Sat.
I spent around 3 hours finishing up all the loose ends before I got the tools of destruction out.
The floor, roof rack, wiring and fuel lines were all removed or moved out of the way.
I then spent a fair while measuring up, checking and double-checking.
As to why I cut where I did? I wanted to leave a bit of room behind the seats for dry gear etc..
Sun.
With the wife having gone out it was time to suck it in and start cutting. I used an electric jig saw with a metal cutting blade and a 4" angle grinder with a metal cut off disc.
All went without problems although where the wheel arches and floor join took a bit of work. As I wanted to keep the forward lower part of the arch I should have on reflection made the cut about another 2" rearwards.
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The brake line for the rear is connected to a bracket that is part of the forward floor support. I just cut the bracket off with a hacksaw (avoiding the hassle of disconnecting the brake line and having to bleed the brakes)
When it came time to lift the rear body off I found the rear exhaust bracket was still done up (so much for all my checking)
I found I had to disconnect the fuel line and fuel spill return lines as they ran over the top of the floor supports.(these I had noticed and done on my checks)
I had just got the rear body out of the shed when the missus got home (I haven't seen thet look for awhile) and it got worse when I said it could be the Pajero next!
I then fired up the beast and backed it outside for a good washdown (that exhaust note sounds even better with no body)
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After the wash down I had a good look at everything that is normally hidden and the good news continues, NO RUST (either I have a goody and washing it after every trip pays off or the Aussi builts have better rust protection)
I now have an ever-growing pile of bits and an ever-smaller Rangie (my suggestion to use the back half as a garden shed was meet with another of those looks)
A clean up in the shed put the Rangie away(more like a Strangie now) and time for a beer and some Aussi V8's on TV.
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Hints and tips
1. Measure and check everything twice
2. Use a string line for marking out the roof cut (drill a hole at the right spot in each rain gutter, tie the line to one side, pull tightly arcoss the roof and tie off)
Bigger photos in my album <a href="modules.php?set_albumName=album05&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php">here</a>
Next week,The chassis chop and fuel tank relocation
Rangerat
