1986 Indespension Jiffy

[TommyBoy12]

Hi all,

A long time lurker here but I thought it was about time I posted up a build thread for the Jiffy I bought off this very forum (I'm sure a few of you will recognise it).

Bought this in May and had a 400 mile round drive to pick it up! Ive been slowly working on it since. Progress has been slow but I have worked on it when I can. Its difficult to fit in around work, a family, and a classic Mini!

The day it was picked up:





Most of the big bits were there when it was bought but a number of the smaller bits were missing.

A list of bits basically consisted of needed a wiring loom and various electrical components, tyres, brakes and clutch lines, door and window seals, and the inlet and exhaust sorting. Although since my initial list a few more things have been added!

There was also work to do to the body.

I will update in chronological order up to now in the following posts.

[dreadnought]

So glad this is being saved, I wanted it but had no money. That trailers a bit big though, a wheel barrow would have done, lol.

[TommyBoy12]

All the major bits were there.

One 998cc A-Series complete with dubious looking dynamo and remote gear change. I'm glad there isnt much current draw on that dynamo to be honest!



Fibreglass dashboard to go with a rather spartan cab. The only creature comfort is a rubber mat for flooring!



Rather worn looking MG Metro steering wheel. A heater unit is meant to sit to the right of the steering column where that slot is however it didnt come with one in, the plumbing is done without one and I'm stripping those wires out of the loom. So I will probably fill that space up!



Flat-bed with doors, bonnet and fuel tank.



I made a start with the wiring loom. There wasnt much left of it apart from the main plugs under the dashboard and the voltage regulator. Luckily all the main plugs were there, although I spent about 90 minutes just soldering the speedo plug back onto the loom!

[TommyBoy12]

Sept 14, 2013 14:25:05 GMT dreadnought said:

So glad this is being saved, I wanted it but had no money. That trailers a bit big though, a wheel barrow would have done, lol.

Yeah! We measured up for a mini-digger trailer but it was too small with the rear overhang of the Jiffy. This was the only other option. Its rated for 2.5 tons of load!

[TommyBoy12]

The flat bed was the first thing to be stripped. Generally was in good nick but needed protection as it was unpainted in some areas.



The wood was mostly in good nick but 4 months later I'm still pondering ridding myself of the old wood and getting new boards for the side panels. The bed floor definitely needed replacing.



The shackles were all cleaned up and painted along with the frame.

[TommyBoy12]

Made a start on the cab next. There was unprotected bare metal and worn fibreglass on the tub. Plus the seals for the doors and windows were perished or missing.

I protected the bare bolt heads underneath.



Re-painted the seat frames too.



The battery had sat on the bare fibreglass floor (under the passenger seat) and worn through the floor in the corner so I got my complete novice fibreglassing skills on the go and repaired it.





I think I laid it on a bit thick but it cant be seen anyway! I also fitted the fueltank back on, which had been refurbished by the PO.

[marinanut]

Never ever seen one before; cracking piece of kit, well done for saving it!

[TommyBoy12]

A bit of history.

Obviously they are made by Indespension, which is a trailer company. They made around 70 of these trucks which came in kit or pre-built form. There are around a dozen left now with at least one in Japan, one possibly in China and one in America (a six-wheeler). They were designed to be able to be either a pick-up, flatbed, box van or tipper. There are also 2 or 3 which are currently sporting romahome campervan pods on the back. Some have managed to retain original registrations, while most are on Q-plates.

Mine was most definitely delivered as a kit and is on a Q. I have the details of the donor Mini which was a 1971 Clubman 1000. Judging by the welds in the flatbed frame it was home made and only painted once the wood was put on! Ive found scotch-locks/leccy tape in the remains of the loom and mis-matched bolts all over! The front indicator units are Clubman pieces which are now very expensive items. Mine were covered in liquid metal and super-glue which was holding the bulbs in place! I have since stripped them down and refurbished them.

Needless to say I think my example has had a pretty tough life!

[TommyBoy12]

Thanks for the comment marinanut. The cab got a little more TLC with new door seals as well as new window seals. The seals are standard Mini items and they were an absolute pain in the to fit! The fibreglass is considerably thicker than the steel they would have originally fitted to so they didnt seat very well. The windscreen was a nightmare!

[TommyBoy12]

Rebuilt the steering column. This is where Mini shows really pay off as I had to buy an ignition barrel, indicator stalk and cowling. Turns out the style of ignition barrel that this column uses is the rarest kind for a Mini and they don't make them new now. This one took a few shows to find. Also the top half of the cowl doesnt have a mount so I had to tape it on with leccy tape for now.





Ive since brought back colour to the leather of the steering wheel with some new dye.

[TommyBoy12]

Ive also been buying various parts such as switches, light clusters, dizzy parts, etc. Mostly electrical bits.

I had to source and buy one of these too which turned out to be incredibly time consuming!



They provide shock absorption for the cab to the chassis but that shape arent made by metalstik any more. I did find one eventually for the princely sum of £10 though. It took about 2 months to find though!

I fitted that last week and offered the cab up. It fits, which is a relief! No pictures though...

Ive also been missing the door hinges and bonnet hinges having only got one intact. They were originally some form of cheap, light alloy and I only have one in its original undamaged form. The rest were badly repaired or had been replaced with a mix-match of different hinges. These have been a total nightmare to find and I only just found some suitable iron ones yesterday while browsing eBay.

[TommyBoy12]

Thats pretty much it up to date although I havent included some little tasks and the pile of bits I have accumulated to put it together. Ive had it about 4 months and perhaps spent a total of 4-5 days working on it!

Now I have sourced the hinges I actually have all the major components and only need nuts and bolts as required. Pretty much everything is a 13mm bolt though so thats easy! I'm hoping to get the doors and bonnet back on before the weather turns for the worst during the winter.

Finally, I had Mini Magazine come and do a shoot on the truck a few weeks ago. It gave me a chance to put all the major components back on.

[bazzateer]

Not too keen on Minis but I do like this!

[qwerty]

Never heard of these at all. What a fantastic and quirky vehicle.

What are the plans? Clean and tidy rebuild or hi-lo's and 10x6's?

[scottishvanners]

guy had one of these at the VW show at biggar this year,
was rapid sure it was on a bike engine and had one of them wee
sooty campervan bodys on the rear was awsome,

yours is the 2nd i have ever seen.

[TommyBoy12]

Sept 14, 2013 17:48:47 GMT qwerty said:

Never heard of these at all. What a fantastic and quirky vehicle.

What are the plans? Clean and tidy rebuild or hi-lo's and 10x6's?

I basically just want a roadworthy, quirky vehicle which hasnt cost the earth! I'm not in it for a lot of money and I know it probably will never fetch a lot so I will keep it serviceable underneath and dry inside without breaking the bank. Plus I actually like the faded orange and rusty wheels. I think it gives it character!

[bavarianretro]

Sept 14, 2013 18:06:40 GMT scottishvanners said:

guy had one of these at the VW show at biggar this year,
was rapid sure it was on a bike engine and had one of them wee
sooty campervan bodys on the rear was awsome,

yours is the 2nd I have ever seen.

J&J Ferguson in Lanark had one as a demonstrator. They were Indespension dealers as well I think and were trying to sell them. I doubt they sold many, if any.

[scottishvanners]

got talking to the owner at biggar and I'm sure he mentioned it was never registered
and was local, been trying to dig out photos of it
from local vw sites as it was well recieved by everybody at a vw show.
was such a odity.

[scottishvanners]

found some photos dude

[grizz]

Glad you are saving it.

Regarding minimal value..... don't be too sure.

Japan, China etc are markets where rarity counts and cash is often in over supply.

This could sell for silly money to the right collector.