HJ45 flatdeck restoration

[diogenese]

I have got the rear lights and reflectors on but not much more will happen this week. Race trucks are in town and I have been scrutineering this afternoon, testing tomorrow and racing on the weekend.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Where did you source those rear lights - the appear to be led's ....
I have the Aussie led trailer lights that look like the stock 40 series mid-'70s units , love 'em and they are very bright .
Sarge

 

[diogenese]

Sarge, they are led units and they came fresh from china. The quality is very low but they were the only way I could fill the existing lamp shrouds that are on the tray. If/when they fail I will probably cut off the brackets and fit some Hella LEDs.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I think the ones I have are from Narva - there were 10 sets imported into the US by a MUD member , sorry - but I forget who it was . I believe their original intent was for trailers in the Aussie market to meet the standards of separate brake/turn and included reverse lamp . Build quality from my view is excellent , hope they last a long time ! I know at the time they weren't exactly an inexpensive option , but well worth the money once in hand .

Sarge

 

[diogenese]

The standard 40 lights won't fit in my housings. The hella LEDs would but are over $400 a pair!

 

[diogenese]

My bonnet/hood finally got painted I've got to get it cut and polished later but it's on without the screen blocks, I should have blanked the holes as it will never get the screen folded down but I didn't think about it till too late.
Mirrors are on and Door trim fitted.
The list of things to do is getting smaller but I keep adding things to it so it's shrinking slowly .
My indicators don't flash but I think it's because of the LEDs so I need another relay.

 

[diogenese]

Here's my latest list, should only take a moment

Cable tie wiring
Washer pump not working
Washer jet
Indicators and hazard not flashing
Tie rod ends splitpin
Mud flaps on deck
Trailer socket
Sun visors
Recheck oil levels
Front inner guard spacers
Exhaust
Tyres, looking for narrow 16s on steels.
Cowl drain tubes
Door check straps
Demister tubes
Headboard planks
Interior light

Should the H engine vehicles have the "diesel" grille badge like the B diesels?

 

[Indestructible 47]

nice work mate nice and shiny. and yes the H engine HJ45 cruisers did have the diesel emblem...

 

[diogenese]

yes the H engine HJ45 cruisers did have the diesel emblem...

Bugger, something else to add to the list!

 

[Indestructible 47]

it will d

Bugger, something else to add to the list!

it will drive without it...

 

[diogenese]

I took it out for a quick turn around the block this afternoon and ended up towing it home.
I have air getting into the fuel so I'm going to ditch the original steel tubing with rubber joints and run fuel hose the whole way.
The cowl drain tubes are a complete arse to fit, especially with a heater fitted!

 

[alberta mac]

Sweet work you've done there ! love the head lights and extra beams !
Who makes them ?

 

[diogenese]

The led lights are pure unknown Chinese items fresh from ebay

 

[diogenese]

After a short road test I have found out that my ancient brakes are now shot, I seem to have burst 7 out of all 8 seals That's what you get for expecting brakes to work after 14 years
Now comes a dilemma, fix the original brakes or swap out the 60 series parts that I have and hope nobody at the testing centre notices!
I have had a search about swapping the rear brakes to my fully floating rear axle but I don't think it would be a straight swap as my axle is too old. I believe the whole front swivel will swap onto my axle from the 60 to get the discs on.

 

[diogenese]

Well I've gone with the original drums, they are the twin leading shoes type with 295mm ribbed drums so they should work fine.
I had to swap the rear cylinders over as I got them mixed up with the righthand thread adjusters on the right instead of on the left. The cylinders that were on there were all mixed up and had siezed adjusters, good job I swapped out the whole lot! The drums were fine so they went back on.
I have to make up one rear link pipe as one of the rear cylinders had got a banjo fitting on the fluid line and the new one was standard flare nut .

 

[diogenese]

The brakes are still not done yet, I have been away with work for the last week. I have just fitted my headboard planks as I picked them up whilst I was away.
I have used a mixture of composite decking to get the old wood look and i think the grey looks better than brown woodstain and a steel top plank with some lashing eyes welded on.

 

[handcannon]

I like the looks of that plastic decking lumber for the headboard. I've wondered in the past about using plastic decking for a trailer deck, if it would be strong enough. Now, the headboard isn't something that needs to hold weight like a trailer deck, so I think that's a good place to use it. I'm really interested in how it works for you over a longer period of time.

Don

 

[diogenese]

It's pretty dense stuff, but no where near as strong as real wood. It needs to be supported at 300mm intervals for commercial decking and can have no overhang off joists but it seems to look OK on its edge. I finished of the ends with a convex 3mm radius router bit to match the edges.
I think it would sag too much a heavy load on a trailer floor.

 

[MrMoMo]

Wow, love the whole build, what a sweet 45! Great job! Now I must stop reading and get back out into my shop so I can get the 70 project done, so I can work on finishing my 40 so I can start on my 45!!! Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[diogenese]

Thanks Mr Momo I'll take your advice.
No work on the 45 today, I'll be out breaking the 40 instead ☺