Project: Wilks

[ArmyRover]

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You can upload the pics easily there than just click on the image tag of the pics you want. It automatically copies the link and than paste it in your post.

[rmuller]

Originally Posted by Gregory G. Sprock

Otherwise my nephew suggests sandblasting and then Rhinolining it. Not a bad concept, but not exactly stock either.

If getting it galvanized is not an option, I would clean up the frame, and go with por-15 ... POR-15 Inc. ... also while you're down to the frame, I would use cover it inside and out with Waxoyl to prevent any future rust down the road.

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Hello All,

So far I am striking out on the galvanizing, but I will be able to get the truck painted for the price of materials. We are in the $250 range there, whoo hoo!

Regards,

Greg

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Hello All,

Okay, I figured out I had an issue with my firewall. So here are some photos taken this past weekend. I am bouncing between about half a dozen projects, but am always called by the Rover. Ironic, no? Usually it is the Man who calls Rover, not vice versa. LOL.

Best wishes,

Greg

[greenmeanie]

THat rot ain't too bad and is a fairly easy fix if your at all handy with a welder. I'm about to dothe same thing on my NADA 6 cyl bulkhead when it gets back from acid dip.

RN sells the best reapir panels for these trucks. Ike of Pangolin 4X4 fame has a good how to page on doing the repair or you can send it to him and have it done professionally.

Bulkhead Repair

Cheers
Gregor

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Hi Guys,

Thanks to greenmeanie for the tips on the bulkhead. If you check out the new photos, you can see that footwell from the underside.

Today was the first day I really got a chance to dig into the Rover. I pulled piles of parts out to take over to my shop for sand blasting, plus took some photos of the engine bay as it currently sits because I do not trust my own memory. Tomorrow I will try to take some time to get parts blasted and primed and will hopefully have some "progress" photos for you.

Otherwise, I priced tires at Costco this evening. It will be about $800 for five 235/85R16 Michelin off-road tires. I am going to go with radials to make regular driving a bit more tolerable, but want to maintain that classic look, you know? I do need another rim for the fifth wheel, so if anyone has a lead, I would appreciate the help.

Best regards,

Greg

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Whee! Okay, I dropped a lot of money on a pile of parts today. The truck is still sitting on the side burner while I rebuild the house, but that project is wrapping up nicely and I can focus on my Baby.

Let's see, I got both door frames, a new floor panel, new fuel tank, new upper gasket set, ordered the paint, and a few other nick naks. This baby is going to be fine!

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Well, the house is wrapped up, so I pulled the top off the motor yesterday and found the broken tappet that J.C. had reported. The wiring is a mess and I am tempted to start tearing it out to pull the firewall, but first things first, right?

Today I pulled the alternator and the water pump. I will pull the timing cover off tomorrow and pobably all the rest of the support stuff like fuel pump and starter. With luck, I should have the motor on a stand by the end of the day, so I can flip it and remove the pan and oil pump. By the end of the week, I should have a clean motor to start going back together when the RN parts show up.

Best wishes to everyone,

Greg

[XtremeMarine]

Spock; Check the back of your rims if you are planning on going Radials for tires. If your rim halves are put together with rivets; you will need all new wheels. As the rivet wheels are for tubeless operation only. My 78 and my 81 109's both had rivet wheels; so I am guessing that your wheels, being older are the same. Since you need one for the spare anyways; better to source a set and get a discount. I got a set of five from Atlantic British for a discounted price. 16 x 5.5, Dunlop brand; for tubeless tires. Good Luck.

[Gregory G. Sprock]

See? That is why I talk with you guys. I just ran out and checked - no rivets to be found. I do still need a spare rim, so will check with Atlantic British. Hopefully I will not need to drop too much change. Of course, a set of five would be nice...

By the way, are you a Marine? US or Royal? Either way, a great bunch.

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Good call Marine,

There is a special on five wheels for something under $400.

WHEEL - 16x5.5" DUNLOP STEEL (BLACK) (SET OF 5) for Land Rover Series (All) | Land Rover wheels, tires, hubs, axles

I am having them see if there is a special on wheel/tire combos. I might get even luckier here.

Thanks for the lead.

[XtremeMarine]

No! LOL! Ex USCG. But I own a marine restoration company- X-treme Marine, Inc.; hence the logon moniker. But I am JC's older brother (adopted from the Land Rover family) LMAO!!! So I have been watching this build with great interest from day one. Good luck with her. I know he is missing her greatly.

[XtremeMarine]

Be advised: Be careful before ordering. That link is for standard style wheels. You will notice that wheels good for use with tubeless tires, are marked TUBELESS in their descriptions. Nato style, for instance. But they can order you the standard looking wheels from Dunlop, but designed for tubeless operation, so the look of the vehicle stays time period specific. That's what I did. 3 weeks to get them in from UK, but less than 50 dollars more than the tubed ones. Good Luck!

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Man! It is a good thing I have nothing but good stuff to say about J.C. I am going to wait on the wheels for now as I have plenty to drop cash into and the budget needs to be moderated over time. I will have some new photos for the logbook soon and progress will continue, I promise.

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Continuing on the progress here. The engine was pretty happy and did not want to come away from the tranny, but patience and persistence pays off and nothing was dinged or damaged. I pressure washed everything down and it looks very, very good. Next I will pull the pan and Plastigage the bearings to see if she needs them and will check for piston/ring clearance at the same time.

The firewall is probably next on my list after that because I want to pull the tranny and transfer case and this would be easier without the sheet metal in my way. Also, I will probably take the firewall to get it sandblasted so I can go on quickly to the floor pan replacement when it shows up.

You might notice my bonified, genuine, authentic, old-fashioned, Southern shade-tree garage, by the way. I am going to smuggle parts into the school once things get rolling in a couple of weeks, but don't want folks to show up and find a mountain of sheet metal ;-)

That's it for now folks!