Rhino Charge UK

So all the preparation was for the UKRC which went ahead in the sunshine on 21st September.
Here is some photographic evidence:

We found some mud and came sixth overall.

New bits made

To join the drop linking the chassis to the body again I had these adapters made

This is it with the nutty washery bit attached

The adapter screws onto the threaded end attached to the chassis

Now I can screw on the nut and tighten it all up

All good now

Small problem

Have a small post lift problem. The steering is now heavy and the steering wheel is upside down. Both sorted easily.

I unbolted the extension block from the steering link, slackened off the bolt holding the yoke to the splines and gave it a tap to free it off so it can slide up the splines. That bolt is on the top of the yoke, head facing the exhaust in this picture.

I then rotated the steering wheel through 180 degrees, bolted the yoke back onto the extension block and then went from lock to lock with the steering. This made sure everything was aligned correctly. I then tightened up the bolt so the yoke grips the splines again.

Now all is good and the steering as light a a feather again.

Lift

The new tyres are a bit close to the wheel arch so it's time to put some lift on. 40mm body lift should do it.

Used a friends car lift

Unbolted all of the body mounts or so I thought

Then tried dropping the car body onto axle stands so the lift blocks could be placed in. Not enough gap.

Checked everywhere and found these two drop links from a crossmember on the body to the chassis by the top of the rear springs. Hidden in here

Unbolted them from the top so they look like this

Now the blocks go in easily.

Tightened it all up and the bumpers even fit in the original position only the lower mountings will need changing (a job for another day).

Happy it got done in one day, 10 hours - most time spend arguing with rusty nuts even though I WD40ed them for days beforehand.

Looks taller now and much more gap between wheels and wheel arch.

Snorkel

There were some puddles on the lane which weren't deep but the air intake is in the near side wing so perhaps a snorkel would be a good idea for future adventures. Deep water will hold less terror. They look good anyway!

Offered up to see what it will look like

Then cut the holes- point of no return

File them the right shape

It was very fiddly bolting it on from inside the wing. Long thin fingers would have helped

The finished product

Green lane

New BFG ATs and a bit chopped off the tow bar so it does not act so much like a plough and we did Sarn Helen in South Wales. The section from near Seven Sisters to Neath way.

Fantastic mosaic at the start gives a bit of historical insight -it was originally a roman road.

An easy start 

Then up some rock steps

Big of wheel spin on a steep one but nothing the Difflock didn't sort out

Picnic on the moor on top

Cracking views over Swansea bay and the Bristol Channel

And lots of horses

It's a lovely lane with a hard rocky surface so no problems at all

And a tucked away finish

New toy

SWB Landcruiser purchased to replace the Daihatsu 

but on its first outing the Daihatsu had to rescue LC!

Well it was on nearly worn out road tyres.