Replacing front chassis,more pics, wolf xd ambulance rebuild

kev.h · Last edited by kev.h on Sat Apr 09, 2016 7:15 am; edited 3 times in total

Hi all, not much of a poster more a reader, but now would like advice, opinions and general thoughts about my thinking on what to do with my wolf ambulance with some structural trauma!
Firstly, it's definately got a twist we agree?
On purchase of vehicle first thoughts were strip it an put a galv chassis under it. on closer inspection the damage has not reached bukhead outriggers and the bulkhead does not appear damaged / bent. Did have chassis straightener specialist look at it, can be done with major work but will need body off, if thats the case - back to galv chassis.
From what i gather the 130 chassis is a cut and lengthened 110, as I can see the extension section midway down. my thoughts here are, if I cut at the original land rover join make and slide some 3mm plate inside chassis legs and attach by drilling legs and plug welding to plates, cutting the front off a 110 chassis to correct measurements, fitting up to existing rear end and attaching with same plug weld method and a seam weld right through new join to plates inside i feel this should be strong enough??? if not further plates externally?? (belt and braces)
Thoughts on this? and on ways to ensure it's all in line. Possible brace bars to bulkhead and other points to use as alignment reference points?
Now the legality side, this vehicle is unregistered as yet, so if I use the front chassis off another vehicle where do I stand with chassis number? Can I stamp my original on it?
I am a competent welder and have no worries with carrying this out if all is going to be right.
This is a VERY low mileage landy and rest of chassis is mint
Your thoughts, views opinion or anything else of help will be much appreciated.
Cheers

Mr Tyre · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:31 am Post subject:

Why not see if someone will sell your a new front section so that the chassis number can be put onto the new section in preference to grinding out the old numbers (on the chassis you indeed to fit) and then stamping in your current number something that might be frowned upon.

I would also chat with somebody like Richards Chassis's and ok with them what you want to do, even though you area very competent welder.

Finally a thought for you before you use it on the road throw the Goodyear tyres away it's likely to have on it, they don't stop to well in the wet.

kev.h · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 11:03 am Post subject:

Thanks, I know rear sections are available but now will look into front ends brand new. All will be recorded and old front O/S leg section kept. As for the goodyears, yes they will most definately be junked - they may have been the reason for the state the chassis is in now?
Kev

( Gray ) · Articulating Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Odometer: 597

I wouldn't even consider getting a second hand 110 chassis, especially the front half, to use for repairing the 130. You can use a new chassis, or new part chassis to keep the vehicle's identity, but as soon as you use a chassis from another vehicle the DVLA will be down on you like a ton of bricks. Especially if you grind off one VIN to replace it with another. And if you keep the 110's VIN, then you'll have to explain why the wheelbase has increased.

As Mr Tyre says, contact Richards Chassis, they can supply you with a one piece 130 chassis made out of thicker steel rather than the thinner two price chassis Land Rover used on their production line. Plus you can add various extras, like a bolt in gearbox cross member.
They might supply you with a new front half chassis to use, though you'll probably have to fabricate a way to join two different thicknesses together.

Mr Tyre · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 11:45 am Post subject:

mikester · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 8:34 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't think twice about welding in a front chassis section if one came up cheap enough. Just cut it in front of the bulkhead outriggers and take your time lining it up. I might be tempted to lap weld an extra plate over the new joint on the inner chassis rails just to be sure.

No different to fitting a rear quarter or half chassis really.

kev.h · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:11 am Post subject:

Hi all, decision made body now off chassis and stripped. I have been lucky enough to buy a new td5 110 chassis, part of a failed / abandoned project. It is unstamped and i have receipts. SO, here's what i'm doing - I did think of cutting at buklhead outriggers, but further back by the body out riggers is where land rover have added their section to extend chassis. I have gently ground away their welds and pulled damaged front section off, leaving a nice big piece of box section internal of chassis legs. I have cut replacement chassis in correct position and offered it in. All lining up and measuring correctly, now just to weld in exactly where original welds were. The pulse / wolf chassis's are certainly different than the usual, many strengthening plates put in, cross members different and of course the sub frame for ambulance body. All these differences will be replicated to replacement. Hopefully by end of week I will be taking chassis for shot blasting and galving, then bolt on all new suspension parts. I meantime hope you like photos of work so far?
Kev

Mr Tyre · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:12 am Post subject:

They (the military and/or their body people) have started to convert ambulance vehicles back down to Double Cab 130's for 'Special Forces' use, that's why the bodies come up for sale every so often.

kev.h · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 8:18 am Post subject: ready for the body

Here's where i'm at so far, new front end grafted on to rear, blasted, galved, etch and zinc primed,then chassis blacked. Whole new front end, steering, suspension etc. rolling chassis built up over long bank holiday weekend! Engine and box fitted, engine run but misfire. No 2 piston picked up. Must be when vehicle landed on side? So new piston< all shells etc all done. now running sweet. So, all being well I can refit rear body this weekend. Hope you like pics?

jojo · Mud Obsessed Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Odometer: 5422

Nice pics. Keep them coming.

J

stable · Posted: Fri May 06, 2016 8:24 pm Post subject:

I like very much. Excellent work, mate. Looks great. Looking forward to seeing the body on Smile

kev.h · Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 8:09 am Post subject:

Body went back on a few weeks ago, electrics and dash all done,done away with military/convoy lighting set up and put to standard switch on steering column. I've converted it to 12v.It had been robbed and damaged of parts( i suppose when sat in a yard smashed it was canabilised?)So sorting that out has been testing to say the least. wings going on today. So i'll take some more pics and add them. Broke the blinking windscreen putting it in AARGGGG!

stable · Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:33 pm Post subject:

Snap, I broke my screen putting it back in Embarassed

Wouldn't care I knew I was being a bit forceful with it, but it seemed to be very flexible so I carried on. I was a bit more careful with the next one. Went in no bother.
It's been bad enough rebuilding mine with all the parts labelled and boxed up and loads of pictures taken. Must be a nightmare what you're doing. Top work, that.
Look forward to the next pictures, when you've got it to a stage your happy with of course. Smile

kev.h · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:57 am Post subject:

Hi all. been a while since adding to this, body went back on in april and is now mostly built. Now starting rear conversion to camper. Will add pics if you want to see them?
Reason for post today is, a while back I seen a video of some army lads pratting about in a wolf ambulance and they ramped it off a hill what looks like some off road training area. The vehicle gets some serious air under it, but you dont see it land. I have searched internet and cant find it. Have any of you good people seen what I'm on about and can find it again? I would like to see vehicle as if it does land badly and goes wrong, the damage to mine(as in first photos) may be caused by such a landing?????
So, can anybody point me in right direction of said video please?
I do have the army reg of mine to check.
Cheers