Thanks for all the comments everyone, i still feel really glad that i have the main body done and ive started on the suspension already with a new buzz.
July 2013
I have another bit of good news, more at the end.
I got the front suspension dug out from under the bench and gave it a quick look over.
I also wanted to create a level floor to build up from. That way i can get the ride height sorted and measure up for the 4 link brackets i need to make. I borrowed 2 lenghts of 100x50x5 box section from work.
Bolted the front suspension on. It went on fairly easy. I'll be cleaning it all up much later.
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Using a laser level and packers I leveled the wheel base of the van up.
Then welded some angle to the sides so i could bolt the box section down and know it wont move.
Next up was to remove the brackets from the axle. Easiest way was to take the axle to my work and using the plasma cutter, slice them off.
Then back at the garage i ground what was remaining off.
And position the axle back under the rear. I also went and bought 20 bags of sand to act as ballast untill i get the engine in place. The engine and gearbox is about 220kg. Each bag is about 22.5kg so 10 bags act as the engine and i added another 6 to act as the doors, radiator, seat, glass. Its all a bit guess work right now.
I took a lot of measurements which i will use to make the 4 link brackets and watts linkage. I am going to be off work for a week soon so i will get some 6mm plate to make the brackets.
Now on to the big news. If you remember a few months ago i mentioned that i was compiling what i have done so far into a book to make a wee bit extra cash for the project.. Well, i thought seeing as the whole bodywork was done, now would be a good time to complete the book and create the first volume. For the past month i have spent 2-3 hours a night putting every update i have done into one file. The good thing about this is its a hardcopy of all the photos and text. you dont need to wait on images downloading or, should anything happen to tinypic that i upload the photos too, pictures being missing or deleated.
The book is 590 pages and roughly 2 pictures per page so theres about 1125 photos in all plus all the text. I have the van, childs digger, pedal trike, wheelie bar, plus two new sections, tools and a tips and techniques section.
I was a bit stuck on how much to charge, when i asked before i was getting various prices, generally between £5-£10. I'd rather everyone had the chance to buy the book so i have made two files. The first is a smaller version (99MB), optimized for smart phones/small tablets priced at £5 ($7.55 USD) and the larger version (165MB) for pc/larger tablets is £6 ($9.06 USD).
If you have enjoyed my project so far i would appreciate it if you would buy the book. The money i hope to make from this will really help me keep the project going and the updates coming on a regular basis.
Here are a few sample pictures, they are saved in .jpg so obviously the .pdf e-book will look better.
Oh, and dont worry, i will always continue to update the forums no matter what. This is just to help me pay for a few parts for the van. I wont be starting to charge for updates.
For the mobile (99MB) £5 version, please follow this link.
https://sellfy.com/p/A7vHFor the larger version (165MB) £6 version, please follow this link.
https://sellfy.com/p/zFxy
