Canberra Rod & Kustom Klub
Postal address:
C/O 5 Marks Place Macgregor ACT 2615
CHOP TOP UTE
1960 Morris Minor LCV
(Because what I am doing to this Ute is Ultra Violent)
These pages will be continually updated as I do more work on the Ute
Last update: 18 Feb 2010
18 Feb: No work on the Ute for a while, I have been helping a mate paint his 50 Ford Sled, Looks like I need a new battery so will go to an Optima Yellow top D51.
27 December: The wheels are have landed in Sydney so I hope they get through customs and arrive at home next week, I have been told the tyres got sent on the 23rd and at this stage are not trackable on the UPS web site, I just hope they arrive as they are costing me a fortune due to the unexpected rise in freight costs (sill in dispute with Stockton wheels on this one).
11 December: After a few weeks of nothing finally something to report, Wheels are finished and will be sent from the US of A on Monday with the white wall tyres. I have machined up new hubs for the corolla stud PCD of 114.3 mm. I hope to have wheels and tyres by Christmas so I can spend some time setting it all up.
31 October: Smooth steel wheels and baby moon caps are on order from the USA plus white wall tyres, I have machined up a set of Corolla hubs to suit the Morris front end, except the diameter of the disks are smaller than the Laser disks so they are of no use. I will now have to machine up a new set of hubs to suit 114.3 mm stud pattern.
Looking at options for the rear tray as with the smaller wheels it may not look as good, plus I might need to remove the front flairs as the tyres will be further in.
4 October: Ute came back from the engineers, not a bad result. Only a few things to fix, Gearbox cross member not strong enough, Interior door handles need to be identifiable as door handles, biggest issue is the wheel size and wheel track. I will have to put different wheels and tyres on to get it to work within the VSB 14 specs.
I have pulled most of the Ute apart now to do some panel beating on the cabin then I can get it ready for paint.
3 September: Ute is off the the engineers next Wednesday, Tommo will float it over for me, Today (flex day) was spent putting the grill back together and putting the front spoiler back on. I purchased a new indicator switch and some other odds and ends from Bull motif last week, they showed up today so I now have fully working indicators and a horn. While playing with the steering column I noticed the thread which holds the steering wheel on was stuffed (some one had hit the end of the column with a hammer which had damaged the thread) I looked through my spare parts collection and the only late model shaft I had had been cut in half. After some cutting and welding I now have a good column which is 50 mm shorter (gives me some more room in the cabin) and looks better.
I took the Ute out after dark for a run to a new sub division tonight, Brakes are good, strong acceleration, but it needs a wheel alignment, it didn't like going around right hand turns.
I have priced a new today, windscreen $180 delivered, so it will be the next purchase. Not looking forward to cutting it down 4".
I still have to finish off striping the bonnet and re set the front suspension again (drivers side needs to come up 25 mm) before next Wednesday
23 August: A good couple of weeks, Door remotes fitted, a lot of high quality rubbers and bits an pieces arrived from the UK, all ordered over the net via Bull Motif spares (www.morrisminorspares.net) good prices compared to the Aussie stuff and that includes the $130 postage, give them a try if you need parts.
I have spoken to the engineer who want to have a look at the beast in about two weeks, if he give me to OK it will be time for panel and paint.
Geoff has given me a spare bonnet to see if I can get it to fit better than the one I currently have.
Weather has improved so I can get a few nights in the garage during the week.
Latest images of the build
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Old rear Guard cut out and new skinny
one in place,
With the tray square the edge will still protrude about 30 mm |
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First shot with new wheels and tyres |
 
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They have arrived, wheels look
perfect, I will fit up tonight to check clearance and off set.
Cost of wheels and hub caps landed with all charges = $330 each Tyres look great, but caused me the most hassle, issues with cost of freight clearing Quarantine and brokerage fees means they cost 3 times more than the purchase price by the time I got them home. You don't want to know how much they owe me each. Next time I will order from John Cain in Newcastle who is the importer of the Diamond back white walls. |
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Newly machined hubs, made from 160 mm billet steel from Baxter engineering in Fyshwick, I spent 6 hours on each hub working with the lathes and mills at the CIT where I am doing a fitting and machine course. these will fit the new wheels with a 114.3 PCD |
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2 options with the tray now I have to
run skinny tyres,
Step side style AKA Purple people eater Tow truck style, like the tan Pick up, but no tail gate I will have to wait till the wheels and white walls show up from USA
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Original grill put in to make it look
OK for the trip to the engineers. Traveller reflectors now on the back Tail lamps all wired up and working |
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The bear catch on the passenger side needed to be moved closer to the door by 3 mm to make the door catch work properly, so much work for just a small amount of movement, at least it now works. |
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door opener cable re designed as the cable keeps slipping |
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Bonnet catch release being set up (more images to come) |
