Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

While awaiting 25 pounder parts from several recent purchases, I have returned to working on the truck. More specifically, repairing the small dents on my Sunshine Cab roof. Most of the holes were very simple to remedy, and I even managed to file finish two of them. The others, they required a skim coat of filler. Now I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I HATE PANELBEATING! I'm not good at it, and I don't enjoy the process. That is partly why this particular task has been delayed for a long time. I knew it would annoy me, and I was right in expecting so.
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Urgh, ghastly work! At least it's done now. Before priming, I had to remove the remains of snapped off bolts and the caged nuts that they go into. Most came away willingly, but two had to be enticed off with either grinder or cold chisel. Not every hole contained a caged nut and bolt. Ther are at least 3, possibly 5 holes that just have a plain piece of steel rod. Those would be to assist in aligning the roof with the windscreen frame upper section. I hope all the holes align OK!
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This is only the first application of primer and spray putty. It gets dry sanded smooth, then further primer is applied. Any remaining low spots get another load of spray putty and/or wiping/hand putty. I already know two areas which will require a second splatter of putty.

Next weekend the inside should get painted.

[Private_collector]

Unbelievable! He actually did it.
Tyre on.jpg
.....and is happy to do my others as well.

[David Dunlop]

Well no more spinning your wheels with THAT project, Tony!


David

[Private_collector]

Indeed, David. I think it is time I gave that truck a bit of panel work and a new coat of green paint. My only fear is that the wiring system may not have connectors which will allow me to easily remove the nose panel. I may be wrong though. The former owner is the same fellow who has succeeded in getting the troublesome (for me and every local tyre place) tyres to fit CMP wheels. He is a retired engineer, so it won't surprise me if he thought of any future need to remove the panel/s. An extraordinarily talented man who can do anything he turns his fancy to.
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The installing of these wheels (once all have tyres, of course) will make the rest of the vehicle look ridiculous in grey, and the mismatch appearance will drive me to do something quickly, I expect.
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I've been making enquiries about sourcing a quantity of suitable canvas, for rear body, rear window cover, front window bags, mudflaps, door curtains (and it's carry bag), gear boot, cabin roof (read on, for why), and retrim the seats. Naturally, the rear body will chew up majority of the canvas. I will be making those products myself, so I think it best to start on the smaller, easier things first. Painting will be done before all that. That's the easy bit.
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The good news is, I have new sets of side mirrors and front wing lights which are already green, and ready to install once painting is finished. A new set of rear lights are on hand also, but don't require painting. None are original, but are direct replacements for what is already in use. This truck is more of a daily driver than a restoration project. The roof has had some very poor treatment in the past, and lost its hatch, in preference for a badly finished replacement sheet of steel over most of the roof. I discovered some months ago there is water getting through the weld in two places, and it's too much trouble to do further welding to remedy, so the entire upper surface will get a healthy coat of Stone Guard. That'll seal it off. Stone Guard looks horrible, and I'm not driving around with that visible.......so...I plan to attach a raised steel piece from a spare sunshine roof frame I have, and a canvas cover will go over that. From the outside, it will look entirely like a real sunshine roof. A glance upward inside will confuse though. Now you know why I'm comparing canvas prices!

From a quality perspective, this range looks the best I've seen: http://www.wilsonfabrics.com.au/Outd...oductView.aspx
Download the product data Spec file, and compare! They has several thicknesses available, and all are Australian made.

[Private_collector]

Hi Lionel,

I know those wheels as a 'Split Rim' style. Don't know if that's correct term, but folks seem to know what I'm talking about. Is your vehicle 8 stud pattern hubs? I have no idea if there are substitutes for your locking rim type. One way to find out though, call in next time you're down this way. I'm sure I have a wheel you can borrow, for a test fit, provided yours are 8 bolt wheels.

The tyre installation was done by the fellow I bought the vehicle from. He was my last hope, and I was sceptical about getting them on, but you see the results. Sounds like he didn't even work up a sweat. He texted me this afternoon, to say he succeeded, and the photo I posted was an attachment to that message. Hence I don't have a lot of info on the method, BUT the huge hint about the method is the four sets of long threaded rod with nuts on them, that you see in the photo. Those and a quantity of rubber grease, combined with a good compressor, are the remedy. When I get the chance to speak with him properly, i will quiz in depth.

I should have realised he would get them on. He can do anything at all, and does it very well! Next time you're coming past my place Lionel, call in and have a look at the 'modified' wiring on my grey truck. Same guy did that, and it's quite a complex system designed to run several voltages of equipment. He designed the electrics to be functional, as he has travelled east side of Australia in that truck. 25,000km in all, I believe.

[Mike K]

Hi Tony

I am also looking for canvas , for my 1950 land Rover . I was lucky to have on loan , an original LR top from the 1950's to measure up . The original canvas on these was very heavy 24oz stuff , like cardboard .

The problem with modern domestic canvas is, it always has some synthetic thread in it, its not 100% cotton. It also has a fine weave and it looks very wrong for a 1940's truck ! It's typically meant for house awnings and marine use .

All is not lost ! The old coarse weave canvas 100% cotton stuff is still made in places like Pakistan .

I look on ebay for ' canvas tarp ' , you will find heavy 16 oz tarps in various sizes. It's usually imported from Asia . I cut these up and use them . Being all cotton means you can dye it , opposed to the synthetic stuff which wont take dye . Mike

BTW a few years ago Aussie disposals down here had a sale on WW2 1" webbing straps . I bought 3 huge boxes of them .

[Private_collector]

Thanks Mike.

I didnt look too far into the cheaper canvas, because I was afraid it may not be colorfast or waterproof. I suppose if it's cheap enough, I can afford to let it wear out. Perhaps 'weather' may be better word to use. My friend Andy, another MLU member, gave me a nice big dark green tarp that I have been cutting into to make the canvas goods for my gun project. It is nice and pliable, easy to work with (including sew with domestic sewing machine), and it does stretch a little. Guess stretch is a good thing in some instances, not all. The down side is, it freys easily, and is definately NOT colorfast. The freying isn't an issue really. All edges get seamed. The dramatic fading is a concern long-term. Im about to cut a chunk of it out to make a flap that seals the front of a bookshelf I bought to store my tanks. Was going to make a canvas bag to carry all the rechargable battery packs, then I realised it may look like a suicide vest! Good idea, bad time to make it.
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You will note there is room for one more tank. Two more if small.

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Unbelievable! He actually did it.
Attachment 85093
.....and is happy to do my others as well.

G'day Tony,

Who did the tyre for you Tony? Was it a tyre place or the bloke whom you bought the truck off? Plus how did they achieve this feat of dexterity?

What are the rims called when they are in two halves and held together by the special bolts?

Would there be a Chevrolet equivalent iof the bolt together wheel rim instead of the suicide ring rims like my truck has?

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

What are the rims called when they are in two halves and held together by the special bolts?

Would there be a Chevrolet equivalent of the bolt together wheel rim instead of the suicide ring rims like my truck has?

Kind Regards
Lionel

Australian Chev MCP trucks had the type of rims you are seeking, Lionel, but they were an 18" rim, which would open up a whole 'nother can of worms for you trying to find 10.50-18 tyres...

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/warwi...uck/1121358417