db's 1970 DODGE A108 Sportsman van

[db]

Mine's gone to Proptech in Kidderminster. They built the prop for the Belve- top job!
Yes, Gabriel Classics on the rear, just because they'd run out of the normal Gabriels and these weren't much dearer.
As you probably found Gabriel don't do fronts hence the Monroes

[Dave81]

Looks good Paul!!

Be interested to hear about Proptech in Kidderminster. Shall be using them later this year!!

[ScottyDave]

Be interested to hear about Proptech in Kidderminster. Shall be using them later this year!!

When I worked in Droitwich building recovery trucks Proptech was the firm we used for extending/shortening and making new shafts

[Dave81]

Be interested to hear about Proptech in Kidderminster. Shall be using them later this year!!

When I worked in Droitwich building recovery trucks Proptech was the firm we used for extending/shortening and making new shafts

[db]

Lots done lately!

Rebuilt trans back from Dunc with splined tailshaft & casing fitted. New trans mount finished and trans installed.

Front brakes overhauled with all new hardware and all fluid flushed through- no more swamp water!

Towbar completed, painted and installed. Cables run inside van but not wired up yet.

[db]

Right, lets try out the new photo facility

So the first is the Fiesta van up my road I got a little too close to one night. Needless to say it's a write-off but there's not a mark on the bus. These A108 door hinges are pretty brutal

The new seats are fully operational. They're a bugger to move as they're damn heavy but they do work.

I've painted the front floor, looks lovely!

[lough3969]

Oh dear!... fiestas made of paper


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[db]

Well Dusty has been working great as my new daily driver. From ferrying the kids to school to carting skipfulls of crap to the tip to moving house.
Now though some repairs are needed. The steering box has developed a horrible clunk. I'm suspecting a collapsed bearing or bush or similar. Recon units are available at around $900+. There's no way that's happening, so it's rebuild time. I'm starting now in the hope of getting parts ordered asap. Unfortunately the box and column come out as one so it's going to a right pain!
Wish me luck!

[db]

Steering wheel is off thanks to my little home made puller.

WP_20171124_17_58_58_Pro.jpg (121.1 KiB) Viewed 3016 times

I just found a little stash of seeds

WP_20171124_18_23_51_Pro.jpg (140.42 KiB) Viewed 3016 times

[db]

It was touch n go whether the grille was coming off- The 4 big X-head screws took as big a beating with the impact driver as I dared! It's not essential for removing the steering but I'm glad I persevered, I've exposed some rust prevention opportunities!

Separating the column inside the cab is just a bunch of screws to remove the floor plate and two bigguns to release the top clamp.

I dug out my 3-legged puller with a ball bearing as an adaptor to pop the steering arm off

Two more bolts (the 3rd was missing and those 2 weren't as tight as I'd like!) and the whole lot lifts out through the floor. Loosen the u-bolt and the tube slides off the shaft.

Next step is to clean it, drain it and open it up!

[Pete]

Cutting edge of technology there!!

[Super Sloth]

Where's the OBDII port on these?

Good progress keep the updates coming!

[wollow007]

Nice one dude, keep pictures coming.

[db]

I've now cleaned out all the swamp mud and found nothing broken, which is nice! The only damage is some heavy pitting on the bearing race on the end of the steering shaft.

[Blue]

Might get away with a good clean and a new bearing?