Shortie shortening :)

[makeitfit]

Here's the old girl resting, as it has for two years. All we've done is get the engine out. Sold that and set about undoing the body mounts. Undid the looms and ripped off the rotten fuel pipes. Welsh winters salty roads :(
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/49.jpg (https://ibb.co/Mhyxwhw)
Plan was to lift the body up and pull the chassis out from under it. So we made a frame to support the body onto. A few metres of 50mm box and a welding boy produced this in about an hour or so
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/50.jpg (https://ibb.co/2Z9snt1)
I've made it adjustable so it can be lowered down etc if needed.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/51.jpg (https://ibb.co/Pxf7whc)
One of the guys in the neighboring units has a telly handler thing, so bribed him with 20 minutes of sheep action for a quick body lift
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/52.jpg (https://ibb.co/HXLcCgC)
While the body was aloft we put the cradle underneath and then plonked the body back down onto it.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/53.jpg (https://ibb.co/zG00NCW)
Then it was simply a case of pulling the chassis into the workshop via the pressure washer. For this I did a steering mod
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/54.jpg (https://ibb.co/DWByfj5)
Cleaned many old adventures off the poor thing
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/55.jpg (https://ibb.co/V2CcN1N)
On the lift and first look properly suggests it's not too shabby amazingly. This is a retaliative term here in wild west wales :)
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/56.jpg (https://ibb.co/qjWNnJm)
The tail ends by the tank are rotten but not needed any more so off they go
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/57.jpg (https://ibb.co/FJhwNYr)
Shortening the front next , see you later :feedback:

[PeeBee]

I am going to enjoy this journey. Keep going, great stuff.

[happygu]

Looks like a bit of fine work to pass the time ..... a bit of rust kill and paint on the chassis will go a long way to making it look a million dollars again....

[makeitfit]

Here be some more goings on.
Chassis chop 15cm off the front end. Aiming for a more aggressive attack angle .
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/61.jpg (https://ibb.co/dpWH5x4)
Then relocated body mounts
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/62.jpg (https://ibb.co/7CsG6KG)
Years ago in preperation for this very job, I bought some swivel recovery points. Amazed myself by finding them in my heap of things
So I made up a template and cut the 6mm plate to suit the inner chassis section.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/63.jpg (https://ibb.co/GQNrgpP)
Here sprayed in weld through primer.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/64.jpg (https://ibb.co/d5xzxwB)
Cleaned up the inside a bit & close enough for welding .
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/65.jpg (https://ibb.co/thy13Ht)
Boyo has done his magic again closing up with typical toothpaste weld
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/66.jpg (https://ibb.co/6nx71rZ)
Close up weld porn anyone:)
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/67.jpg (https://ibb.co/Mkz5GSM)
Next up I'll tell you all about making two barn doors into a drop down taigate ;)

[rusty_nail]

Yer those welds are neat mate! I reckon@MudRunnerTD would have done a far neater job. I'm kidding but those welds are bloody neat!

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[makeitfit]

Yer those welds are neat mate! I reckon@MudRunnerTD would have done a far neater job. I'm kidding but those welds are bloody neat!

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
I wish they were mine but they are in fact my son's work. I taught him everything I knew in about 5 minutes .... my eyes don't help . The boy always asks if I had the gas on when he looks at my welds lol
I'll pass on your kind words though :)

[makeitfit]

Here in deepest darkest west Wales we still have plenty of feckin' rain ..... :(
So in a kind of out of sequence job we got on with making the barn doors into a tailgate, as you do
Incase I hadn't made it clear, I'm cutting up the old girl into a pickup. Extending the wheel base , shortening front and back overhangs.
Part of the job was cutting up the barn doors to make them into a drop down tailgate.
Sooo, I set about the door strip down .
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/72.jpg (https://ibb.co/HxDMWtX)
Then repeat on little door . Pushed together for a trial looksee at gaps etc
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/73.jpg (https://ibb.co/9s9D5rR)
Happy with that so welding it is then
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/74.jpg (https://ibb.co/wJz1DGW)
Many hours disappeared on this job, but as it was pissing down big style we didn't mind so much.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/75.jpg (https://ibb.co/b7h7bsN)
Eventually a little bit of origami metalwork and another small hole filled
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/76.jpg (https://ibb.co/XFjXttN)
More spray weld through primer and jigsaw piece done
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/77.jpg (https://ibb.co/hyGKFTw)
and on and on filling hinge holes etc till we eventually got this far
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/78.jpg (https://ibb.co/TKfVHMC)
Got a few little screw holes to fill then body filler then prime etc etc
Loads more to do just on this bit, like find some hinges ??
Hardly any patrols round here , never mind pick ups, so finding hinges could be fun :)

[Cuppa]

Goodonya boyo, I'm enjoying this.

Btw -the proper name for a 'pickup' is a 'ute'. ;)

[makeitfit]

You say UTE, I say pickup.
You say guard, I say bumper.
What ever it's called we both call it fun :coffeetime:
Now then, the rain has stopped and so I got my ladder out to chop the top, of my pickute :D

I spent many years trying to decide where I would go with the Trol and at last I'm marking out :o
As they say, the first cut is the deepest , so time to chase the white line !!!
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/80.jpg (https://ibb.co/RGFPQbt)
I welded in a brace just incase things moved .
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/81.jpg (https://ibb.co/G9dbfj9)
9" grinder time, up a ladder , in the mud :oops: Nothing to see here
Then boom , D posts gone .
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/82.jpg (https://ibb.co/WgFX7WS)
I'll be using this bit later, best put it safe :smiley_thumbs_up:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/83.jpg (https://ibb.co/JFM7QCt)
Then back up me ladder and repeat
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/84.jpg (https://ibb.co/xGHtJC4)
Quite like it as it is but there's no room for the seat like this , so now I need to add the rear end again.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/85.jpg (https://ibb.co/1dpLCZw)
First go at fitting it.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/86.jpg (https://ibb.co/1LWy4pH)
Then many fiddly cuts later the gutter is pretty close
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/87.jpg (https://ibb.co/PF9D6ST)
More wallop stick action and getting closer again
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/88.jpg (https://ibb.co/C6QNTw5)
I've got to the point of reasonable roof line but the gutters are slightly narrower from the rear end.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/89.jpg (https://ibb.co/W23ZFZ5)
Tomorrow's problem solution session will be fixing this width issue !
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/90.jpg (https://ibb.co/XX6JCpK)
Answers on a postcard please :)

[Fireblade]

this is cool, wish i had your skill.
got me hooked cant wait to see the next update :)

[Rossco]

Love your work mate she's comin up a treat should be a real nice ute [emoji6]. Not sure I've got any advice on the roof I can send on a postcard but sure you'll work it out. . . Maybe a big hammer and bodyfiller. . [emoji848]

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[makeitfit]

Funny old day, had to go back to work :furious:
Don't know how you guys are doing down there but Wales is just lifting lockdown :(
Consequently didn't get much done on the Trol but did start attacking my Y61 back axle.
I bought GU Y61 axles years ago for the 4.6 diffs, then stored them under plastic covers. Seemed like a good idea at the time but the plastic let the rain in and not out, causing some spectacular Titanic style rust :frown:
It was that bad I was able to rip off the top arm mounts with my bare hands and didn't even take a pic Bang Head
Here's the first pic I took when I realised
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/95.jpg (https://ibb.co/BrFqTm5)
Warning, the next shot is pretty grim .....
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/96.jpg (https://ibb.co/0JK6zZF)
Anyway in pure optimist mode I continued
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/97.jpg (https://ibb.co/QCdgR9q)
Slider pins still worked and there's loads of meat on the pads ;)
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/98.jpg (https://ibb.co/BwDT3ck)
Nice bit of patina showing up now
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/99.jpg (https://ibb.co/8mHFXy9)
Maybe just maybe I'll get away with it after all ? Here's a section with the top arm mounts removed and a bit of 40 grit flap disc action. Could do with 4 grit really ;)
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/100.jpg (https://ibb.co/5X0pntt)
I'll be making the rear suspension a 4 point set up and bracing the casing , or whatever you lot call it :xxxx:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/06/101.jpg (https://ibb.co/H7mzLCW)
Sand blasting next week so gotta get this prepped a bit more before then.
Lockdown in Wales is lifting, did I mention that :oops:

[BillsGU]

With the roof, cut a slit in the metal a few inches in and parallel to the gutter. Then "stretch" the roof until the gutters line up. After tacking the roof in place you will need to fill the wedge shaped gap you created with weld (you may even need to cut a small triangle of metal to fit).

[BillsGU]

My diff housing was braced this way when I had a GVM upgrade done to the Patrol.

[makeitfit]

Here's a little update . Big day with sand , 30 odd bags of it infact. The poor old chassis had built up a protective layer of proper blighty rust :(
So to make life easier and identify any weak points we got a day of sand blasting done. It would have happened ages ago but the ruddy weather has been piss poor till today :)
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/59.jpg (https://ibb.co/Rh8ywCC)
Even in it's nakedness , still gotta cock a leg :redface:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/60.jpg (https://ibb.co/7VdgM6p)
Got the tyres on so I can start sorting the suspension
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/61.jpg (https://ibb.co/2SycQ4t)
And then they're off again :thumbup:.
Given it a quick blast with red oxide primer
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/62.jpg (https://ibb.co/S6MD8XR)
Hasn't come up that bad, thankfully
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/63.jpg (https://ibb.co/2S71CGn)
With a bit of luck , I'll have more time again next week for some cutting again:toot:

[makeitfit]

Top news today, I just sold the axles off the old Y60 £650 old skool money pounds :)
Minutes later I converted half that into an OM606 engine, which is an absolute steal.
Now got to start buying tube for arms etc
Exciting

[Rossco]

Ooh nice one. What are your plans for the motor, any idea on what kind of power you are chasing? . .

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Barrbeast]

So this is where you're hiding Pete :wink:

Watching this with interest, have thought about turning my shorty into a pickup/ute a few times.

[makeitfit]

Ooh nice one. What are your plans for the motor, any idea on what kind of power you are chasing? . .

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Motor plans are a bit sketchy at the mo but I have a mechanical pump, soon to go off to DieselMeken :) I also have a very large supercharger !!!
Initially I'll be quite happy with the 200 bhp straight out the box.

[makeitfit]

So this is where you're hiding Pete :wink:

Watching this with interest, have thought about turning my shorty into a pickup/ute a few times.

Cant hide with a Trol mate lol
Just things seem a tad quiet on the old Nissan site, plus a brown one reqd :(
So much to do and this place has more info than I'll ever know what to do with .
Let's hope I can get this thing running soon. We're due a meet up again.

[10G]

Great thread looking forward to more updates.

2 questions.

Looking at the diff, does it rain salt water in Wales? And 20 minutes of sheep action, um I hope that means something different in Wales than it does down here (or in NZ) ;-).

[rusty_nail]

Great thread looking forward to more updates.

2 questions.

Looking at the diff, does it rain salt water in Wales? And 20 minutes of sheep action, um I hope that means something different in Wales than it does down here (or in NZ) ;-).I think the roads are salted to deal with black I've aren't they?

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[10G]

I think the roads are salted to deal with black I've aren't they?

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Yeah you gotta be right, that thing was seriously rusted.

[Rossco]

Motor plans are a bit sketchy at the mo but I have a mechanical pump, soon to go off to DieselMeken :) I also have a very large supercharger !!!
Initially I'll be quite happy with the 200 bhp straight out the box.Ooh nice, sure it will be awesome. Seen many of his vids, he's the rock star of injector pumps over your way. .

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[makeitfit]

Things are starting to move again, which is awkward when I'll have no axles in the morning :confused:
Decided I better make some kind of chassis dolley trolley thing to keep it moveable. 50mm box and a tape measure to the rescue :trink13:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/125.jpg (https://ibb.co/0MR2LHT)
We had a few odd wheels about so kind of worked around them .
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/126.jpg (https://ibb.co/WHvNV4Q)
Keeping it simple , I thought simply measure the body mount positions and support the chassis with this frame. How hard can it be :wink:
The boy's got a new welder, so I'm not allowed anywhere near it , lol, shame :clapping:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/127.jpg (https://ibb.co/fQgF5vr)
That's the wheel plates on, now turn it over and weld on the nut caps.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/128.jpg (https://ibb.co/LJRQVyp)
Spin it over again and bolt the wheels on, oh, wait, bugger, that's on wrong :1092:

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/129.jpg (https://ibb.co/sVZmTGK)
Never mind, a quick cut, grind and reweld the plates on the right way round
Better :)
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/130.jpg (https://ibb.co/Fx6XGn9)
Then the rather awkward task of wrapping the chassis over the dolley :icon_bonk:
Got there in the end though, as I dropped a bollock on my sums the rear needed a quick cut n shut again, oops.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/131.jpg (https://ibb.co/bgV4YRw)
So tomorrow these axles are off on a pallet to Malta , as you do . Then I get to start bracing my Y61 axles :bananarock:
Onwards.

[makeitfit]

RAINING, again :(
Wet, wet, wet, not the band but my pants, euw :( but hey the axles are off :smiley_thumbs_up:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/139.jpg (https://ibb.co/RNMpXJm)
Found a suitable pallet and got the heavy load sorted ready for it's trip to Malta, gotta love tinterweb ££££
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/140.jpg (https://ibb.co/JKbsPj5)
Got the trolley dolley back inside for a dry out
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/141.jpg (https://ibb.co/NspNR8t)
The frame has a cock up due to my measure error, so decided to fix it by making it more versatile lol
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/142.jpg (https://ibb.co/hR6mmLy)
Got some 60mm box to slide over the 50mm box. Welded on some nuts so now I can vary the width of the frame for some reason that will become clear in some future project, maybe :offtopic:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/143.jpg (https://ibb.co/v42rgnc)
End result is signed off by the top dog :o
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/144.jpg (https://ibb.co/jTD2c4W)
Anyway, it's been one of those ideas to make life easier. I thought a couple of hours lol, nope, but hey it's here now and once I've done chassising, it'll work a treat under the shell :biggrin:
Onwards :animierte-smilies-t

[MudRunnerTD]

Sik build mate!!!

The use of the D Pillar is very nice mate. And that tail gate is Awesome!!!!!

What the bloody hell is Sheep Action???

[makeitfit]

Sik build mate!!!



What the bloody hell is Sheep Action???

https://gfycat.com/filthyillinformedfrogmouth

[makeitfit]

Sunday and the sun is out , yay. Typical as I'm on paint today :confused:
So my super chassis trolley has another trick. I can tip it up either end and get underneath easily. Just as well cause I'm cutting out the coil towers ready for rewelding them further aft.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/155.jpg (https://ibb.co/7pm9ZjJ)
Took some datum point measurements as reference.
You can see a lot of surface pitting but probably won't reuse these bits anyway.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/156.jpg (https://ibb.co/B3M74Wt)
Spring tops and drop link points removed and area cleaned up.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/157.jpg (https://ibb.co/xCP91pV)
Now a lightweight chassis :tease:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/158.jpg (https://ibb.co/w00H5Bv)
Steering box was next to go, damn that thing's heavy. Made the whole trolley experience even better though :redface:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/159.jpg (https://ibb.co/XLzSCGt)
At last , I got some paint on. I'm using BUZZWELD rust encapsulator primer . It's almost as expensive as printer ink, so it better bloody work :thumbup:
It may not look much different but it's safe to go back in the rain at least.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/160.jpg (https://ibb.co/7y6hBMD)
I've ordered diff case protection as they I think are worth buying. I'll make the rest of the bracing.
Trailing arm material is proving more difficult to find but I'll get it .
Onwards.

[makeitfit]

I have a snag regarding the diff lock actuator thingy. Mine is goosed :confused:
I'm also fitting diff case protection as below. Do you guys know of any alternative gizmos that will do the job ? Especially one I can incorporate into this casing ?
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/161.jpg (https://ibb.co/vsnnC0m)
Thanks in anticipation :)

[rusty_nail]

There was a bloke a while back here in Oz, Harris hardcase. Not sure if it might work for you? Not sure if he's even still operating but I know a fair few guys here have them

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[rusty_nail]

http://www.hardcase4x4.com.au/

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[makeitfit]

http://www.hardcase4x4.com.au/

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Thanks for that but I'm really looking for an alternative diff lock actuator thingy. The diff case I showed is ordered but not sure yet how I'll manage the diff lock ??

[BillsGU]

Have you looked at these?

https://www.arb.com.au/air-locker/

[makeitfit]

Have you looked at these?

https://www.arb.com.au/air-locker/

Hi Bill, yes I looked but my wallet is bleeding as it is :(
Keeping the stock locker for now and will think about replacement only after I break it.
I've found a few alternatives now and might still customise my own. Watch this space :)

[makeitfit]

I've had a busy week with life n work but did manage a few hours of axle prep.
First off I did a ratio check. I bought these Y61 axles years ago and was told they were off a 2.8 So 2 turns at the hub and 4.6 ish at the pinion. I hoped they would be as advertised 4.65 :1 ratio ?? Well it turns out they are , yay. ;)
After another lot of WD40 and much grunting, I eventually got the half shafts out
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/187.jpg (https://ibb.co/Mcjw9gj)
Problems arrived big style on the diff case though ! Very first nut I went for sheared the bloody stud :( Got a few more off but lost four in total.
Then I just couldn't bash the diff off the axle. Just how hard can I hit it do you know ?
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/07/188.jpg (https://ibb.co/C7CPthf)
Any top tips to get the diff off ? I've got access to some serious heat, and big hammers !!
For now I've left the studs soaking in WD40
Onwards :driving2:

[BillsGU]

Looks like someone used some serious sealant when they put it together. Heat may help to break the bond.

[MB]

Awesome build Makeitfit Mate!
As Bill kindly mentions, mild heat should break the seal/bond surely.
Extra assistance could be achieved via two pieces of steel, say angle iron, either side of your pinion with ‘all thread rods’ back to your housing. Much like a gear pulling homemade mechanism with Bill’s heat applied around the seam whilst tensioning.
FWIW: ‘Penetrene’ shits all over WD40 for loosening rusty gold, albeit I too don’t believe this is your current issue now that all the bolts/nuts are gone mate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Barrbeast]

Cant hide with a Trol mate lol
Just things seem a tad quiet on the old Nissan site, plus a brown one reqd :(
So much to do and this place has more info than I'll ever know what to do with .
Let's hope I can get this thing running soon. We're due a meet up again.

Yeh tell me about it mate, it picks up for a wee bit and then dies down again. Too easy for folk to just ask on Faceache :frown:

Definitely due a meet up!