Builds Intro: Ugly Betty(so far)

[tmarx]

Last night I re-fitted the adjusted springs and she is now level albeit slightly arse-up, which is fine as she is completely empty at the moment.Once I load her and the springs settle, it should be fine

It was nice to be working on her again,although it was a bit of a battle to get the axle centered on the newly arched springs, without disconnecting the rear prop shaft first!

 

[tstepp920]

New foam

Then the other bits ...

Cab light door activators from a box shape Hilux- a perfect match

Tell me more about the actuator.

 

[tmarx]

Tell me more about the actuator.

Not much to tell other than it is the same as the ones found in the 1990 series SFA Hilux range ... and it still works today !

 

[tmarx]

So the other day I get a phone call from my old mate Cris Ingram, the owner of R&D Off Road, wanting confirmation that Olive was actually back in my hands. Then he casually informs me that he has always had long-term plans/dreams to build proper front and rear bumpers cum spare wheel carriers, for the 40 series range of cruisers but that somehow the timing was just never right, until now.
Anyhow long story short, he wanted to know if they could borrow Olive for a few weeks in order to design and build front and rear bumpers under their well known Gobi-X range of bumpers for the local and export market.Well he is a mate and we did colaboratively build Olive's roll cage and rear half pipe doors etc exactly 10 years ago, so I was more than happy to help out - besides it is not as if Olive was going to go anywhere soon under the Covid lockdown restrictions. After a short tour of their impressive factory, I left her in their care.

Yesterday I received some pictures showing that the design process has finally started ...

My chopped ARB maskbar with winch was removed and carefully put aside for re-fitment later.

Even the Long Ranger LRT together with my towbar was stripped out

Some very rough drawings to get the creative juices going ...

Watch this space.

 

[Adolf]

About time that this is happening.

 

[tmarx]

Some fresh ideas ...

 

[tmarx]

Looks like we have an idea of what will go for laser cutting ...

 

[tmarx]

Final design for the rear ...

 

[tmarx]

Back from the lazer cutters ...

 

[tmarx]

and the work continues ...

 

[tmarx]

deleted double post

 

[tmarx]

getting closer ...

 

[tmarx]

...latest pics !

 

[tmarx]

We are still not done but had some time for an extended weekend trip ...

 

[baas]

Theo....glad you got her back

 

[tmarx]

Finally the end is near ....

The arm cum ladder will house 2 x rotopax water tanks and the HLJ on the right.We also managed to relocate the OEM numberplate holder bracket (with lights) into the ladder for that OEM look

 

[waiting for time]

I love the look.

 

[tmarx]

The latest pics

 

[tmarx]

I need some steel rear quarter patch panels but have no idea which vendors to consider as they are seemingly all based in the US.
Please help with some suggestions/advice ? Obviously it will need to be shipped to Cape Town also ?

 

[waiting for time]

I need some steel rear quarter patch panels but have no idea which vendors to consider as they are seemingly all based in the US.
Please help with some suggestions/advice ? Obviously it will need to be shipped to Cape Town also ?

Why not make them yourself or find a local panel beater.