Afternoon! I'm about to take the front two sections of chassis out under the cab to be replaced by some nice shiny new ones, is there anything to be weary of before I begin? Any hidden gems of knowledge or is it just as simple as cut cut cut? Chris
Is this the two main ones that run parallel or the y sections that go off at an angle as I need to look at these at some point too.(the y ones that is. Think main ones are ok!)
I only need to replace the Y section but I'm going to do all of it anyway I know its done then! Planning on doing one side at a time, the other worry I have is how good the inner front panel is after I've got through this rust-hide! (Waxoil) haha
Will watch with interest. Experts will be along soon!! You will be into steering box and pedal issues I assume if your doing the main ones.
Thats what I'm expecting! Y ones off first I think! Already taken the horn off as its on the outer Y section
As a rule of thumb, leave as much original steel as you can cos quite often the replacement parts aren't as good, plus you can have alignment issues if you chop bits off. If you can plate the original then do that, if it's really knackered then replace the job lot. Take plenty of photos & measurements from reference points before you start cutting.
Do you mean the outer legs or the whole Y section back to the beam? If it's the whole lot on both sides, you must have a cut from a rot free one, if it's LHD and your van is RHD you'll need to swap the spacers in the chassis where the steering box bolts to, or you'll crush the rail. You'll also need to take your doors off and preferably strip the dash out to reduce weight or the front of your van will sag when you cut the chassis out. When you've got everything in place and tacked into position, put the doors on one at a time(a bare door is better) to check the gaps are ok. Then weld it in properly. I'd brace the front for peace of mind, but some don't.
Well my plan was to do the whole lot considering the main one needs patching/plating now, but if its that much work then I shall resist, the outer ones were the ones that needed out the most so I'll probably stick to that for now then! Thanks for the advice and a potentially adverted disaster because I hadnt thought of crushing the rail!
