Sammy's CF Bedford Van

[Sammy]

I've kinda come to a bit of a stand still with the diff, with 2 long crewman axles its getting to be a bit too wide for track increases .... so I had been looking at a long crewman axle and a long vn-vs axle which will make it about 20mm narrower or something like that, but the problem is the bearings are different and it doesn't look like I can get a suitable replacement to work, so I am starting to think about getting a machine shop to machine me up a sleeve to fit in the crewman tube that will accept vn-vs axle bearings ..... so sorta avoiding that at the moment but still thinking about it as I go....

I finally got to do a bit more on the engine cover, its mostly done around the base now and welded up, but need to finish the bits near the firewall, but that's going to happen when the engine comes out .... I am also planning to cut it in half so I can remove the top half for servicing and then remove the bottom half if I need to remove the motor etc.

I've been side tracked with other projects so haven't gotten to do a lot, but any progress is good

[john]

street and strip on e bay sell borgwarner weld ends for diff conversions 0nly $55 each check them out. john

[Gunning]

Engine cover looks great Sammy

[Sammy]

street and strip on e bay sell borgwarner weld ends for diff conversions 0nly $55 each check them out. john

That's handy to know, but in this case I need the crewman end to suit the brakes and axle retaining plate ..... Yes holden totally changed it!

Thanks gunning, I'm mostly happy with it hehe

[Sammy]

Finally put some more time to the bedford! Got one side cut out and new plate made up to fit better with the V8 and will also mean my engine cover will meet up with it now!

now to do the other side

[Sammy]

Have finally made some good progress on the diff! Got a sleeve machined up and pressed into the diff tube, which changes it from crewman to vn-vs bearing and seal size

So now that the axle and bearing stuff is all sorted out i could then work out the final length and weld the tube back onto the diff.

I'll give the weld a quick grind flat, remove the other side crewman mount then its just about ready to dummy up in the bedford to weld the spring mounts on it, then its pretty well done!

well aside from some paint and new bearings/seals etc.

[Sammy]

Bit of an update, got the diff in and all setup, looks like it comes in about 10mm over the original bedford track width and i believe most of that is the wheels i have as they have about 5mm wider offset than a stock commodore chaser rim....

its been a long road but the outcome is perfect just need to fab up some hand brake mounts and we'll be all good for the rear end!

[wendyh]

wow coming along well there Sammy...wont be long now and you on the road!

[johnb44]

looking good there

[Sammy]

yeah I sure hope so wendy!

thanks John!