A bit of cock-eyed copy and pasting here as I try to combine threads.
I will run this as a build thread for the teardrop I plan to build over winter.
All info, suggsetions and general input gladly received.
I will be running this build thread on here and Tearjerkers, as well as my spiritual home at
www.retrorides.proboards86.com in the "Readers other modifications" forum.
Having had a loooong, and really nice and informative talk with Deli Dave yesterday, I know that I am going to do quite a few things in my build that can be done cheaper, quicker etc, but being a bit of a Masochist, it will be my build, my way...... HOWEVER, please do add comments, reccomendations and ideas, as the largest part of this build still comes from my head, and ZERO EXPERIENCE.
[smilie=econ_shocked[1].gif]
I will do the build over winter in spare time, and post up pics etc as I go along.
Hopefully Nicola will be on hand to stroke my ego, encourage, help, hand tools and make me a "Garage Lunch and tea " from time to time.
I bought this trailer for £20 from a guy where it had stood parked in a hedge the last 6 years.
Copied content below, so ignore time reference.
I fetched the trailer from Essex from fellow RR-er Marcus (Kwikkwak) today.
Thankfully he had emptied the last 6 years worth of neighbours and other stuff from it, so all I had to do was pump the tyres up and grease the brakes and check it over, we also broke out most of the sides and floor, and I added a brand new light board, bought yesterday to the rear, then off to Kent and home by 9.30am.
A quick cuppa tea and sandwich and I was at it, stripping and undoing all the 13mm nylock nuts and bolts , typically overengineered.
Next up I cut the frame up into useable lengths and "stored" them on the garage roof and elsewhere.
I then swept the common area. Chatted to some of the neighbours who need a lot of calming and explaining ::)
Below are some pics of the chassis close up etc.
Question Time :
In order to get the look of what I want from MY Teardrop, I want the wheels to seem quite far back, still maintaining some kind of balance once the kitchen is in.
QUESTION 1 : Can I take the trailing arm braked axle and turn it through 180 Degrees ? Thus creating a "leading arm" suspension, and moving the wheels forward ? ( I can also get most of this right by just cutting the "A-Frame" shorter and trimming the rear off)
The chassis is supposed to be rated at about 750kg. I do not believe it will exceed 450kg when done. Therefore in flipping the axle through 180 degrees, I am prepared to strip out the brakes and using only the Transit's non-existent brakes.
As always, I invite criticism, wit, advice and generally comments and input.
I have to still sit and draw up the "Plan of the frame " with measurements tomorrow when I am in the mood..... ;D
In the mean time there is a pic of my rough drawn measurements.
I will also copy and paste the basic plan of the
"CUB Teardrop" to put it all into perspective.
As brought home today.
Also want to undo and flip this whole structure through 180 Degrees to make it tow even lower, and maybe more horizontal as the bus tows very low now
Progress yes, undoing zillions of 13mm nuts and bolts everywhere.
Neighbours helping, Brian up close is 74 and was trying to pick the lock on the front, eventually we just manipulated the lot over the handle and hitch. Derek with the stick was supervisor 8-)
Couple of hours and a few mugs of tea later, the yard is swept and chassis laid bare.
The trailer frame reduced to lengths of useable steel, stored in various places.
RIGHT ..... Chassis and suspension shots, hope you get the idea of what I want to try get right with the "flipped axle"
Get the idea how much I can gain by flipping the wheels forward ?
Lastly, a sort of Horizontal pic. Good for Photos shopping.
Measurements, done in METRIC as thats what the tape measure offered.
What I am looking at building, a "Lightweight New Cub"
More here:http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear31.htm
This one does it for me too.
http://www.westhoffdesign.com/michael/t ... terior.htm
I have been given a Ford Transit side window, which is 105 x 42 cm with rubber included.
First question, which I have been told already not to do, would be whether this would be worth adding to the trailing edge just ahead of the galley as a "Moonroof" to let more light in ??
2 liter milk bottle for size perspective. The glass has a curve to it as well.
I have asked for a cast off 3 berth caravan on my local Freecycle that I saw at 10pm last night, here's to hoping that one works. Hopefully if he does decide to give it to me, I would be able to know this before I shoot off to buy bits.
I am also off to Essex with the Transit later for a photoshoot, and then to go to Essex Caravan Breakers for a rummage..... looking for bits to add, like a half door from a caravan, some kitchen bits, and a pop-up for the roof etc. Hope also to find some interior bits like mattresses and electricals.
My mate Dave from Osnabruck in Germany is over next weekend to fetch a 1948 Rover 16 that he has bought to restore, and he always stays with us at my place. He has offered to bring me a cooker - sink combo, which he thinks is complete in his cellar, if he can find all the bits, so thats a good help too.
Lastly, I got some lights at last years National Streetrod Association Autojumble.
Not as sexy as Deli Dave's converted BMC lights, which I may still copy with his permission , but the shape and era is right to go with the bus, and also the general shape of the bus.
I would also love to locate some of those lights Dave has on his tears.
Wish me luck as I set sail on building the GRIZZ-POD [smilie=big_yeah.gif]
Greetings from England.
Rian.
Hoping to get it all done in time.