mister-socks Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Hi to all, First off I'd just like to say thanks to everyone on here who has offered up help, advice, info or general support (and mithering to get on and start it!). Also thanks to the missus who didnt even bat an eyelid when the pictured below turned up on a low loader two weeks ago. Although I've been told I'm not allowed to get any more projects until I finish at least one..... I know this isnt specifically a military vehicle, having served in the AFS, but hopefully you'll forgive me Anyway, its a Commer Q4 dropside with the remains of hoops and canvas, I have been informed that it was a bridging parts carrier serving with the AFS at Barnstaple so its never left the county. Proper job! I bought it two weeks ago at a farm auction for the princely sum of £400, which still seems like a bargain after 2 weeks of prodding and poking around. Heres how the missus first glimpsed it Here's father in law (who knows a woodyard who'll take back handers for the dropside body!) and me pretending to know whats going on under the bonnet And lastly one of the old girl, replete with proud new owner I've always owned old vehicles (the current fleet is MG1100, Austin 1300, 2 x Austin 1800, Austin 2200, Triumph Herald, VW Splitscreen van and Vespa Sportique)and am used to getting my hands dirty, but have never had a military/commercial vehicle before, so this forum has been a lifeline! First job was connect a jump pack dreckly to the battery wires and check out the electrics. It may seem strange, but I'd rather have the chance to hear wires fizzing away before the engine starts with me too busy standing back admiring my handywork to fetch a fire extinguisher... Unbelievably, after 21 years of standing in a field, all the electrics worked :??? So, new battery fitted and, thanks to this forum, finding out where the 'on' button was, its nearly time for a start up. The tanks been cleaned and re-filled with fresh fuel, carbs primed and there's volts at the coil, points have been cleaned. Starter motor spins but will not engage, so its coming off tomorrow a.m. for a service (after clumping it with a hammer failed). If anyones interested, hopefully I could post a video of the truck running tomorrow, although I may need some guidance about how to do this :-D Thankyou once again for all the help and advice, please feel free to cajole me into more posts, I have a tendency to start more projects than I ever finish..... Cheers Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 All the best with it, just make sure you furnish us with lots of photos, its always good to see what other people are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimh Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Looks pretty complete. What is the deal with the mesh on the leading edge of the bonnet? I'm no Q4 expert but it looks like a rather crude mod. Is that just Commer build quality or did they have cooling problems or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowtracdave Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Just had a quick flick through my Vanderveen & the photo's in there show the same front end on the Q4's in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister-socks Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Looks pretty complete. What is the deal with the mesh on the leading edge of the bonnet? I'm no Q4 expert but it looks like a rather crude mod. Is that just Commer build quality or did they have cooling problems or something? I'm obviously no expert, but I believe the vets on the top part of the bonnet were put in place on Q4's used by the services. Could be wrong tho'.... Rain stopped play today, so hopefully tomorrow will see it running! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppypiesdad Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Good luck with your restoration Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister-socks Posted June 19, 2009 Author Share Posted June 19, 2009 Good luck with your restoration Jamie Cheers Jamie, I need it! Been far too distracted for the last two days, the sunshine should help but i've been out putting some miles on the ducati 748 in preparation for next wekends track day instead. i think once i hear the 6 cylinder burst into life i'll get a bit more focused...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 More 50's trucks on the Projects page! Excellent... My dad had a radio bodied Q4 a few years back, they sound superb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Elsdon Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Hope you get on well with her, nice to see two AFS trucks from the same period on here (Crocs Bedford blog been the other!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FV1604A Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Hi Rich, Hope the work on 485ELM is going well.When you first posted,I mentioned that I had trouble with the charging circuit on my Q4 personnel carrier, when I had her. I have since found what , I think, is one of the two control boxes I bought for it, back in the nineties.It will be up for sale on HMVF Classifieds in a day or two, so if you find a charging problem and it does seem to be a known problem with the Q4 , you know where to look for a replacement. Regards,Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister-socks Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Right then, its been a day or two since I last posted, so its about time for an update. Pictures will follow tomorrow, as well as a video if I can figure that out... Unbelievably, all it took was about 2 hours work, and the old girl is running like a sewing machine! First off, I removed the starter (only one bolt caused any grief), and soaked the armature in diesel while I munched on a pasty. Ten minutes later it was freed up and re-attached to the truck. A quick tug on the starter got the engine turning over. There were volts at the coil and dizzy, so the points and rotor arm were cleaned up, as were the plugs. Turned the engine over on the starter again with a quick sniff of a fantastic product called Start Ya Bastard! and it coughed a little. I'd already drained the tank of the remains of its 20 year old petrol, and then cut out a section of the fuel line to let in an in line fuel filter. After priming the carb on the lift pump, I gave the engine another swing. After 20 years of standing in a field I wasnt expecting it to roar into life, but it did! Even more unbelievably, after a couple of prods on the throttle pedal the engine settled down to a smooth quite idle, and 50psi on the oil pressure gauge! Next jobs are to free off the hi-lo range lever, any ideas? This is where it seems to be seized, giving it a generous amount of duck oil for the next few days. It seems to be seized where the shaft enters the housing, unless its stuck further inside the gearbox.... and heres the lever which should operate the shaft, down by the lhs of the drivers seat Once thats freed off I should be able to drive the thing! The clutch isnt stuck on and the gear stick selects all gears with the engine running, but the hi-lo selector is stuck in neutral. After that is brakes and electrics, hopefully Mike still has a Q4 control box available! Thats about it for now, will post some video of the truck running if anyones interested, I must admit it does sound pretty nice, particularly as theres only the remains of an exhaust! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Yes please post the video , always interested in the sights and sounds combined together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Elsdon Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Give the shaft that goes into the transfer box a clean with emery cloth then grease it, then tap it in carefully and work it about a bit should do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 Wow, great stuff! I was watching two of these on ebay late last year and was amazed at how cheap they were. I am now hastily finishing and flogging my projects to try to make some space and raise some capital. I am watching this thread with a keen interest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Wow, great stuff! I was watching two of these on ebay late last year and was amazed at how cheap they were. I am now hastily finishing and flogging my projects to try to make some space and raise some capital. I am watching this thread with a keen interest! There´s one for sale on MilWeb right now (no connection with the seller): http://milweb.net/classifieds/large_image.php?ad=53171&cat=4 Looks like a very good buy at 2.5 grand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Wow, I'm in love! Sadly the wife has just read this thread and has a somewhat less than impressed look on her face. Blumin email notifications! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 As for the shaft. Soack a rag in mix of disiel and engine oil. wrap round shaft them tape on some palstic sheet over the top and leave. Has a side benifit of losening rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister-socks Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 Right then! Bit of an update, as nothing much has happened to the Commer for a year. I wish I wasnt so easily distracted..... Anyway, some fresh fuel and a charged battery saw the truck roar back into life, all the electrics still work so I felt I had to crack on with things. Thanks to everyone for there advice on the transfer box problem. A combination of all the tips, some extra swearing and a gert big hammer saw high range engaged! Brakes was next, system is bled and I'm just waiting on a brake master cyclinder reapir kit to finish the job off. If anybody needs anything to do with hydraulic clutch/brakes etc, try http://www.powertrackbrakes.co.uk/ They knew what a Q4 was, and that it shares brake m cyl with the Leyland Titan! While I'm waiting for this to arrive I thought I'd better make a start on getting the U-bolts that hold the dropside body to the chassis ready for undoing. Figuring that they probably havent been undone for fifty years I though that duck oil, wire brushes and gas might not be enough.I might have to resort to a 9 inch grinder and the bumper book of swears. I forgot that this is a Commer though, so all 40 bolts came undone with a 1/2" air gun. I plan to lift the remains of the dropside off the chassis next week with my telehandler, so shall try and post the video of that on here. Unless it gets shown on the next episode of "When Truck restorations go bad" Thought I'd run this past everyone here as well, and see what you think. The Commer was originally a dropside body, with huge metal frame and canvas covering. I am planning, purely because I'm skint, on making a plain flat bed when I re-body the truck. I know its not original, but it would mean that the truck would be back on the road, and it would fit in my barn too! Anyone got any thoughts on the non-originality aspect of that? Cheers Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Good to hear you're making progress however slow it may seem. I too am afflicted with too many distractions but my deisre for an old truck is now strengthing my resolve to get the other projects all finished. I just need to find somewhere to keep it! As for originality, how rare are these? Plenty will have been modified after being de-mobbed. I've seen a few hippie/traveller variants such as the 'Henge-Hog' and I'm pretty sure they weren't factory approved conversions . As they seem to be a rock bottom value wise (goodness knows why but I'm not complaining as it means they are within some sort of grasp for plebs like me) it's not as if you're going to drasticaly devalue it. Regards, Smiler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonblacksmith Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Anyone got any thoughts on the non-originality aspect of that? My Q4 not original but a working truck being used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Nice, wish I had somewhere to keep one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walts Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Nope, I think that any justification for keeping a truck that does 6mpg looking nice and in good working order is absolutely grand and rebuilding a knackered original body is going to be an expensive process. Mine has a parquet floor, an aga, a double bed and a custom canvas and it goes on very short safaris (apart from one long one from Kent to the Scottish highlands but that was £650 so it doesnt happen often); And I rent it out; http://canopyandstars.co.uk/find-a-place/inshriach-house/the-beer-moth Its back to the farm for the winter now - Im trying to find someone who has the brake linings and someone in Inverness who can reline them cos my rear cylinders went pop, Powertrack have the cylinder rebuild kits. I would also like to replace the windscreen rubber because it is outside a lot and the cab leaks, and the wipers motor just packed up. Apart from that its just hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian L Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Anyone got any thoughts on the non-originality aspect of that?My Q4 not original but a working truck being used. Is that a Bedford QL Petrol tank behind the cab ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernEngine Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Fancy seeing you here Walts! Beer Moth is looking good - and good but of inspiration for our intrepid restorer here (Incase youve not figured it out, you were at my place the other day - Iv just got my Austin K9 I was telling you about) Nope, I think that any justification for keeping a truck that does 6mpg looking nice and in good working order is absolutely grand and rebuilding a knackered original body is going to be an expensive process. Mine has a parquet floor, an aga, a double bed and a custom canvas and it goes on very short safaris (apart from one long one from Kent to the Scottish highlands but that was £650 so it doesnt happen often); And I rent it out; http://canopyandstars.co.uk/find-a-place/inshriach-house/the-beer-moth [ATTACH=CONFIG]53673[/ATTACH] Its back to the farm for the winter now - Im trying to find someone who has the brake linings and someone in Inverness who can reline them cos my rear cylinders went pop, Powertrack have the cylinder rebuild kits. I would also like to replace the windscreen rubber because it is outside a lot and the cab leaks, and the wipers motor just packed up. Apart from that its just hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big ray Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Anyone got any thoughts on the non-originality aspect of that?My Q4 not original but a working truck being used. This truck has been fitted with a diesel engine, probabely a P.6 Perkins. Just as a matter of interest, we had these trucks in service with the army in Germany in the 1950s, I always thought that they were a very well built truck, I served in REME, Armd Workshops. My brother, who was conscripted into the RASC in January 1945 served in Ireland, Southern France and finally Germany untill 1948. He and his buddies were instructed on one occasion (in Germany) to drain the oil and water from lots of trucks, various makes, and drive them to destruction around the parade ground (Goodness knows why? he never explained, and I did not ask.) He told me that he drove a Commer truck around and around untill he was going giddy, he did`nt think that it was ever going to seize up, it did of course, eventually. My familly operated trucks in their business after the war, we could not shake his faith in Commer trucks, he thought that they were bullet proof.......... that must say something for the build quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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