Why would they do that?? How does it benefit? I don't get it!
The bolts were there, so it's not that they couldn't use them or stripped any threads. I did a quick look, but I didn't see the same weld on the other side. I will go through the service bulletins book to see what I can find out.
The mud flap frames are now with the upholsterers, and I may have them back by the weekend. I will need them back fast......so they can sit on my shelf for months
. I won't have a use for them until the cab is on the truck and guards are attached. Bearing in mind the engine, gearbox and transfer case will be finished before this happens, it may be some time yet.
Last thing I did yesterday was to cut some lengths of metal bar, to be bent into new spring set brackets/clamps. They went to the engineers this afternoon. Apparently their metal folder can't handle the shape they will need to be bent to (54mm base, with 75mm height to each side) because the two folds are so close together. They will have to use oxy-acetyline torch to heat and bend by hand. Just like the old days, except no forge involved.
This is the piece of check-strap material I was given today. It's wider than the original, and very slightly thiner profile, but I don't care. Exact match for original material has eluded me entirely so far. The thicker strap may actually allow me to add a third hole to the securing points on door & cab frame. If I do that, I will have to make fresh securing plates.
Rains are back again. The flooding has already started. As long as it is all gone by next saturday, I won't mind. Scuttlebut has it that we may get a further 100-300mm rain in next 24hrs. Excellent! Guess it's better than getting whacked by a meteor
. Oh, those Russians; As Boney-M would say!