miketomcat

Final day of freedom yesterday, So removed the original door locking mechanism. It is a shame I can't use it but I just couldn't find a handle that operated the right way and could be triggered from the inside. I let the handle go off the rods, the lower on immediately fell out and jammed in the ground, somebody forgot the rod was longer than the available space below it. Trouble is it was way to early to cut it off. Anyway got the rest of it out and by that time I could set to it with an angle grinder, first cut, bugger still can get it out. On to fitting the replacement, removing the old latch left some un wanted holes and having just drilled an new larger hole with a hole saw (the insulation melts and smokes really easy) I decided to just put some rivets in, they're mostly hidden behind the handle any way. All fitted up, I must of done something right as it all lines up. The catch works great, bolt it all up tight and shut the door fantastic....... Except that once tight the button is 5mm further in, and now the catch is permanently released doh. Fortunately I can strip it all apart and move my extension to the other side of the release mechanism. The down side is to do this I need to cut down an Allen key. All back together and this time it works a treat. Finally a clean up and re-attach some of the loose trim around the door. Mike

I just use normal ear defenders and listen to the voices in my head....... Mike

It's a material finish so won't sweat like fibreglass can giving a warmer feel so not a stark white. It covers a multitude of sins easily and quickly. The roof will stay white and the bulkheads are going to be a light wood varnished. Remember we're only sleeping in here not spending time that's what the awning will be for. Mike

Wife and kids are away this week so household chores are suspended. Every spare minute is on the trailer. I have a spare ibex door catch so it would be rude not to use it. Unfortunately I can't make the existing door latch work both inside and out so plan B. I'm going the fit a JCB door handle in the stainless door recess and this will operate the ibex catch. I've cut a recess in the door frame to take the pin and a hole in the end of the door to take the catch. I need to extend the trigger plate so the handle can release it. Hopefully this will all work just need to remove the existing set up and fit it. In between doing this I've done all the internal fibreglass repairs and filled them. This is where the door was originally. As this is in the toilet compartment I'm going to clad over this with a thin fibreglass sheet so not worried about how flat it is. The other side I've faired in better because this is covered in material. Tonight I've glued all the wall coverings on. There is a line where there's a fibreglass repair but this will be at the foot end of the bunks so won't be noticeable. Mike

Oh dear god Sid really is going to be the b*stard child of so many countries/manufacturers. Mike

The wife has had the design sorted for a while, it was the trailer that caused a redesign due to wheel position. The toilet module will be just inside the door on the left (front corner) with the bunks in front of you. To the right will be a double bed with cupboard storage on your imidiate right running down the side of the bed. The kitchen will be a combination of a locker and a slide out draw on the outside. It will be under the bed/cupboards to the right of the main door. Eventually there will be an awning on this side over the door and kitchen. Mike

I get the change and the corners but as fridge says it's just flat glass so you could get them made in laminated or toughened no problem for not much money. Mike

From memory the IVA manual says 6mm which is what mine is but I would recommend copying land rover which is around 8-10mm because mine is difficult to read. Unfortunately this size is difficult to find and more expensive, you might be able to find a garage that does chassis swaps that has some you can borrow or will do it for you. Whatever you do practice first as they need quite a wack and it's easy to get them back to front or upsidedown. Mike

I bought a set of number/letter punches and stamped in the DVLA supplied vin on my ibex myself. I think I took photos of it to send off with the registration paperwork but mine had been seen by the IVA man by then anyway. Mike

You'll get shouted at for using the rope/hook like that and not using a strop. Ignoring the attachment that's exactly how I get the boats in and out of the workshop at work. Though they are significantly heavier (up to 8 ton) but they are on cradles with wheels. Mike

I think ours had a short bit of hose to a copper 22mm to 15mm joiner then on the the 200tdi bottom hose. Mike

I can't answer your question directly but there are definitely at least two types of brass header tank the 110 has a large bore lower hose around 22mm, the engine was a 2¼ diesel 1983. The ibex has one off a TD 1987 and the lower hose is around 14mm (the same size as the later plastic tank). Mike

Got some time on the inside of the trailer today due to the fact it's peeing down. Inner wheelarches fitted, however I've had to leave these open for a couple of weeks due to a curious leak. It would only appear in the bottom of the original wheelarch aperture and only after heavy rain. I think it was running down the front of the trailer then tracking down the aluminium corner between the skins of the floor. Hopefully I've sealed it. Also managed to get the rear panel in, I've used the roof panel from the freezer compartment with some cut outs to clear the light and number plate recesses. Finally I can give a sneak peek at the layout. Mike

Personally I don't like the 1.22 box in anything unless you're running 29" tyres. Defender LT77's are getting hard to come by so I'd be tempted to buy the one locally regardless. Lt230 are generally bullet proof so I'd comfirm if it's the input bearings or not, if it is then change the bearings and go from there. It will come down to budget and how long you plan to keep the truck. Mike

Sounds like a gearbox or transfer box input bearings. If it goes quiet with gearbox and transfer box in neutral while rolling then it's likely transfer box input bearings. Often people change the input gear due to wear but don't change the transfer box side of the bearings thus they wear quicker. Mike

Mine is a 200tdi, the sensor is a fixed temperature switch of 98°c it's mounted it the second spigot on the top thermostat housing (I drilled and tapped it out). My fan only kicks in after a long higher speed run or in hot weather, so I works exactly as it should and I'm happy with the position (not getting into a top/bottom hose debate as there's good arguments for each). For your set up the way you've set it is exactly how I would and I would be happy with that, at the end of the day the fan is not a substitute for keeping an eye on the guage. You know what temperature the engine runs happily at on your gauge so if it stays roughly there and the fans not running excessively I'd leave it as is. Mike

Whilst I know this you would need to machine the input shaft. So unless you can get the whole gearbox in the lathe and drive the input through the gearbox You're going to need to strip the box to machine to the input, at which point just change the box, keep it diesel or find an engine/mod the crank to take a bigger spigot (see my comments about the gearbox ) I'm not saying don't just you need to check before committing as I don't know what the series adapter includes. Mike

@Stellaghost I'll point out I have a V8 disco lt77 in my truck and the spigot bush is considerably smaller than the diesel. The input shaft is also about 7mm shorter. So I doubt a V8 will fit yours with just a bell housing (you can fit a V8 box on a 200tdi though ). Mike

PTO winches are awesome but unless you do a daan they are slow and heavy. Great if you want to recover others all day long but not so good for self recovery. Matching wheel speed is very difficult (impossible on some) so drive assist is out. Mike

One way or another the overland caravan will be in the campsite. It might even have beds in it by then.....maybe. Mike

I gave up and fitted HD flanges. Mine kept splitting instead of popping off though. Mike

I suspect they've patented this because someone else already has the remote driving patent. Mike

You could probably reverse rim them to get your offset to. Mike

Inner wheel arch trimmed, insulation cut, all ready to fit once I've broken out and trimmed the other side. Mike

I'm hoping to go a bit further afield (eastern Europe at a minimum)than France when we finally go. Mike