I added a make-shift ignition loom complete with charge and oil light.

https://i.imgur.com/bfkiqu4h.jpg

Fitted a battery and a fuel line into a temporary fuel tank.

https://i.imgur.com/eBCbFEyh.jpg

Pressed the start button and it fired-up with very little affort!!. :rockon::rockon:
It was not run for long as there's still no cooling system in place yet.:icon_eek:

Spent some time on the cockpit floor.

https://i.imgur.com/QRmia4yh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JFKctcIh.jpg

I would normally lay the floor in ply because it act's as a good insulator but this time I'v used steel around the gearbox tunnel so I can add some colour coordination to the interior. :icon_eek:

The truck cap it's self is very flexible so I reinforced it around the "A" and "B" post with 40x40x3 RSA.

https://i.imgur.com/bqlFBE4h.jpg

The extra steel on the "A" post enabled me to fit a cross member to support the steering column.

https://i.imgur.com/Yz97UKDh.jpg

I also fitted some extra steel around the back of the cab.

https://i.imgur.com/gMvUWG5h.jpg

The O/S/F door also got some steel reinforcing .

https://i.imgur.com/gvgyJZKh.jpg

I was a little worried the steel would twist the door out of shape but all seems to be OK when the door was placed in it's hole.

https://i.imgur.com/z3oAvN7h.jpg

I might leave the fixing blots and screws around the "A" and "B" post in place :nod:

leave 'em in. Adds to the character!

O/S door now fitted and although I cocked-up on the hinges they work well enough !!!:icon_cool:

https://i.imgur.com/ntPRihfh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/suqtdNDh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AXTAVGJh.jpg

I'm well pleased with my first outing using these slab hinges so I'll try to fit the N/S door in the morning. :eusa_liar:

N/S door fitted and this time I no problems with the door hinges! :whoo:

https://i.imgur.com/phO70APh.jpg

I now have the major problem of fitting window glass to both doors and getting a wind screen to fit!! :help:

Sorted out the rear pick-up steel work.

https://i.imgur.com/futTXN4h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dOiMCKKh.jpg

I going to board the tub with wood but leave the top rails open.:becky:

Perfect! Great work.

Looking really smart. Though I don't suppose a Rat Rod should look smart.:-P

I been having a problem locating the battery. :doubt:
I was going to put it in the passenger's foot well but then I had a cunning plan.:icon_lol:

I remembered this photo.

https://i.imgur.com/eBCbFEyh.jpg

I cut a hole in the original steel plate and made a battery tray out of some 40x40x3 RAS to lower the battery and reinforced the area.

https://i.imgur.com/XXfiYEBh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ebdMaT8h.jpg

But this left the battery standing proud which would interfere with the front cowling.

https://i.imgur.com/gi5a6a1h.jpg


I then realized the battery might actually fit safely under the steering rack so I extended both the hole and remade the battery tray.

https://i.imgur.com/fEigFH7h.jpg

Now the battery simply sits on the tray and slides back under the steering rack keeping it well out on the way of the front cowling.

https://i.imgur.com/aWcPGC0h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nj916lxh.jpg

Job done. The battery is out of the way, power leads are short, it's still easy to get to, jump starting will be a doodle and there's minimal affect on the ground clearance besides that the tray being made out of 3mm steel will take a fair bit of kerb bashing

https://i.imgur.com/Dr4ywAWh.jpg

Next job is to decide how I'm going sort out and bring together the front grill, front wings and front lower cowling. :noidea:

Hope you don't think I'm being a busy-body, but I'd find somewhere else to put that battery.

If you have a front-end shunt there are two serious safety issues:

1/ the battery is likely to short out on the steering rack and start a fire, and

2/ Trumpton won't be able to get to it to disconnect it before trying to rescue anyone trapped inside (it's always the first thing they do at an RTC scene).

Mr T I to felt this location was a little odd and your concerns are much the same as mine but if you step back and think about it! :eusa_think:

1, The battery is pushed hard against the main chassis crossmember stopping the battery from moving back making it impossible to short-out on the steering rack.
The battery is also clamped in place again stopping it from moving forward.
I agree, any battery that's no fixed down is a predental short-out as well as an MOT failure!

2, Batteries are mounted every where in a modern car, under the seat, in the bulkhead, in the boot, under the floor ect.
So the fact that fireman Sam will actually be able to see the battery and there for disconnect the battery safely will be a help, he might even use the fitted isolator switch instead of just cutting the power cable which seems to be the normal thing to do.

3, Lastly, the front impact damage would have to be tremendous and have to crush the main chassis rails and anti roll bar mounts before smashing the battery and possibly causing a short-out!
Where as with a conventional engine bay fitted battery a simple front impact causing the bonnet to "ripple up" and short-out across the battery is a very common occurrence!


Sure, the steering rack might come un-bolted from its mounts and the steering column allowing it to fall onto the battery and short-out, but, I'll take that risk.:eusa_angel:


IMHO, Although having the battery mounted in a unusual place might cause some concern I'm sticking with it.:icon_biggrin:

No problem, all points taken in good spirit. :)

Like wise. :peace:
You never contact me regarding the Cordite bulkhead ?
You still want it ? :smile:

Hi Micky, yes, still interested in the cordite bulkhead. I did send you a pm asking how much you want for it, etc., and I didn't hear back so I figured you were just busy sorting your projects.

I've checked my pm 'sent items' to see exactly what I asked but the message isn't there, so it obviously failed to send. Sorry about that, I guess we were both waiting to hear back from the other. I didn't chase it up as I've been distracted away from my Speedster by the Midget (which is now almost fully sorted).

Just pm me with a price and collection address and I'll probably take it off your hands. :)

Mr T Here's what I have got.

PM me and we'll agree on a price but you'll have to sort out collection from SN2 2PN, Swindon, Wiltshire. :roll:

https://i.imgur.com/TSD0exsh.jpg

Lower front grill under construction.

https://i.imgur.com/kZwrN6Fh.jpg

The centre section of the lower grill will hinge to allow battery access.

I intend to use the outer edges of the lower grill to tie-in the bottom of the wings and the top edge will support the fiberglass radiator style grill . :becky:

Much work has been completed over the passed few days.

https://i.imgur.com/3GKfh02h.jpg

As you can see in the photo the front lower grill and main grill are now finished and fixed in place.
The inner wing flanges are screwed to brackets welded to the outer edges of the lower grill.
The main grill is fixed to an internal steel band, this in turn is braced to the bulk head via 30x30x3 RSA which provides a edge for the freshly "adjusted" bonnet to rest against. :rofl:


The truck also had it's first trip outside so I could get a full photo shot.

https://i.imgur.com/yG5IP2nh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OD1s4pih.jpg



Although it sits square and looks good I feel it would look better if the front springs were lowered a few inches. :bounce:

Looks good even with that cow catcher, Lowering the front just a bit would do. Great work!

Look svery,very good!Makes me want a new build:eusa_angel:

Good work and thanks for all the photo,s.