1958 Land Rover Series 1

I got my Steering gear last night. It is a 1978/79 Bronco box. with the reverse rotation box, i wont have an ugly box hanging out in front of the grill. I will have to modify the inner fenders a touch. It fits nice. Now to order my pieces to connect the box to the steering column

 

Good to know. Thanks. At least this is probably easier to get to than on the bronco

 

Well since i was home and stir crazy because of this "SNOW" event we didnt have.

I shortened the steering column today and made the bracket to support the lower portion of the column.

 

HAHA!!! Fooled everyone. I switched every single photo horizontally.

 

The steering gear is mounted. The Bronco box really fits nice. I am rally happy that the front end still looks clean without a gear box out in front of the crossmember. It hides up real nice behind the grill.






Now just waiting for some funds to free up to buy parts to attach to the column.

 

I dont have that figured out yet. I will have to use a custom hose, since it is on the left side of the frame it is really far from the steering pump

 

I have not looked into in depth yet. Just a quick google search that really didnt show anything, but i will definately look into it. If not, i have wiggle room to move the metal lines to a bit better position.

 

So I got some goodies today


Not pictured is the nice shiny aluminium radiator.

I also got my steering bits. Now the column is connected to the steering gear.


Next up is to mount the brake and clutch, fab the pedals. Then i will order the tie rods for the Land Cruiser and find some tires so i can swap in the axles and make it a roller again.

 

Here is another pic of the steering with the fender on


Now to play with some big bling


Mocking it up in the engine bay.




The radiator is a hard one to figure out. This one had the best potential. It fits in the area, but I will need to notch the mounting brackets to clear the headlight buckets and possibly i will have to try to shorten the headlight buckets to try and get some more room. I have plenty of room between the engine and the radiator, but i have an issue with the top hone connection. It is extremely close to the alternator, so close the hose is gonna contact it. I will probably have to take the radiator to a weld shop to either angle it inward so clear or i may have to put a 90 degree addition to the tube. The bottom also has a little bit of a problem because it is real close to the engine hose connection that i have to be creative with hose, or do a short section of hose and make a steel or aluminum angle tube and connect it with the short section. I do have plenty of room in the front for a big honkin electric fan. This radiator i got from Eastwood Company and it is rated for a chevy v8, so it should cool just fine for the V6 .

 

I think i got some more room for the radiator. The 90 degree hose i think will get me going. i still need to mix and match to get stuff to work


I ended up cutting out an 1 1/2 out of the headlight buckets. and cut out some of the top of the mount brackets. I will later cap the back with a piece plastic to keep the elements out.

The stupid things i get happy about

I finally got some headlights in the grill.

 

Things happened today
Radiator is installed. I have enough room for the upper radiator hose. The radiator is angled forward, but it will be like that to get the room i need.






Looks like it belongs in there


Now i have the rear FJ40 axle staged and ready to go under. That will be tomorrows project.



I was afraid the rims i got were not going to have enough offset, but looking at the original Rover wheels offset and the fact the Cruiser axles are a touch wider. The tires are only outside of the tub a touch and it will look good. The tires are 285/75/16.