The tinkerbelle project (2wd pickup to syncro conversion)

[Aidan]

looking good Paul

[T'Onion]

[jebiga41]

started on the rear today and noticed that thevan cafe springs which have heavier pigtals than the standard springs did not sit well in the aluminium spring bases on the trailing arms which I had from the syncro. Might also worth doing if you have seikels or other heavier springs

a bit of grinding with a die grinder sorted it out


painted up the syncro shocks you can see the 2wd shock which is about 1-2 inches shorter

vancafe springs compared to 2wd ones


painted up brake drum whilst in there


combined two of the rubber spring seats at the top (had two spare) back to back to get another 10mm or so cheap lift


van on all four wheels

That all for now folks

[syncropaddy]

Are we up and running yet ??

[jebiga41]

As 2wd just got to do a few things for the doe and also sort out the middle panel and brackets for the engine protection/propshaft protection bars and then she's a good un Might also source either a tractor or small truck tank so as to get rid of the 2wd one thats sitting in the treasure chest oh and plumb up the diff locks

[Fin]

Nice

[jebiga41]

Only got home for day this week, due to the rain the pit was flooded due to a lot of rain a bit of faffing about trying to drain it but the water was coming in as fast as the pump was pumping it out. So made up a false floor with scaffolding planks on an old metal troll. Eventually managed to get the drop link bars attached using the polybushes the trick is to fit them on first then attach them to the arb. Fitted the actuator to the front diff and breather and vacumn pipes also replaced the bellows on the gearbox selector lever and gave it a all a good clean and regressed the cup also made up the prop/engine protection brackets that are on the Syncro crossmembers just got to drill them and bolt them on and weld them up

Will take measurements and post them up if anyone ever needs to make copies
Had to then come up to see the girlfriend but on the way picked up an 80l diesel tank for 40 euros that will fit just behind the locker doors it's 13 x13 x 33 inches so happy out just have to check if the sender works fingers x'd off to the woods this weekend to play so will be next weekend at the earliest till tinkerbelle gets my attention.
Oh noticed that the 2wd front brakelines are to the back of the front suspension as opposed to the Syncro ones which are to the front Should make any difference I hope apart from can't clip them onto any thing?

[jebiga41]

Tank that I picked up yesterday

[jebiga41]

bit more done today the position of the old tank in the locker which was going to be replaced

new tank painted up and waiting to go in


but before all that need to mount the prop protection bar bracket and also put some captive nuts for the gearbox mounts so out with the angle grinder and cut out this slot

got a lucky break some of the holes and captive nuts for the original gearbox mounts for the 2wd happen to be covered by the prop protection brackets sprayed red paint throught the holes to mark where they are on the brackets

drilled out and bolting them up


made some rough drawings if people might need to replicate them for a conversion sorry a bit oily but will try and draw up a decent set





That's all folks

[jebiga41]

Did this last week and forgot post it
the hole in the mid section







The actual gap is a lot wider than the pic shows there's loads of clearance could have gone wider but didn't want to lose more material on that side as there's not that much metal
Waiting on the DOE (commercial MOT) then just Plumbing and wiring difflocks to be finished, and prop bolted up and she's done

[jebiga41]

Been a while since I posted on this been too busy what with issues and interior on the other van, the irish event, work, girlfriend etc anyhow Tinkerbelle has been upgraded to an AAZ since the head cracked on the last engine trying to change the injectors (they were over torqued by the PPO of the engine ). Seems to have a small oil leak which needs chasing down. The prop is fitted and the difflocks are plumbed and wired in but will still need field testing which will also be her debut at Eire Syncro the engine/gearbox protection is on and she just needs the front skidplate and she's ready oh got her new towbar

[syncropaddy]

A Syncro with deeleyboppers .......

These ones would be much better for you Paul ....

[syncrodoug]

Should make a nice furrow!

[silverbullet]

A 3-way furrow... That sounds really wrong!

Appropriate though, given the look of that towbar

[jebiga41]

Your just jealous that I have more balls than most