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Land Rover Lightweight 55HG89 Restoration


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A progress update as its been a few weeks since we did anything of note. After a bit of prep work over a few nights this week we managed to get the vent panel in primer meaning we could paint it this weekend.

 

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Put the new bulkhead to vent panel seal on

 

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and then fitted the vent panel, we didnt even have to fight it that much - only took about 15 mins which im told is pretty good!

 

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It makes a big difference to the overall look of the vehicle, its starting to look like a Lightweight now! We have also managed to fit the rebuilt heater and finally bolt down the dash now the heater wiring is in place, for hopefully the last time!

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  • 1 month later...

Been a while since the last update so I thought it was about time!

 

Sent a load more bit for powdercoating

 

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and got them back (Excuse Jims duvet cover)

 

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Cleaned up the fly screens and fitted them

 

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Also a new windscreen surround as the old one was bent in the middle

 

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Fitted the air filter

 

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and the wiper motor assembly

 

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oh yes and we started the engine for the first time in 2 years, runs nice too, check out the video on the below link!

 

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  • 2 months later...

Hi All

 

Been a while since the last update so here we go

 

Started work on the back body and had to find a good TIG welder after our own attempts did more harm than good (Its a dark art I tell you!) Found a guy called Jeff of Linear Products about 5 mins down the road who I can only assume is some fort of magician judging by the way he welds! Tub had the usual corrosion on the front mounts which needed looking at as well as the usual holes from aftermarket modifications which needed filling.

 

Heres how it looked when we got it back from Jeff

 

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Really happy with the welding and wouldn't hesitate in recomending him, all we needed to do next was the easy job of getting about 8 layers of paint off

 

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Nearly ready for fill an primer, we had just enough time last weekend to put the newly galvanized grab handle on

 

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And the Grill

 

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Also made some new rubbers for the newly galvanized tub supports

 

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Had a load of galvanizing done by Arkinsal Galvanizers. After rejecting half of the first lot of parts they went back for another go at it, second time round was better but then they did lose 4 parts in total. When asked if they could find them (Bearing in mind they were given a comprehensive list of parts that had been sent) they said no as this happens from time to time. Lesson learned wont be using them again, let this serve as a warning, dont send anything to them if you value it and what it back!

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  • 2 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Little bit of progress from yesterday as we had some half decent weather for a change, decided to have another go at getting the tub painted.

 

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managed to get the original re galved tub supports back on, next steps are to get the other side of the tub pained then finally bolt it back onto the chassis, after that we've got a lot of riveting to look forward to!

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  • 3 months later...

some updates.....at last!

 

We have had a lot of problems getting paint to match for the tub which has been a big part of why progress recently has been so slow. Lesson learned tho, never buy anything from Jawel auto paints as they cant mix paint consistently, even after 3 attempts! Found a place in Nuneaton called Nuneaton Replacement Panels who can and did first time!

 

Here are some photos of the tub being painted

 

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And having its galv put back on

 

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and gun mounts

 

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A few bits left to go onto the tub and then its onto the radio table!

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Some more progress

 

Nice NOS Shunt box, been in its packet for years in Jims garage. The old unit while working had some a sheared connections and was missing the wiring for the dial illumination.

 

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Original (although not going to be used) Larkspur cables refitted to the tub

 

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Tailgate chains refitted

 

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Started fitting the rear lights

 

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Seems like after so long of not really getting anywhere its really moving forward now. (Jim has even cracked a smile on the last 2 weekends running! - either he is genuinely happy or the planets must have aligned!) The next task it to start prepping the unitary radio station while the bonnet and seatbox go to be welded as they are suffering with stress fractures in the usual places. We have also had a batch of powder coating that need to be returned as there is visible rust forming, luckily the place where we had it done is willing to take them back and sort them. Most of the parts that are affected are for the seatbox anyway so there not going to hold us up.

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  • 1 month later...

Bit of an update, over the last few weeks we have been trying to get the radio table stripped and sorted, mainly because all of the other body parts (Seat box, Bonnet, tub sides) are with Jeff the welder to fix the cracks that appear in the usual places on Lightweights! Managed to get the basic radio table back together tonight so thought it would be a good idea to post some pics. Should hopefully get to play again tomorrow so will post some more of our progress then also.

 

First some of the table stripped down

 

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Then in primer

 

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Top coat

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Starting to put it together

 

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And finally back where it should be (Not on the floor in Jims garage!)

 

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Need to find a few parts to finish the radio table so if anyone has any of the following or know where they are available please let me know

 

2 x Radio table plastic battery trays and lids

4x Red 4 x black radio table terminals

An amphenol lead

 

As ever comments or question or pointers are welcome

 

Thanks

 

Beno

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Continuing on from yesterday work managed to make some more progress on the radio table. Started with the wooden table top, looked pretty rough until it was sanded and stained to seal it

 

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While it was drying decided to have a go at the battery connectors in the table itself, came up pretty well with a bit of brake cleaner

 

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Dexion was next to go on

 

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and then started on the table door

 

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Both on

 

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Hinge mechanisms back on

 

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Lower tailgate installed

 

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and some more photos with the supports installed

 

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Still got a few bits to put back onto it, started building up the radio operators seat but ran out of time. Think were onto the wings next fun times!!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Done some more work on the radio table, last weekend and this painted the rest of the radio table parts and the wings. Took stock of what we have got and what we need to get. At present looks like were going to go with 2 352 sets, most of which we have got already and a 353 set which we need to source. Im sure there will be plenty of items we need at Peterborough tomorrow!

 

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Had to regenerate the diagram from scratch as the old one was past it

 

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Starting to look a little more FFR now! got loads of little bits to work on and then its onto the seatbox.

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  • 4 months later...

Put a few bits on last month but didnt really thing they were post worthy on their own.

 

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After a searching on the web managed to find these

 

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Turns there a Cessna aircraft part, found a supplier in Germany!After spending the last few months working on various bits we finally manged to get some parts onto the vehicle this weekend. The main focus has been getting the seatbox sorted. Its was covered in underseal much like the tub, but unlike the tub there were more hard to get at areas. We had to soak it in jizer on several times to shift it.

 

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Also sorted the headlight boxes

 

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Next were onto fitting the O/S headlight box and finishing off some bits on the seat box, then its onto the tub sides!

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Just wanted to say thank you to all that have replied with such great comments. Having posted pictures and info on other sites in the past we have had some not so positive feedback, looking at some of the restorations on HMVF and the sheer dedication to preserving these vehicles we are really happy that you seem to approve! The primary reason for creating this thread was to document the restoration and provide assistance to others that find themselves searching google or the like for hours on end try to find out how something goes back together! Without fail every time we have asked the forum for assistance you have delivered, this is a great site with great members and a massive amount of knowledge. Thank you to all that have helped us so far, we will continue to keep this thread up to date whenever we make decent progress!!! (Weather and WAGS prevailing!)

 

Ben

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Well said!

 

You're obviously busy with restoring, but if you get the Vehicle History Card / Merlin record / DVLA registration history, let me know and I'll 'translate' them for you - you've helped me enough (without knowing it!) so I'm happy to help you!

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Just wanted to say thank you to all that have replied with such great comments. Having posted pictures and info on other sites in the past we have had some not so positive feedback, looking at some of the restorations on HMVF and the sheer dedication to preserving these vehicles we are really happy that you seem to approve! Ben

 

Wow! Really? That's strange, indeed. I could see this thread being very popular over on the couple of the lightweight forums I post on.

Matt

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