A restoration for Iris

Some further work on the underside this week. O/S inner sill clamped into place with all jacking points and outriggers in position to make sure they’ll fit correctly (I also trial fitted the floor pan half while I was there):



Inner sill plug welded to all of the floor supports:



And a quick clean up and light coat of electrox over the welds:





And before I can weld in the rear cross member I need to fix this ‘repair’ done by a previous owner (the welding wass pretty rough and the patch was straight over the rusty section underneath):



Repairing the curved section around the rear beam will be interesting as the panel dips slightly as it reaches the beam. I’ll see what I can come up with over the weekend. What have others done for repairing this area?

 

I've got that bit to do. Can't wait.

 

Yeap, not sure how to tackle it yet. Might just go at the panel with hammer and dolly perhaps.

 

I did the drivers side a while back. It was rough, but I managed. Cardboard template first. My worry is that I will be chasing the rot for a bit before I can find decent metal.

 

I don't think mine is too bad, but I've not removed it all yet (I'm going to do it in stages as I want some chassis left around there for strength as there isn't much metal atm).
Do you have any pictures of yours?

 

Thanks. Hopefully it'll all be worth it, I'm going for the "do it once, do it well" approach but there is a shed ton to do on it. My aim is back on it's wheels for next summer, only time will tell!

 

If you've got the space and need to work on the underside I'd thoroughly recommend a roll-over jig. Saved me a lot of awkward welding!

 

Just read through this one james, good skills fella

 

Cheers mate. It's my first resto, and it's been a huuuge learning curve but I'm happy with what I've achieved so far!

 

Sorry on a tablet and I'm not able to upload pictures at work. I'm sure Diddymen did something similar in his resto.

 

Have you done the inner front arches yet, I'd be interested to see how you got on

 

Not onto these yet matey. Pillars need doing yet. Will let you know though!


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@Diddymen any thoughts?


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Looking good very nice work .......looks like the dash and seat bulk heads will be the only original metal left once you've finished

which bit did you mean? chassis?

 

Lol tell me about it (at least it'll be solid for once).
I meant the bit of the chassis that surrounds the rear torsion tube. The chassis isn't flat as it approaches the tube, there is a pressing in it so that it dips down a bit forming a circular depression around the tube ( if that makes sense). I'm hoping to not replace all of it but I'll need to fabricate something for it. Guessing I'll need to gradually bend it over a curved dolly to get some shape into it.


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I've not done the bit around the rear torsion tube TBH, just straight sections of chassis replaced on mine, the section around the tube are looks a PITA to do

.....but looks like you have the skills to make a good job of it

 

I’ve spent most of this week patching a few bits on the chassis rails which need doing before I can put in the rear cross member and O/S jacking points in.

Starting with this beaut around the rear torsion tube.

A bit of rust treatment (Hydrate 80) before I put the repair in:


And all repaired and painted up (I also put some Epoxy mastic on the inside to help hold back the rust). Looking a lot better (I’ll come back to do the curved bit once I’ve got a bit more metal back in):


I’ll need to do the other side of that chassis rail too before the rear jacking points can go in.

I also patched up this hole at the front which didn’t need too much work:




Next week’s plan is to get the rear cross member in and hopefully some of the jacking points. I’ve got the floor support drilled ready for the cross member to go in. Things are progressing nicely!