so im onto land rover number 6... a project to fund brians rebuild.

[discomikey]

So captions above the photos:

Bulkhead back on and starting to build it up, some time before the exam period this year

All brackets, levers and miscellaneous plates were repainted in primer and then many many topcoats of black enamel before refitting

covering them in cling film after in order to keep things clean and protect from muddy boots, fingers, oil, scratches etc.

Part of the build up includes as much flashing tape as possible and practical for use while keeping it away from heat sources that might melt the flashing.

having painted up and refitted the pedal boxes and steering box and support. all fitted with new 1/2" headed bolts and spring washers as per factory, and dum dum putty sealed to eliminate any leakage of water into the footwells.

wiring loom reinstalled, choke cable fitted, coil, dip switch and other miscellaneous fitted

this picture is self explanatory but looks oh so nice. i myself have always wandered what a series vehicle must have been like in parts the day it rolled off the line. this gives us a clue

steering column etc

the steering wheel it came with it was the previously seen mounteney version, no good for this rebuild so i sourced a second hand 3 spoke seres 2 wheel, which had cracked in the usual places so set about repairing it.

having rubbed it down, i turned my attention to the cracks, the worst of which is shown here

i was advised to fill with a hard setting super glue but one that allows a small amount of flex before cracking.

after that had dried i had removed the excess and am currently trying to source the correct paint to use to repaint the grip, it needs to be extremely durable yet slightly flexible. any ideas?

then i turned my attention to the dash,

a misting of etch primer, followed by the application of countless coats of hi build primer, im still not happy with the results so will most likelt end up stripping it again and redoing it. it looks fine from afar but the hi build went on too thick at one or 2 points so has cracked, this being the main focal point on the dash i dont want any imperfections.

After this year at uni i had a small window (2 weeks) of which to get as much work done as possible to the series 2 as i started my work placement (at Terex coventry for any of you who might be interested) on the 1st july.

Turning my attention onto the tub:

new floor crossmembers and top hat supports, isolated by flashing tape to prevent bimetallic corrosion

the replaced articles along with new floor

i then got 2 new rear corner panels as the usual chassis mount corrosion had occured, and there were holes all over the origional ones. they took surprisingly long to line up and get the whole thing square again (assuming LR actually bothered in the first place)

then onto paint, i have no images of the etch primer coat all over, but having only painted the interior, all at once using one batch of paint (same batch as the bulkhead) the exterior is still only in etch primer.

Thats 5L of thinners and 5L of paint used up.

(not quite 50/50 mix although i use thinners as a pre paint too)

All panels so far are surprisingly good so far

also in the workshop ready for prep are some new door bottoms and tops

FINALLY,

Fudge the jack russel has managed to overcome both labradors and is now Top Dog!

[discomikey]

P.S. im on the desperate lookout for a pair of good condition series 2 wings (circa 1959 if that makes a difference)

and if anyone needs a supplier for the top hat supports for the rear floor of any LR from series 1 - Defender, SWB and LWB, i have finally found one, it took months of searching, and theres only one supplier i could find on the whole of the web.