Frankinzephyrs Mk2 Ute
Bob
in Perth sent us the following details on what he has been up to on the Mkll
Ute he brought from Dowerin, Western Australia. Bob picked up the Ute for a
measly $200, although he says the Ute is worse than it looks in the photos at
the start.
This
is what Bob has been up to for the winter. Here is the update in his own words.
As
can be seen from photos the old Ute was well past its use by date, rust was
worse than first thought and because of this I am heavily modifying the
sections that are not seen. I made a rotisserie (plans are also on site for
another type, thanks to one of our members) and stripped the body back to its
shell. Because this is a long-term project for my son and I, we only had the
underside and the inside areas garnet blasted; this got rid of 45 odd years of
red dust and rust.
All
mechanicals are stored in the shed. We then started on the worst side, which
was the passenger’s side.
Due
to the missing floor, we joined front and rear chassis rails together using
75x38x3mm box section mig welded into position, and we will fit bolts as well.
Once
this was done we set about fabricating replacement floor sections using a
universal floor section for the rear and 1.2 mm panel steel for the flat areas.
The
inner middle and outer sills were all shot so we cut out the affected steel and
welded in a 100x50x4mm box section and this is welded back to the chassis rails
as well as stitch welded to what was left of the body. We then replaced the
rusted out front chassis bracing panels and inner and outer footwell
panels.
Though
not the nicest way to repair a Zeph, but hopefully the body will look standard
externally when finished and will be able to cope better when we repower it
with the full running gear from a R32 GTR or possibly a late model worked
5.0Litre Ford running gear. Next we will start on the other side then repair
the doors, guards, bonnet, and refit the doors, plus make and fit sills etc
etc.
It
doesn't seem like so much work when you say it fast but 6 months have gone by
already.
Till
next instalment, take care.
Bob.