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Well, after asking quite a few questions on this Forum, I finally got a Lightweight. I've always liked them, so when I sold my restored 63 IIA, I started looking for one.
This one is a 1973 SIII LHD 12V with 67,000 kilometers on it.
The bad:
- The rear section of the chassis is toast.
- The bulkhead footwell areas have some small rust holes - not too bad.
- The bottom of the radiator support is a little tender - again, not bad at all.
- One door top frame has a very small rust hole.
- The engine taps (only when on the throttle) and seems a little down on power (maybe just a valve and timing adjustment needed).
- The water temp gauge pegs to full hot (hopefully just a sending unit needed). The owner says that the temperature taken with a thermometer at the radiator looks good.
The good:
- The door frames seem solid.
- The upper bulkhead looks really good.
- The body itself is in great condition with only 3-4 small dents - I've never seen such a straight body on a military vehicle.
- Everything seems to be there and in decent shape with the exception of the rear lifting rings.
The plan:
- Install galvanized chassis & new brake lines.
- Install parabolic springs & OME shocks.
- New stainless exhaust.
- Tune up engine & adjust valves.
- All new seals - hubs, trans, swivel balls, diffs, etc.
- Clean & paint all drivetrain bits.
- Repair bulkhead & radiator support.
- New Michelin XZL tires (an early X-Mas present to myself).
- Waxoyl the inside of the door frames and bulkhead areas.
- Brush-on a fresh coat of camo paint.
- Enjoy
The goal is to have a vehicle that is mechanically excellent while retaining it 'character', and will last a long, long time.
Any and all comments/suggestions are welcomed!!
Here are a few pictures:
Pretty straight, isn't it?:
This one is a 1973 SIII LHD 12V with 67,000 kilometers on it.
The bad:
- The rear section of the chassis is toast.
- The bulkhead footwell areas have some small rust holes - not too bad.
- The bottom of the radiator support is a little tender - again, not bad at all.
- One door top frame has a very small rust hole.
- The engine taps (only when on the throttle) and seems a little down on power (maybe just a valve and timing adjustment needed).
- The water temp gauge pegs to full hot (hopefully just a sending unit needed). The owner says that the temperature taken with a thermometer at the radiator looks good.
The good:
- The door frames seem solid.
- The upper bulkhead looks really good.
- The body itself is in great condition with only 3-4 small dents - I've never seen such a straight body on a military vehicle.
- Everything seems to be there and in decent shape with the exception of the rear lifting rings.
The plan:
- Install galvanized chassis & new brake lines.
- Install parabolic springs & OME shocks.
- New stainless exhaust.
- Tune up engine & adjust valves.
- All new seals - hubs, trans, swivel balls, diffs, etc.
- Clean & paint all drivetrain bits.
- Repair bulkhead & radiator support.
- New Michelin XZL tires (an early X-Mas present to myself).
- Waxoyl the inside of the door frames and bulkhead areas.
- Brush-on a fresh coat of camo paint.
- Enjoy
The goal is to have a vehicle that is mechanically excellent while retaining it 'character', and will last a long, long time.
Any and all comments/suggestions are welcomed!!
Here are a few pictures:
Pretty straight, isn't it?:
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