finnarne

Roof welding (outdoor, with to much wind, but still using gas when welding) Closeup: Solved the problems around the alpine windows

Steel. As is the inner panels on the sides, the outer panels is aluminium.

Changed the pump, and seems like the problem is gone.

Not sure if it's been posted here before, sorry if I'm a bit late. The Norwegian Land Rover Club (NLRK) is celebrating 40 year anniversary, and you are of course welcom to join us. More information is availible at the webpage: http://nlrk.no/default.aspx?pageId=371 For registration, go to http://nlrk.no/default.aspx?pageId=369 Some promotion:

Last Wednesday, my wife complained about some vibrations when driving at slow speed. The vibrations stopped when they had gained some more speed, but she asked me if I could check the wheel nuts (?). I knew the front right wheel bearing was bad, and had planed to change from winter tyres to summer tires that evening already. Yes. The front right was bad, a lot worse than the check at the local LR-dealer garage meeeting last Monday had shown. New wheel bearings was planned for delivery on Friday, so it had to wait. On Friday the wheel bearings arrived, but I had to drive a 60 km trip to deliver one kid, and then back. We got some vibrations again, and it was not the wheel bearing. It's kind of the same misfire that comes with Oil in the Red ECU-plug. Later that evening, on the way home, after 3 more stops at various shops, the enign dies when idling as I drove through our small hometown. I tried locking the doors, then opening again, as It felt like it was the immobilizer, which I already had disabled through Nanocom. Lots of errors in the log, cleaned them out, and a few was persistent. Then M+S lighted up, and it was time to be towed back home. It wasa nice ride behind an old DiscoV8 (my neighbours) Back at home I put connected the charger to my battery, end called it the day. Next morning I started again, clearing any errors with Nanocom, then trying to start. Tried to connect an extra battery, but it just wouldn't fire. Then I pulled out the ECU, and there was oil in the plug. The injector harness was changed 5 months ago, but there was still some oil in the engine harness. We opened the ECU, and checked for oil, but found very little. Checked the errors with Nanocom again, and some were still persistent. From my memory: (4,2) fuel temperature sensor (Logged high) (6,2) fuel temperature sensor (Current) When we checked the sensor, or the plug, the plug came of with 10cm wires on the, which was not connected anywhere. We found "the other side" of the broken wires down in the engine harness, and decided to try to fix them. While we were pulling out the harness, we found some more wires that were broken. We fixed them all, and connected everything. Then tried to start once more. No help, but now we had no error messages logged. Then we changed the fuel filter, started the fuel bleeding process. Then we made the car start, and we was happy. Changed the wheel bearing and took a short test-trip. All done at Saturday at 11:30 pm My son borrowed the car on Sunday, and picked up my daughter on Sunday. When he came back, he told it had misfired a couple of times on the 120km trip. Later the rest of the familly decided on a small trip (I was changing the breakes on my Disco Bobtail Pickup), but when they started, it was hard to start, and had a rough running. The managed to drive about 1 km before it died again. Me and my neighbour (in his V8 Disco) came to rescue the car, and towed it back home, After trying to start it were it stopped. Tried the bleeding process both on the road, and when I got the car back home, but it didn't help. I left the car connected to the charger again, as I finished the breaks on my car. Then I emptied the filter from what looked like good diesel, ran the bleeding process again, and the engine started. left it running while I went inside to pick up my driver license and some cards, and I drove 2 km to a gas station to fill up the tank. Filled up ~50 litres of diesel. The engine was a bit hard to start, but it started at the second try. Drove 1,5 km back, stopped at another neighbour who was in the process of changing the wheel bearing on his DiscoTd5 I left the engine running for some minutes in his driveway, an it was not running nicely. Then I tried to drive home. As soon as I started to Drive, it died on me again. The first neighbour went home to get a car to tow me back home again. This time in a D90 Td5. My first thought, is that I have a fuel problem, either bad diesel at some point, a blocked fuel line, or a failing(failed?) fuel pump. I have now ordered a new fuel pump, hopefully It will arrive before the weekend. Has anyone else any suggestions ? I guess I can go home, empty the fuel filter, run the bleeding process, but then the car will only run a couple of kilometres before it stops again. more info: the car has a ~290000 km on the clock.

Led indicators on the trailer ?

Ran out of diesel yesterday. It was planned, I even turned to the side, to let the car behind me pass, and then the engine halted. I managed to start it again, but I was not able to get up the first hill. So I rolled back to the bus-stop, and filled 20 litres I had in a tank in the back. Then I drove 5km and filled up the tank. I filled up 24.55 litres, so I have effectively 44 litres i can use in the tank. Maybe I can level the tank a bit, and squeeze some more out of it, but I'm satisfied. With a lot more welding, and by that possibly a lot more leaks, I could have gotten some extra litres, but I dont think it's worth the hazzle.

It was a bit hectic. We started with some breakfast 6:30 in the morning, then set off at around 7:15. Soon we were told that the front left flexible wheel arch was loose. (the arches was fastened with 3-4 screws each). At the time of that photo, we were lost, I think the guys in the car in behind was lost as well, but I'm not sure. At a time, we were 15-20 cars who were lost, and we called for help to get back on track. We got lost a couple of more times, but suddenly, we were on track again.. Had a fuel filter that refused to let any more fuel through at some point. Actually, it was a pre-filter, a cheap one, and a new more proper was in place, so it was just a matter of switching filter. When I switched filter, we also remembered to have a bite to eat. The only time on the track we remembered. vs We drove until around 23:00, and then headed back to our room at the campsite. we were there a bit before midnight. Next morning, the kitchen-personnel overslept, so we did not get breakfast until nearly 7:00. A bit more winching this day We drove a lot together with the overall winners (and Adventure class winners, or more correctly, we were at the same point several times. One of the things I like about Pomerania Trophy is driving in the night, finding the ways from the roadbook. On Saturday, we drove until we was completely lost at where we was, and we was not able to find the way past a certain point. We thought we were on track, but suddenly found that we were on a special foto track. We finished as number 13 in our class (Adventure), of 20. There were 5 more cars that had taken more points than us, so 18 of 35 starters. Not bad, considering that the car was more like a regular Disco1, some 9 weeks before, and I've kept both my marriage and day job (I think). We're planning on Croatia for next year, although there is some more work to put in the car before that. And for next year, the deadline is that the car should be ready by mid January, if we finally decide on Croatia. There is still a lot to do on the car, but will have to slow down a bit. I hope to be kind of done to the annual Norwegian Land Rover Club gathering, and then only some reinforcement of the drivegear (halfshafts and such), during fall and winter. Race preparation next year, should be normal service, and servicing some tow truck of some kind. We wont drive to Croatia on our wheels, with a trailer, like we've done to Poland (first time with a trailer this year) Last photo taken from the "restaurant" at IKEA south of Göteborg, Sweden, on the way down.

Well, we made it to Poland, and we made it back. During last weekend of April, I put another serious amount of hours work in the car, I took the day of from work on Tuesday, moved the batteries into the rear of the cab, and wired up the new winches. Wednesday morning, We loaded up 3 35" tires in the pickupbed, and 3 more into the trailer, together with a spare for the trailer (and same as the wheels on the car), some more baggage, strapped it all up, put some more back in the car, and set of. 2 ferries, and 800klm later, we arrived at camp around noon. We thought we had a wheel bearing problem, but turned out, it was only some loose wheel nuts. 5 actually. On one wheel... We had some food, then started final preparations: - Changing from legal road-wheels to more usefull 35"M/T - spooling on the new rope to both whinches - take out all extra trash from the cab, only leaving something to drink, first-aid kit and a few other extras - put a spare tire in the pikcup bed, and 2 alu-boxes with necescities - some water tight bags with a couple of drysuits We left the car at around 11pm and went to bed

I got my license plates back. Now all I have to do is to make it Race Ready Replace the front winch with a new one from GoodWinch Mount second winch from GoodWinch in the back Mount High Capasity Sump for the centre differential. General service. Change some tyres. Fix some eletrical gremlins. Consider the weather for Poland next week, and decide if the Heater motor needs to be replaced.

Ready for new inspection today. Then I guess it's time for some other wheels. Should have mounted the missing chequer plate, will have to do that before visiting some sponsors later on today.

Almost there. Had to take the car to an inspection today, worked all night to get done. I have a few things on my list that should have been done , but none of them made it on the inspectors list. Checked the weight on the front axle before the inspection. 1200kg. That could be a problem, cause that's the limit.. Then I found that there is some leek in the fuel tank when I'm driving. Either it's because there is a small hole in the back of the tank, or, it could be the diesel return, or the Pump Fuel unit, or the gasket, or ... And then there is the wheel guard. I knew it, but totaly forgot about it. I should have mounted som mud-flaps. But there was no time, and it wasn't on my list (Ses Wheel arch Law, post 36) Here is how it looked after the inspection. The tires are 235/70-16, on rims with -15mm offset, and 30mm spacers. And Terrafirma TF216TUV(?) suspension. Another big thing in Norway is getting the winch into the document for the car. I never asked, but the inspector liked my "winch-bumper", and told me that he added that one in the papers as well...

How long is a D90 ? I think I measured it 16 cm longer than a D90. That's before I mounted the 2 inch receiver in the rear cross-member. I also measured the overhang in the rear to be 10 cm less than the D90. Is 386cm a sensible meassure ?

We're slowly getting there. But still some work to do, and now it's only 19 days unik we leave for Poland. But some work is done

Slowly getting there. I was kind to my neighbours, and didn't make that much noise during the holidays. Now I can fit some more tubes on the main hoop. One horizontal, and one diagonal on each side up to the winch point on the top. Maybe also some from the backstays and up. Will have to use the grinder on the tank first. Then there is the lights in the back, and the tailgate.

I've added some more hours on the build. Cleaning up in the back, grinding and sanding out the cab And I'm almost done with my tank. Should be slightly under 50 litres

But someone made a sketch that made me understand what was wrong with my design. The problem was that I was looking on one of the FIA-approved designs, Problem is that they have the cage mounted to the sills. And the diagonals mounted closer to the centre, were we normally have the chassis. So I could make a hole in my shining new battery case, and get the result I was seeking, but I guess I have to do something else. I just have to remember to have some triangles in there. And either 2 point triangles of the triangle should be connected to the chassis (or maybe the sill), or one point should be common for both sides. (like in a cross). The phrase that made me understand, was that in my design, it, was kinda thick bars on each side, with one bar at the top. You need some triangles. I have a new plan, but need to do a quick 3D-sketch to explain it. But I did something else yesterday: I did the rear corner of the side. And I moved "some" snow. I hope to be done before the next snow arrives. In November, hopefully.

I drive a 200tdi, on 35" tyres. So forget about 100mph. I might adjust the turbo pressure, adjust high pressure pump and change intercooler some time, maybe before we try to enter Croatia Trophy or such. The gusset is not a bad idea..

Here is an image from when we was test.fitting the main hoop, with the diagonals I've decided to fit. The reason I'm not doing a Cross or, like you suggested, elbekko, is that I will have the winch in the middle of the main hoop, on the top of the tube that the A-bar is connected to. As far as I can tell, the diagonals that I have choosen will be as good as a full diagonal. or the V in the middle. What do you think ? I guess the "cage" will be fit some time next week, and then the diagonals afterwards. Btw, normally I love the snow, also when it comes late in the season, but I'm not so sure this time

The rollbar/cage is not welded to the car yet. We started on it yesterday, and worked on it until a quarter to midnight, I think. Me and my codriver (and neighbour) was mostly watching a plumber who came to help me (us). The backstay's was welded to the main hoop. We have been thinking about some diagonal bar(s), but they will interfere with either the winch, or window, or both. We worked a bit more this evening, mostly grinding the welds, checking if we had to redo them. There was to much wind to tig weld yesterday, and had to do no-gas (mig) welding. It looks good. Then we made the other bar, that the "SVA-guys" wanted us to put in. Lastly, we started on making som kind of mock-up fuel tank. I hope the get ~50 litres out of the tank. Not the best weather outside here today Hope to get all the welds on the cab grinded out, then paint the car, before we permanently fit the roll bar.

Two guys from local SVA, or similiar here in Norway, showed up today. I knew they were coming, cause I called them and asked if they could come and have a look. They had not much to complain about, they wanted some reinforcement up in the back of the cab. There is already some profiles up there, but thay would be very please if there was a tube there as well. Here is how it looks today, except there is a back wall there now. Here is how the car was presented during their visit. Everything to please the authorities, so we're going to bend a smaller tube tonight and mount up there, and take a picture of it. When I think of it, maybe I want a tube lower down as well, to mount some 4 point harness onto.

Some more parts just arrived Going to mount this in the rear x-member. For recovery, and maybe for towing. And these tubes This evening we're going to bend a rollbar or two.

Not the best weather to be building a car outside, these days, looks like we're going to have a small taste of the southern Norwegian winter again. Lots of rain on Friday, so I as you see on the picture above, i had the tarpaulin up. It was still pouring down when I quite for the night, but no wind. So I left the tarpaulin hanging. Guess what, the next morning I woke up to wind gail force. The tarpaulin is gone.. Except for the wind in the morning, the weather was nice on Saturday. Fabricated the new winch mount, but the 5 inch grinder I bought last week, is already gone. I managed to do the work with the 9 inch grinder. Had to think a bit more on the x-member. On Sunday, I woke up to snow. Not that much, but it was not so nice to work outside. So I brought my x-member inside the garage, where I boxed in the ends, and kind of made it look nice In the evening, the weather was better, but still cold and kind of moisty. So even if it was sunday, and I try to keep a good relation with my neighbours, I mounted the x-member. The work included using jigsaw, reciprocating saw, grinder and a sledge hammer, and do make some noise. And of course, I used the welder. The rear side panel still needs a bit shortening. The only problem I can see so far, is that a 35 inch spare tyre will not fit in the pickup trunk, if it's flat. in the trunk. If I pull it up onto the winch "cradle", it will fit nicely. The weather this week, will be a bit shifting, with nice weateher tomorrow, and snow again on Thursday and Friday. So I called the SVA-guy to ask if we could have the inspection on Wednesday instead of Friday. Looks promising. Maybe I get the license plates back before Easter ?

I told them I wanted to modify the car for Trophy offroad use. and specified: - 2 inch lift using TUV-approved lift kit (TF216TUV) - Change of wheel offset by using TUV-approved spacers - Change of body and chassis by doing pickup and bobtail, to get better exit angle in the terrain - and I wanted to build a rollcage according to FIA rules. The I told them I wanted a dialog on how to do the build, and to the building according to their advice. I sent them some pictures and some links. The pictures was from Mark Evans "100" Defender Build (I've bought the DVD and Build pictures CD), and told them I wanted to end up with something like Long ranger Red 200tdi And I told them that all chassis modification would be done rear of the rear suspension. I managed to get a short meeting with my contact person at the MOT/SVA-centre (MOT are actually done in private garages approved for such, and special build are approved by a centralized committee of some sort). He actually has a D2 TD5, and thinks it's misdesigned, with a front bumper that sits to low, and a rear overhang, that is to long. He told me that the only way ai could get a roll-cage approved, was to register the car as a rally veichle, and then I would only be allowed to drive to organized events. I want to be able to drive the car to work, boyscout meeetings, and in generally use the car as my daily driver. But if I only built a Pickup-bar (?), there would be no problems. And there is no way I would get 35inch tyres approved. Since I hav no TUV-approval on larger tyres, I have to find a set of 205-16 tires, with I think 20mm rim offset. Or just minor changes from that. I'll see what I find. I guess I have a set of 245/70-16 that could be used. or maybe 215/80-16. I get a visit from my contact on Wednesday or Friday next week, for rear x-member inspection, and the car will then sit on 35" tires. I'm building the car to run on 35".

I can't complain on the weather this winter. There was no snow until after both the cars had got their MOT. Then there was some snow, but by the time it was time for me to start cutting my roof, The snow was gone here at my home. There was some heavy raining the day I wanted to take the roof of. I had to postpone for one day. Then there was a rainy night a couple of days after the roof was off, but that day we went to visit some friend on a cabin (had to move the 1-2 meter snow from the roof of the cabin). I think there has been a couple of rainy days and nights. Maybe there has been one evening where I could not work due to rain. I've had a tarpaulin set up one night before, and I set one up today as well. I do have a garage. but for this kind of work, it's to small. And it's easier just to throw in the tools when you're done with them, instead of putting everything back in place. Using the grinder inside the garage, is kind of scary, when I go to sleep a couple of hours later just on the other side of the wall.