1977 mk1 aussie transit tray

[dob077]

hi every one,i have a 73 van for 15 years as my work van,but to much rust now retired to back yard,my current project is my 77 tray which ive had about 4 years.removed every bolt on panel and resprayed,rust repair in floor(minor),today in 40 degree heat welded side rails on tray ready to replace wooden floor.it has a 250ci ford motor and a 3 speed floor shift manual which is all original here in australia.i replaced the front discs and calipers with a 1980 ford sedan(bolt straight on the same stub axels as the english version)replaced the twin wheel 5.22 ratio rear ass with a 1980 ford 2.78 ratio rear ass.the van drives very well sitting on about 1800 rpm doing 100 kph(60 mph).i am learning how to put photos on the forum so keep looking.this is a very good and informative forum.ken

[madmark]

wow ken you have been working hard!
rust i didnt think you boys had much of that overthere!

[FredTransit]

Is a tray a flatbed or pickup then?

[Granadadriver]

Is a tray a flatbed or pickup then?

Think it's flatbed! Pickups are commonly called "utes" down under!

[stevew]

Isn't a tray where you have one large flat surface above the rear wheels, typically with no sides. They're really common over in Oz. But not in MK1 transit form!

Steve

EDIT: maybe they do have sides! You get the idea.

[Sundowner]

Hey dob077 nice to have some more aussie backup, seems that alot of aussie transit owners come from mexico

The front brake conversion you have is it a Rod Shop kit that runs Falcon discs and holden calipers?

If you wish to convert to a 4 speed look around for a 250ci cortina box as the shifter is in the correct spot if you use a falcon box you will need to cut a new shifter hole

[zoz from oz]

Isn't a tray where you have one large flat surface above the rear wheels, typically with no sides. They're really common over in Oz. But not in MK1 transit form!

Steve

EDIT: maybe they do have sides! You get the idea. A ute can be both panels and dropside back end, but the dropside is commonly called a one tonner.

[dob077]

over here in australia we call a flat bed a tray top,on my compliance plate it is g.v.w-3236 kg in weight.it is a long wheel base model and used to be a tip top bread delivery van here in mildura.the front calipers are off a xd falcon and bolt straight on.the only thing to do is put a 3mm washer in between caliper and stub where caliper bolts on.thanks for info on 4 speed but i might stick with 3 speed...ken

[dob077]

the last couple of days fitted new tail lights,re-fit front indicators,head lights,fuel tank(cleaned and painted) rear shocks,front grill.a bit of a problem with electrical which i will fix.put some fuel in tank and drove it to the local welder mate to get some rust patches in floor pan done.the van went well ,i got some looks from people because i drove it with no windscreen,doors,back window and only one seat including seat belt.i am making a new head lining at home on the sowing machine then i will put windows in and doors on,then its time for rego----cant wait---.will post photos soon...ken

[Sundowner]

Are you sure they're off an XD i cant see how they would bolt straight on
considering that they bolt up in a completely different way and i also know transit calipers fit cortinas and falcon dont i know HQ holden calipers bolt on the same as the transit and cortina because i have a set on my cortina

[dob077]

hi sundowner,i appologise they are ford vented discs-holden calipers-ford pads.one day i will try to adapt original transit twin piston calipers onto the falcon discs or have you tried this...ken

[Sundowner]

If you have the holden calipers on keep them on they are a far better caliper than the transit 2 piston unit with more than twice the pad area and you can rebuild both calipers for less than you can buy 1 piston in the transit calipers

I have 4 piston transit calipers and vented discs on my van the discs is the same width as the falcon discs (24mm) but is 20mm smaller in dia over the falcon discs so the transit caliper wont fit the falc disc

Stick with what you got its a good set up

This is a falcon disc and WB holden caliper set up on a TE cortina



Transit Solid discs and 2 piston caliper



Transit vented disc and 4 piston caliper