resto_d1 said:

It is definitely dying out. I think a lot is due to new cars being so tricky and company car schemes etc. I get an allowance for my daily rather than a cc. This has age restriction on to 6 odd years. I wouldn't dream of working on it. It would drive me mad and is just too expensive to make error on. You need all the readers etc too. When my grandad died my gran have me all his tools. He was an engineer too but finished life sat behind a screen as I now do. I thought his tools had to keep working so got a landy lol. You'll be surprised with your welding. I started on my body too prior to chassis then when I got to chassis I went for it and it went well. You clearly have good people around to show you too.

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Our family story is kinda similar too - hands on people turned into office people. Not close family but uncles and the such.

I've had my fair share of 'modern' cars and we have one at home. The OBD reader was an essential rather than an adjustable spanner and a set of mole grips to get you out of the worst of it! Definitely easier/more cost effective to drive to the other end of the country in that's for sure. I have days driving lulu and bless her she's great but I think why the hell am I going to XYZ in these, its been months and months since its been in any mud and just seems pointless. That said, there is just something about it that you just can't explain. My old classic mini was the same. Chances are if it wasn't written off (by no fault of my own) I'd probably still have that.

I hope my welding skills improve, just a case of diving into it and seeing how I go.

So going back to the photo with both the trucks.

This was only for a few hours. Had a few jobs I wanted to button up - I didn't need to be in that side for it but the space was there and I felt the need to abuse the privilege.

Firstly - when its been raining I pop on the brakes at the end of the road and all the damn water was coming in from headliner height in the front corner, dribbling over the top of the door so to speak and going down onto my leg. I was watching an expedition video of sorts and I guy was talking about sorting his roof. Well - having nothing to loose but an hour ****ing around scraping and resealing I thought I'd give it a blast.

Got a set of steps and proceeded to dig out as much of the sealer between all the panels at the tops and in the gutters. Theory was the water was getting underneath that and staying stagnant until movement where it ended up at the front.

Ended up doing all that and awaited the results. Bingo! No more leak! Couldn't believe my luck that it would be that simple but hey ho, if yours is dribbling in from headliner height its most likely going to be this. I can't say for sure what panel where does it as I did it all in one hit. Its a flat roof not a ribbed one so they may well be a different story.

As pictured a while ago I bought a boost gauge and a EGT gauge. I'm not a fan they're not black to go into the dash but cheap and cheerful for now. Needed somewhere for them to go - so in ripping half my dash out for an electrical issue (more on that later) I decided just to temp it up onto the side of my dash by drilling a hole into the bracket and screwing it to the side.


Gauge 2 was just simply elecy taped to it for now and volia that's got me something to look at while I decide. Debating the mud dash style but having nothing else to fill it at present is holding me back.





Main job for the day was to remove the front prop and replace the UJ's. Filthy ass job but a satisfying one so didn't get much on the picture front. I'll snap a new UJ in situ when doing the rear prop.



Coffee now gone so that's the end of this post

So its worth saying at this point due to work commitments we all attempt to get together on a Sunday for a few hours to catch up and work on the projects. We all said from the get go we'd get at least 10 hours a week working there but realistically we're only getting 4-6 stint on a sunday and a quick 20 mins here and there so progress isn't as fast as you'd probably like to read it!

lulu update - I had a few jobs on my list I felt like tackling this particular day. One of those jobs was to tint the windows to help control the heat levels in the summer. I don't carry any work stuff etc in the truck so its left empty but seeing as the bars are there I put them back anyway. They're not hurting anyone.

So the door came up first, took pics then cracked on with the rest. I will note here these are done soo badly but I really didn't have it in me to rip them off and start again - knowing its a landy and I will throw whatever in the back.






Feeling too clean from all that soapy water I tackled fitting the new rear shocks. Bushes were worn out and seeing as they were the originals I treated her to new shocks at the same time instead of just doing the bushes. Good job I did as one side really wasn't operating as it should once I had them off and had a good look. The ride is better with them on, not modern car standards by any means but much less clunky from having the fresh bushes if nothing else.



Ended up with the grinder for the bottom nut, made an attempt to try and hold the shock and get her undone but was having none of it.


New shocks come with polybushes.. I wasn't bothered with standard or poly but definitely made installation easier.




Wheel came off in the end for making room with the grinder. The other side the wheel stayed on but the bolt did grab the disc pretty bad and Charlie was at the helm at that point. No one hurt etc but just goes to show sometimes you never know!



And a picture of the tints done on lulu. She looks even better with her black wheels back on. Shes well overdue a wash inside and out so when that happens i'll snap a pic.



Aaaaand just to let you know whats coming up next... Alex had this delivered to the unit...



Until next time....

A random tractor boys and toys eh
Lulu looks good. Make sure she gets lots of security. People will notice what's in your lockup. Fortunately all my gear is under watch - if you manage to get my tools or toys you won't have hands to use them

Sadly our boy can't stay down the unit, but above and either side is people living, bit of a weird setup but we get on well with them. EDIT: To add on the security front I'm not going to take pictures of our locks etc that we've put in place since moving in but its well beefed and insured for piece of mind. I'd be much more worried about my truck being broken into at the supermarket for example. I don't leave the boy in the truck to go to the shops etc but he rides upfront and definitely makes himself known! Stopping at zebra crossings can be a legendary experience for those who cross and head short and come across the front of the truck!

As said before though, I leave her empty as I used to with my old Vito - was a pain in the ass as it was used daily for work but 20 mins of work saved thousands from a potential mishap. My van had the rear window (which is what I wanted) so even with the tints you can just shine a torch and take a look inside, same from the front, no rear bulkhead hiding the view. What you'd find was nada.

The pic of her with the tints actually is a family garage, you'd do us a favour breaking into that haha, its just basically an old wood and paint and broken **** kinda storage away from the house.

Your boy/girl looks like a beauty, I'm such a sucker for dogs! Used to have a very funny one going back some years, was lovely until you were in his face and then he let you know about himself. Nowadays he'd probably be put down if he was still around. Ultimately he was just guarding his space and you were given ample warning. That was to outsiders not us - thankfully no one caught the wrong end of him from a human perspective as the warning was enough. Unfortunately a few rodents and the such in the garden didn't get off so lightly.

Decent! He is a lovely dog yeah - he's guarding instinct is brilliant yet he is so gentle around kids, elderly etc.

Glad you n your mates toys are well protected. Keep us updated on the projects- tis a good thread!