'81 Aussie MOKE.
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
'81 Aussie MOKE.
Hi,
Just thought I'd share a small part of my Moking journey from the other side of the world. I'm sure it will be interesting to some, and cause others to cringe a bit.
We have owned this MOKE since the early nineties, and it has had a few makeovers in this time due to being driven nearly everyday but its the first time she's been bent.
Back in Feb this year on a 43 degree day and 2pm in the arvo, My Son in Law was driving with his mate in the passenger seat heading out for a swim at the Weir. It was a 50 kph zone and just before a 'T' intersection, an elderly bloke reversed directly out of his driveway and straight into the traffic flow. There was nowhere to go and BANG! The Gent then panicked and hit the accelerator pushing the MOKE even further.
The guys wife called the Police and when they arrived( within a few minutes) assessed everything, then handed him a "Failed to Give Way" fine.
Thankfully everyone is ok, with no physical injuries, just a bruised ego for the older guy, and embarrassment for the MOKE's pilot.
Oh well, not much we can do about it, and my Son in law was pretty upset about it knowing how much the MOKE means to everyone in our family. But it was definitely not his fault.
A few weeks later, and the panel shop were able to pull a big wrinkle out and give it a basic straighten.
I got it home again and was able to remove the engine and strip everything off.
At the moment, the rotisserie is in use so I can tidy up a few holes that have never been used, thought I might as well while we are at this stage.
The plan over the next couple of weeks is to have the shell soda blasted and returned to the panel shop so they can replace the front panels and straighten it all up.
While that happens, I'll fire up the shed heater and setup another front subframe, (being May here in Australia, were heading towards Winter).
My Granddaughter has set the deadline, It must be all completed by Christmas so we can drive around at night time to see all the Christmas decorations with the roof down again ( as we do every year ).
Cheers everyone.
Halfpint.
Just thought I'd share a small part of my Moking journey from the other side of the world. I'm sure it will be interesting to some, and cause others to cringe a bit.
We have owned this MOKE since the early nineties, and it has had a few makeovers in this time due to being driven nearly everyday but its the first time she's been bent.
Back in Feb this year on a 43 degree day and 2pm in the arvo, My Son in Law was driving with his mate in the passenger seat heading out for a swim at the Weir. It was a 50 kph zone and just before a 'T' intersection, an elderly bloke reversed directly out of his driveway and straight into the traffic flow. There was nowhere to go and BANG! The Gent then panicked and hit the accelerator pushing the MOKE even further.
The guys wife called the Police and when they arrived( within a few minutes) assessed everything, then handed him a "Failed to Give Way" fine.
Thankfully everyone is ok, with no physical injuries, just a bruised ego for the older guy, and embarrassment for the MOKE's pilot.
Oh well, not much we can do about it, and my Son in law was pretty upset about it knowing how much the MOKE means to everyone in our family. But it was definitely not his fault.
A few weeks later, and the panel shop were able to pull a big wrinkle out and give it a basic straighten.
I got it home again and was able to remove the engine and strip everything off.
At the moment, the rotisserie is in use so I can tidy up a few holes that have never been used, thought I might as well while we are at this stage.
The plan over the next couple of weeks is to have the shell soda blasted and returned to the panel shop so they can replace the front panels and straighten it all up.
While that happens, I'll fire up the shed heater and setup another front subframe, (being May here in Australia, were heading towards Winter).
My Granddaughter has set the deadline, It must be all completed by Christmas so we can drive around at night time to see all the Christmas decorations with the roof down again ( as we do every year ).
Cheers everyone.
Halfpint.
-
- MMC Member
- Posts: 5227
- Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 21:04
- Location: Everywhere and nowhere baby
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
It is certainly well bent. It's good that the insurance let you keep her and good luck with the panelwork, keep us in the picture(s)
Come on summer
- Tim
- Posts: 2291
- Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 0:41
- Location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
Nasty, I'm glad that no-one was hurt and that the Moke can be saved.
Tim
Tim
Any sarcastic, ignorant, libellous, unfounded or stupid opinions expressed in or through this message are the opinions of the author and do not reflect the opinions or views of any member of The Mini Moke Club or the opinions or views of any other individual.
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2016 14:15
- Location: Manchester, UK
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
The old pulling out half a second later could've nasty but glad everyone is ok , well except for your Mike! Hope it's back on the road for Christmas (or sooner), great to read its regularly used.
I'm jealous of your garage but being from the north of England, wonder what temperature your garage gets to that needs heating?
I'm jealous of your garage but being from the north of England, wonder what temperature your garage gets to that needs heating?
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
A little update for those interested
We mounted PRU on the rotisserie. Its so awesome to have the Rotisserie, I've never had one before, and wow, its a revelation
Pulled the old MIG out, cleaned the sleeve, borrowed a bottle of gas, and welded up some holes that have never been used and also some holes that are no longer needed .
Amazing how you see more every time it gets flipped.
We mounted PRU on the rotisserie. Its so awesome to have the Rotisserie, I've never had one before, and wow, its a revelation
Pulled the old MIG out, cleaned the sleeve, borrowed a bottle of gas, and welded up some holes that have never been used and also some holes that are no longer needed .
Amazing how you see more every time it gets flipped.
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
Hi,
Had the shell Garnet blasted and delivered back to the Panel Beater.
Unfortunately, this is where its stalled with no progress, but I've been assured that with the arrival of the new panels, work will commence soon and it will be a pretty quick process from then. We will see
Its given me time to clean up some bits and re-build the rear subframe.
The suspension is sitting on the shelf and will be fitted when I bolt the subframe back onto the body.
I have the engine on the bench now to replace all the bent bits and give it all a tidy up.
Not enough time to spend in the shed, but even so, its like a time machine, no sooner do you walk into it, the days gone in a blink of the eye
Cheers.
Halfpint
Had the shell Garnet blasted and delivered back to the Panel Beater.
Unfortunately, this is where its stalled with no progress, but I've been assured that with the arrival of the new panels, work will commence soon and it will be a pretty quick process from then. We will see
Its given me time to clean up some bits and re-build the rear subframe.
The suspension is sitting on the shelf and will be fitted when I bolt the subframe back onto the body.
I have the engine on the bench now to replace all the bent bits and give it all a tidy up.
Not enough time to spend in the shed, but even so, its like a time machine, no sooner do you walk into it, the days gone in a blink of the eye
Cheers.
Halfpint
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
G'day evryone,
Im afraid its been quite slow going. Looks quick like this though
I'll post some more next week, been playing with the engine again
Just been busy chasing other Mokes up mountains
and through some creeks
Cheers Moker's
Halfpint
Im afraid its been quite slow going. Looks quick like this though
I'll post some more next week, been playing with the engine again
Just been busy chasing other Mokes up mountains
and through some creeks
Cheers Moker's
Halfpint
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
And it begins
Still havnt finished the front subframe yet, but should have the Moke 80% assembled by next weekend.
Cheers
Halfpint
Still havnt finished the front subframe yet, but should have the Moke 80% assembled by next weekend.
Cheers
Halfpint
- spider
- MMC Member
- Posts: 622
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:25
- Location: 'Big Red', Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
Come on mate, no time for snoozing now, Christmas is just around the corner !!
Looks great mate. Oh well, it bought your plans forward a year or so,,,,
Looks great mate. Oh well, it bought your plans forward a year or so,,,,
Old Mokers never die, they just smell that way.
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
Ok, Ok In between Summer naps
High 30's tomorrow, so only a couple of hrs of shed time early in the morning. When the sun goes down I should get the engine roughed in. Unless I'm onto the second beer Its tools down then
HP
High 30's tomorrow, so only a couple of hrs of shed time early in the morning. When the sun goes down I should get the engine roughed in. Unless I'm onto the second beer Its tools down then
HP
- spider
- MMC Member
- Posts: 622
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:25
- Location: 'Big Red', Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
No rush now - Christmas has come & gone !!
Yeah, I'm only getting in about 4 - 5 hrs in the shed too ATM, today, 10 AM was it !!
And what's that thing on the radiator? It looks like a black version of that thing from the Movie 'Alien' - have you got Sigourney Weaver helping?
<EDIT: And,,,,, when are you going to pick up your shifting spanner that you left here when we did your gearbox a year back?
Or did you want me to post it? >
Yeah, I'm only getting in about 4 - 5 hrs in the shed too ATM, today, 10 AM was it !!
And what's that thing on the radiator? It looks like a black version of that thing from the Movie 'Alien' - have you got Sigourney Weaver helping?
<EDIT: And,,,,, when are you going to pick up your shifting spanner that you left here when we did your gearbox a year back?
Or did you want me to post it? >
Old Mokers never die, they just smell that way.
- Tim
- Posts: 2291
- Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 0:41
- Location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
That's great, but it would be better with a wing nut because now you have to have another spanner to adjust that one.
Tim
Tim
Any sarcastic, ignorant, libellous, unfounded or stupid opinions expressed in or through this message are the opinions of the author and do not reflect the opinions or views of any member of The Mini Moke Club or the opinions or views of any other individual.
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
Sigourney is a big help She's not afraid to try new things
Going to give an electric fan a go, still have a std fan as well for now.
The engine would get pretty hot around town, so Im hoping this will remedy that(rather than driving slowly ).
I knew you nicked that spanner, you couldnt take your eyes off it so I went into my adjustable nut wrecking draw and pulled this one out of retirement.
The Moke hasnt progressed at all over the last week, Oh well, its not going anywhere soon
HP
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
Been chipping away with limited shed time, even when Im home and not at work, its been just too hot out there.
Unlike the UK at the moment barely reaching maximum temps in double digits, we have been melting with most days in the hi 30's and this weekend is forecast to be 41 degrees both days.
Any way, progress is still progress
Halfpint
Unlike the UK at the moment barely reaching maximum temps in double digits, we have been melting with most days in the hi 30's and this weekend is forecast to be 41 degrees both days.
Any way, progress is still progress
Halfpint
- Halfpint
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24
- Location: North East Victoria. Australia
Re: '81 Aussie MOKE.
Hi all,
A few distractions with family visits and general socialising, but time for an update pic.
Exhaust done,
Seats assembled and fitted, as well as the seat belt mount
Custom wiring well under way and will knock over the fuse box this weekend.
Its all coming together quick now
HP
A few distractions with family visits and general socialising, but time for an update pic.
Exhaust done,
Seats assembled and fitted, as well as the seat belt mount
Custom wiring well under way and will knock over the fuse box this weekend.
Its all coming together quick now
HP