Aussie 55 Restomod (1 Viewer)

[wngrog]

I’m a fan of getting them mechanically sorted. Enjoying it and then you can take it down for paint and body.

 

[J Mack]

How should I break the project down into manageable chunks? What in your experience is the best order to complete tasks in?

How much of this will you be completing by yourself?

I have a list of repairs and mods I would like to do, keep in mind this isn’t a body off frame rebuild and removing the engine is a major task due to limited space.

If I were doing this by myself I would break it down into these chunks and keep it drivable between them to avoid burnout.

Chunk one, Head work, increase compression, new exhaust, electronic fuel and ignition systems (Holley).

Chunk two, Reseal gearbox and transfer case, install pto output, Axle rebuilds, disc brakes, upgraded booster and master.

Chunk three, Paint frame, Body work, Paint body, Interior clean up, re-upholster seats

 

[RUSH55]

Start by slowly building your tolerance levels.

 

[serenity]

Start by slowly building your tolerance levels.

To what? Pain or alcohol?

How much of this will you be completing by yourself?





If I were doing this by myself I would break it down into these chunks and keep it drivable between them to avoid burnout.

Chunk one, Head work, increase compression, new exhaust, electronic fuel and ignition systems (Holley).

Chunk two, Reseal gearbox and transfer case, install pto output, Axle rebuilds, disc brakes, upgraded booster and master.

Chunk three, Paint frame, Body work, Paint body, Interior clean up, re-upholster seats

I’ll be doing all of the work myself apart from some of the machining work.

The order you suggest is the order I’d like to deal with it in.
Our dmv over here is very strict on roadworthyness though. Rust holes are an instant fail. Even tears or splits in the seats will fail it, it’s ridiculous.
I was thinking of patching all the visible rust and hitting it with undercoat then doing mechanicals so I can drive it and fix it from there.

 

[serenity]

Ok so I’m doing this all backwards, since I’m still finalising my engine ideas and searching for parts I’m starting on the body.

Got some done the last few days, I’m impressed with condition of the interior body panels. I’m going to completely strip the body and repair it first. Then bring each door and panel in one at a time to fix and attach them.

 

[serenity]

Got the rear lights and wiring out, I’m surprised how easy it is to pull the loom out.

So my question for tonight: Does anyone know how to remove the rear quarter panel glass without breaking things?

 

[brisveganbj42]

Got the rear lights and wiring out, I’m surprised how easy it is to pull the loom out.

So my question for tonight: Does anyone know how to remove the rear quarter panel glass without breaking things?

So the way i did it was..

Used my RAM mount with suction cap on the inside so if I pushed the glass out it was an extra hand for me as I was doing this on my own..

but I got a length of telstra rope, on the inside lifted up the seal and stuffed in the telstra rope. I had 3-4 plastic bike tyre levers which came in handy. My seals were good and plyable. Using the rope around the side and bottom and a little bit at the top allowed my to gently push the glass out and remove it without damage..
hope that helps!

 

[serenity]

Ok so the seals around the glass were perished beyond saving, they had gone soft and crumbly so I ended up cutting the windows out. I know seals are unobtainium but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it, I might go talk to a windscreen place and see what they suggest.

 

[serenity]

I made a heap of progress today though, I had the whole day to myself so I got stuck in.
Got the body stripped and ready for welding so there was nothing I could set on fire.

Started cleaning up the floor, it is in great condition.

The rear quarter panels aren’t so good.

 

[serenity]

I’m guessing there was a bit of a run in with a tree or something at some point. There was a lot of bog in there!

Typical rust in the roof.

And what is probably the most complicated section to repair, the apex of the A pillar and roof.

 

[brisveganbj42]

Good luck with it all. At least your floor is good. Have you checked that body mount from underneath?

 

[serenity]

Yeah everything underneath is in really good shape. I’m thinking about making a rig to lift the body off the frame so I can get in and clean and paint both the frame and body.

 

[brisveganbj42]

Yeah everything underneath is in really good shape. I’m thinking about making a rig to lift the body off the frame so I can get in and clean and paint both the frame and body.

Youre going deeper down the rabbit hole!!!

 

[serenity]

Youre going deeper down the rabbit hole!!!

It was always going to happen once I got started. The ocd kicks in and everything has to be done.

 

[scrapdaddy]

That's a shame the roof is starting to go, the inside looks to be new.

 

[residualboulders]

Shoot, the floor looks amazing.

 

[serenity]

Well I’m back after disappearing for 6 months. And I’ve started making some headway.
Cut, weld, grind, repeat.
Cut, weld, grind, repeat.
Cut, weld, grind, repeat.

A side project will be to improve the lighting in my garage as it is woeful.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Nice!

 

[RUSH55]

Yes, nice work, that turned out great Thanks for the update - looking forward to more. Lots of tub repair being carried out right now.

 

[serenity]

My welder is working a treat now that I have it dialed in and changed from 0.9mm wire to 0.6mm. I also invested in a new auto shade welding helmet that makes the whole thing a lot easier.