Fitting a spare wheel.
If the under bed fuel tank had been fitted where the spare wheel is supposed to go,
fitting a spare wheel here would not have been an option. By going for the more difficult
option of fitting the fuel tank forward of the rear axle, there was plenty of room behind
the axle to fit a spare wheel. Space savers were considered but these have speed restrictions.
It was decided to fit a 15 inch wheel that was 6 inches wides and use a smaller tyre.
The alloy wheels fitted at the moment are 15 by 7 inches, front tyres are 225/60/R15 and rear 235/75/R15
Next year, after painting the truck, the wheels will be changed to 16 by 7 inches alloys of the same style.
The spare wheel is steel and a more compact tyre of 195/60/R15 was fitted.
Steel channel was fitted across the chassis. 3 studs were bolted to it and three wheel
studs hold the wheel to the channel
The studs use the same sized socket as the normal wheel studs so a common tool can be used.
This is a simple fixing method. If there is a puncture, the spare wheel is dropped and fitted.
The wheel / tyre that comes off and has a puncture is simply put onto the truck
bed until it is repaired and re-fitted.
This modification along with the large fuel tank and the many modernisations enable the truck
to be used for fast, comfortable long distance journeys. That has always been the aim but there
are more modifications still to be done before this will be fully achieved.
Fitting a 2-inch receiver.
We have some important criteria for this part of the project -
1. The hitch must be very discrete and the part that does show must look good.
2. The hitch must be easily removable and be fitted with 4 easily accessible stainless steel bolts.
3. Whilst it is highly unlikely it will be ever used for towing, it must be strong enough
to do so if the need arose.
4. Its main use would be to attach accessories like bike racks and storage boxes etc.
If there was a need to carry items that might scratch or damage the bed
(maybe tools and steel parts for the truck,) they could be carried in the storage box.
Another point to note is that if the spare wheel had been fitted in the original position
as per 1952 spec. there would have been no room to fit a 2-inch receiver. Fitting the spare
wheel closer to the differential created the space for the hitch to be added.
The hitch was made with 5mm thick channel at the ends and 5mm thick steel box sections.
The box sections were 40mm by 40mm box. A female 2-inch receiver was reduced in length
and welded across the two box sections. The completed unit was etch primed, primed and
then three coats of gloss black applied.
To maintain the discrete appearance, the receiver was set well back from the rear bumper
In use a short extension will be used to extend the receiver backwards beyond the rear bumper.
A receiver blanking plug was finally fitted.
Front end strip down.
Sept 09 - The front end strip down has started.
The inner and outer wings (fenders) have, so far, never been removed until now.
Aims,
To improve further the front suspension.
Re-fit the radiator correctly. It had not been fitted correctly by the previous owner / 1998 build.
Improve appearance of top of radiator with some mods and paint it.
Correctly fit rubber radiator mounts. (They were missing!)
Remove old (poorly made) engine mounts and manufacturer new stronger mounts.
Left side - re-route the air con pipes so make a cleaner inner wing.
Right side - re-route wiring to make a cleaner inner wing.
Repair and paint inner wings - Repair all areas where the "butchers" have cut them to fit the suspension.
Firewall - re-route air con pipes and electrics to make a cleaner firewall.
Attend to all areas that need to be rebuilt properly and reduce rattles.
All parts to be re-fitted through evo mastic and with stainless steel bolts.
Deadline - mid November for the British Classic Car Show at the NEC Birmingham UK.
Click here to continue the store of the stip down modifications.
