redneck

I thought I'd re-post my fun and games with the steering here for future reference, just in case someone has similar problems. From my earlier wanted ad- "Just an update on the steering woes. I came to the conclusion my problems lay with the steering box after numerous threads on tinterweb confirming my symptoms, steering goes stiff when turning right after about 5-6 miles of driving. After a less than overwhelming response to my wanted ad and those that did reply seemed "very very proud" of their 2nd hand steering boxes, probably in the same condition as mine, never mind it is a free market after all. I decided to investigate further and stripped the steering box down, on inspection of the internals most of it seemed in reasonable condition apart from the main piston bore, so a quick hone, just to take the polish off that was apparent in a couple of spots. After refitting the box the symptoms remained :-( Next stop steering pump, removed and stripped the pump. there seemed quite a bit of wear in the pump with some scoring of the the impeller and the mating cheek plates, again a quick hone and rebuild, ordered a new pump from ebay in the meantime, and time for another test drive. Symptoms are still present but much less so. So I'm currently waiting the new pump which I hope should cure the problem. Please note that this is a low mileage vehicle first registered by me so straight from MOD. But once again the maintenance schedule seems to have been completely ignored, despite the power steering oil being changed recently by me there was still a lot of metal particles surrounding the pump thankfully most of it stuck to the magnet in the pump and the old oil was burnt out." After fitting the new pump the problems reappeared but worse:banghead: After a quick reassessment (cup of tea), I came to the conclusion that my original diagnosis was incorrect. I thought the steering was getting more difficult due to heat expanding the pump and producing less pressure. I was right about the heat being a cause but it wasn't the pump that was the problem, it was the feed pipe from the reservoir to the pump collapsing under the suction, the new pump being in better condition provided more suction, hence the steering got worse. Before you all say I should of checked the basics first, I did, but the hose had delaminated internally there were no visible indications. Finally I've got the steering doing what it should do for more than a few miles:clap:

Agree the tirfors are great tools, but having used them moving boats around, I fancy something different, also those wallabys would work with synthetic line so would be a little easier to manage.

Thanks, that's answered a few questions, probably not ideal for what I want. However the Trewhella wallaby might be just the ticket, just got to find one now:???

Any one know anything about these hand winches, I've seen a few for sale but very little info regarding load capacity, what their use was etc. I have an idea for one but would like a little more info first. http://www.whitworthspanners.com/product5161

If its the paint that was getting sold at W&P from the back of an artic trailer, it darkens quite a bit after a week or 2.

Having walked past it several times, I assumed it was an MTB as well, it was only when the owner put out some information posters on the deck that I found out its true role. As a regular visitor to Rye over the last 18 months it has been interesting to watch the restoration progress.

Not an MTB but a harbour transport boat. Currently under restoration.

Try Zoltan or Paulob1 on here, they might be able to help.

80w/90 for the gearbox. 10w/30 for the transfer box.

Is there really going to be that much improvement in MPG and will it make that much difference with the higher cost of diesel, unless running on red or wvo. I don't think people considering owing this type of vehicle are too concerned on fuel cost anyway. It never bothered me with owning yank muscle cars, 12 mpg economy mode or 9 mpg with a lead foot, lead foot won every time:-D whats 3 mpg between friends.

check out demon tweeks http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/brake-master-cylinders-reservoirs the original is only held on by a sheet metal bracket which would be easy to modify. Burton power do seal kits that fit https://www.burtonpower.com/ I think they are 0.75" diameter, can't find the order details at the moment. do the seals on your slave cylinder while your about it.

As a kite surfer, I found that funny as well as very scary. I've cleared a 12 foot shingle bank with a 3.5 square meter kite when it went wrong, and that chute was massively bigger than that. Another thing in the, do not do with a kite book, is tie yourself to a stationary object. Darwin award contender.

Try these, http://www.propexheatsource.co.uk/ not cheap but no worries of CO poisoning

http://www.maryrose.org/ what more needs to be said.... apart from well done to both teams

It doesn't need to hurt to be doing damage;) http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/ And HAVS is becoming a big problem in industry now http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/yourhands.htm Don't mean to be safety nanny but I deal with this stuff on a daily basis. Personally I would use media blasting or wire brush wheels for rust removal and scotch-brite wheels for paint.

Low to mid 20's for the MPG on a run. I think there are better vehicles for overlanding though as there a quite a few of bespoke parts which aren't easy to get hold of. I would definitely run around in it for a while before travelling anywhere.

Hi Do you have any pictures of her in her current condition. Thanks

I know a guy who got seriously injured in accident, the accident didn't harm him, his dog sat in the back seat nearly broke his neck though. I'm always a bit careful with stuff floating about in the back of my vehicles, especially my 12 stone Newfoundland dog!!!!

If we applied rationality to any of this we would all be driving around in electric vehicles and Everest wold still be unclimbed. A big thumbs up to irrational adventurers the world over and long may they pull things of the seabed or rebuild lumps of rust into machinery.

Personally I would avoid pulling away in second, these trucks have a reputation for eating clutches, and my suspicion is that the 2nd gear starts are what causes the problem. Its all too easy to pull away in 2nd slipping the clutch when its not your vehicle, and after seeing the state of my clutch with so few miles on it I can only assume that this is what happened. Changing the gear oil definitely smoothed out the gear changes a bit and I added some ZX1 which seemed to help as well but don't expect miracles, its still a tractor. Check your prop shafts and grease them well as they were bone dry on the sliding joints and several of the u.j's were fubar'd, again for such low mileage I can only assume they weren't lubed properly at the factory and certainly weren't done during it's working life. Don't forget the grease nipple for the centre of the double carden joint on the front prop, not easy to spot if its covered in dirt. If your steering feels heavy check your power steering pump belt, it seems to need to be very tight to work well especially at low revs.

Pedant mode on- Under 7m and under 7 knots only requires an allround white light. BTW Contact the Harbour master beore the attempt, they are quite helpful. Just looked at the Tide Tables for the weekend of the 24th, it's a spring tide, you might want to rethink your plans. Tidal streams around 4knots in Cowes, and they can be worse around the Island.

Being as its diesel, if your very careful, you could use a scotch brite wheel in a drill, they are very effective at removing rust and painthttp://catalogue.3m.co.uk/en_gb/gb-asd/Abrasive_Wheels/Unitised_Wheels/Scotch-Brite%E2%84%A2~Clean_%26_Strip_Unitised_Wheel~CS-UW Recommend Vactan as well, used all over our boat, with good results.

Yep, don't bother with a flashing light, an alllround white if you're planning a night crossing :-D Aproper radar reflector might help in the day but ships probably wont see it. Solent chop can be quite lumpy, not so much from the wind but the amount of vessels moving about, the ferries and ships can make quite a wake which will travel the width of it, weekends are worse. I would advise insurance because if you sink in the shipping channel you will be responsible for clearing the hazard to shipping. The harbour master will not be pleased;) Careful when crossing the shipping channels, you may think you're big on the road but ships have right of way, they have no room to manouvre in the channels, and no brakes. THEY WILL NOT GET OUT OF YOUR WAY. If you pick the right day you could have a picnic and game of cricket on the Bramble bank http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bramble_Bank you might not want to play with the spring tides though Above all though, have fun p.s why would sand banks be a problem, you can just drive over them

An interesting site about a well known wreck, HMS Thistlegorm http://www.fourthelement.com/adventures/3d_thistlegorm_wreck_map.php