bodgit0_0

Good afternoon all. I've been around the site for a couple of years maybe more but it's only the last year that I've got my hands on some ex military vehicles. When I originally joined the group I was looking for some volunteer work to keep my hands in with any ex mil vehicles around the west Midlands but nothing came of it which was probably good as civy work which totally took over my life! Currently I'm 50% through a restoration of a 1983 Lightweight Land Rover which has burnt a lot of my project funding. I've renewed as much as I can to try and make it reliable once it's put on the road. Spec once finished should be. New chassis, bulkheads, rebuilt axles, 300tdi, original gearbox, overdrive, converted to rhd, converted to soft top. I've also got an RB44 ex fire tender which dates back to 1984, it's been modified by previous owners and I intend to do the same by making it my tow/repair vehicle for the charity tractor runs I like to support. This will have a Cummins 6BT, front and rear hydraulic winches and a hiab. The transit cab may be replaced if I find something suitable but it's not essential. Last one is a later RB44 from 1992, I'm collecting this in January and will be reassembling it to get it road registered then decide what the long term plan is for it.

That's the old girl before it was butchered. Good to see how it used to look, looking forward to sorting it next year and having it support the charity tractor runs that I attend.

Didn't realise that. I'll drop them a line. Cheers

Yes cheers. I've looked at the ex mil RB44 for inspiration but the weights are different. They have a 5300gvw and 7500gtw, I'm wondering if the earlier dodge 4x4 would be a nearer example to work from?

I'm looking to put my project on the road next year and I'm really struggling to work out what it will be allowed to tow. Its a 1984 RB44 Fire Tender with a transit Mk5 cab fitted and all fire tender equipment removed. The VIN tag tells me the axle and GVW but there's nothing stamped in the GTW area. Front axle is 2500kg, rear axle is 3600kg and GVW is 6000kg. Any ideas where I will be able to find its towing limits? The pictures show it in 2010, as released from service at a show and now😔

Feel free to give me a shout mate, once I've got into my new shift pattern if I can help I will.

That's not all of the fleet. There's 3 Montego, 2 Maestro, 4 Metro, landy 110 + 90, mini cooper D, panda diesel and 4x4, kangoo 4x4 and the dog eared transit. Mot sure about labour of extreme devotion, more like extreme craziness.

Should probably add I was Reme 'A' mech from 1990 to 2013 so have a fair knowledge of the more recent Mil equipment and for the last 3 years I've been operating excavators in quarries for a contract crushing company. I'm currently building a Mk5 Transit 4x4 as a site vehicle for carrying tools etc, plus have a few other restoration projects on the go: Montego Mg Turbo,Maestro Mg Turbo, Metro Mg Turbo are my main restorations but there's a few other cars scattered about just in case I get bored!

Was first loitering around the forum back in 2012 and until now just didn't have the time or money to indulge in an Ex Mil vehicle. Changed jobs recently from 80+ hours a week to a more normal 40 so now find I've found the time but still no funds!! This leads me to offering a spare set of hands if anyone wants help with their project or even the upkeep of a finished vehicle. Happy tinkering on anything from a Generator to a Chieftain through to a CR1, have tools and not afraid to abuse them :nut: Im based in Stourport On Severn, give me a shout if I can help...

Forgot to ask, how are you mounting your engine. What issues have you come across with the exhaust. I am considering buying a 110 and doing the same. TIA. Lee

Try this link, the info you need is half way down the page. http://www.thewinchesterclub.co.uk/landrover_110_engine_page.htm Hope this helps. Lee

I remember spending many a sports afternoon in that hanger with Roger back in 1994. Day dreaming about what to own first :cool2: When ever I'm on course I cant help but drop in and have a nosey, even though I have seen most of the vehicles before I can spend hours just looking. Do you know what the plans are for the collection if/when the school moves out? Lee

With reference to retiring the current CVR(T) fleet I think it will be some time away. My current fleet known as CVR(T) 2 has been upgraded a fair bit to make them more useable in theatre, it includes engine, gearbox, seats and a few more items. And I know of another 2 modifications on the way.

Some very goodpoints from other members especially about the spare parts, buy what you canafford when you can afford it. Start to make a stock pile if you intend keepingit long term. As for the track bashing its all about the right angle to just tap the pin in! You will find it easier with a track clamp during track bashing but it’s notunknown to just use 2 ratchet straps to pull it together to allow a join. With regards to the price of these vehicles I’m a bit shocked how much theyare, I'm lucky enough to be still playing with them for work and as alreadymentioned they suffer from 'drive it like you stole it' or as my lot refer toany that comes in for repairs, 'Hire car syndrome'. Lee

Al, sorry to hear about your ankle. Hope you get well soon.On my last visit to Castlemartin I was tasked with welding up the hatches on Leo due to the drunken sods rolling out of the bar and looking for some where to sleep!!! Seriously why they couldnt make it the other 100 meters or so for their own bed is beyond me.I note that your from Kiddy Al, I myself hover around Stourport but true home is Upper Arley. Might have to catch up sometime especially if you need a hand with any tank work.

Sorry for dragging this one back up but I removed the Cheiftain that was sat down town into the port a couple of years ago with my CRARRV. Me and my crew were covering the annual firing camp with our CR2 sqn (A Sqn, 1 RTR) when the odd request came in for a recovery job. Its not very often we get the chance to do some serious mileage on public roads but that drive from ther camp gates into town was awesome, until we meet a milk tanker driver!! The Cheify was winched off its resting place then towed up to the port to be collected another day by the HET guys. The rumours where it was going to be put up as a gate guard in camp but Im not sure it ever did. The main reason for it being removed from town was someone had complained that it was dripping oil and the council wanted it gone to avoid paying for the clean up?

Well, here we go again on a new forum. I'm Lee and have a problem I hope you all can help me with! I suffer from 'COVC'. That stands for Crazy Oddball Vehicle Collector. Before I let you know what I have and the particular reason for joining here , I will throw just a few lines about myself. I'm a spanner mad engine junkie who has my family home in the West Midlands in the riverside town of Stourport-On-Severn, however I reside for work during the week on the edge of Salisbury plain in Tidworth. I have been turning spanners for the last 20 years and am due to start another chapter of my life working from home in the next 18 months ish. I dont believe in being a euro box driver, savouring that fact that different is good. My daily set of wheels is a Metro 'S' for just popping about, or the transit for towing/carrying my kit about. During the summer months I enjoy visiting as many old vehicle/steam/military shows as work allows, this combined with a new start in 18 months is the reason I am here now. My current collection of vehicles that are awaiting my return from an extended period abroad, but not at my choice is below: 1952 Land rover Bitsa 1982 Metro 'S' (T+T) 1982 Metro HLE 1987 Montego MG Estate (Prototype) 1989 Montego MG Turbo 1989 Montego TD Estate 1989 Montego MG 1993 Ford Transit County 4x4 (Test only) 1995 Land rover Disco 300tdi (Test only) 1998 BMW 525 TDS (T+T) 2005 Renault Kangoo 4x4 (T+T) Two cars that are due to arrive in October are: 1989 Maestro MG Turbo 1985 Metro MG Turbo There are also 4 motorbikes scattered around the drive but only 2 currently in use. Most of my motors are ongoing projects which I aim to put some major time into once Im back home late October ish. Now the request, being of the nutty kind I have a master plan to purchase and run an RB44 as my next tow vehicle. Most people think I'm mad for even considering such an idea but seeing how keen and committed I am on being different and trying to restore/maintain my triple M collection, then why not!! I have already aquired all the relevant AESP's before work gets them deleted due to the vehicle being out of service. I will have the free cash sat burning a hole in my pocket in October. All i will need is some top tips on where to get one and how much I should be looking to pay. I'm not afraid of buying something that needs work, even an unregistered one would be fine. I'm still undecided on what model I want, rag top, box body or even a chassis cab. Withams have been selling a few and I even put a bid in on the last tender buy only as my mate took a look around them and gave me a few hints on which to avoid. A small bonus is I have found a seller who has a warehouse full of them? and he's local to home which would be a great benifit. Fingers crossed he will want a sensible price for one. Thats it for now, I will look forward to getting to know the site and helping where I can. You will always know which tow motor is mine if I get one as I will put my username on the side. Cheers . Lee