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Volvo C304 Restore and semi expedition or jungle taxi

115K views 378 replies 57 participants last post by  geckoadventure 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi my first Pirate Post.

I'm(we my wife and I) from Malaysia - most people call me GECKO (my nice neighbour he just calls the police hahaah) due to the large GECKO tatto I have on my arm. We (yes she told me to buy it or she would leave me) have acquired a C304 (4 wheel model only) and in the process of restoring it.

As we pulled it out of the storage park with my BJ75 on 26/07/2010. It was not running but would tick over.




The BJ75 struggled to pull it it appears the brakes we frozen on.

Onto the tow truck and down to a performance tuning shop hahaha.



Once they removed the spiders and cobwebs from the tank it started.

Then they changed all the fluids.

But they could not fix the brakes so I made decision to do the DISC conversion first before the rust treatment.

I drove it around at nite for 2-3 weeks testing it out - without brakes and only using the gears and handbrake. I learnt what was good and bad in the truck and what needed fixing. Now I have a 40+ item list to attend to.

Then 20 August 2010 I took it to the hospital (escorted by the magnificient BJ75) which was entertaining saw this on the way out. Oh yeah I burnt off a 22R powered LC II on the way up a hill it could not pass until the downhill part hahha.


This is it after being washed and driven for a few weeks. Mr Grumpy my neighbour hates it and all 4x4's the other neighbours in the street think its neat including the ("SIR") who I took his kids for a run in it now he wants to book a jungle trip with me.


The interesting one is my car illiterate neighbour she I quote "that engine sounds so sweet" its nicer than my Honda. Then where is that big beautiful 4x4 on sunday she asked.



Then the serious stuff removing all 4 wheels and portals - yeah yeah that's me working on the Jalopy.


Me working on the last wheel. The mekanik did 1 I did 3. Not bad for my first ever attempt at working on a Vovlo and no manual either.


7 hours later a A stack of portals


Once that was done it was over to the BJ75 and pulled the WARN 8274 out of it it has water in it :( and the new axle to be fitted and a new knuckle this week and new leaf spring bushes and it also has a brake problem.

We are going to put on in this round of fixes:
1. LC II Front Discs front and rear as this is a part which is readily available.
2. Install the WARN 12,000lb winch for REAR recoveries
3. Fix the taillights with LED lights
4. Fix the indicators
5. Fit new headlight wiring and H4 halogen bulbs and new reflectors
6. New radiator hoses and break hoses.
7. Battery Rack for 2 solar batteries and 2 120amp batteries and a 150AMP Alternator.


Once we
So thats my intro. I will post up stories as I slowly restore it.
The rest of the truck is STOCK.

I have previously been in (and out) a C304 during the RFC2007 when we got flooded and I was in the BJ75 in the same small convoy of 6 of us. I know what it can do - awesome. I cannot wait to take mine offroad here.

I also own a:
Toyota LC II - 13B-T monster very jungle ready
Toyota LC II 1KZ auto handbag jungle car
Toyota BJ75 - jungle ready
ISUZU pickup and
TOYOTA VIGO pickup.

My favourite is the BJ75.
 
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#141 ·
9 April 2016 - Saturday

3 day to IPO starts with a late Friday night trip to Ipoh as it'ss last weekend of Cheng Meng (chinese grave cleaning). Traffic is shit.


Fit the powdercoated left side of the dash but the bolt holes don't line up looks like I gottaa make another an oversight it's 30 mm too low so there is a gap between the dash and the window frame.

Then I fit the centre console for a fit before putting in the fuse box and wiring.

I also need to go get 5mm button bolts we have none in the shop.





Then it's time to put the new power steering together for a dry fit as I try to round up the parts. Takes me a while to figure it out. Then I have 3 parts still to find. Find them when Brett turn up later on Saturday evening in a box I would have not looked in lol. Dry fit completed.


Then I pull out of the parts boxes a much needed bonus a 180degree bend and it fits the turbo bonus.



10 April 2016 - SUnday

Remaking panel time. The errant panel being recut.


Fit the fuse box's and wiring to the centre console.


After lunch its fitted to the cabin


Then I look at the right side of the dash and decide mods are needed fo the warning lights.


Remaking time 20 minutes later I have the rough shape ready.


A few spare minutes gives me time to remove the rest of the body filler from the door to expose the reason for the body filler. Pop rivets from the police screens just body filler over. They will now be drilled out and filled with lead over the coming weeks a home.
 
#142 ·
11 April 2016 - Monday

By lunchtime I have the air cond blower holes ready and working and the bolt holes drilled to match this time.


Power steering fit test damn the 90deg fittings have to go and be replaced by straight ones.


Then the big mistake - someone left the top panel of the centre console on the floor for a couple of years its ruined with moisture. I have to remake and out of 2mm alloy this time not 1mm.



The truck looks a lot more complete.

Then it's hometime its 6pm.
 
#144 ·
16 April 2016 - Saturday

Everything goes bad wake up late, on road late by 75 min and hit the 7am traffic 2.5 hours later one frustrated KIWI with a ISUZU with hot brakes pulls up at the workshop with a happy puppy delighted to see me. Oh yeah and the wife came along to visit her mum in IPOH also bitched the whole way about my driving.

After the morning Mum greetings etc. Down to the worksop. First parts collection go fix the power steering hoses and swap the elbow bends for straights and get them relamped and purchase gasket glue for fitting the sump. Then the air conditioning hose needs to be found and purchased that turns into nightmare 2 shops dissappear into dead ends with WAZE and then I fluke a 4x4/air cond shop however since my car is not being serviced by them the service guy starts yelling at the shop lady in cantonese and I stand there lisening to strings of cantonese being rattled off like a machine gun. Eventually she rings someone I assume the shop owner and I get 8 feet for an outrageous price. Then need bolts over to the bolt shop for a minor success. it's now pm when I arrive at workshop again so straight to lunch instead. Actually it's LUNCH from FRIDAY and DINNER and SATURDAYS breakfast. Yeah yesterday was a bitch in the office.

First job create a J bracket to hold the blower as curently it HANGS by 2 brackets. Yeah
someone did not finish the blower stuff off properly. Takes me all arvo to create this as I not want to drill a hole in the front of the CABIN as that was the easy way to create a rust hole later. So it take 4 hours of stuffing around just after 5pm I have a nasty bracket made up ready to paint.



Painted and drill 2 holes up under the dash mount the 2 RIVNUTs and then it all bolts together and the blower hoses also fit however we will need to put the window wiper arms in there is no room. So I will have to make up 2 Y joints for the drivers side to provide more space for the wiper kit. The blower doen't shake so the design holds up.

The hoses in place ready for the air conditioning contractor to finish off.





The clutchmaster cylinder and the master brake booster etc have also been fitted and still needs a little finishing.

6pm time fed the puppy etc now to find a hotel and food. Now that's a bad idea 4 beers and a nice chinese later I literaly stagger upstairs for a well eaned proper sleep. Wife went home in the train.

Tomorrow is the air conditioning condenser fit.

17 April 2016 - Sunday

Morning no breakfast woke up too late. Faactory is opened for me 8.30am 9.00am I come back from breakfast to start.

Todays task make these 4 pieces into one joined unit and bolted to the service hatch. Intercooler, Air cond condenser and the shroud and the fan.


The fan has nothing its bare. So 10 brackets (and 10 round down bolts made up) need to be made and fit the shroud to the air cond condenser and the condenser to the intercooler.

I finish about 5pm and bolting it down the FAN Breaks damn, falling off a few months back and hitting Pete on the head then the floor cracked it. Now I gotta order a new one.


Then it's time to fit the sump after sitting on the shop floor for 3 years. I can fill it with oil next trip.

Next trip is on 7th May. I have charity work next weekend and then 4x4 driver training the May long weekend. I take the doors home with me for leading at home.

Parts ordered for clutch slave cylinder and copper piping to connect it all up. I will also start the brakes and next trip finish the gearbox mounts and all the small things needing to be done. Next round of Tanaka parts will have been ordered and shipped. Oh yeah the fan is ordered and ready to pickup.

Centre console will be ready and as also will the speaker brackets along with the service hatch panels all of the above being lazer cut.

7pm hometime its a crawl 3 hours home.
 
#145 ·
17 May 016

Not much to report

Attended a medical mission in the jungle so lost a weekend.

Then took a bunch of kids from the orphanage for May day weekend to the beach for camping so lost a weekend but the kids are more important.

Then I got sick turns out is the heart again (however this time I could not feel the irregular beat) so I have lost 2 weekends working on the truck however spending 3 days in hospital and then a week off work gave me time to work on stuff

doodled the fridge and campin kitchen slideouts all I need is a couple of dimensions to finish it and get it lazer cut and then construct it.

Then I managed to purchase the first batch of switches I need for the switch panel.


The doodled slide out panels plan. Test bearings etc have been obtained so I can test measurements and bolt/nut configurattions.



If i'm OK this weekend and the heart stops beating as irratically this week then I will go work on the truck. Else I will be doodling a final plan for the slide out drawers.
 
#147 · (Edited)
21 May 2016

After 2 weeks rest 3 days in hospital 6 days off work resting my heart and new medication i'm back in action.

First the sad news while I was typing in the last report I head a noise outside at 7am and thought thats a window smashing then I heard a car wheel spinning away I go to go to work and I see my ISUZU window lying on the road. new toll tag, GPS and card camera gonefark.

Late start up to IPoh 190K away and the 7am traffic is bad yeah I left an hour late and hit the idiot traffic. 9am arrive workshop to be greated by the ever growing happy puppy.

I work on mounting the diesel filter to a new location on the motor with a new alloy bracket and then fix up the hoses to the fuel pump, breather hose and fuel return connect the sender unit and we hunt down batteries to collect Monday.

For the last hour I pull the doors and start sanding them down and seeing how to pull the windows out and fill the engine with oil and top up the radiator.

22 May 2016

First job of the morning for my assistant is to fit the gas struts for the doors while I work on stripping the windows out of the doors and preparing the central locking bolt threads etc from the galvanising. Everyhing has to be drilled and retapped.

I spy a water leak in the radiator it needs to be removed and repaired next week. The engine is hand turned and seems to be ok.

Doors can finally stay open unassisted.



I lead filled 2 holes and still have about 8-10 more from the old riot squad grills on each door to fix.


My assistant getting lessons on how to wire wheel fine rust away. 400 grit and hen 600 and then 1000 grit sandpaper is next before painting.


The doors working by themselves. Now I gotta go get a new set of gas struts all with rose joints in them.


Then we put in the new gearbox rubber mounts.

Then its time to take the 1 day assistant back to KL and return.

23 May 2016

Monday first job run off to the battery shop and hydraulic shop. Come back 2pm witht he stuff I need and then realise I forgot battery terminals. The day is wasted when I return at 4.30pm only time to setup a a small amount of the work needed to get the engine started before the 6pm cutoff.

All I got done was to tighten the fuel tank fittings up and then get the batteries into place and started to connect them up. Now I gotta make square rubber gaskets for the fuel tank covers

Batteries connected except the posative wire.


So what was done. Doors attacked yet again, Fuel tank ready to go just fuel pump to weld in brackets and connect up. Gearbox mounts. Doors holding up by themselves.
 
#149 ·
28 May 2016

I have an assistant this weekend. We are on time for the 190K drive to IPOH so I stop 40K up for DONUGHTS 40 minutes to go the last 45K to the workshop EASY.

Shit buying the doughnuts takes forever then on exit from the roadstop TRAFFIC JAM. WAZE states accident 570 metres away 30 minutes wait. NO NO NO NO !

So here is the reason I was 30 minutes late to the workshop. Takes a LOT of skill to hit the bridge and only put both front wheels over the edge. Stupid prick was out with the insense and on his knees praying frantically and rocking back and forth as we crawl by at 9.00am.


So first items trip to the Hydraulic shop for last minute stuff and the 12v battery is purchased. Back to workshop damn its lunchtime so lunch first.

Someone sends me pics HEY your on TV with the fishing video

Joy works on the doors sand first and we fill the separattion tubes full of WD40 so we can attempt door splitting later today.

Someone sends me pics HEY your on TV with the fishing video




So here it is
[URL="http://www.geckoadventure.net/Images30/5_Tourism_Malaysia_Angling_Paradise.wmv[/URL]

Stupid PLUG for the Injector pump.


We fill the tank with DIESEL. NO NO NO everyone forgot the bottom BUNG which is impossible to see is missing, 10 litres of diesel runs all over the floor and $50rm of KITTY litter needed to soak it up. Another item to get from the hydraulic shop next saturday.
 
#150 · (Edited)
29 May 2016

We work on the doors by 10.15 we have one door split. It a lot of work. A Bar the right size to slip up inside the tube gentle tapping to push the inside tube up and we have to cut one tube out to get to the inside tube and lots of WD40.


Then I decide I need to cut the panel open to see how much rust is inside the panel. Sure enough my guess is correct. I will make a cover panel up later to replace the cut out panel. Anyone else with a VOlvo should look at doing this also. Rust converter and undercoat etc will be needed on rebuild to prevent a reocccurance.


The cutout panel hmmmmmmm perfect.


We go to lunch and cannot find the puppy to lock him out so leave him in the Factory. Bad move. Return to a bag of 500 ble ties all over the floor. New VOlvo Fan dragged on the floor. My tool box sponge ripped up on the floor. Damn a mess to cleanup.

The rust is revealed the rubber strip between the 2 door halves keeps moisture causing a lot of rust.


And more rust.


The naughty puppy.


The wiring of the fuel tank is completed as is the hose connecctions all ready to go with some minor wire protection needed to be installed next weekend.


Then time to connecct the front 12v battery up
 
#151 · (Edited)
Then back to the final door and we have to cut the panel out to enable splitting of the door.


Wow it works the second door is soon apart and I give the bare metal a quite galvanise undercoat to protect it. However I had to also cut the outside tube out to accomplish the door split.


Then we worked on laying the 2 sets of winch cables from the rear winches to the batteries. Winch controller (Albrights) will be connected next weekend.


The intercooler is finally now connected - only the fan is left to connect next weekend.


Due next week. Centre top console. Speaker panels. Brackets for the intercooler and air cond condensor. Panels for the service hatch doors. The test panel looks awesome.
Injector Pump plug
Reconnect the repaired radiator.
Test startup
replace the engine water with coolant
Bolt the fuel tank down

4 hours home in the traffic it was a CRAP drive.
And the heart well Monday was checkup day all perfect again heart was happily sitting on 65BPM and regular again.
 
#152 · (Edited)
Then back to the final door and we have to cut the panel out to enable splitting of the door.


Wow it works the second door is soon apart and I give the bare metal a quite galvanise undercoat to protect it. However I had to also cut the outside tube out to accomplish the door split.


Then we worked on laying the 2 sets of winch cables from the rear winches to the batteries. Winch controller (Albrights) will be connected next weekend.


The intercooler is finally now connected - only the fan is left to connect next weekend.


Due next week. Centre top console. Speaker panels. Brackets for the intercooler and air cond condensor. Panels for the service hatch doors. The test panel looks awesome.
Injector Pump plug
Reconnect the repaired radiator.
Test startup
replace the engine water with coolant
Bolt the fuel tank down

4 hours home in the traffic it was a CRAP drive.
And the heart well Monday was checkup day all perfect again heart was happily sitting on 65BPM and regular again.
 
#153 · (Edited)
4 June 2016

One day trip up to the Volvo. Starts bad and 2+hours drive for the 190K doesn't help I arrive 10am and with my list of bolts to buy head off. I realise someone has installed the BUNG in the fuel tank. But everything is closed the wife informs me it's the Kings birthday everything is shut.

Everything has gone wrong today. The centre console and other parts from the laser cutting have failed as the shop ran out of steel lol. No plugs for the injector pump still. The weekend is a bust.

Back to the workshop so I start working on the winch cabling then I realie I have left the terminal lugs in KL urses. 2 hours later I have finished getting the WARN winch cables layed out and cut to proper lengths. The winch ccontroller box is tight and I redrill one hole to stop the cables having severe bends. Now next weekend I can crimp the cable ends and connect up the WARN winch and start on the T-MAX.

I work on the doors stripping more paint pressure wash them down and leave out in the sun for a repeat cycle.

Brett turns up and fixes up the radiator leak. Then we turn to whats left to start the engine very little next weekend if the plug turns up I can start it.

Once started the CABIn can be installed provided:
- The rear window frame is installed.
- The air compessors are installed
- The fuel filter new brackets are added to the roll cage

The doors drying in the sun after pressure washing.


The winch controller box with the WARN cables layed out. Grommets and crimping to be done next weekend.


The location of the winch controller box close to the winches.



Radiator remounted and bolted in just in time for 6.30pm lockup of workshop.


I load the doors into the pickup and head off Mother in laws for dinner with the wife and then back to KL I hit the highway and floor it the little ISUZU fly's the 20" LED blinding cars outta the way. 1 hour 20 minutes later the 200K has gone and I'm home feeding our 3 stray cats.

Sunday I get a spare 2 hours and the finish stripping 3 of the 4 door halves.


and planning next weekends trip to the Volvo.
 
#154 ·
18 June 2016

First the doors are in Kuala Lumpur in a shop being repaired. I picked the right shop they had a old DODGE pickup a mustang and a fiat 500 in their all being restored. No idea when I get them back.

After last weeks screw up where the gate was locked when I got there. The LAZER cutters screwed up no one panel ready. Rob was down there supervising and rung me wanting to pull his hair out. They had bent the overhead console wrong and he guy was trying to flatten it again. Rob got pissed and told then to recut the panels so we missed the Friday night delivery date they promised. They are not getting any more business from us.

So I fitted the new gas stuts I had made up. Wow the doors fly up and stay up now wih 400N struts.

I go out to the parts shops. Obtain the neessary LED rear lights, bolts, breather hoses for the DIFFS, Silicon to finish the fuel tank sealing

Then its onto the WARN cables on the contoller box - 3 hours later it's wired in and it makes a noise when I hook the battery up. One WARN M12000 converted to 24 volts. Next is the T-MAX then I realise I did not pint out the wiring diagram. I finish one side of the fuel tank sender and pump sealed up. I have a small leak from the fuel tank bung sigh.

Still got the nylon cable protectors to add and the albright to pin in next weekend.


So I go time I have till 9.30pm tonight in the shop. So I fit the new top LED tail lights. And work out ssomeone has tossed the bottom tail lights brackets and the police protector grills sigh so I design ones to be lazer cut and bent.


The doors look ace now and stand about 3" higher than with the other struts.




19 June 2016

Refill the radiator and discover the new radiator cap does not fit the radiator is USA made it needs a big cap.


Fit the fuel filter in its new location. However, it needs grinding a the filter will not come out.

Make up wires for the Injector Pump and make earth wire for engine and fit the starter motor wire and check everything 3 times. including jacking the car up and checking it's in neutral. Clean the tuck all loose bolts etc cleaned off it. Seal up the second fuel tank lid and it ready to go almost. I check and find the IP signal wire and finally hear the CLUNK as the IP ses hello.

Fit the compressors and damn one will not work looks like wiring issue. Need to still fit something to stop them rocking too much will get the shop to work it out.

1 hour to lockup and I run out get more fuel and the tank now has 55 litres in it and is only still not 30% full lol.

30 mins to lockup. Test the starter contact. Connect the starter wire. Turn the engine over it turns so I do again longer each time and run it about 20 seconds. Then I prime the filter and try but still it will not fire. Home time load up the fuel tank cover ready for etch priming back in KL.




Home time 6.00pm happy bit sad it did not start. The cabin can go on next Sunday now
 
#155 ·
22 June 2016

Public holiday on a Wednesday so I decide a day is a day on the Volvo the 190k whizzes past in just under 90 minutes and arrive before the workshop opens. They are all working today.

First I work on getting the engine started. First I decide stuff the plug and deftly cut it with the angle grinder and rewire it.




Re-prime the fuel filter filling hoses manually check all my jury rigged loom and at 11.30 I'm ready for a start we rig up a oil pressure switch and roll the engine over until we have oil pressure. Then we start it first time it fires up run for a few seconds and stop - try again run it longer. It smokes white smoke pouring out of the exhaust into the workshop.


After lunch first we decide to look at the stupid compressor pull the control box apart find the short. Low Export quality China SHIT work. hen we retest and it works OMG. The shrink wrap not shrunk it's all loose. The wiring soldered to the RELAY. No issue we will cut it all off and start the wiring again.



We get visitors to the shop while they getting their trailer wiring done the Volvo become the centre of discussion for over 2 hours. Time lost but friends made. We start the truck again after they leave and then make a few calls. It's decided fuel injectors and fuel pump and then last turbo gone.




Fuel injectors I don't have enough time to get them all out before closing so I take the gear change linkage and head to the part shop and they search for suitable replacement. All japanese of course. Some engineering will be needed to make a new rod to match the Toyota parts.



Then head for home with a rapid trip home. Smiling but that white smoke sigh! Its' a hell trip 3 hours trees down poured down rained for 150k waited 40 mins at the downed tree.
 
#156 ·
25 June 2016

Bad Day lunchtime wedding in IPOH to attend with wife. Unpack the new upright toolkit and load tools and parts in it and get to work. No sooner start work on Volvo realise I time to get ready for the wedding.

Return 5pm with 1 hour left before lockup - remove the injectors and that's it for the day - Wasted day.

26 June 2016

Have help this morning and we start with the service hatch panels mounting.

This side takes us 2 hours sand the edges down from the lazer cutting drill the holes properly remove the door frame drill the hole in the frame remount etc.

The lazer cut out pieces are being recut so I can weld them in next weekend. Then will sand and undercoat ready for the top coat


The other side the two panels don't fit so well the top half needs trimming and the bottom well start again. No pics they are so bad.

Then it's a quick look at the air cond condensor, intercooler and fan setup. Damn more issues for the workshop to correct before I mount them.

Then I try and mount the overhead console which is a bust it's 8mm too long I cut the 8mm out but we run out of time and I do not have the 4mm hex impact driver to drive in the RIVNUTS damn curses.


The new gear change tie rod setup is left for them to engineer a new bar so I can use Toyota parts which are plentiful here and oh cheap.

Home time bye bye to the workshop puppy - there is always next weekend.
 
#157 ·
2 July 2016

That drive the 5.45am waking up on a Saturday morning and the 190K drive to the workshop in Ipoh is getting to me I just floor it the poor little Isuzu just soaks it up.

First work on the engine sort out this smoking thing iv'e been told to run it till it stops smoking - it's running and smoking for about 4 minutes and then it revs up and DIES. A mekanic is organised for Monday morning from the factory behind.

Then I look at the fuel tank leak its gotten worse since last week more parts needed from the hydraulic shop to fix it.

Next job try and install the speaker panels. Make a template for the ends and cut the shapes out. Then a fit up, it ain't right. I realise it's 30mm missing in height. Next I get the angry hammer out and flatten the top bend out then realise the top is where the bend should be sigh 30mm is missing.




Then it fits. The panel will be retuned to Rob's Sunday night to fix the measurements and be cut at the new lazer cutting shop sometime in the next 2 weeks.

The overhead console is next it' to heavy for me to handle like this and it won't fit well so I trim 13mm off the front and reshape the angle then it starts to fit. However, I need to cut it in 2 its just heavy for me to manage by myself. I select the cut zone and slice it in 2.

I fit all the RIVNUTZ to the roof recycling old holes drilled for something before and the 4mm RIVNUTz eventually are all fitted. Time for workshop close and go collect my SUnday helper. A pleasant night at hawker stalls drinkin beer and ordering chinese food from the food stalls is a welcome relief from the travelling.




3 July 2016


First fit the speaker panel and pose for a pic


We start on the overhead console and get it to fit bolt the rear half in
and take a picture later in the day



Then we work on the left passenger dash panel Joy's job is to make sure it all bolts in clean and bolt down the centre console properly.

We cut the centre console top into 3 pieces as it's realised the panel cannot be removed once the front windows are in and drill out new RIVNUTz

Then the wanna be apprentice I say make a template for the exhaust heat shield. Why not cut it out now he asks why need a template. "Perfection/Quality" is the response.



It will be cut from stainless steel next week and install on the 16th weekend.

The workshop owner turns up and we decide I will stay Monday and get the engine worked on as he is away for 3 weeks from Tuesday morning.

We fit the centre console panel but I forget to take a pic until Monday night.


6pm home time floor it to Kuala Lumpur there is no traffic its all heading north for the coming holiday and we visit the lazer cutting contact with the overhead console and the speaker panels and now the exhaust shield.

The console will be cut from alloy and welded up for me by a local expert alloy welder.

Then I turn around head home collect clothes say hello and goodbye tot he wife and the cats and head back to IPOH and find a cheap hotel close to the workshop.

4 July 2016

Clean up the truck and put everything not needed on the workbench and my new mobile toolkit and reprime the fuel lines.

The workshop guy turns up about 11am and he looks over it all inspecting vaccum hoses and my home made ignition etc Then he ses start it up. It coughs and splutters and then it idles away slowly no smoke nothing huh what the hell its working fine. I offer the mekanic compensation he sees I love diesels too no need to pay me and heads back to his workshop behind ours. I let it run checking cooling hoses

etc it's all fine. We suspect the injector pump was slightly stuck.

Progress finally it runs properly.





So next tasks alternator plugs to be obtained

I work on the undercoating the new welded on parts with primer then top coat using a brush - rough but it turns out ok.

Try and fit the air filter. Won't fit I cannot work out why even looking up old pics until we realise we added a 45 degree brace to the frame just before we sandblasted it. I need to find a new location for the filter.

Rear cabin panel can now go on I will get a rubber seal next Friday. The cabin install gets closer and closer.

The air compressor tank gets a location for me to install it.

The battery box will be redesigned to allow the smaller batteries to fit side by side.

Fuel tank cap organised I need get a local PROTON one and cut it down.

I take the drivers dash and look at how to make it removeable as the clutch and brake fluid

containers are in it.

Next weekends list is ready
- Alternators wire up the batteries.
- Rear tail lights fit
- T-MAX winch sort out the wiring
- Fit the air filter
- Fit the air conditioning condensor
- Blank out the air cond blower 3rd hose
- Make a y pipe up for the air cond ducting
- Finish the air compressor bolt lockdown
- Fit the air cond tank
- Fit the rubber seal to the rear window panel

6PM home time
 
#158 ·
9 July 2016

We head off the night before for the long 190K drive to IPOH as it's holiday week and the traffic could be rubbish. We arrive 1am on schedule in IPOH however, we cannot find a spare hotel room everything Is full. 2.30am sick of searching we decide sleep outside the workshop. The puppy goes ballistic with glee as he hears the Isuzu pull up. Bad move we get no sleep mosquito's plague us and the guard dogs from down the road keep running up to the truck barking.

Workshop unlocked after 9.30am as two tired people work on the truck. Little Joe from the orphanage is my assistant this weekend.

First job for Joe is to undercoat the galvanised fuel tank cover with galvanising primer paint.

His second job while I tackle the 4 holes in the roof which turns to 5 when a pin hole hole is revealed. Joe takes stock off the wiring loom ends to count the wires at each end point so I can purchase the necessary waterproof plug sets.



The roof welding is ready for cleanup next weekend.



Then it's time for a visit to the hydraulic shop to convert the fire extinguisher into a air tank.

We burn 4 hours while explaining to the hydraulic shop what I want they look sceptical but tell us to come back in 60 minutes. Lunch at KFC. Then off to the paint shop to order more paint. The girl behind the counter looks at the tin and says for Brett's shop - yes - Ok come back Monday this colour takes a while to make up. Ok next Saturday then. Joe says that girl is HOT - I laugh yes she is lol.

Then we run off and get some clues for finding a good wiring shop for alternator plugs. We find it The guy says what are you building shows me pic's of his 1950's cadillacs and chryslers. The pic's of the Volvo make him happy . We show him pic of the unknown Nissan Alternator. Ah Nissan Sentra I have the plug. Then the 14B-T - I have the plug. Wiring and connections for the alternator cables is organised we are set. Back to the hydraulic shop to collect the tank.



We get back to the shop 4.30pm however a successful day.

We wind up work 6pm and go buy Joe some clothes and a decent meal we are both dog tired and then to my mother in laws to stay for the night.

Sunday 10 July 2016

9.15am we roll into the workshop. Joe's first job start the truck show him how to jump start a Diesel. Let it run no leaks etc. all perfect and fix the air leak from the injectors.

He is given the job of making the wiring loom for the reversing camera and spare wires and 2 earth wires right through to the front of the truck. Takes him to lunchtime and we fit it after lunch.

Then we clean the truck out and install the floor so we can work on the roof wiring and then work on the air filters new home and finally finish the intercooler and air cond condensor bolt down.







The intercooler has an issue the bottom bolts do not line up quite a bit of force to the right is needed to make them line up not good. will take time next weekend to fix. I fit the new air condensor fan since the last fan fell off landed on Peters head then the floor and broke sigh. Cut allen bolts to fit the fan to the air cond condensor and that is almost ready for painting have 6 little holes to TIG up first and make a bottom bracket to hold the fan etc next weekend.



Then the air filter needs a new home. Location is found and it will be a next weekend job also.



We have spare time so we get out the plastic dip kit and Joe prepares the door handles with the polisher.

They look ace - top part to be done next weekend.







6pm Lockup time - dinner before we head into the Holiday traffic - good job as it's 4 hours home.
 
#159 ·
16 July 2016

Quiet drive up to IPOH

First fix the intercooler as only 3 bolts fit easily the 4th needs pressure to make it fit. I spend all day running up and down fitting and drilling the intercooler holes and lowly make headway.


Start working on making a bracket for the Air Compressor




Then it was hometime again as the 6.30pm lockup time arrived.

Then monday night going to dinner we collect this little treasure off the road a little injured and a little sick. It's name is now Rocket.


I collect the doors from the panel shop they are really well done. Very little body filler will be needed.


 
#160 ·
24 July 2016

Sunday run up to IPOH as I did charity work on Saurday.

Take the doors up to IPOH will work on them next weekend.


I work on the Air Compressor tacking in the brackets for the tank


Then I spend time (over an hour) polishingg the door pins to a nice shine and then apply a coat of undercoat to them.




Then it time for home after I lay quickly an locker air hose and shield it and sheild the alternator wiring.
 
#162 ·
29 July 2016

Take a day out of the office and head to IPOH on the Friday morning.

First interruption for the day is the puppy he snatches the rat trap down from the gas bottles with the two rats in it and proceeds to run rampant around the shop floor carrying and barking and pushing the cage. Then I go get undercoat paint and air hose fittin and pucase 3 vaccum hose sets and fittings.


The stainless steel 70mm bends I bought are now being prepared to go from the air filter to the turbo working backwards a lotof cutting and tig welding is required.


Slowly it takes shape.


30 July 2016

I have the taillight brackets they need 2 more bends and they are ready to paint and be mounted permanently.


Brett tig welds in the plugs the ends for me for the door pins so its easier to knock out next time.


The air intake pipe is taking shape


Then I tackle the doors starting to cleanup with the wirewheel and the paint tripper again.


It's going to be a lot of work
 
#163 ·
31 July 206

Help has arrived so we have 3 working on the Volvo today - Today's todo list.


The air filter's new locaion takes shape


A happy sander knowing the sanding is almost finished


4.45pm the doors look good and sanding with 1000 grit only left


By 6.30pm I have the 2 doors completely painted althouh I only get a pic of 1 pair.


Then we bend up the tailights bracket and its time to get kicked out of the workshop.



it's a long drive home 3.75hours to go 190K a rolled over CO2 truck caused chaos.
 
#164 · (Edited)
8 August 2016

Saturday was charity day with the kids

Sunday

Took the wife for the 190k drive to IPOH

Only 3 hours on Sunday on the VOlvo arrived 3pm at the workshop and checked the doors etc I undercoated the previous weekend. Finished the tail light brackets off.

Undercoated one of the service hatch doors and a few small issues wih a few high spots on the doors.

The count of painted vs unpainted parts is now lookin much better.




Still outstanding delivery of speaker panels, overhead console, steerin wheel wih race boss. gear lever with new bushes.

6pm time for dinner with mother in law then discovered the puppy had eaten the trailer wiring off the boat trailer I was taking home- oh shit.

and then the long drive home another truck issue caused us to take over 3 hours to get home again sigh.

Slowly i'm geting there.
 
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