Back in November I swapped 'IZZY' my 04 Calais for this 06 Patrol GU. She has a frozen donk, hence the agreeable exchange. Then began the journey to get her from Moranbah QLD to home (Stanthorpe) and get her going.
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Back in November I swapped 'IZZY' my 04 Calais for this 06 Patrol GU. She has a frozen donk, hence the agreeable exchange. Then began the journey to get her from Moranbah QLD to home (Stanthorpe) and get her going.
Good score still i rekon
Yeah I agree, a good swap.
I've got a similar story: had a VS Calais, my mate put it into a tree and then I bought a GQ:-)
Good luck with the build up.
Lucas
that was a great score what plans have u install for her ie motor mods etc
Plan A is just to get her going. Want to know what she can do before I start any mods. She was a mine site supervisors office and has clearly had some mods already. The internal roll cage, winch and a radio have been removed so god knows what else was done to her.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tweakedoffroad
Plan B will be to get her working so I can pay for the mods...
It took a month to find a company willing to carry her. Seems trucking company's dont like carrying dead cars... Thanks to McAleese Transport she made it to Brisbane. My mechanic mates helped out with a toymotor and a car trailor to get her to Stanthorpe.
She is home.
Then I gave her a thorough detail, took the bonnet off with the engine hoist and started the discovery mission.
Found a few bits of rust so went on the attack mode. Didn't have any flat black so used gloss. Not a good idea as it shows up how bad the problem was. Will replace it another day.
Interesting photos, should be a great rig at the end of the project
This drama queen was not well, two cracks in the head, turbo is shot, one conrod to be replaced that ment the crank had to be replaced.
DELAYS: Moved the workshop across town, a chief mechanic had a heart attack (short staffed), the apprentice got married and took a week off and had to source all the new parts and have them delivered out in the sticks.
Supposed to have the block back together next week. Watch this space.
Another delay: found a hairline crack in a cog in the oil pump... waiting for a new pump.........
Thanks for the photos and updates.
Bit of a downer having to make repairs to that extent. Balancing that you are creating a sound rig, and have had a peek inside the engine.
A few more pics of progress while waiting for the engine rebuild.
Pulled all the back seats out to make room for the make-over (my bunk and draws etc), painted a few stripes on her so she stands out like the proverbials (since I don't have any) and cleaned a few brackets and parts so when she goes back together she will be sweet.
Wow!!! Now that's some pin striping!!! lmao
Getting there mate - well done on the progress, and bet you can't wait to slip the motor back in and have her back!!!
you betcha, and you can lyao, she is my work machine and I need her to stand out! Thelma will be a very recognisable Pilot/Escort vehicle and I have no doubt she will become very well known...Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigrig
I reckon I could get a jacuzzi in here...
Put the engine back in today, Thelma behaved wonderfully and we had no hiccups. Kick her into gear tomorrow (need a new battery and fuel). The only problem we had was the power steering bleed nut, no cap, it was jammed with dirt, so its gone back to the workshop to be drilled out.
Well done she is almost done should be a1 when she gets finished.
She goes, took her for a test drive (advantage of being out bush) sweet as. Rego next week and we are on the road.
Thelma now has a second battery, bitch of a job lining up holes in the tray with the wheel arch, but I own a drill!!! The power protector and inverter (for the laptop not the eski) are in. Just have to drill out the two bolts we snapped off on the H frame cross member when we lowered it to get the engine out... Rego this week. Wooohooo!!!
Registered and on the road. Welded up a frame for the OVERSIZED LOAD AHEAD sign, just need some roof rack brackets and she'l be operational.
thelma certainly looks the goods, well done.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Googla4x4
Thanks Googla, will get back to your state soon enough, will have to catch up. I have a son (plus wife and 2.5 kids) lives on the south side and looking forward to seeing them again.
I hope to secure a couple of long hauls your way real soon.
Come a long way in a short space of time, brilliant stuff
Mate great pics of the project, look forward to the est of the saga.
That depends on your 'short space of time' I reckon it took forever, but I was impatient... Happy Now.Quote:
Originally Posted by clunk71
Thelma is all dressed up and ready for work.
no worries, when you are over this way yell out. cheers Stropp
Will do. I'm sure you will see me coming... Just don't watch :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Googla4x4
It's ok we have dark glasses to reduce the glare! :)
hahahaha good one...Quote:
Originally Posted by Googla4x4
Looks good its come a long way well done on the resto
She is earning a quid. Should be able to afford a few mods soon.
Mods have to wait, what with new phone, fuel, govia account, fuel, rego, insurance, public liability for pilots!!!, fuel, new tyres, front axle pinion seal, and did I mention fuel. Have done 5000 ks in three weeks and don't get paid for a few more... and apparently I'm not busy yet...
But lovin' the job. Can't believe I actually get paid to follow oversized loads around Australia - well - between Mackay and Muswellbrook at the moment, but had to duck down to Canberra and up to Townsville to see the kids and their little people...
looks like fun mate! i sure hope they are paying you well!
So do I, takes a few weeks before the payments start coming in but the numbers are looking healthy.Quote:
Originally Posted by rusty_nail
Mechlou, I bet you see more than your share of idiots on the highway. Hope the rig is going well.
I have another name for them, and yes there are plenty. The radio hoons are just as bad, can't believe people have no idea how there use of the radio as a pass time affects people who use it as a part of their business.Quote:
Originally Posted by gregs
And Thelma has been great, she growls like a GU should and with her lights and signs and strips, people stand back and give us space. Lovin' it thanks Gregs.
Found the rear vertical strut off the tortion bar was snapped in two. Missed it when the roadworthy was done. Welded it up good as new. Added a stone guard to the air intake on the bonet and gave Ted E Bare a pair of glasses to cope with the glare while I am on the road.
My grankids ask why he wears a seat belt, I tell them its so he doesn't hit the windscreen when I stop in a hurry. He hates that...
Sitting on the Dinmore pads waiting for the Brisbane oversize curfew to pass so we can take this compactor into Brisbane. Thelma is tucked in behind.
Lookin good, did you catch up with my cousin?