Get stuck into it guys. The more you do, the more you'll learn. The most difficult step is the first one and you've already done that. Good luck. We're all(at least I am) rooting for you
For that age of vehicle you will need an OBD 1 scanner - check if it is a 6 or 9 pin connector. OBD1 was not a standardised connector. A cheap Amazon scanner may not tell you what the code is. Most OBD1 systems used the scanner itself to work out the fault from the vehicles output signals which is likely to be beyond the abilities of an Amazon OBD1 scan tool- modern OBD2 systems are now homogenized into the vehicle itself - the vehicles itself, not the reader or console, will work out what the code relates too, the reader or scan tool just just displays the diagnosis the vehicle itself has come too and provide data streams that relate. At worse the cheap Amazon OBD1 tool should be able to clear the code long enough for an MOT. It could be as simple as a low battery if the truck has sat still for a long time. You might want to invest in a mobile mechanic to read the codes for you with Pro equipment - really keen to know the answer now
Cool project! It is not that bad😊I have been thinking to buy some lightweight truck. Problem is that I have so many cars already ..would have to sell 1-2🙄
Go Pete! Much like yourself, I've done all of the research and planning and am enjoying watching you guys get stuck in and learn as you go. Also, great plan for static long term parking site. I wonder how easy it would be to crane the box off of the truck and put it on a foundation? You could build another one for the next trip and eventually put it alongside the first, in a multi shipping container tiny house kinda way.
Hi! I feel like I’ve been researching for years 😂 so it feels good to start doing it, and I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos 😁. Funny you should say that, we haven’t quite figured it out yet so we haven’t mentioned it on camera but we would quite like the make the truck modular so we can take the living box off and it be a flat bed and then have other modules for it like a tipper unit, or a crane etc. something like that would be very handy when we’re getting supplies and building on the land.
@@RoadToOffGrid, I think my last reply was blocked (it had a link in it). I managed a truck for work that had 2 boxes and a demountable system. The 2 systems I looked at (Abel Systems and RSG Demountable-systems are now owned by Wheelbase Engineering Ltd. Have you had a look at either of these systems? I used the RSG system, though originally suggested the Abel system as it provides a straight lift, rather than lifting the back first. If your truck has air suspension that may change the cost difference between the two as the Abel system can use it to raise and lower the box. Good luck, let me know if I can provide more info on what the RSG system was like (it was fitted in 1998, so some details may be different). I'm not sure how easy it is to buy used systems as there could be differences in designs for different vehicles
Hi, really like the project and your long term plans sound amazing. Loving the videos and the fact that nothing seems to phase either of you, don’t worry about the rust, so far it doesn’t look bad at all considering the age of the truck. Just spend time getting back to bare (shiny) metal so your welds take and last a life time imo shortcuts like rust converters just mean you will be chasing the hole as it migrates off the side of the last rusty weld. If it’s in the budget find a local mobile welder and both of you get some lessons using your own truck as the test bed, some welders are ok with it when they realise your not the competition, this way you’ll learn and get the truck fixed at the same time. If they have worked on VW T4’s then they will sort you out no problem, believe me. Also gives you someone to use for tricky chassis bits if needed or to fabricate a new section for the box and what it costs to learn will save you money down the line by serving as a great base knowledge for those future off grid building plans. As someone’s already said a good grinder, some paint and some well place carpet covers beginners welds brilliantly. Your OBD port will probably need a converter so you can use a new diagnostic tool or buy an old tool with the right connector hopefully, but you will need to count the pins in the existing port as there are different types, from memory there’s a few; 8pin or maybe 9 a 14 and a 38, there could be more or I’ve got them all wrong but whatever it is you’ll find a cable converter on an auction site. Make sure whatever diagnostic tool you choose can read OBD1 and commercial vehicle faults, the cheeper modern OBD2 only units wont work unfortunately, once you have the fault code you can then reset or research the fault, if you need some more fault code info try looking it up on mercedesfaultcodes.com there is a section for almost every code but not sure if they go as far back as your classic. Good luck, looking forward to the next video…
Hi 👋 Thank you for leaving such a long and in-depth comment! I found it waiting for review because of the link in it. Welding has gone fairly well all in all. Thankfully the inside of the cab welding is done, so many tricky angles. Pete has had a couple of lessons before but I’d really like to do an evening course, they have one at a local college… because I’d like to be able to help! As for the OBD reader, I think I’ve seen some adapters that could work, I keep forgetting to count the pins while I’m a the truck! But I’ll make sure we look for an OBD1 reader. Thanks again for the advice and for following along ❤️🙏
Big learning curve, but always learning is good. Keep working hard, and the rewards will come in may forms. I'd advise waiting until you have a good load of patching and paying someone who will do a better job and five times faster aswell.
That’s very true, thank you for the words of encouragement! It doesn’t look like there’s any more patches needed inside the cab but thats a good idea, I will have a look around underneath 👍🤞👨🏭
Hi mate that’s a diagnosis plug need too find a garage with the right connections too fit that hgv garage with a “jaltest” or “texa” diagnostic tool will be able too help you
Or you could buy an Ultraguage or Scanguage. Either will monitor many engine functions, record and allow you to clear faults. I personally use Scanguage.
That's amazing. How is there so little rust? I mean, guaranteed you're going to have to do some work on the frame, and the underside of the cab probably has a fair few areas that will need to be replaced, but so far that looks amazing.
always if possible cut rust out and replace dont lose the paperwork you took out the cab loads of good info om them. look forward to watching the progress you make
A very good video again,top marks for cab clean out,It won’t cost money to ask a car body shop question on rust paint and rust hole,look forward to next video ❤😊.
😂😂 that’s a great saying, I’ll have to remember that for the next episode. Thanks, it feels less daunting now we’ve had a few people saying similar things.
Its amazing how clean that floor undernrath was.in removal company i used work put carpets down.i asked why he said the rubber matts with boots on wouid wear away with water off boots n stones wear from rubber then rust floor.
The rubber mats we took out were holding a little water underneath and the stones were definitely making their way under there! I hope our luck continues 🙏 Thanks for tuning in 🤩
There nice easy repairs to learn on and luckily your welding doesn't need to be pretty there. as long as its strong and sealed up job done never to be seen again till you need to lift the floor mats
The rust isn't as bad as I expected. I wouldn't try to fix it myself, that I'd take to a body shop, but only because I'm a terrible welder. Try and source the diagnostic plug reader for your truck, it's a good thing to have. I'd put sound deadening material in the cab before putting everything back. Old trucks are LOUD. If possible try to source a suspended seat for the passenger as well. When you get to the engine, replace all the fluids in engine, transmission and differential. Replace all the belts, and check coolant hoses, replace if necessary. The electrical system is simple, checking the cables is worth it, and I'd replace the old lights with new LED lights. But you have to the MOT route, so any other gremlins will probably pop up then. I hope the chassis isn't too rusty when you remove the box. Good luck with the build. I have a 30 odd year old Nissan Diesel truck in my fleet, it starts on the first turn every time.
This is such good advice and you will never justify the expense and time of getting a welder and learning to weld just for a couple of jobs on the truck. I am a great believer in "Seeking Skilled Advice" when appropriate and this is one of those times. Hopefully you will have had a good crawl around under the truck before buying to check for rust in the chassis because if there is, that really is not the sort of thing a complete novice should be attempting. As it would appear, you're not going to be travelling vast distances and it's going to be a static truck once you've found your forever home, so rust proofing will be a priority. I am really surprised at how little rust there is given that horse boxes tend to get little or no attention and often live outside. You are doing so well - keep it up!
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a helpful comment! We’re definitely going to give everything a go ourselves. We’re really lucky to have lots of guys around the yard that we can go to with questions. There’s a couple of fabricators here, a guy that does body work, an hgv mechanic… lots of brains to pick! Sound deadening is a good shout, and new LED lights. She will be modernised but retain her nineties charm 🤩 That’s awesome about your old Nissan - they don’t seem to build trucks to last anymore 😔
Great video, good to see how clean you have made it. I've done some welding, but only thick metal, not panels. It's easier if both bits of metal are the same thickness. If you have spare metal, practice first and get the settings right (better to blow holes in a practice piece it the settings are too high). Make sure anything flammable is removed (or soaked in water) - on the underside as well. Make short welds in the corners to 'tack' it in place, then add small extra welds between the tacks, then link the up. It is not going to be pretty without lots of practice, but a grinder will remove the lumps! Make sure the red hot metal you grind away doesn't hit glass or plastic (or any surface you want to keep) as it will damage it ... on painted metal that you will put rubber mats over it won't matter, it shouldn't expose the metal under the paint and should brush off when cooled. Good luck!
@@RoadToOffGrid, good luck! BTW, if you weld in a to shirt you will get lightly sunburnt arms - in this weather sun cream might be better than long sleeves! MIG arc welding gives off lots of UV!
Hi guys we’re new subscribers to your channel. Loving the look of your new project and we can’t wait to see what you decide to replace the horse box carcass with! 🤪. Cleaning the cab was definitely a very good choice of “first challenge”. Rather satisfying we find 👋. Anyway we thought we’d say “hi” and looking forward to following the conversion 👍
You'll have to take the truck to a VOSA approved test centre to get the plate replaced. Your not legally allowed to removed them but in the circumstances it will be fine.
Hi there get yourselves some Jenolite its a chemical rust treatment wishing you good luck with your build i would get some engine oil any bolts look rusty get the wire brush oil jt will help with loosen awkward bolts
Thought about it, but we’ve had bad luck with caravans in the past. You can’t see the water damage until you dig into the walls, at which point it makes more sense to just build something from scratch. To us it does anyway 😅
Leaning more towards building it from scratch. We’ve been looking at the aluminium frame/composite panel type construction and making the panels ourselves.
@@RoadToOffGrid I kinda thought it was something like that. The lyrics matched your story exactly. That is really cool, I don't think I've seen any done that well. I've played around with a lot of these tools. I look forward to seeing more!
Definitely cut the rust out right back to 'good' metal. If you don't then you will be trying to weld to rusty metal which will be frustrating and pointless!
Hi re the rust,as you said you can get rust converter stuff,check out ben and Emily they used on there narrow boat lots use it in that world when they take the boats out the water for blacking,which is cleaning a boat off and paintings in black with eith 2pack paint or other stuff.they also did a van conversion and a smaller narrow boat as a sound studio.
