GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Yesterday i started out with some yard work, and by 11.00 started on the RR.

Plan was to start creating a strong, supportive frame to support the Land Rover screen @glenanderson donated to the build and also make a place to attach the dash and steering column etc.

Space to lay the foundation.



First lengths of angle iron cut, drilled and bolted down to create a starting point, also drilled for eventual kick panel fixing.

Awkward reach, stretch, tighten.



Walked up to grab a coffee at the house and also go check up on Mickey next door, as I came back from looking through Micks front room window (he was asleep in his chair) @nickwheeler pulled in over the street.

He had come over to add to my limited hands, skills and planning. Perfect,

It is amazing how long some awkward jobs take,

Nothing is exact in this body tub, so every bit of steel has to be custom cut, shaped and made to fit, assembling, disassembling repeatedly takes time to get a decent fit before tacking and welding.

Upright tacked and welded to the bottom, and then top angle iron inside scuttle return clamped, welded in place, and then cross braced from sides upward.

Also pre drilled the holes for the door hinges.

Currently Land Rover items fitted, but liable to change if I cannot get them to open and shut easily.



Another slow but nice job was cleaning all the old silicon, epoxy, resin and paint from the top of the screen mounting surface.

But needed to be done to generate a decent fit.

Interestingly there is a 10mm deep dip between the sides and centre which will need some rectification later.

Also need to figure simple small, bottom mounted windscreen wipers and motors to be externally fitted on the screen.



Door frame and hinges looking good.

Holes above the top hinge, ready to fit the mirrors.



Mock up of door, panels and netting, along with Nick holding the screen frame in the position it will probably be fitted in.



Happy with that so far.



Followed by more welding and swearing as there is not space for a welding helmet under the dash, so open eye tacking before removing and doing a full stick weld.



Next job was to add in the scuttle brace for the screen and its 375mm diagonal braces.

Some G-clamps,muupside down tacking and a lot of swearing when I welded all the upside down contact points, amazing how welding splatter burns through 3 layers of synthetic fibers and continues to burn, a bit like getting a wasp up your trouser leg.



Amazing how many hands you need for some of the jobs, at times three G-clamps and four hands just got the jobs done.

MX5 dash and steering support being trimmed back while I was welding.



I really enjoy the company, but what it also great between Nick and I is actually getting on with other jobs if one of us is busy doing a one man job.

Looking back, we had little to show for the time spent, but in fact it was a huge step forward.

Tons of planning, proposing and visualisation went into yesterday as well.

Next jobs include cutting the old dash out, well, quite a bit as a new one will be created.

I also need to make a template for the screen support for the studs to be welded into the screen, holes marked and drilled for mounting and a good long look at the original fuel tank which may be completely FUBAR or reusable in order to create space for the exhaust to be mounted as a rear exit.

Dinner at Sally’s tonight, her treat for my birthday.

Later gang.

[Grizz1963]

Found this pic of the originals I saw in 2015.


Loved the headlights.

[LT7A]

Happy birthday Grizz! Great work and good progress on the RR. If I had seen that star-spangled wagon somewhere else, I would have figured that they stole it from you, haha. With the Sinclair colors and stars all over, it looks like it belongs at your place. Great stack of stuff from Dennis, Tuba, etcetera. I'm also a fan of those Little Debbie oatmeal cream cookies. And now I have a craving, so thanks for that. Cool that you support what Tuba does - I intend to next year and intend to make it out for the event at some point. Good artwork on those t-shirts, those guys have a great sense of style. And I like the color of the hoodies, but I don't really get what they are for.

[Grizz1963]

Remember the stables I went to help mate Craig pull down along with Fil from Cambridge.

That came down to allow for “redevelopment” as a residence.

In the mean time groundwork and foundations have been done.

Yesterday at 09.00 the new homes stud walls came onto site.

Pics from Craig.





We all need a strong long arm.





By 3.30 pm this was the status.



And this morning the chilly sunrise brought this view.






Not sure when exactly I or we will get the call to go help Craig raise the walls on the stables and get the roof on top of them.

Hopefully the weather will be kind when the time comes.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Happy birthday Grizz! Great work and good progress on the RR. If I had seen that star-spangled wagon somewhere else, I would have figured that they stole it from you, haha. With the Sinclair colors and stars all over, it looks like it belongs at your place. Great stack of stuff from Dennis, tuba, etcetera. I'm also a fan of those Little Debbie oatmeal cream cookies. And now I have a craving, so thanks for that.Cool that you support what tuba does - I intend to next year and intend to make it out for the event at some point. Good artwork on those t-shirts, those guys have a great sense of style. And I like the color of the hoodies, but I don't really get what they are for.

Evening mate,
Thank you for the wishes.
LOLing at you wagon observations. True though.
Dennis and Clem at Tuba Trucks and I go back quite a few years and they are two of my road trip anchors. I said if before, but I hope that my Karma bucket was full enough to earn Dennis’ mazzive gift.

T-shirt design is actually Clems work afaik.

The hoodies are from Rural King, which is a standing joke between Dennis, myself and his family.
The 4 H is defined by Wikipedia as: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...RJMbeJIQREZj0_

4-H is a U.S.-based network of youth organizations whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development".[1] Its name is a reference to the occurrence of the initial letter H four times in the organization's original motto "head, heart, hands, and health" which was later incorporated into the fuller pledge officially adopted in 1927. In the United States, the organization is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 4-H Canada is an independent non-profit organization overseeing the operation of branches throughout Canada.[2] There are 4-H organizations in over 50 countries;[3] the organization and administration varies from country to country.

The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning programs and a positive youth development approach. Though typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today focuses on citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering, and technology programs. Clubs in today's 4-H world consist of a wide range of options each allowing for personal growth and career success. The 4-H motto is "To make the best better", while its slogan is "Learn by doing" (sometimes written as "Learn to do by doing"). As of 2016, the organization had nearly 6 million active participants and more than 25 million alumni

[Grizz1963]

I had planned on making the template for the front screen tonight and possibly drilling the scuttle.

But this cold, wet fog and along, hard day decided it was not a clever idea. Wusss?

Ordered these tonight.

£40.00 delivered.

Lets hope I do not see a pair for half the price.



Fitting as soon as it lands.

[Grizz1963]

So when rebuilding the front end I missed out on he track rod ends.

No real reason, but I did.

So……….



Now, on Ebay these items are available, but they do look different to what is fitted to the car.

Typically I cannot figure whether it will be the right fit for the car.



Described:

Ford Cortina Mk3,4 & 5

All Models 1970 to 1982

Pair Track/Tie Rod Ends

Top quality Delphi Steering Parts


Would this be the right fit, but just looking a bit different.

[Grizz1963]

Self harm 101.

Made me chuckle.

Upside down welding.



Yesterday I popped in at Sally’s Uncle Bob to see if I could squeeze one or two wiper motors out of him for a sensible price.

From this Land Rover.



His response was rather typical of a hoarder, both the value he knew they carry, but also his nephew is going to restore it…….

Missed out then.



While I was there I got some fine mesh……… stop screaming in the back.



This is still in the back of my mind.



Also, while rummaging in Bobs yard, I saw this old rusted out fuel can.

The MX5 battery is mounted inside the rear side of the trunk/boot so in the RR I need to mount it in the rear and figure a cover……

Could this work?

I think so. Lined in ply and coated in paint, or clear lacquer.



Also today when I got in Mickey had my new rear shocks.

Nice.

Weekend job I guess.



Also ordered new tie rod ends tonight, delivery next week Wednesday.



And then the rattle snake in the grass……….




I am concerned……

[Grizz1963]

This week has been a bit (very) busy with admin stuff, targeting and target lists and general day job stuff.

However, I do want to ask all the IT geniuses out there, why would an XL spreadsheet on Teams only allow one person at a time to edit it. (No need to reply)

Spectacular inefficiency again from the bosses, they give you a rally car with one wheel missing and expect you to win the race.

Seriously.



Anyway.

While waiting my turn to go in and edit the list, I was angry enough to pop to the garage and grab the new rear shocks.

15 minutes later I closed the garage.

Job done.

Old



New




Little wins ehhhh.




Today I want to go make up the drilling template for the screen support and scuttle and get the holes drilled in the body and steel that I welded in upside down on Sunday when @nickwheeler came over so we could create the supports and framework from which the steering and dash will be grown.

It was a good day for sure.

Once the scuttle is drilled, the template needs to be reverse marked onto the underside of the glazed Land Rover screen which then needs 5 holes drilled in order for the threaded bar or cut off bolts to be fitted in there and then Tig welded in place at Nicks place or possibly here as fitting studs for the screen.

I also need to start thinking of removing the seats again so the body can be lifted and the underside painted black, either with underseal or some regular black gloss paint to get it looking uniform. Of course I already have a load of regular black paint…….

Remember this messy underside?





Onwards as @pauly says.

[Grizz1963]

RESOUNDING MONUMENTAL FAILURE AT THE GARAGE.



Carefully measured out and drew in screen base size.

Measured 5 holes on scuttle top and drilled first pilots with 5mm HSS bit, managed to snap it on hole 5 due to corder hand drill and my cack handed position over it.
Replaced the bit from my stash of smaller bits and finished hole no 5

Then up to 8mm as I was headed toward 12mm to allow ease of fitting and some movement space once the studs are welded on.

So started hole no 1 again, using some cutting spray from the drill press.

And suddenly I was skating on ice.

Tried the other holes, changed bits and Fail after Fail.


I recall when cleaning and preparing the angle iron for welding the sparks were of the type typical of harder steel.

Maybe the angle iron was from some structure that was built to resist corrosion or have a certain strength.

In the end I walked away, defeated.


I guess next step will be to go find one of those clever coated drill bits in the hope it will penetrate the steel.


Frustrated as can be right now…….


Fun?

[Grizz1963]

So my day started, thinking it would be a quick 5 holes measured…….



Drilled……..




Ooooooppppssss……..

Stop right there.

Well, the next size drill did, after the 5mm pilot holes were drilled.

It was almost like the holes were glazed, despite cutting fluid the 8mm drill bit after the 5mm pilot holes just seemed to spin and create smoke in the holes.

I also tried a new 9mm bit and failed.

So after trying to drill all 5 mounting holes, I called it a day and went indoors.

Sally was busy with her artwork, so I distracted her and offered a quick shopping trip.

When she bought the Fiesta it was only supplied with one key, whe. The key was handed over, I objected and Dan the salesman took a moment and then agreed to paying the £75.00 for a spare, immobiliser chipped key for her.

So today we went and had one cut and programmed.

While out, I also went to B&Q (Big hardware store) and bought a set of various TiN Titanium Nitride drill bits for £22.00




I hope to get back to drilling the holes tomorrow.

Of course a hand held, corded drill and no support or stabilisation of the angle iron may make it a touch awkward, but I am hopeful.

I really need to get these holes drilled and the screen prepped for Tig welding.

Now for some alcohol…….

[Grizz1963]

Today was a success……. Kind of.

Somewhere between LOL-ing and swearing at myself.

It is stiff, sore and not quite right.

Off to A&E to see if an X-Ray sheds and light or shadow on it in the morning.

[Grizz1963]

One of those random posts today.

As always, thanks for checking in and commenting.

I have not done anything like this for some time. Well, since my charity bicycle ride a few years ago that so many people supported. And that went beautifully because people literally donated what they could. From the coins in their cars to some amazingly generous and large donations that had me choking back real tears.

Sally is doing this Moon Walk from a point of real conviction and the least I can do for her is to spread the word.

If you feel this is not your circus, not your monkeys, it is quite OK.
But if you feel inclined to donate any amount to this worthy cause, please follow the link and donate.
Sharing the link, if you feel it may help spread the word is good too.
I can only thank you deeply on behalf of Sally and those who benefit from Breast Cancer research, male and female.


Click the link to see more and decide if this is a worthy cause to contribute to.

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.o...amp;reserved=0

Thanks again for any responses.

[Grizz1963]

So yesterday was filled with a load of odd jobs, as was Saturday.

But stuff got done and to be honest, I was still pleased with my progress or results.

The finger getting hurt did not stop me working, it only really went bad last night and overnight, but I should live 😉

I pulled out my large corded drill and fitted the 12mm TiN coated bit.

First hole went through reasonably easy, but it was no 2 that whacked my finger when it caught itself , locking in the steel, spinning the drill and cord around my hand.

So a couple of gentle approaches saw hole no 2 go through fine followed by 3, 4, 5 being easy.



Next job was to remove the trims, glass, and sealant from the full screen that @glenanderson had donated to this build from his stash of spares.

Loads of tiny screws kept it all together, and not one broke, but I was careful all the way.



I also drilled out the backs of the rivets that had held the foamy insulation strips to seal the windows on the doors, mounted on some pretty resilient steel strips.

Then ground the drilled sides back with a flap wheel followed by my electric keyhole sander.

So the rounded rivet heads are still seated on the insides of the frame, looking tidy.



And then measured and marked the holes where the studs will need to go.

Drilling and Tig welding will be next, later.



Later I scraped and cleaned the laminated glass screens as well and washed them.

QUESTION TIME:

How high is the risk of losing one of both screens if I were to firstly find, and then have a glass “specialist” cut and trim 50mm or 2” off the top of these glasses?

I do not really want to destroy them if the risk is too high.

But have seen laminated glass cut on some TV car resto programme.



Advice appreciated

Thanks.


PS:

VERDICT ON THE TiN DRILL BITS.

ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE £22.00 THE WHOLE SET COST ME.

I REALLY COULD FEEL THE DIFFERENCE WHEN WORKING.



.

[LT7A]

Glad that you found something that worked like you needed it to to get those holes drilled. What a wrestling match. And replacing the shocks, I don't think of that as a small step, often doing four of them is an all day eventand you got halfway there in 15 minutes. Nice to know that the dampening portion of your ride has been addressed. As far as the underside, don't you guys have something over there called stoneguard, something like that? Wouldn't that be most appropriate for the underside of the tub? On my truck, eventually I will be spraying undercoating / bed lining material in the underneath of the fender wells, and also under the cab as a measure of sound reduction. Being open air, maybe that's less critical for you. But it seems like you would want something under there that would not chip readily.

[LT7A]

Oh yeah, and I think that laminated glass can be cut, but not tempered glass. Maybe you can go to a salvage yard and get a windshield to practice on. I really don't know what the method would be, almost like a tile saw maybe? Abrasive blade and water?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Glad that you found something that worked like you needed it to to get those holes drilled. What a wrestling match. And replacing the shocks, I don't think of that as a small step, often doing four of them is an all day eventand you got halfway there in 15 minutes. Nice to know that the dampening portion of your ride has been addressed. As far as the underside, don't you guys have something over there called stoneguard, something like that? Wouldn't that be most appropriate for the underside of the tub? On my truck, eventually I will be spraying undercoating / bed lining material in the underneath of the fender wells, and also under the cab as a measure of sound reduction. Being open air, maybe that's less critical for you. But it seems like you would want something under there that would not chip readily.

Evening mate,

Yes, progress is a weird thing.

And I always enjoy the small wins.

We do have stoneguard. Known as Shutz or Schults.

Keep in mind it is a fiberglass tub, hence the Rezin Rockit name (Rezin misspelling on purpose, Rockit =Kit car origins)

Anyway, the main reason for paintin the underside is to get uniform colour.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Oh yeah, and I think that laminated glass can be cut, but not tempered glass. Maybe you can go to a salvage yard and get a windshield to practice on. I really don't know what the method would be, almost like a tile saw maybe? Abrasive blade and water?

You made me chuckle here.

Always a good thing, thanks.

I think the idea is to cut one side, then the other, tap it, and slice the lamination with a thin blade.

I could be wrong.

But the plan is to approach a plant glass company and seeing what they charge.




This morning after the hospital and X-rays I popped into my favourite scrap yard/recycling yard.



Needed some pipe to use to extend the MX5 under dash support.

Found nothing that I wanted.

But got a 2.0 meter length of heavy box section that could do the job too, albeit differently.

£10.00 for the steel and this little steel ride on car.

I cannot resist them.

Needs a steering part to be replaced r repaired.



Then straight back home to get some work done.

Later the post man delivered the track rod ends I had ordered last week.

At lunch time I popped out to go see if they could be fitted in under 30 minutes.

Of course they can, just not today.

Jacked up front end, minus wheels, undid top nuts, one wallop each side and the tapers popped loose, Undoing the locking nuts, unscrewed and started to fit the new ends once I clened and copper slipped the threads….. then failure to get one side in.
Eventually tonight after work, cleaned up threads with Tap and Die and job done.



Old vs New

I think the old ones were fully serviceable.



Reassembled.

Just needed to be tightened down.





Tracking is wildly put, so I will disassemble and clean up the nut and adjustment thread and then just set it by eye, another job for the professionals once built.


Time for some food.


.

[Grizz1963]

RIGHT…… TIME FOR A GROUP HUG



OK, just pulling your communal dip sticks.



After removing the glass and sealant etc from the Land Rover screen, I decided to measure it for the holes, of course.


Stepping away and looking at it the basic look was good.


Texting @glenanderson about screen sealant or the original fitting “putty” for want of a better word, he reminded me that in the dark distant past I had also mentioned chopping the screen down a bit to enhance the whole lowered look.

I had forgotten about that mostly as more important things were getting done.

But seeing as he has now poked the hornets nest, or is that poking the Grizz? I may as well investigate and look at these options again.

I am sure the likes of @rich @admin @westbay @pauly @atomman @grenade @jamesd1972 @peteh1969 @pistonpopper @jimi @v8 @kevins @spacekadett @mr2fc @turbom @quickrack1 and many others will help here with confusing me, but ultimately pointing the way to go.


So I placed the screen in the position it should finally be fixed in.

This is to ensure maximum contact, stability once bolted down on the scuttle as it should never be accessible once the rest is built into the dash, steering, electrics, clocks etc.


Here you go.


Stock standard.






Now, for those who read the actual words and text I then took 50mm or 2” wide masking tape and added a new “top of the screen” below the existing top frame.

You need your virtual, or imaginative glasses on now.

Imagine the masking tape is the new frame, forget about the existing frame, it will be cut and welded lower, as will the glass, hopefully.


Sitting in the driving seat, my vision did not feel encumbered in any way having lost the 50mm of horizon.


I did try get the pics from the same position on a timer, mounting the phone in a roll of ductape on a ladder.


50mm or 2” chopped.





After this I added another 50mm or 2” of tape and got back inside.

Remember, when it is cut down, only the bottom line of tape represents the actual frame to be mounted on the car.

My horizon was slightly impaired at 4” 100mm chop, so not ideal.

I did not do a 3” 75mm version, but suspect I will be able to live with that if the collective feels the 50mm is not worth the effort.


100mm or 4” chop





Next, I took two photos of the 50mm chop from 1/4 side front view.

You have to visualise what it all will look like chopped, along with the body lowered as it stands.

Deducting the existing top of frame and seeing only the masking tape as the new screen top.

Can you see it?





Then, just to really mess with my own, and you guys’ minds…….


I put the screen flat in front of where it will be mounted, again, just to create the illusion to help me think, but at this point I was struggling to really see it.


At this point you need to actually look at the original top of the screen to see where 50mm would be relative to the body, or is]f you screw your eyes up, maybe the masking tape will show where 100mm would land, though it would suck to drive, like a chopped rat rod may be.




Thank you all for your interest, input and opinions, advice etc.

The glass will need to be cut as well, so where to cut and shorten the frame comes into play.

I have no idea what sort of money new glass may be.


Off we all go…….

[Grizz1963]

A photoshop of the 50mm



Worth my time, thinking about it.

[Grizz1963]

Saw this on FB

S10 meets Jeep with added Big Block.








Thought it would have a few of you frothing at the mouth.

[Grizz1963]

Well.

Mate Martin who does the disability conversions popped in unexpectedly to sniff around.
Thankfully I could take a break from my desk.
He was always pro-chopping
But sat in the seat with screen up and I could see that maybe if was pushing it with a chop.

So I asked him to take a pic for me so I can see the proportions

The result it seems would suggest holding back on even the 50mm chop for now.

The seat height is fine on the chopped screen.

However, mentally adding the roll bar behind and above the seats somewhat seems to be wrong.

So for now, I think leaving it alone will be the answer.



Leaving more time for the important stuff over the weekend.

Day job has now fully kicked back into gear.

[LT7A]

My two cents is, is that the screen in its current size is more proportional to the rest of the body if you don't cut it down. Also, on cutting the glass slowly with abrasive, I was actually serious. So if you do end up having it cut, I will like to hear how they do it.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by LT7A

My two cents is, is that the screen in its current size is more proportional to the rest of the body if you don't cut it down. Also, on cutting the glass slowly with abrasive, I was actually serious. So if you do end up having it cut, I will like to hear how they do it.

Evening LT7A

Still not figured out what your user name means.

I have decided to keep it as it is for now.

There are examples on youtube on cutting laminated glass.

You are right, the proportions are good.








Quick change of direction.

Two day heavy duty business meeting in London this week.

31 years later, I have never forgotten my roots or the privilege of my life, even though I know I have paid my dues.

Lunch view on Tuesday.



Later……. London.



In the evening a walk along the Thames river, a boat cruise and another walk.

Eventually leading here……

Bloody freezing yes.







Where are we then?



Cutty Sark is a British clipper ship. Built on the River Leven, Dumbarton, Scotland in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line, she was one of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the fastest, coming at the end of a long period of design development for this type of vessel, which halted as steamships took over their routes.

After the big improvement in the fuel efficiency of steamships in 1866, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 gave them a shorter route to China, so Cutty Sark spent only a few years on the tea trade before turning to the trade in wool from Australia, where she held the record time to Britain for ten years.[5] Continuing improvements in steam technology meant that gradually steamships also came to dominate the longer sailing route to Australia, and the ship was sold to the Portuguese company Ferreira and Co. in 1895 and renamed Ferreira. She continued as a cargo ship until purchased in 1922 by retired sea captain Wilfred Dowman, who used her as a training ship operating from Falmouth, Cornwall. After his death, Cutty Sark was transferred to the Thames Nautical Training College, Greenhithe in 1938 where she became an auxiliary cadet training ship alongside HMS Worcester. By 1954, she had ceased to be useful as a cadet ship and was transferred to permanent dry dock at Greenwich, London, for public display.

Cutty Sark is listed by National Historic Ships as part of the National Historic Fleet (the nautical equivalent of a Grade 1 Listed Building). She is one of only three remaining original composite construction (wooden hull on an iron frame) clipper ships from the nineteenth century in part or whole, the others being the City of Adelaide, which arrived in Port Adelaide, South Australia on 3 February 2014 for preservation, and the beached skeleton of Ambassador of 1869 near Punta Arenas, Chile.

The ship has been damaged by fire twice in recent years, first on 21 May 2007 while undergoing conservation. She was restored and was reopened to the public on 25 April 2012.[6] Funders for the Cutty Sark conservation project include: HLF, DCMS, Sammy Ofer Foundation, Greenwich Council, Greater London Authority, The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Berry Brothers & Rudd, Michael Edwards, Alisher Usmanov.[7]

On 19 October 2014 she was damaged in a smaller fire.[8]

Cutty Sark whisky derives its name from the ship. An image of the clipper appears on the label, and the maker formerly sponsored the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race. The ship also inspired the name of the Saunders Roe Cutty Sark flying boat.


Walking down into the dry dock for dinner.



Not so much a request, but an opinion when you are sober and would rather be at home with a mug of tea and a sandwich.




Two days of hard work underscored by a nice reward.


Did I mention that Life is Good?

[Grizz1963]

What a week.

Tomorrow blocked for building this thing.

Despite the options did include having a go at this little car.

But it won’t get the RR on the road.



Day job first though.


.