C8A HUW: body dimensional data needed

[Jerry Hill]

A weekend away saw little progress, but the rebuilt radiator is due in one weeks time. When we get it back & fitted we'll be able to move the vehicle about freely and make a start on pulling out the B & A posts respectively.

In the meantime the bumper and associated bits have been straightened on the trusty 60 ton press and refitted to complete that part of the project.

We've decided to repair the trickiest centre (bonnet) part of the front panel. Today we cut off the top section and straightened it out with the trusty press & welded up a split, the trial fit with the bonnet lid is a pass and is put aside for later. We removed the bottom carrier and straightened that also, leaving us with the tricky centre section, which we will cut down into three pieces and do our best to get them back into the right shape, before welding back into a sub assy. We may have to resort to replacing the uprights with new pressings as they are a bit of a mess.

Anyway onward and upwards....

Jerry

[Jerry Hill]

Yesterday I successfully pulled out the B post on the passenger's side, drilling at the point of contact right through the B post. On the rear door side the hole had to be opened up to 2.5 cm to get a nut and socket on the ring bolt and tighten it up. A cargo pull was attached to the A post bulkhead and the ring bolt then steadily pulled until all was lined up as it should be. The rear door shut is perfect. I'll have a go at the driver's side before the w/e, when I'll post some pics.

Pics today show the bonnet and frame completed ready for re-assembly, the passenger wing section with a replacement piece of zintec 2mm sheet ready for fitting. Likewise on the driver's side, which also has the headlight panel straightened out along with the straightened framework tacked ready for the next stage. The next pic shows the centre section of the front panel with the two verticals cut out. After some head scratching we decided the originals are too badly mangled to recover, so we pressed replacement 2mm zintec sheets to the same profile and over the coming weeks we will rework them to match the originals. The same can be said for the bottom section shown on the final pic, we cut off and straightened out the carrier that attaches the front panel to the chassis front cross member.

When we have remade these parts we'll drive the truck sans front panel about five drafty miles to the workshop for the first trial fitting/alignment checks of the various components that make up the front panel and make sure they align to the bulkhead before tacking them and welding up to complete the front panel.

Then there's the doors to be seen to and paint. Some way to go yet.

Jerry

[Jerry Hill]

Today saw the driver's side B post pulled out. Some pics, the first after drilling the post, involved grinding the ring bolt to fit. The nut and socket were attached from the rear side of the post - pic2. A steady but substantial pull got things back to the shape it should be Pic 3. The rear of the B post was plugged with a grommet Pic 4. The finished job ready to weld the two skins together Pic 5.
The rear door shuts as it should, which is all a great relief.
On Monday we collect the radiator and an enormous bill for rebuilding it.
Jerry

[Ken Hughes]

From a panel beaters point of view that damage was quite nasty,looks like your doing everything right,a lot of people would have looked around for another nose cone,well done!.

[Jerry Hill]

Originally Posted by Ken Hughes

From a panel beaters point of view that damage was quite nasty,looks like your doing everything right,a lot of people would have looked around for another nose cone,well done!.

Ken - Thanks for that, most re-assuring. I'm being coached by a good old Suffolk 'boy' who knows his stuff. Jerry.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Jerry

Well in this day of specialized automotive repair services it is good to see your CMP Collision Repair Center, you surely are doing a fine job and your post are giving the rest of us a tutorial on what can be done. Your rate of progress and what you have accomplished is out standing.

Think we'll have to nominate you to be our CMP Collision Repair Expert.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers Phil

[Jerry Hill]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi Jerry

Well in this day of specialized automotive repair services it is good to see your CMP Collision Repair Center, you surely are doing a fine job and your post are giving the rest of us a tutorial on what can be done. Your rate of progress and what you have accomplished is out standing.

Think we'll have to nominate you to be our CMP Collision Repair Expert.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers Phil

Phil

Many thanks for your kind words. However - Expert I'm not, but it's great being retired, you can get on with things!

Now a bit of help please? I've attached a pic of the windscreen base scuttle line (ie where the windscreen contacts the top of the scuttle). If you look at the attached pic, I've drawn a line marked in pink. If you look along that line across from the passengers A post to the Drivers A post is it straight?

At the moment we have a slight angle at the centre of the windscreen. I need to establish if my vehicle has had the centre deformed by the impact.

The A posts look to be very strong structures, whereas the the two uprights from floor to windscreen base each side of the engine are fairly flimsy by compariison. I suspect the centre posts have moved thus creating the deformation.

I'd much appreciate you having a look at your cab and letting me know, as this will impact on the front panel rework.

Thanks & best wishes

Jerry