PROJECT AUTO

[olzook]

A start has been made. Yipeeeee.

Donor Disco has been dismantled for bits, donor 90 is in the workshop and is being pulled apart.

Winch rebuilt and ready to fit.

ETA end of September apparently

Probably now need to change my user name.

NO suggestions thank you.

[TwoSheds]

Any pictures?

[davew]

A start has been made. Yipeeeee.
ETA end of September apparently

Just in time to give it a shakedown in Ireland then

[olzook]

Ireland would be a shakdown for sure if it werent for the following,

No lockers -yet
One winch -yet (Sykes the sales man is doing his best at present)
No winch monkey.
No practice with winch, monkey or vehicle.

And the wife would divorce me, although she is going to Euro Disney with our two girls in October, timing might be OK

[Matthews]

We gone on the late ferry on Thurs 22nd Oct and come home Monday 26th, I'm sure Colin would be a winch monkey for you and just tell the wife it's instead of Eurodisney !! What better place to learn than a nice gentle event with plenty of supposedly experienced teammates.
Matthew

[olzook]

I have a concern.....gentle you say

...will need a tubular front end you say
....will need two winches and more spares than Britpart
... will need lockers
.... will need balls the size of melons (except you Pam)

Hmmmmm not exactly greenlaning or club trials.

In all seriousness I would love to go, I'll see how we get on.

If not this year then defo for next year when I will be lockered, ashcroft etc for sure

Contrary to Sykes I'm not made of money

I might come and see what it is all about and offer to marshall or sommat.

[olzook]

Had a chat with my dear wife last night after plying her with white wine and many complements, all the usual tricks.

And as a result my pass is stamped

So, what is the likely cost of ferry and accomodation etc and is it realistic to go in standard format with one winch as I dont want to be a burden on the rest of a team.

[davew]

If you only have a single winch we'll just have to make sure there's always a vehicle behind you to help out. It's not a huge problem as the rear winch is mainly used for lowering yourself down steep drops or pulling the back end around in tight spots. We can work around it one way or another. 7 winches between 4 vehicles should be enough.

If you can get lockers I'd put them as a priority over a rear winch as the lockers save your axles as well as the obvious traction benefits of having all four wheels driving.

I'd say the priorities would be:
35 inch tyres (even the marshals vehicles run 35s in Ireland so ALL the tracks have ruts at that depth. If you run anything smaller you spend all your time sat on your axles or hitting tree stumps.
ARB Lockers, as above. Make sure you get 24 spline versions so you have the option of Ashcroft shafts.
Ashcroft Shafts/CVs - if you're careful you don't need these but if you drive like Matthew... it's a good investment. I happen to have a set for sale if you're interested.
Rear winch, as above

If you can't run to ARBs and Ashcroft shafts it's a good idea to, at the very least, carry a full set of spare shafts and CVs. The standard ones aren't too difficult to get hold of second hand.

[Matthews]

I'd like to point out that the only time I've broken a shaft whilst "driving like me " was at a club trial, every other time it's been whilst being reasonably gentle, just used to get some much grip from the 110 that they would snap.
Spoke to Oliver this aft about prices n things and he's sorted for tyres as I appen to have a spare set on rims but he then has a bigger risk of breaking shafts catch 22 or chicken n egg I say.
Matthew

[olzook]

I think realistically that if Robin does get the build finsihed by the end of Sept then I dont think I will be able to afford lockers this year as the cost of having a motor built up has drained my funds

If I come it will be with open diffs and one winch, doesnt sound over promising does it???

It might be better if I get it fully prepped in Autumn/Winter and then come playing next year.

I really appreciate you lot trying to get me sorted and into this challenge event lark but It would be easier on all of us if my motor was a bit more capable like Tango and Chevy, it will be just not yet. It would be great to learn from those more experienced.

Will see how we get on before October.

[olzook]

Project up date.

Big , very big pile of bits on workshop floor.

Cage, tubular front end, chassis sliders, winch mounts etc being done this next week and then off for powder coating.

Strip back to bare chassis for final build hopefully next week and week after. ETA still end of Sept at present.

Robin has taken some photos of progress and I will post them up shortly.

[olzook]

Project up-date.

Well actually no update at all, big pile of bits still on floor

Had a fairly straight forward chat in loud voice with Robin, but realistically it is still some way off, a long way off. Ireland is definitely not a goer. Next year for defo though.

Does anyone know what the hole pattern/dimensions are for mounting an 8274?

Still unsure on colour though, donor is grey, wife likes lime green

[davew]

I can go and measure one outside if nobody has the numbers to hand. If you're having mounts made I would allow enough room for a future +3inch drum modification as these are becoming more common and cheaper as time goes on.

I can see a +3inch drum becoming "standard issue" in the next few years.

[bandiflip]

Lime Green !!! Kermit !!!!!!!!!!! Do it !!!

[nicks90]

Kawasaki green - you know it makes sense!