ih8mud inspired build

[Dagha Boy]

You know the old Beach Boys song California Girls. In that they sing about the "Mid-west farmers' daughters"... MWFD. My better half is a farmer's daughter originally from De Kalb, Illinois - then 25 years Portland Oregon.

I love the rain, but my "spray booth" has no walls and with the wind blowing as it has been it blows in all around and everything is damp.

I'm not a fan either unless it is on a surf board. I'd much prefer shaped metal welded in, but I'm a bit lacking in the skills department and simply do not have the tools to do it. I don't even have a working vice.

The patch as it is, is just under 1mm thick, so I intend adding another 1mm on the top side to bring it to the same level as the 2mm floor plate. Will then add about another 2 -3mm on the underside over the braces to strengthen and hold it. I'll just warn the next owner that he needs to keep an eye on it for cracking away.

 

[Dagha Boy]

Today was the day of the HUMP.

I have been dreading this day. I'm a total novice when it comes to fibreglass and did not know what to expect.

The patch as it came off the mould was only 3 layers of fibreglass cloth thick, about 1mm, and quite bendy. I had made the patch quite a bit bigger along all edges to allow me to cut it to fit the cut out area. I clamped the patch in place and then marked the cut out edges onto the patch with a pencil. Easy job as I could see through the patch sufficiently to do so from the top.

OVERSIZE PATCH CLAMPED READY TO BE MARKED.

The patch was a bit wonky and at this point I was quite worried that it would not fit right. Anyway, I used the bench grinder to trim away the extra material precisely down to the mark. This worked well and was easy. Off the grinder then and a test fit. I thought I would have to hold it with clamps and twist/force it into the correct shape.

TRIMMED PATCH IN POSITION.

As it turned out it just dropped into place and was exactly right. No additional trimming need, nothing. I couldn't believe my luck, so to make double sure I test fitted the transmission cover. Almost perfect - nothing that would not be covered by the gasket.

I then rivetted the patch in place. This dropped it a bit on the fixed side and lifted it slightly on the tunnel side. I test fitted the transmission cover again, and now the fit was perfect, even without a gasket it was lying flush on the patch all the way.

TEST FIT TRANSMISSION COVER.

I then flipped the whole lot over and used some closed cell foam to make reinforcing ridges. In hindsight I was wasting my time, but I was worried about "floppiness."

REINFORCING RIBS.

Then came the chopped strand and resin. By then the wind had come up and it was a hell of a performance with all my pre cut pieces flying all over the place. After a while I had 3 nice thick layers on and then I gave it a break for 2 hours. Went back and found it was now no longer floppy, but very rigid. I put down another 4 layers bringing it up to what I guessed was 6mm. (I had decided then not to put any layers on the inside which had a very nice smooth finish already.)

I gave it 4 hours to dry, then flipped it over and filled in the bit between the floor and the patch. The patch was about 1mm below the level of the steel and there was a gap of about 1mm in most areas between the patch and the floor. Stuck some filler in there and sanded it smooth. Little bit more filler to fill the low spots, sanded that down and she was perfect on top.

I then flipped the whole thing over again, sanded down the now ragged edges to the mark and all the roughness off the patch edges at the bottom. Flipped it over and just for the hell of it got in the tub and put my full weight on one foot on the patch. SOLID AS A ROCK. Total thickness turned out to between 6 and 7mm - mostly 7mm.

I re drilled and cleaned out the holes for the transmission cover, tank hold down strap and seat bolts. Job done!!!

THE HUMP IS BACK WHERE IT BELONGS.

Not a job I would like to repeat in a hurry. But it is solid and strong and once bed-lined and painted (weather permitting tomorrow) it will blend in and disappear.

Klippies and coke time!!!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

so, if I understand correctly, your farmer's daughter moved to Portland then moved to S. Africa to escape whatever it is that lives there now?... cool, maybe we can get the rest of Portland to move there (where the animals they love so much will eat them). I moved from Portland in 2001, and each time I go back I am glad I did... what a bunch of nuts.

I think I need google translation services though, Klippie?

 

[Dagha Boy]

Ja, worked for Oshkosh out of university, then moved to Freightliner and to Portland. Married an engineer from Freightliner and spent the next 25 yrs in Portland working for Freightliner. When she was with Oshkosh she came out to SA for about a year and Africa got in her blood. Came back intermittently and I met her 10 years ago when she was out here for a long break after leaving Freightliner when the Germans took over. The rest is history. (She can't stand the Krauts, I'm from German stock. Figure that one out.)

Once Africa gets in your blood, that's it, you're hooked for life...

She still has a house in Portland, and lots of old friends etc so we go back once a year. I agree, the place is full of weirdos like NY was in the 80's.(I think they all moved to Portland from there) I love it though, it rains all the time and they brew good beer!!! And I get to go to Helvetia Tavern for burgers and to Rock Creek Tavern for burgers and beer. (Terminator) But then again, I'm not very normal either!

Believe me, a bunny hugger does not remain a bunny hugger for very long in Africa. Wait until Zazu starts pecking ferociously at your window when you're trying to take an afternoon nap. Wait until the cute monkeys tear your mosquito net off the windows and trash the inside of your house... That's when the bunny hugger insists that the big bad hunter (who they hate and denigrate continuously) must come and "Shoot the monkey. It's threatening me!" Your average Portland animal lover will not see out a week in this place.

Klippies.... It is a wonderous thing. The cure for all ailments known and unknown to man.

Page 4 post # 62 above explains it all. I'll bring you some in April next year. Swop you for some Redhook Beer. Something nice and hoppy!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I drive a H3 Hummer and do Search and Rescue.... I've had all manner of responses about it, but it's really funny that the only words that ooze out the broken treehuggers' pie hole (when being rescued) is how nice and capable it is.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I ate dinner at Rock Creek Tavern last night! They have a nice dry hopped IPA on draft right now. It's very tasty...

Small world, my Dad and some of his friends worked at Freightliner right around that same time. I was pretty young, but I still remember playing on the two new trucks they would pull in for the kids at the company Christmas party. What department did you work in?

As for Portland, I'm here for the money. I can stand it for now, but when I go and sell my business I will probably end up in Central or Eastern Oregon.

 

[Dagha Boy]

The ignorance and hypocrisy of the average greenie can be breathtaking. I have seen it so many times - they will fight you on an issue from a point of ignorance until they see a personal benefit in it somewhere and then they are prepared to happily throw all the "principles" that underpinned their position overboard. They're quite happy to interfere with and harm nature when it suits their own ends. The whole hunting issue is a prime example. Legalising trade in rhino horn another. Banning it is like prohibition, it just puts the trade in the hands of criminals. It fuels poaching, not the other way around. They preach about my travel habits and carbon foot print, and then hop on a plane to Australia to see their latest grandchild... so why can't I travel for pure pleasure or drive my V8?

Hey Creeper Sleeper, you're making me jealous. I like to go there at least once a week when in Portland. I just loooooove IPAs.

I didn't work for Freightliner, the MWFD did. Started in the parts division way back in the 70s and ended up in marketing at the end. I met her in SA 10 years ago after she left FL.

Having prospects like Bend, Sisters etc at the end of your rainbow has got to be a strong motivator. Not to mention the steaks at Tumalo Feed Company. I'm really overdue for a trip.

 

[cult45]

Nice work china. Been reading but staying quiet. You're an oak.

EDIT: You're a lekker oak

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

flaws in google translate abide... but here's a dictionary
South African English is lekker!

 

[Dagha Boy]

Nice work china. Been reading but staying quiet. You're an oak.

EDIT: You're a lekker oak

Ah, you Straylians are silver tongued devils! But thanks. And remember now you guys have got a great rugby responsibility this weekend.

Today was spray day. Perfect weather. I decided to mix a nice big batch of 2k primer and get spraying and get it done as quickly as possible in case the weather changes.

Measured out the paint, measured the hardener and poured the two components into a 5l (gallon) paint tin. Six thirty in the morning, the Stones' "Paint it black" on full bore. Great stuff. What can go wrong. I start stirring and then get called away. Get back 5 mins later, stir some more and then start adding the thinner. Too little in the tin, but no problem I have more in the cupboard. Grab a tin of thinner measure out the required amount and crank up my drill driven stirrer. BEEEG PROBLEM. The whole lot instantaneously turns into a solid mass of "rubber"...

YOU CAN'T SPRAY THIS STUFF...

I was somewhat taken aback and shocked. What the hell could have gone wrong. Immediately started cursing the paint manufacturer. When that didn't help I did a sniff test on the thinner can. Didn't smell right. The bastards had sold me the wrong stuff. Must be old or expired. I looked at the label and that's when the truth hit me right between the eyes...

"MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE." READ THE BLOODY LABEL AT LEAST ONCE, IDIOT.

Ja, Einstein had dumped the top coat hardener into the mix, ending up with equal parts paint and hardener with a dash of thinner! I couldn't even take to drinking as it wasn't yet seven in the morning, and a man must maintain some standards.

I chucked the whole damn lot away, made another mix and sprayed the damn tub.

A NICE LAYER OF 2K ETCH PRIMER.

I pushed out into the sun to dry, but at 12:00 we had a huge thunderstorm. Not much rain, but everything had to come back inside.

Late afternoon I sprayed the inside and underside of the tub with the bed liner. And then pushed it into a corner to cure for 24 hrs.

FLOOR DONE IN BED LINER

Overall I am very happy with the result. Some minor dings and scratches that weren't visible before are now visible and will have to be attended to, but nothing major The rockers that 2fpower advised on are perfect. I'm now even happier with the hump as it just blended in completely once painted.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

looks really good, but what does the giraffe say?

 

[diogenese]

Looking good there mate, getting it all in one colour makes such a difference
The hump looks seamless, top effort there!

 

[Dagha Boy]

looks really good, but what does the giraffe say?

The giraffe has not been around for a while. I'm told that he got into a hell of a fight with another male at a neighbour's house and the two of them ended up entangled in a fence. Our guy is apparently OK, but the other one had to be shot. He's probably lying as low as a giraffe can until he's all healed up again and gets his confidence back.

The demons of dust are keeping a close eye though.

SPOT AND HIS FAMILY VISIT

nono

I had been away for a while and when I got back they were right in between the buildings. Spot is the one on the right with the two spots on his neck. He's quite a character and suffers from small man syndrome but he does have the nicest fattest mares of all.

Looking good there mate, getting it all in one colour makes such a difference
The hump looks seamless, top effort there!

Thanks, I'm proud of it now, but I have to admit I was afraid of it first. In my very biased opinion that hump is a thing of unsurpassed beauty and splendour.

It is amazing how this "hobby" builds your confidence as it continuously forces you to overcome your fears and shows you repeatedly that you can do IT, no matter your doubts as long as you put your mind to it (and get a little advice and encouragement from your friends.) This would be a great hobby for a kid who lacks self confidence.

 

[Dagha Boy]

Correction: The Petrol head is back. Just after posting the last, I went out to the workshop and saw his calling card. He must have been here in the early hours f the morning. If you look carefully you will see that the dung pellets have a flat side to them. A dead give away that it is from a giraffe. It is as a result of the stauff falling so far to the ground.

THE PETROLHEAD WAS HERE.

 

[Dagha Boy]

Rear shackle hangers. Another dreaded job done.

The cast iron rear shackle hangers are toast and had to come off. Some innovative guy somewhere in the past had rejuvenated them not very successfully. They are beyond repair.

NICE INNOVATION BUT...

My first attempt at removal was to grind off the rivet heads and try to beat them out with a hammer and punch. No luck... So I just left it waiting for an opportunity to take them elsewhere and get somebody to do the deed for me.

This morning, fresh from my victory over the dreaded hump I decided to have another bash at them.

On the basis that if I could reduce the area the rivets had a grip on they may come out easier, I drilled the rivets, first 4mm, then 8mm and finally 12mm down through the shackle hanger, but stopping before the frame as I was terrified of somehow messing the anchor points up.

DRILLED AND READY TO GO. SPECIAL TOOL FOR REMOVAL 10MM ROUND BAR AND 4LB HAMMER.

A couple of hard hits on each rivet popped them right out.

STILL LIFE : DEAD SHACKLE HANGER AND RIVETS.

There was some dirt and rust underneath which I cleaned off with the angle grinder. The remaining rust I'll feed to my little hand-held sandblasting gun and then coat the whole area again. Painless.

ALL DONE NEARLY READY FOR PAINT.

The problem that now arises is replacing them. I believe they are no longer available. Even the lighter front hangers from CCOT are apparently no longer available. When I was last in Nelspruit I spoke to the Land Cruiser specialist there and he said nonme available and offered to cut some off a 100 series frame. Those on 45 frames were also worn beyond being useable.

It appears that the only solution would be to get an engineering works to build me a new set and then bolt them on with some serious bolts. (12mm holes there) Maybe weld a tab on after tightening them down nice and tight, just to avoid them coming loose in future.

Speaking of unobtainables... There is a rubber boot that fits in the transmission cover for the transfer shift lever. I believe these are also no longer available anywhere. The hole is 3.5" x 4.5". I googled and found a Hirst shifter boot of that size that may do the job. It has an oblong opening for the shifter - not round, but if it is a tight fit it should not matter. Obviously many Mudders have in the past faced this issue and resolved it successfully.

Has anyone tried the Hirst boot?

Has anyone used something else?

PLEASE HELP.

 

[cult45]

Early 40's and 45's had the front spring hangers bolted in. Not sure when they stopped but my '70 is that way. It doesn't even look sturdy, but it's stock and held up for 45 years. See if I can find a pic.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I hope that petrolhead wasn't making an editorial comment about your work - I think it looks excellent.

I've sent bits like that to foreign lands - here in the US, most 4x4s never see anything taller then a mall curb; so those parts don't wear out (though the body will rust off). worst case scenario, I know where to look... though this would make the furthest I'd sent anything. When I did the 3 and 4 link on mine Shipwreck I cut all of those off; but where they are now? don't know....

 

[Dagha Boy]

Being Halloween today, the MWFD had Old Glory hoisted and handed out treats to everybody who came to the water hole today.

For all American friends (and others) happy Halloween.

 

[Dagha Boy]

I hope that petrolhead wasn't making an editorial comment about your work - I think it looks excellent.

The little I know of him he probably was. Very arrogant type. I hear he got his face quite badly cut up.

As far as the hangers go, I'd love to put originals back but even if I could get them from you the freight is crazy. Just got some bushes for my WG (WJ) Jeep from Morris4x4 and the freight is more than the parts, but still in total way less than half the price of Jeep parts here. I think quickest and easiest will be to just get a set made up. I would do it myself, but don't have the equipment here to do a decent job. But thanks for the offer.

Early 40's and 45's had the front spring hangers bolted in. Not sure when they stopped but my '70 is that way. It doesn't even look sturdy, but it's stock and held up for 45 years. See if I can find a pic.

Hey Cult. Spent some time reading your thread last night. I like your approach. Got to about page 20. You got the house yet??

The hangers you're talking about are like the front ones on the 45. They do look flimsy at first glance but when you look closely they are quite sturdy. The ones on this frame are A-OK. I think the cast iron rear hangers were a bit of overkill from Toyota's side, but maybe not here in Africa where we are known to routinely put 2 ton on a one tonner and think nothing of it. I would happily put front hangers on the back if I could get them. These (the fronts) are held on by 2 rivets and a touch of welding on either side.

Inspiration came from your thread. So much so that I decided that if you were prepared to do the brakes and pull that engine apart, why the hell couldn't I do my axles. Started off by stripping the rear axle this afternoon. No big deal really.

I'm not saying anything about the rugby... suffice to say it was a good show! Tough titty, mate.

 

[cult45]

Hey Cult. Spent some time reading your thread last night.

So in other words, there's 2 hours of your life you'll never get back? I couldn't find pics of the bolted on hangers, but I do know of a bunch of blokes that may have a set of rears that they could torch that part of the frame off. If you're keen I could ask? Then ship.

As for the ruggers well, if there's one thing the Kiwi's do well it's rugby - I'm happy for 'em to dominate.