FTO AUSTRALIA

That rear is more rusty than me roof.

Yeah, it's pretty bad.
A lot of it will need cutting with new metal welded in.

Does that affect structural integrity much? Though I can't imagine the amount it might will do a great deal with this application.

Trailer application, so different.
Top section will be a reinforced box, so will still be rigid. Add the A frame bar up front with pull from the lower section of the original shells frame. Zero issue.

Id continue the structure of the a frame all the way down the back and weld the body on.

silverGPX wrote:Id continue the structure of the a frame all the way down the back and weld the body on.

Yeah, that's exactly the plan, think of it as an extra ladder frame chassis.


Not a lot more I can do at this point, I have removed the majority of the parts no longer needed, bar a few brackets under the car.
The plan now is once the roof and rear glass are removed, to start looking at creating the front half in order to 'box it'.

After speaking with the wife I believe I have come to the conclusion that cutting up the doors and using a section of them will be in order to complete the look.
I had original plans to use the bonnet to complete the front, but not so sure now.

Plan will be to cut off the end of the door (around the middle of the door handle) weld is to the body and then have a flat solid front using checker plate.

Also, with a bit of measuring, seems I'll be able to fit in 5x3 sheets of wood, so that gives a good idea of floor space. (this is talking between the strut towers, front and rear sections obviously gain a bit more space.

Doors are now completely stripped ready for the chop.
Annoyingly I will have to cut a chunk of metal out in order to remove the intrusion bars before hand. They won't lift out (sandwiched in the 2 skins pre weld.)

So with a BIG thanks to FTOwnage.
We now have the rear screen out and work can commence.

Sweet!

So, despite being Race Day.
I did manage to utilise the commercials and Suspended race time to lop the remainder of the roof and rear parcel shelf.

Results are quite good, still a lot of tidying to do, need to buy more cutting discs and saw bits.

More.

Good stuff!

I recommend picking up some Lenox blades for the reciprocating saw. They're a bit pricey but last about 50 times longer than the cheap ones we were using.

Tbh I don't know why you chopped the roof, it would've looked better I think..

Nice work Dan, have an ETA of when it'll be finished?

Vectose wrote:Good stuff!

I recommend picking up some Lenox blades for the reciprocating saw. They're a bit pricey but last about 50 times longer than the cheap ones we were using.

Sounds good, will look in to them!

Sahin wrote:Tbh I don't know why you chopped the roof, it would've looked better I think..

Weight and aerodynamics, don't forget, the FTO is towing this...

Daniel2019 wrote:Nice work Dan, have an ETA of when it'll be finished?

Nope. lol

All things going well, I'd like to have this at the Bonfire, though that means the car also needs to be repaired, and that's a pricier, more time consuming exercise.

Yeah fair enough. If you need a hand with the FTO let me know and we'll tee up a weekend.

Progress! I'm keen to see this finished.

Daniel2019 wrote:Yeah fair enough. If you need a hand with the FTO let me know and we'll tee up a weekend.

Cheers.

Need to buy full major service kit first though.

Oh no, not another timing belt...

*rocks back and forth*

Daniel2019 wrote:Oh no, not another timing belt...

*rocks back and forth*

Man up, ya wuss. For ol' Tim it's like, "not another engine out..."