Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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anyhoo, back to the steering relay - at a little over £50 for a new one, there was no pint in messing about with the old one, or so I thought. While waiting for my order of parts to be delivered, I did some research on steering relays, specifically removing and replacing them. Before buying the Land Rover, I knew nothing of steering relays, now, I know everything, lol. I found out that they're a PITA to remove ( or can be ), sometimes it's just easier to cut the crossmember out and weld in a new one, just to install the new relay !! I even watched a video of a guy in Russia who used a length of "H" beam RSJ to brace the chassis as he tried to remove the relay by putting a BF trolley jack under it, I certainly didn't think that the "H" beam would bend, but bend it did ! I decided, after three days of trying to remove the old relay, that I'd just take all the internals out and replace them with the internals from the new one. Not only was there no oil in the old relay at all, but as can be seen in the below pic, one of the upper fibre bushes had started to split and separate in various places Good call on buying a new one then.
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Looks like someone has fitted a set of parabolic springs at some point. They're not unknown for leaving the vehicle leaning to one side -depending on manufacturer- once fitted. It wouldn't surprise me to discover that the home made shackle on the rear was a DIY attempt to make it sit level. Didn't realise they were parabolic springs, we'll see what happens when I get the shackle changed over.
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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That's great, and such a wonderful offer. Thank you. PM on its way No bother mate it might as well be used I've sent it royal mail 2nd class hope you get it OK As can be seen below, the workshop manual arrived yesterday nice and safe. thanks again
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Don't worry about posting a mash up on here, never been a fan of keeping things original. There's nothing that shouldn't be modified, lol
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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I really like that! Very smart looking indeed. What are the plans with it? Just use and have fun as is? It is certainly crying out for that rear bumper to be tucked Can't say I have seen many of this era El Camino before, but I like it! In the states, it's the unloved model. All the cool ones seem to have been made pre and post '74, have to agree that there don't seem to be too many around over here, not that I've seen either. it really is ridiculous how far both bumpers stick out at the sides, I now know why a certain Mr Foose always seems to cut and tuck them. Plans keep changing every time I look at it, currently I'm thinking it needs that '70s rake, some graphics just to break up that gorgeous satin black paint a little, and I'm leaning towards a set of zoomie exhausts.......but, we'll see.
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Having found the Camino, the previous owner advised that it was up and running, all solid and just needed a headlining and carpet. So I agreed to buy it and arranged to have it picked up and brought home. A few days later, I got a phone call saying it was ready to pick up ( see what I did there ) from my mates yard and to bring some fuel as it had run dry while getting loaded on the wagon to come home. Having put some fuel in and got it started, I jumped in and just as I was leaving the yard, it started raining, turned the wipers on and nothing happened. Tried a couple more times, still no joy! Fortunately, my mates yard is only about a mile away from my house, so I wasn't too concerned about driving home in the rain with no wipers. I also discovered on the way home that the speedometer doesn't work, the fuel gauge doesn't work, the rev counter is missing, the temperature gauge doesn't work, however, the voltmeter, radio and demister / heater / AC does work. The front indicators didn't work at all which turned out to be caused by a blown bulb and bad earth, both front indicators are now working. It is solid though, and it does need headlining and carpet.
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 29, 2017 22:54:02 GMT
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If they're 7" sealed beam Lucas headlights you can get new chrome rings from Minispares.co.uk as minis have the same, they also do stainless ones.. That's a really nice minty green-blue-minty colour by the way Sorted for the headlight trim ring, thanks for the useful info though. Both Mrs Rebel and me like the colour, it stands out ( almost glows in the dark, lol ) seems to suit it. I've often thought that the colour was what prevented it from selling quicker when it was on the bay of fleas. The last owner had advertised it on there three times before we bought it. If it had been bronze green, I think it may have sold a lot quicker. No idea what shade of green it is, but it seems to work well and we have no plans to change it
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 29, 2017 22:43:26 GMT
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It doesn't have freewheeling hubs up front, although not fitted when we bought it, the front propshaft was sitting inside it. So first job after a good poke around it as you do when another car arrives, was to buy the correct nuts and bolts to fit the propshaft. Also ordered at the same time was a new rear view mirror ( there was no sign of one, although the bolt holes were there ). Needed a new rubber gaiter for the prop as well, the old one was split two thirds of the way round. A few days later, new rubber gaiter fitted, propshaft fitted and ready to go. Until we spotted the steady drip, drip, drip from the front pinion seal! So, new seal ordered along with a seal puller ( because I didn't have one and it was a new tool to buy, lol ). A few days later, propshaft removed, old pinion seal removed. New seal fitted, prop refitted and front diff topped up with oil. No leaks this time. Maybe this is why the front prop had been removed? Who knows. Anyhoo, jobs done, ready to go for a drive. Mrs Rebel gets in, starts up, reverses off the drive and after I jump ( well, climb ) into the passenger seat, we head off............ Now, the idea was, go and fill up with diesel then a little run for the hell of it. As most of you will know, old Land Rovers are a bit, well, agricultural to say the least. That was to be expected. It's noisy, again to be expected It rattles, squeaks and is very bouncy. Expected or not, this can all be taken care of through time. So we're all good then, err, no, not quite! In total, we managed a brief drive round the block, mainly due to a spongy brake pedal and very stiff steering. Not to mention an all round inability to actually drive it safely at anything over 20mph ( if that ). The stiff steering wasn't because Mrs Rebel wasn't used to '60s keep fit steering as opposed to modern power steering. It was due to a seized steering relay - more on that later. Feeling unstable at anything over 20mph or there abouts - after a very close and lengthy look and poke about underneath - proved to be caused by the fact that all the suspension appears to be the original parts from 1967, one interesting item that I hadn't noticed before was this, The first pic shows the difference in height between the two rear leaf springs. The second pic shows the original and correct spring hanger in the foreground and the non original and incorrect two lengths of flat steel bar used as a spring hanger in the back ground. Another parts order was placed, consisting of, 4 shock absorbers 1 rear spring hanger 2 steering arms 4 tie rod ends 1 steering damper and steering damper to chassis bracket 1 steering relay 2 swivel oil seals I still need to investigate the spongy brake pedal fully, my current thinking is that one or more wheel cylinders are leaking, if that proves to be the cause of the spongy pedal, I'll just change all four, better safe than sorry, then at least I'll know they're all ok. Oh, and the side windscreen wiper doesn't work either. So, just one or two jobs to do then! Overall though, it's solid has had some money and time spent on it. One of the previous owners has taken the time to paint it, inside and out. Complete the engine conversion and get it running. Whether they've run out of money, time or enthusiasm when it came to the suspension isn't known, but, it doesn't seem to be a lot of work to make it a better drive than it is now and with the 200 TDI engine, it should be able to keep up with modern traffic as well.
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 28, 2017 21:25:48 GMT
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That's great, and such a wonderful offer. Thank you. PM on its way No bother mate it might as well be used I've sent it royal mail 2nd class hope you get it OK That really is very good of you, thanks again.
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 28, 2017 13:08:30 GMT
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Pretty much sorted on the geometry side now. Someone had fitted offset bushes to the upper wishbones but hadn't set them up correctly, little bit of research online and now all sorted with everything moving in the right direction
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Looks very nice, don't recall seeing windows like that before. I know if you fit the TDI lumps you can snap half shafts, hence why some people don't fit the turbo when they fit the engine, if yours still has the turbo, perhaps it kept breaking front half shafts, so they removed the prop? Or the transfer box is stuck in 4WD... It's the windows that are part of the belief / rumour that there could be some sort if royal connection to it. The turbo is still fitted, no evidence or history of snapped half shafts and the transfer box isn't stuck in 4WD, so we all good there
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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If it's of any use I have a genuine 2/2a workshop manual you can have,its oily/dirty but useable pm me an address if you want it That's great, and such a wonderful offer. Thank you. PM on its way
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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That looks very nice! She should be well pleased She is, she loves it
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Loving the orange tyres PP
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Thanks Drew, The Charger was on my bucket list from when I was at school, lol. Finally took the plunge in 2005.
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 27, 2017 22:09:22 GMT
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 27, 2017 21:48:54 GMT
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As some of you might remember, I used to own a Fox body Mustang. I bought it in June of 2015 to use while I finished the work on my Dodge Charger, almost a year to the day, a mate in Cornwall made me one of those offers that leaves you thinking, will it be worth more this time next year or will the market collapse before then. So, I sold it. This meant that I needed something else to use until the Charger was finished, that's when this materialised, Now, believe it or not, there's any amount of fun to be had with this one.
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Last Edit: Jun 30, 2017 3:35:39 GMT by Rebel
1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 27, 2017 21:33:29 GMT
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As well as my other Toyota Hilux Surf, about a month ago I accidently acquired this one, A mate called round to ask if I knew anyone that would be interested in buying a Surf that one of his neighbours was looking to sell. As I already had one, he thought I might know someone who wanted one. As luck would have it, I was looking for something to replace the 51 plate Mondeo that I'd bought to use until the Surf I already owned was on the road again. I went to have a look at it and when the previous owner told me everything that had already been done to it as well as all the spare bits that he was willing to let go with it, I agreed to buy it. The main factory differences between the two of them are, this ones a 3 litre diesel with the spare wheel under the floor pan, the other one is a 2.4 litre diesel with the spare wheel on a hinged arm at the back of the car, as can be seen below, However, they're both poles apart when it comes to aftermarket accessories that various previous owners have added to them.
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 27, 2017 18:32:21 GMT
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Mrs Rebel likes 4x4's, I'd never bothered with them before we met. There didn't seem much point really, especially as in the U.K. There's not really enough room on the roads for what our American cousins call a 4x4. Don't get me wrong, I'd love something like Bigfoot or Grave digger, better still, anything that they build on the TV show Diesel Brothers. Fake or not, the trucks they build are real and look amazing. If your going to have a 4x4 it needs to be as OTT as possible! anyhoo, once again, the bay of fleas showed me this I liked the way it looked and so did Mrs Rebel, so a bid was placed and it was mine. This was actually my second Toyota Hilux Surf, the first one was sold to a dealer mate when he made an offer that couldn't be refused and I'd regretted selling it as soon as it was gone. So I bought another one. That was 3 or 4 years ago now. It's been sitting on my drive since November of last year though, mainly due to a small list of things that need replacing or repairing. Namely, Cracked exhaust manifold Blown turbo Corroded fuel pipes Two brake pipes need replacing The D bushes need replacing and the radio needs changing due to it overheating and turning itself off after about 5 minutes ( I know, not that important, but with it overheating, it needs taking care of ). Plenty of entertainment to be had yet then and some history to catch up on.
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Last Edit: Jun 27, 2017 21:35:08 GMT by Rebel
1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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Rebel
Part of things
Posts: 343
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Jun 27, 2017 17:44:00 GMT
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A couple of years or so ago, my wife owned a 1968 Land Rover, she was planning to restore it back to its original design as the previous owners had added defender front panelwork. The electrics needed replacing and she had started on them. Then my Hilux Surf overheated cracking the cylinder head in the process. With no money to spend on a replacement head, something had to give and, my wife offered to sell her Land Rover in order to fund the repair of my Surf. So, I obviously then owed her a Land Rover! Fast forward to last summer ( if you can fast forward to a previous time ), and while looking on the bay of fleas I found this, with less than a minute to go, I quickly sent the owner a message, which I never received a reply too. Thinking that it must have been sold I forgot about it as you do. A couple of weeks later it reappeared on the bay of fleas again, this time as well as the same description as last time it also stated that the owner had now moved to Glasgow to go to university and as he couldn't take it with him it was taking up space in his dads factory. This time I managed to get in touch with the owner and made arrangements to go and view it. Mrs Rebel liked the look of it from the advert as well. A couple days later we were stood in front of it a few miles from home, the owners father explained that it had been converted to a 200TDI engine before his son had bought it and it had recently passed its MOT after having two new tyres fitted at the back due to the old ones having perished side walls. He also explained that his son had removed the front propshaft to help with fuel economy (?? ). He assured us that it did start, run and drive but he was temporarily unable to fire it up as his brother had both the keys and the logbook, but was at home with laryngitis and unable to talk at all, so he couldn't ring him to find out where they were. I had a good look around it and under it, poked and prodded a few places and made sure the bulkhead was nice and solid. By this time, Mrs Rebel wanted it of course. As it all seemed to be solid with extensive welding already completed and, knowing that the owner needed to sell it, no to mention it being in the way in its current position, I made an offer. The owners father phoned his son and in his words " well, I am surprised, he said yes! ". A deposit was left and another couple days later we returned to pay the balance and collect the car. We were informed that the current owner had been told that it's believed to have had some form of royal connection, there's no documentation to prove this though and as yet I haven't found anything to suggest it might be true. Apparently, the royal connection is supposed to have something to do with the rear side windows looking like this, If anyone knows anything about the style of rear side windows, I'd love to know. We've decoded the VIN number and so far only managed to find out that when it was built back in '67, there was a special order placed for two modifications. There's no evidence yet as to what the modifications were, but we think that the windows were one of them. Mrs Rebel drove it home as I followed, on the way, one of the headlight chrome trim rings fell off, I inadvertently drove over it and squashed it, so having paid my debt of owing Mrs Rebel a Land Rover, I now owe her a headlight trim ring!
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1968 Dodge Charger 1985 Chevrolet Camaro 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf 2001 Ford Mondeo
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