3.5t Conversion - Update 5

PaddyMonty

PaddyMonty

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Well its nearly finished.
Gas rams fitted to upper door.
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Interior tidied up
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Then it got stripped down and sanded ready to start spraying.
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Then it went grey.
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The interior is also sprayed so it matches the exterior. I cant stand it when the cab is a different colour inside.
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Then it went matt blue. No its not purple, the sodium lights make it look that colour.
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And finally it went all shiney once lacquered. Re-assmbled and rub rail added.
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Just the partition and ramp gates to go now.

To remind you how it looked 4 weeks ago.
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and how it started out
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Final update next monday :D:D:D:D
 
Tempi said:
What is the payload on it, do you know yet?
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I wont know for definite until its finished but if my calculations are correct it will be at least 1.3t. Mainly due to all aluminium body and careful use of materials.

I have plans on the drawing board that will produce a 3.5t box with a 1.6t payload. If I do get to build it the price will be a bit more than your average box due to the material it will be made from but then it will solve the problem of traveling 2 x 16.2 in a 3.5t so saving people running a 7.5t
 
Wow! Am so impressed - I think you've done an amazing job of that. I wouldn't even know where to begin. Can't wait to see the final update.

How's your leg?
 
Thanks for the nice comments.
I am pretty pleased with the way its turning out for a DIY job. Very satisfying to actually produce something instead of messing about with computers (my day job)
Most importantly my wife has giving it her seal of approval. :D
For those that asked, my leg is mending but still a bit sore if I knock it. :(
 
Your such a handy husband, I wouldnt let mine drive my lorry let alone do a conversion. Mines due a respray am I'm only a couple of junctions down the M1 from you...............;)
 
carefreegirl said:
I wouldnt let mine drive my lorry let alone do a conversion. Mines due a respray am I'm only a couple of junctions down the M1 from you...............;)
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I'm doing this conversion so I can stop driving the lorry. :D
This was our old lorry
Before I rebuilt it
truck2.jpg


and after a bit (lot) of fettling
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Sraying is the easy bit. Rubbing down in preparation for spraying is what takes the time and also determines how long the spray job will last.
Just rubbing down this 3.5t took around 35 hours as i dont want to be re-spraying for at least 8 years.
 
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Ok, I'll drop mine off this Friday (using it Thursday) and I'll pick it up in 10 days :D the same colour as yours if you've got enough paint spare ?
 
On a serious note though, how much would it cost to have a respray on a 3.5 ? Obviously depends on paint and work required etc but as a ball park figure.
 
Difficult to say without seeing the box.
As I said it depends on how much prep work is required and then what paint you want.
Our 3.5t is sprayed in 2 pack undercoat (after using acid etch on all ali and plastic primer on bumper etc) then base coat metallic paint (toyota Denim Blue) then 2 pack lacquer. Paint and associated materials cost £400 alone.

The problem with re-sprays is if any area of original paintwork is a bit iffy then it really should be cut right back. If not it will look good for 12 months but after that things will go down hill rapidly.

If someone presented me with an already prepared lorry and the paint, thinners etc then I would probably do the spray job for around £350, doing the prep work I couldn't say until I saw the lorry.
This is obviously hyperthetical as I dont do this for a living (yet).

PS Lets put it this way. If someone had said they would have sprayed our 3.5t (inc prep and paint) for £1000 I would almost bet my life it would be falling off in 12 months. Thats why I did it myself as really not happy with standard of work on a lot of the lorries out there.
 
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I like that last word in your reply - YET. Paint costs weren't as bad as I expected but as you say, its all the prep work. I'd better do some more o/t.
 
I got pretty much all my materials (excpet paint stuff) from here
http://www.hartwood-elite.co.uk/
They build 3.5t horseboxes and if you cant find the item you want just ask them. I needed some 6" x1" x7' ali right angle which they made up for me.
If you do give it a go I would strongly recommend you plan the build to the last nut and bolt. It's very frustrating if you have to take things apart because you forgot to do something. Also having planned the build it will then give you a full material list. Buying all the materials in one go can get you a discount ;)

PS I have absolutely no connection with Hartwood-elite, just a very satisfied customer.
 
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