Builds Dale's Hj47 Ute

[Dale]

Dale, the next thing is get rid of that ugly bulbar and get a ARB one, that thing is a cow catcher?

Haha yeah it doesn't photograph all that well. It does look a lot better in the flesh. The tray on the other hand is bloody ugly. I can't wait to do something with that .

 

[Weber Sarge]

I would love to have one of those bullbars here in the the US , especially in Illinois where the whitetail deer are suicidal at times . My last 4x4 had a homebuilt design that was similar , killed at least 8 of them and only had 1 dent in the hood - pretty happy with that . I think that's one of the reasons us Yanks are jealous about Aussie trucks - to us it's just cool and has that Mad Max flavor to it .

So what is the issue with the tray and it's looks ?
Sarge

 

[Dale]

I would love this tray

 

[Dale]

My ute is finally on the road. A couple of weeks ago I had my mechanic go over it and get it roadworthy. He replaced some seals, replaced all the tie rod ends, replaced the steering dampener & fixed an earth leak. I then installed a uhf, lined the roof & made a roof console which houses my stereo, speakers, sat nav, storage pocket, mirror & map lights.
I removed the roof which made lining it a lot easier.

 

[Dale]

One more of the console. Sorry about the poor quality

 

[Dale]

After working late in to the night installing the console I packed the ute, got an hours sleep and set off for Fraser Island.
On the barge from Inskip Pt to Fraser Island

Fishing

Lake Mackenzie

Orchid Beach

 

[Dale]

Once I returned home I chopped the tray. I've always hated the look of it & really wanted to chop it before going to Fraser but ran out of time. I shortened it by 200mm, cut 60mm off each side, built a backrest & replaced the dropsides. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

 

[chappohj47]

Looking awesome now mate

 

[dancar]

Awesome job Dale, console looks great and very practical.

How'd you mount it? What rear view mirror/light combo did you get?

Dan

 

[baas]

Hey Dale, nice looking ute! Seems like you are a bit of a perfectionist that work all looks very tidy...reckon the ute is lucky to have found you! Thanks for the pics..

 

[Dale]

Thanks guys. The mirror/map light is out of a SR5 Surf. I'm planning on redoing the attachment points on the console. Its a tight fit across the roof & in to the two face ends. It also sits on the two angle brackets & bolts that attach the windscreen frame to the side roof rails. I have a bracket at each end that uses the bolts already in the side roof rails. It is very firm at the moment but I want to add some fixings along the windscreen frame. I also want to angle the stereo to make it easier to read. I thought it would be ok being up in the shade but it is really hard to read when making adjustments & selecting songs.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Excellent build Dale , the tray turned out great and the upper console sure looks to fit the bill . I plan to do something similar , was thinking of a slight down angle on the console face to address the issue of reading radio display , gauges , ect .
Sarge

 

[new45]

My ute is finally on the road. A couple of weeks ago I had my mechanic go over it and get it roadworthy. He replaced some seals, replaced all the tie rod ends, replaced the steering dampener & fixed an earth leak. I then installed a uhf, lined the roof & made a roof console which houses my stereo, speakers, sat nav, storage pocket, mirror & map lights.
I removed the roof which made lining it a lot easier.
View attachment 940566 View attachment 940567 View attachment 940568 View attachment 940570 View attachment 940571

How did you get the roof lining so perfect?

And how did you attach the console to the truck?

Im about to do something similar myself.

 

[cult45]

Just found and read this thread dude. Nice, nice truck. It looks exactly like my old HJ47. Doesn't have a 5 speed does it? Jeez you've a done a nice job with it.

 

[78fj40mg]

Excellent work Dale! Awesome truck!!

 

[Dale]

Hi guys, Its been awhile since I've posted any updates so I thought that while I'm stuck inside waiting for this cyclone to pass I would put a few pics up. Unfortunately I often don't think to take pics until after I've done the work. I've had the ute a year now and I'm finding a lot of rust in the body that the po painted over starting to come through the paint. I'm not ready to strip the car down yet to fix the rust properly so hopefully it doesn't spread too quickly.
I fitted a second hand Safari snorkle. I didn't have a template which always makes for nervous times when drilling. Luckily I was spot on and everything fitted perfectly. I still haven't run the hose from the snorkel to the air box yet because I want to wrap it in something to protect it from the exhaust.

I fitted a new high output alternator and also a new genuine voltage regulator

I installed remote central locking. Only $30 delivered off ebay. I love it and it was very easy to install. I bought another one and fitted it to my Hilux too. This is the only pic but I will take more for you guys when I fit new bailey channels, regulators and electric window motors.

 

[Dale]

I also rebuilt my steering knuckles, replaced the spindle bushes and wheel bearings.

 

[Dale]

While I had everything apart I noticed a small split in the flexible brake hose so I replaced both of those too.

I picked up this light bar off ebay for a good price. It was one of those lucky buys that no one else bid on. Fits perfect on the bar but is a bit small to throw out decent light. Still better than nothing. I've wired it up to only work with the high beam. It also has a switch that turns it off completely.

 

[Indestructible 47]

Wow, nice work. Interesting about the central locking system, 40's are about one of the most easy vehicle's to got into without a key.

 

[Dale]

I also fitted new seatbelts (some time ago now). When I replaced the centre lap belt I bought a retractable one. It works perfectly and is a lot tidier than the old non retractable belt that lays on the seat.