the front rail I started last week, and fit it, didnt wuite finish, but allmost:)

welded and forged to the profile I wanted(allmost)



Test fitted a few times, before it was time to remove the old rail, then test fitted it after to adjust a little


Then tacked it in postition, fabbed up an outer rail piece to fit and welded it all up...



I have to say I was more satisfied with this piece than the one on the other side, but then again, I made this one with another technique....

The fun part is when I crossmeasured between the hoodhinges and the front part of the rails holding the front xmember, ehe measures is axtually within 2-3mm(REALLY pleased with that luck)

well, I guess next monday I have to start on the front xmember.....

[roelsmits]

The fun part is when I crossmeasured between the hoodhinges and the front part of the rails holding the front xmember, ehe measures is axtually within 2-3mm(REALLY pleased with that luck)

.....

no luck pure skill

[sven]

hehe, I guess its lots of luck as well as a little metalbasher experience Thanks Roelsmits:)

Made up these while waiting to be picked up from work today....


the top one is the doorstep for the passenger side, and the one under is a base for the front xmember:) sadly I noticed when I was finished that the sheetfolder wasnt correct adjusted, so the xmemberbase is 1-2mm narrower on one side.... guess I will go with that... no garantee for the front of the rails being like either

[dirtydiesel]

Just looked through all your posts, I'm speechless, absolutely amazing work, you guys are gifted with talent.

[sven]

thanks dirtydiesel:)

well a few weeks has gone since last update, so here comes from monday two weeks ago:)

I had a little piece left to weld in on the front rail, so I started the day with that before removing the front xmember..

the last piece on the rail cut out:


and welded in


after that the xmember went off


the front xmember disassembed and put on the workshopfloor...



tried to fit the base I made at work, but it vas too short, and I made it out of too thick sheet... so I have to get more metal one of the next weeks, cauce what we have left isnt long enough.. anyway, here is the attempt I made replacing it in one piece...




Jørn continued on the innerwing/firewallpieces and got started repairing the A pillar

The flange to the front wing was rusty the 15cm closest to the firewall so that had to be be cut out and remade


The wirewall to innerwing part cleaned and started to cut


the piece as Jørn fabricates it


and welds it in


and here it is with the flange to the wing repaired


afterwards he cutted out the corner of the A pillar and the triangle which goes to the firewall


and started to fab the piece to the inner A pillar



this was al for this monday, will be back with the next monday later on:)

[manandvan]

fantastic welding work!! just a small point to make: is using the original engine a good idea?? we had trouble getting them started on an english cold morning! just a thought while the cab is out of the way?? or? where are you goint to put the factory fitted OEM tow rope?
not trying to be negative here, far from it, your doing a brilliant restoration of a truck like one i drove when i was 18 in 1978. i loved the growl of the 3.6 york but they were hard to start and lacking in low down torque.