Progress has slowed, so here's one I found earlier.

As I have been unable to work on my vehicles this week and I did not want any readers to think I had given up, so many other J blogs have stalled recently I thought you might like to read about this lovely mini bus.

Some years ago while working I came across a J type under a large plastic sheet. I went back later as it was a private house to be told that the owner was going to restore it.

Some time later it move and the cover was now off the vehicle.

I had returned in my van and spoke to the owner who was now knocking down the garage and bungalow to build a new property, he was now keen to sell, just at a time I was cash strapped.

He was going to advertise it in a classic commercial magazine but he let me find it a new owner, somebody who would not break it for spares or sell the number.

This I did and I'm glad to say restoration work is progressing if a bit slowly due to a recent house move.

A nice Morris Commercial van with a Martin Walter mini-bus conversion. Worked for the Hounslow Health Authority and then a motor cycle dealer ship.

It will be nice to see it out on the rally field soon.

How long to change rear shockers on a J type?

ROD out in the sunshine again, nearly ready for its first MOT in 30 years.How long to change rear shock absorbers on ROD, both sides done in 35 minuets.

As these on a J are fixed with a nice bolt and washer both top and bottom. Its an easy job. Yes I know there is still plenty of cleaning and painting to do on ROD's chassis.
I painted the shockers white so they would show up in the pictures. As you can see there is plenty of room both top and bottom to undo the two bolts and change the shock absorbers easily.
On a standard van the floor bracing timber gets in the way of the top fixing and if its a JB version vehicle it has the later split pin and washer fixing so you have to take the whole fixing bolt out. This took me over 45 minuets to remove just one shock absorber from OBL and take the whole assembly into the garage to clean up and remove the split pin.
Sorry about the quality of the pictures but not a lot of room for a camera and inspection lamp.

Any way ROD has now nice new shockers on the rear and just a few more small jobs before I take the plunge and drive him on the open road to the local MOT station.

Has any one heard from Tinworm or Trumans? their blogs have died again.

When four inches makes a difference.

The four inch difference between a J and Jb "parcel shelf/tray.

 

The weekend progress, none!

One of ROD's old shockers, in quite a state.

Hi all, no progress this weekend, busy with the in-laws. What's the difference between in-laws and out-laws?

Out-laws are wanted!

I was going to take pictures of me fitting new rear shock absorbers to ROD, but had no time to play. The front and rear shockers are the same on a jb the only difference is the stroke, front are 5 inches and the rear 6. (length of piston travel).

I hope to start this little job if the rain eases off some night this week.

To help a fellow J owner, has any one out there got a seat base and seat assembly in any condition.He is also looking for a repairable front grill panel, headlamps, instruments  etc.

Do let me know if you have any spares, I can always put a free advert here for you.