Look what the cat dragged in - Dacia Shifterossa!!!!

[panhard65]

Should of taken a big hammer to the brake drums and calipers. I shifted a caravelle that had been in a lock up for nearly 20 years all 4 wheels stuck solid. We used trollies to get it out then took the wheels off and smashed living shit out of the calipers to get the pads out.

[Rmx]

What is this I'm seeing? A ribbed floor I can use on the Shifter?!

 

Forget Health & Safety, these guys didn't even know what those words meant......picking it up on Sunday is it was still held by some of the cross members and it got too dark.

[TimothyClaypole]

Good news. 

[trigger]

Yay!

[Rmx]

Turns out after all these days that have gone bye, they're not willing to finish the job and cut out the floor as its too much hassle and they won't let me do it either.

 

What a freaking pain this has turned out to be, once again on the look out for a new bed.....

[vulgalour]

well that's almost as annoying as the nose-end of the Princess I wanted that got squished due to miscommunication.

[Anglevan]

would it not be easier just to buy a complete /cheap van = I'm sure if you chose right could probably end up with your money back if you broke what ever you bought. Could you buy a CAT C or D write off from a salvage agent to break ?

I do know someone with a Subaru pickup that is getting squished soon, i'll check what the rear bed is like before it becomes bean cans.

[bigfella2]

Couldn't you use a 2nd hand tub off a Ford ranger, l200 etc, as long as its bigger which am sure they will be. Then you can remove floor carefully and in you own time at home.

[fordperv]

how big is it in comparison to a mk1 caddy pickup? this is 72"x 41" and could save a world of pain even though it is £150

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-MK1-Complete-Caddy-Rabbit-Pickup-Replacement-Bed-Panel-Repair-Section-/111486872638?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19f522ac3e

 

[Rmx]

So.......had to be a little bit patient and throw some more money his way but I got my hands on the transit floor in the end. It's got so many crossmembers that need to be cut off and it will take a little bit of work to end with just with the floor itself but it's well worth the effort. Got there in the end, now time to see some more actual progress over the next few weeks.

[Rmx]

Just a quick update, the new bed has been stripped of all excessive crossmembers that were welded on when it was in the transit. It's now just the bare floor. First cost of primer on the shifter crosamembers , 2 more to go. There's still a bit of welding cutting etc but I want to see this new floor in place and make sure it fits properly.

 

Slow progress I know, here's a Renault 12 in absolute MINT condition which I had the pleasure to drive around in on Sunday just gone, it's immaculate.

[Timewaster]

That white 12. Wow

 

The exact spit of my dads 12TL. VJE769L

I can still remember the day he bought it even though I was only 4. There were 2 cars on his short list. The other was a purple Marina which was apparently my favorite.

He kept it for about 8 years until it literally fell to pieces.

His attempts at keeping the rust at bay involved a pot of red oxide and a half inch brush. It wasnt pretty by the end and I would gladly walk home from school in the rain than be picked up in it.

Traded for a Maxi HL. Progress?

[Skizzer]

The R12 does look rather fine, and is certainly shiny.  Those faux-French number plates would have to go, mind.

[cort1977]

Is that what they are?   I was confused as no department no. but didn't spot the UK registration letters.   A bit dodgy for the MOT no?   They should ditch those and go for the yellow bulbs instead.

[SambaS]

12 Looks fab, Shifterossa with nice rust free bits looks fab-er !

[Rmx]

Managed to get a few hours on the Shifter today, new bed

[Skizzer]

Wahey! 

[KruJoe]

Good stuff, you're on the right track there.

 

While you're tidying it up, I'd trim off the back 4 or 5 inches of that new floor, and put some flat sheet in there instead, otherwise it may look a bit odd.

 

Keep up the work, momentum seems good.

[Alexg]

That's some top work there matey, excellent stuff

[Rmx]

This is literally the first attempt after marking out the template and cutting it to shape. There some more work to be done on it, actually a lot of work left to be done before its welded in place however it's good to see some kind of progress

[brickwall]

Epic template!

[vulgalour]

Looks like this little truck very definitely found the right owner.

[fordperv]

the only word i can think of is heroic, keep up the good work

[Parky]

Well done RMX, that looks great!

[junkyarddog]

Excellent recycling skills Sir!!

 

I iz impressed

[Rmx]

MASSIVE DILEMMA!!!!

 

For you all that aren't aware I quit work a while back, in July to be precise, and have taken time out to recover and get back on my feet, any spare time I had and when I felt up to it I spent working on the Shifter.

 

I've recently felt ok and have approached a number of companies, potentially looking for work and just my luck there may well be a posibility however it requires me working 6 days a week, possibly 7 days some weeks for the next 3 months or so until they get over the issues they are currently experiencing.

 

My problem, because I have my priorities in the right order of course, is my Shifter. I love working on it, progress is slow indeed but nothing beats seeing something coming "back to life" and knowing you did it with your own hands.

 

However being realistic if this work opportunity does indeed materialise, I wont be having any time what so ever to spend working on it so I have been seriously considering having it completely restored by someone I know, and above all TRUST, to continue with the restoration and complete it for me, which of course I have to pay for.

 

I have seen a number of cars done by him, the White Renault 12 in one of my previous pictures was his work and for him is not work, it's pure passion. Everything and I mean everything has to be right and perfect, I've known him to go back to the garage at 2am as he wasn't happy with some of the work to put it right, the guy's dedication is something I can not fault and as I said before, I have seen a number of his previous projects and they were spot on.

 

So, do I continue fixing it myself and it will take God knows how many months? (And realistically doubt the end result will be perfect as I lack some tools, experience etc)

 

Or do I let him lose on it and have to pay for it? (But the end result will be better than when it left the factory)

 

What would you do?

[mouseflakes]

I've never been in the position where I could pay someone to do that kind of work so I've no idea what I'd choose in your position.

 

If you can afford it then it sounds like a nice way to go - but if the pick-up ends up 'better-than-new', would you feel reluctant to use it 'properly'?

[Rmx]

Working 6 or 7 days a week hopefully I could manage to Pay for it.

 

Oh no, it will be used but it was never going to be used to carry heavy weights or be a work horse, I've got a Nissan Navara that I abuse in that respect

 

The Shifter will be driven almost daily I would imagine, at least for a while, and go to shows and events.

[nigel bickle]

I own several cars that I have restored to a point where I can't/wont use them.

 

I prefer slightly scruffy, eminently usable. If II can get them to that stage great, if not, I'll pay.

[vulgalour]

If you can pay for a trusted perfectionist to restore this rare little truck then you should, I suspect it will give you the greatest enjoyment at the end of it and the project will move at a better pace than if you're stuck working all the hours that exist.  You've already done a good chunk of the horrible work by removing and making a start on replacing a lot of the grot.