It's finally happened!
The chassis is blasted and etch primed.
The job was achieved this morning, being a joint effort between the Engineering Manager and myself. He did the blasting. I did the spraying (after Brad, the Manager, mixed the paint), and then spent quite some time bolting the parts on when etch had dried. Only bolted the parts that are needed to maintain the dimensions for measuring and attaching the new rear cross member.
Yes, I do know there are two plates missing from the current aft most x-member. Because the chassis is shortened, the height of chassis wall is greater, meaning the standard brackets will not fit. A problem for another day.
It's now safe to state that the serious concern I had some weeks ago is NOT an eventuality. I had heard rumors (from two sources) that the engineering works was actually going broke, and due to shut down on either the week I posted or early part of following week. It wasn't sporting to indicate that sort of thing here, at a time of uncertainty. As it turns out, they are going strong, with more work than ever. In fact that's been the delay with my chassis. Their regular money comes from the sort of thing you see in the first photo, above. That's a truck mounted water tank, completely fabricated on site. My stuff has had to wait until they could spare the time to 'play around' with it.
Hope to have the chassis back home within next 2/52. Wouldn't be bringing it home next weekend even if it was ready. That's the Military Jeep Club of Queensland' Canungra meet and swap. Won't be missing that!
I'll be satisfied, so long as chassis is painted before end of November. It can sit and harden further while i'm on holiday.
