Monster wagon

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:38 pm

Small update on the exhaust;
I bought some 2.5" pipe and a couple of mandrel bends from an exhaust shop today. Have now welded a 30degree bend to the end of the dump pipe. It now bends up slightly at the bottom and runs along the side of the gearbox. It pokes out nicely at the end of the gearbox between the rear output splines where the tailshaft goes in and the driver's side rear gearbox lift block.
Just need to work out exactly where I'm going to put the Cat and it should be easy from there.

The exhaust will then continue down the body and (rather than cross-over underneath the tailshaft like usual), it will actually pass over the top of it just near where it bolts to the rear diff - there is plenty of room now with this amount of lift. It will then wrap up and over the top of the main crossbar of the K frame where it will meet up with the rear muffler - again, plenty of room now.

Here are some pics;

This one shows the clearance between the turbo flange and the steering extension - plenty now

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:42 pm

note - Added pics to the previous post.

The old shifter linkage was buggered - I didn't like the design of the later model Outback one I was using anyway, the nylon balljoint cage was terrible and all held together with a single snap ring.

So I've made up a new one now out of a spare complete linkage I had which originally came from an RS turbo.

Both the mounting rod and the shifter rod needed to have about 50mm(ish) cut out of them and re-welded back together. I buggered up the shifter rod slightly by cutting it too short the first time so I had to extend it again by welding a large nut in between. Please excuse my shocking looking welds, they do seem to be very strong however.
The shifter rod also needed to have the part which bolts to the gearbox swapped for the one from the Outback linkage so it still suits the Outback gearbox. The RS one doesn't fit as it's a different design.

Oh also note that the threaded part where the gearstick goes on had been cut off for soem reason (I got this linkage for free off some guy years ago and was just keeping it as a spare). I chopped the threaded part off my old Outback one and welded it on.

Also made up an engine stay-rod. I used one that came with my old 3" lift kit. I cut it in half and re-welded it with quite an angle in it. This is to provide enough clearance for the WAIC.

Also I cranked the motor over for the first time in a very long time and she started up straight away, still runs great!

Fatz · Post by **Fatz** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:14 am

do you think that exhaust is too close to the body and lift blocks?
i have a feeling that it might vibrate against something there.
Apart from that.. looking good mate

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:42 am

Andrew great work mate,
Is the car licenced??Aren't u worried about the cops yellow stickering u?
Is the workshop located SoR?
Chris

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:17 am

Fatz, no not worried at all, difficult to tell from the photos but there is plenty of clearance. Also the exhaust is still at the point where it is actually bolted to the side of the gearbox with a small bracket (yet to make this).

Chris, yeah the car is licensed. I'm a little worried about cops giving me a yellow sticker but hopefully the car will look reasonably balanced and not draw too much attention. I also don't plan to drive around like a hoon all of the time plus the fact I will likely only really be driving to and from offroading destinations. It should look basically like Alex's Wanky Wagon but with a few inches more space between the guards and the 29" tyres. If I do get a yellow sticker I would simply take the lift out, go over the pits, and put it back in again.
It's just my single carport at my place north of the river.

90brumby · Post by **90brumby** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:58 pm

my brumby hasnt been stickered yet so u should b alright if u dont drive like a hoon ur safe

lookin gwd have u been keepin a eye on the wheel track like the distance between the front left and rear left tyres compared to the right side

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:29 am

I haven't paid much notice to the wheel track actually, except obviously I am aware that it's a little wider at the front than at the rear. The rear is still the same as it's always been, all just standard L series back there except with the Crossbred kit now.
The front is all Liberty now and should be dead centre as I slotted the holes in the engine crossmember by the same amount on both side.

D3V1L · Post by **D3V1L** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:53 pm

tristan means the distance from the front left to rear left...and front right to rear right

if the distances are different the car wil pull and behave badly

dave

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:56 pm

yeah realized that when I re-read it this morning. I checked it today quickly. I measured via the tyres rather than the wheel centre (too hard when your by yourself) and it's within 5mm difference between the sides and I'm sure thats just due to one of the tyres being slightly flat, sitting at 20psi. Should actually be spot on. Even if it's a few mm out the rear control arm mount can be adjusted.
Hey Dave.....your soon to come Brumby project.....Chris on Warton has had a semi decent looking Brumby forsale for the last couple of days, not sure if you've seen it

More small updates;

Connected up more engine bay stuff this afternoon. Unfortunately the WAIC still has some clearance issues, I am going to have to angle it up slightly which means getting creative with some extra bits of mandrel bent metal piping, should be interesting.
Also test mounted the shifter linkage again, it's going to need another slight mod (bend) to get it positioned right but I can use it to select gears at least now.

Going to try and concentrate on getting the brakes working next. Seeing as she's pretty much ready to move under her own steam I figure she should be able to stop herself too!

D3V1L · Post by **D3V1L** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:22 am

yeh i have noticed that one...ahaha..and it did look quite good to me...even with nice 14s and tyres....ill have to look into it i think..but every time i try calling chris .....i dont get an answer...he must look at my number and go no

dave

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:10 pm

He has change his mobile # a few times,jut call in.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:26 am

Chris is always hard to get hold of. He has a sign on the gate that says "no visitors without prior appointment" and like three different phone numbers on the forsale sign none of which ever get answered.

Some more updates;

Finished the rear brakes (minus the handbrake cables for now). Shiny brand new brake lines installed. I've taken some measurements which I will need to give to a brake place on Monday to get some more new brake lines for the front end. Really need to finish the fuel pump wiring

Extended the top and bottom radiator hoses using some ally tube, ran the engine up to temperature and bleed the system, no leaks!

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:27 am

Messed around abit with the WAIC mounting. This looks like the go now. Just need to get a few more bends to sort out the connection to the turbo.

Filled the power steering up with fluid.

Put new spark plugs in.

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:32 pm

great work t mack. shes certainly getting there! nice drift spec angle mount waic hahah

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:44 pm

Got brand new front flexible brake lines installed now, system bleed up with the pedal nice and hard but untested yet.
Bought some more mandrel bends for the exhaust so I hope to continue with that next.

Shark · Post by **Shark** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:50 pm

Looking great matey, how much the mandrel bends costing ya??

Marc

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:30 am

20 bucks. Just mild steel ones, 2.5".

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:19 pm

Did some more exhaust stuff. Welded on another 30degree bend to get it past the back of the gearbox. Then put a flange on the end. Then put the other side of the flange on the end of a ~1m length of pipe and bolted that on. Had to be careful of the angles before welding but it's turned out pretty good. Nice and tight up next to the floor. It pretty much follows the tailshaft down the car, doesn't really dip below it at all after the centre bearing so effectively the exhaust isn't going to hinder ground clearance at all, even at the front it's higher than all the crossmembers.

She looks better now with the grill and bonnet fitted plus a quick hose-down;

Fatz · Post by **Fatz** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:28 pm

looking sweet m8.
good to see it comin along nicely.
bout time:twisted:

Post by **Alex** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:11 pm

does look ggod.

but those wheels look gay as! get sumthing with a fatter offset! yucko!

other than that, good work

ps. i love you

alex