A couple photos of my 73 hybrid project

[Gordo]

I know a couple months back I posted a couple photos of my 73 Hybrid project in a thread. Well over the last couple months, Ive pretty much finished mocking it up (famous last words). The roll cage/sliders have taken up most of my time. Luckily I did score the rear of a 90 exocage so that helped slightly but man it was still a lot of work and Ive still got to do a bit more on it. The 90 cage didnt fit w/o a BFH on the roof braces but it fits and who cares about a few dents as I've had to cut the piss out of this series. Also thanks to Jake/James/Super Dave at British 4x4 for helping me make the front of the cage. (trust me the 500 dollar series hunk I started with was the perfect candidate). Anyway, I just figured I would share a few photos. Still gotta rip it apart and paint/weld everything up, etc, but getting there.

 

[LRNationals]

i think she looks lovely!!!

 

[singingcamel]

:applause: Looks good , keep at it .Remember its fun.

 

[Gordo]

Thanks guys. By the way Mark thanks again for the headman headers. They fit great.

 

[Gordo]

Here is a photo of the chassis which is almost finished. The sliders and cage are pretty much homemade and the cage bolts to the sliders. On the chassis, Ive still gotta do the rear crossmember, but Ive been focused trying to get all the body panels ready for paint as my buddy is painting them this month. Once they all get finished, Ive got the tub, the rear door and seat box left to prep, I can finish up the rear crossmember and paint the chassis black and start putting it back together. Lots and Lots of hours into and lots left. OH yeah and heres a pic of my homemade tire carrier. (black pipe and a HF kinker and notcher) Similar to the SG design, but it is actually tied into the roll cage inside so it is very strong. Gordo.

 

[enonz98lr]

do you have any more pics of the swing-away tire carryer? im trying to design one for my SIII cuz i think the 33 will be too big to put on the bonnet. im also going to carry my 60" Hi-Lift back there too. thanks and looks like its coming along

 

[Gordo]

Hey man, It really wasnt too hard. I used regular Sk 40 type pipe but not galvanized. I bought it from a steel shop. I then went to Tractor Supply company and bought a 25 dollar tractor fitting that was a pipe with a heim joint on each end. I cut it and welded it to the pipe. To make it stronger I made my other joints on top of that one. I used 1/4 angle iron for the brackets and welded a "matching" piece of 1/4 to make the end pieces. Inside they tie to the cage mounts (see photo), so if you are not using a cage that might be a bit tricky. The bottom mount is welded to the crossmember. I used a hitch pin and slide (small piece of pipe) for the other end which I also bought at TSC, as well as the bolts/nuts for the heim joints. It works great and i can load the tire and sit on the 'tray' while it's open. My only other advice is if you use a pipe bender, be sure to put a belt or old strap underneath the wheels of the bender as they roll better. I only got one very small kink but it takes time to bend cleanly with a HF bender. Gordo

 

[best4x4LR3]

This is so impressive! Will you make an Exo-Cage for my 83 110? Wow. You really do nice work.

Scott Surla

 

[Gordo]

Thanks Scott! Just a hobby for me and in fact my first time fabbing much of anything. I cant take credit for the exo itself, although I helped make it, I took it to British 4x4 in Jacksonville, FL for that. I did build everything else though including all the feet for the cage. I bought a nice Miller 185 welder (used) and started practicing, a good welder makes a difference, but there are some buggers here and there.

 

[Gordo]

Well things have been moving fairly fast as of late, the frame is now completed as I finished up welding/plating/reinforcing the rear crossmember. The body is all painted and packed up neatly inside my old RV, except for the roof which is turning limestone this week. The first piece actually went back onto the body yesterday, (figured it was best to put on the chassis to bring it home). Still lots to do but I really feel as though Ive turned the corner. The truck was painted in my buddies carport, inside and out, but looks awesome. Gordo

 

[enonz98lr]

what color is the body?? tan? those swampers are gonna look tough on it

 

[Gordo]

Its actually willow green. It was used by Rover on some D1s and D90s (The LE's in 97). It's metallic so it looks different in the shop vs in the sun. Reminds me of the old bronze green series colors, so I thought it would be unique, at least for a series.
I love my swampers brother, they came off the rangie trail toy (as did the entire running gear). Gordo

 

[KevinNY]

Nice looking build, keep the updates coming.

 

[Gordo]

Will do Kevin! I will try to get the pictures larger too, Not sure what I did there. Gordo

 

[jvelador]

Gordo,

You've got great taste... Here's my Series IIA which was painted Willow Green as well. In restrospect, I wish I would have made mine a hybrid. Since I got a galvanized frame for a grand, with diffs, I couldn't pass it up.

http://www.roverpalooza.com/pics/A-boy-and-his-Land-Rover/P8040031

Javier

 

[Gordo]

Hey Javier. Yeah I think the willow green is a great color. Ive seen it on a couple series now and I think it suits them well.
I think I have a pic of your rig when you had it in primer and the soft top cage on it. I saved it on my home computer. Very very cool and I wouldnt have passed up that deal either on a galvanized frame. I took some more photos and will post some up soon. Trying to get this thing done before April 16th for the FLRC rally. Wish me luck. Gordo

 

[jvelador]

Cool, I look forward to seeing the pics.

Good luck, man...

Javier

 

[Gordo]

Been busy the past week, here are some updated photos. Getting closer but still alot left to do. Gordo
Sorry I cant figure out how to post larger photos.

 

[sven]

Looks great!

What engine/tranny/TC is going in?

 

[ArmyRover]

Fantastic work brother. Keep it up!