Sierra Doors

[Dave Taylor]

Just started the second door for the Sierra. new bottom frame welded in place. I still need the Drivers door skin finishing, I think I have got to the point where there are lots of part jobs going on, but this is the problem at this stage of a build. Everything is coming together but nothing is getting to the finish line.

The Apprentice as taken himself off to the Isle of Man for a week, he say's I have taken over. which yes I have, only because it wasn't moving on.

If I can get the doors finished for when he gets back, we can hang the doors, and he can start rubbing down.

Just back to the welding, I bought an auto darkening welding mask whilst at Stafford. Wish i'd invested in one of these years ago, it make me a better welder, especially on thin body steel.

[Dave Taylor]

Best thing is to carefully strip the Fibre glass door skin away, but before chopping anything else away make up a template from cardboard. If you need it I could make up a template from my finished doors and post it down to you. If you're going down replacing the doors, Mk1 escort car and van, or Mk 2 escort van (you will need to change the door inner lock handle or mod it.

[Dave Taylor]

Hi Daryl, After pricing new doors (well good secondhand van doors) the budget would not allow, so after a re-think and being given a sheet on heavy gauge steel sheet I re-built the originals. Are yours goosed?

[Adrian Southgate]

He fixed the originals.

Are the beige ones goosed?

[Adrian Southgate]

You could have used the resin, I'll get another, smaller container next time, that bucket is a pain in the arse.
I think you are right about the instruments being from a Sierra although what type I'm not so sure, maybe a GLX or XR derivative. If the foam is to pad the dash front before some form of upholstery then it will have to be LD38 or below which is ok as I have some. LD38 can be stuck with Evo Stick and curved a little but its best to make a multi piece and carve/sand it to shape.

[Dave Taylor]

Not yet, about a Kilo left, I put that on one side for you, and bought 5Kgs last week, along with Gel coat for the cracks.
The dash has a full set of instraments Looks like Sierra, and has been mod'd to take these. I do need a sheet of foam though, have you seen the design I uploaded the other day, It's only rough sketch, but it going to look good. Going to follow the theme through in to the door panels and windscreen surround.
I have test fitted the dash, just to see where to put the proper support, when we stripped it out the top edge was riveted to the windscreen channel, so the screen rubber would not seat. I am going to drop it 1/2" and move it under the schuttle, need to bond some brackets into place, then screw the dash in, so it can be removed easily if needed.
But first I need to get these doors finished and back on, and the front suspension re-fitted so she's back mobile.

[Adrian Southgate]

Are you using the original dash or do you want one layered up out of closed cell foam, fibreglass and resin?
If you layer one up I think it will be more practical and give better access to all the electrics should it require attention later. I still have plenty of foam. How is that big pot of resin doing, got to the bottom yet?

[Adrian Southgate]

I have spare multi plugs for that job, and for splicing any other little toys in too.
Unfortunately I am away saturday for the whole day/evening. I will try to dig it out on sunday.
Soooooo many jobs to do and they all interlink like a huge rubic cube.

[Dave Taylor]

I'll need that shortly, Igot the dash out and did a bit of prep on it, I need to work the loom into the old dash loom.

[Adrian Southgate]

Don't forget the nightmare that is lurking in a carrier bag in my garage... the wiring loom (or do I get that job :-))

[Dave Taylor]

Cheers Ade, I have a couple on sanders, not got a DA though.
Just so many little jobs all coming together as I said. If I could find the TIME! I think 2-3 weeks would see it finished, and I mean 2-3 weeks, 24-7.