A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Moderator: kw573
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Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Hello Sam ,
Wow what an adventure you are going on !!!
It sounds like The Glorifier will be locked and loaded and ready for the sand dunes.
What you have achieved in your restoration of this awesome truck is an inspiration !!
The beach sand pictures of your truck hauling along are very nice
I will be starting a 1941 CCKW later in the year.
You have overcome many obstacles with your skills and knowhow !!!
Keep us posted !!!!
Best Regards,
Ray
USA
Wow what an adventure you are going on !!!
It sounds like The Glorifier will be locked and loaded and ready for the sand dunes.
What you have achieved in your restoration of this awesome truck is an inspiration !!
The beach sand pictures of your truck hauling along are very nice
I will be starting a 1941 CCKW later in the year.
You have overcome many obstacles with your skills and knowhow !!!
Keep us posted !!!!
Best Regards,
Ray
USA
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- G-Sergeant First Class
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:09 am
- Location: NEW ZEALAND
- Contact:
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Hi Sam, Your perseverance is commendable. Yes, Michelin Unimog tire's are the bomb, you will get hi k's from them also.
In the sand & mud we take our pressure down to 35 psi & have not had them push off the bead.
Thank you for this massive thread!
Keep the rubber side down Sam.
In the sand & mud we take our pressure down to 35 psi & have not had them push off the bead.
Thank you for this massive thread!
Keep the rubber side down Sam.
UNIMOG DOWN UNDER
1953 one ton GS trailer
1961 Mighty Mite M422A1
1986 Unimog 1300L
1971 Serries Skippy Land Rover, Son's drive.
1953 one ton GS trailer
1961 Mighty Mite M422A1
1986 Unimog 1300L
1971 Serries Skippy Land Rover, Son's drive.
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- G-Colonel
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- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
- Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Thanks for the comments Ray and Stephen,
Tyres-wise, I have spoken to a couple of men who have been involved in outback trucking and they told similar stories of how to avoid blowouts in the extreme outback conditions. And they run counter to popular practice or even manufacturers instructions, but no more blowouts. We'll see.
The front of the Glorifier is looking busy now with aerial, siren, vice and bridge plate fitted. I like it!
And I'm taking most of my recovery gear, mostly because I can.
One of the shackle rubbers I made was a bit undersize, so I made some more . . . . .
. . . to replace it and to have some spares.
Mostly packing now, 2 days to departure!
I'm excited!
Have a nice day.
Sam.
Tyres-wise, I have spoken to a couple of men who have been involved in outback trucking and they told similar stories of how to avoid blowouts in the extreme outback conditions. And they run counter to popular practice or even manufacturers instructions, but no more blowouts. We'll see.
The front of the Glorifier is looking busy now with aerial, siren, vice and bridge plate fitted. I like it!
And I'm taking most of my recovery gear, mostly because I can.
One of the shackle rubbers I made was a bit undersize, so I made some more . . . . .
. . . to replace it and to have some spares.
Mostly packing now, 2 days to departure!
I'm excited!
Have a nice day.
Sam.
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
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- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 5652
- Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
- Location:
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Hello Sam,
She is truly looking good
It sounds like a great expedition !!
Do you have a Go Pro type camera that you can mount on her, to make some films of the sand dune expedition and maybe post on youtube or another hosting location ?
Please take a lot of action photos when you get under way !!
Have a great time !!!
Best Regards,
Ray
USA
She is truly looking good
It sounds like a great expedition !!
Do you have a Go Pro type camera that you can mount on her, to make some films of the sand dune expedition and maybe post on youtube or another hosting location ?
Please take a lot of action photos when you get under way !!
Have a great time !!!
Best Regards,
Ray
USA
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- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
- Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Hi Ray,
I have a couple of cameras to take, but I have to learn how to stage good shots during the trip. I plan to update this thread with plenty of pictures when I can, but I will repeatedly be in extended areas without internet service available.
Hi Stephen,
Just to clarify, the tyres I am using are Goodyear Omnitraks. Is "bomb" good or bad?
Further packing happened today and we constructed a shower screen frame that clamps on the front bumper. The screen is not so much out of modesty, rather to keep the cold lazy breeze from freezing me as soon as the warm water stops.
A bunch of the bigger tools were packed into a rear tool box, and as I am hoping the data/warning plates will arrive just before we leave in 2 days time, I spent some time sorting the #4 brass bolts that I hope we will need to fit them.
The rear spring trunnions were out of lubricant, so I bought some 250 grade oil to use, but it still leaked somewhat. So I have decided to treat them like a total-loss system and top them up every couple of days.
Then it started raining and hasn't stopped. That put an end to the preparations for today.
Still some organizing to do, but getting there.
Have a nice evening.
Sam.
I have a couple of cameras to take, but I have to learn how to stage good shots during the trip. I plan to update this thread with plenty of pictures when I can, but I will repeatedly be in extended areas without internet service available.
Hi Stephen,
Just to clarify, the tyres I am using are Goodyear Omnitraks. Is "bomb" good or bad?
Further packing happened today and we constructed a shower screen frame that clamps on the front bumper. The screen is not so much out of modesty, rather to keep the cold lazy breeze from freezing me as soon as the warm water stops.
A bunch of the bigger tools were packed into a rear tool box, and as I am hoping the data/warning plates will arrive just before we leave in 2 days time, I spent some time sorting the #4 brass bolts that I hope we will need to fit them.
The rear spring trunnions were out of lubricant, so I bought some 250 grade oil to use, but it still leaked somewhat. So I have decided to treat them like a total-loss system and top them up every couple of days.
Then it started raining and hasn't stopped. That put an end to the preparations for today.
Still some organizing to do, but getting there.
Have a nice evening.
Sam.
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
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- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
- Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Good evening fellow sojourners,
Despite more optimistic hopes, we didn't manage to get on to the road until mid afternoon.
Here is the Glorifier almost finished packing. Hmmm, what have we forgotten?
Eventually, we decided it was time to go, ready or not.
We got away at about 2.30pm and traveled as far as Binjour Plateau where we are camped for the night. Early performance seems to indicate a comfortable cruising speed of 75kmph with a top speed around 81kmph. The distance traveled in 2 1/2hrs with a couple of stops was 120kms. That's Barry, in charge of the fires.
We are testing different tyre pressures to see what works the best. Todays 70psi will be bumped to 75psi for tomorrow. More on that later.
Until the next post.
Have a nice day.
Sam.
Despite more optimistic hopes, we didn't manage to get on to the road until mid afternoon.
Here is the Glorifier almost finished packing. Hmmm, what have we forgotten?
Eventually, we decided it was time to go, ready or not.
We got away at about 2.30pm and traveled as far as Binjour Plateau where we are camped for the night. Early performance seems to indicate a comfortable cruising speed of 75kmph with a top speed around 81kmph. The distance traveled in 2 1/2hrs with a couple of stops was 120kms. That's Barry, in charge of the fires.
We are testing different tyre pressures to see what works the best. Todays 70psi will be bumped to 75psi for tomorrow. More on that later.
Until the next post.
Have a nice day.
Sam.
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2003 2:46 am
- Location: Queensland Aust
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Hi Sam and Baz,
I'm so glad you are on the road.
I'm looking forward to see your posts when you can.
I hope all goes well.
Best of luck.
Cheers
Jeff
I'm so glad you are on the road.
I'm looking forward to see your posts when you can.
I hope all goes well.
Best of luck.
Cheers
Jeff
1942 script GPW
1942 WLA
1941 BSA WM20
1945 Wiles Cooker junior
type 2, 3 & 4 Aussie trailers
WC 21 Dodge
1942 WLA
1941 BSA WM20
1945 Wiles Cooker junior
type 2, 3 & 4 Aussie trailers
WC 21 Dodge
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- G-Lieutenant Colonel
- Posts: 1002
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:24 pm
- Location: 70 km outside of Melbourne Australia
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
I recall hearing this story from one of the fellows ferrying trucks from post war sales in Queensland to the southern states. They would drive one truck and tow another with both trucks loaded up with petrol and tyres and whatever was worth carrying south. Initially they had a great deal of trouble with tyre failures until they adopted a routine whereby they set the pressures to the recommended figure before setting off in the morning. As the tyres and the day heated up they would halt periodically and bleed off the increase in pressure to maintain the initial figure.
This virtually eliminated the tyre problems they had experienced previously. Whether this would work with radial ply tyres and their thin sidewalls I don't know. The heat buildup would I think be nowhere near as bad as a crossply.
Dave
This virtually eliminated the tyre problems they had experienced previously. Whether this would work with radial ply tyres and their thin sidewalls I don't know. The heat buildup would I think be nowhere near as bad as a crossply.
Dave
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- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
- Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Hi Jeff and Dave,
Thanks for the comments. We made it to Charlieville tonight, lots of travelers around due to the Birdsville races being on in a week or so.
Playing with tyre pressures has been interesting. We started off on Monday with 70psi cold, which went up to 80psi hot, 14% increase. 2nd day we tried 75psi cold, which went up to 83psi, an increase of 11%. Today we started cold at 80psi which went to 90psi hot, an increase of 12%. Before we left home, I consulted a very experienced and knowledgeable tyre man, who told me that the judgement of tyre pressures was measured by % pressure increase and should not exceed 15% from cold to hot.
As the least increase was at 75psi cold, we are going to trial that again tomorrow, which may also see the end of the bitumen for 10 days or so. Another interesting observation was that this morning which was quite cold, maybe 5 deg.C, the pressure was less than what we started with (75psi) the day before by about 2 or 3 psi. We put that down to the colder morning!
We also had to contend with lots of mice invading the roadside camp!
Fuel economy has risen to 4km/lt = 24lts/100kms = 11mpg. I think that this is mostly due to the 43" tyres.
Cruising speed is around 75-77kmph, but sometimes it seems to like to creep up to 80kmph comfortably.
Otherwise, we've had only very minor problems. The cabin hood bow has dropped, so we will adjust that in the morning and do something to secure it for the rough roads ahead. Also, the accelerator pedal linkage came apart on the first day as I had forgotten to fit the split pin. Easy fixed.
So far, very good.
Til the next post, have a nice day.
Sam.
Thanks for the comments. We made it to Charlieville tonight, lots of travelers around due to the Birdsville races being on in a week or so.
Playing with tyre pressures has been interesting. We started off on Monday with 70psi cold, which went up to 80psi hot, 14% increase. 2nd day we tried 75psi cold, which went up to 83psi, an increase of 11%. Today we started cold at 80psi which went to 90psi hot, an increase of 12%. Before we left home, I consulted a very experienced and knowledgeable tyre man, who told me that the judgement of tyre pressures was measured by % pressure increase and should not exceed 15% from cold to hot.
As the least increase was at 75psi cold, we are going to trial that again tomorrow, which may also see the end of the bitumen for 10 days or so. Another interesting observation was that this morning which was quite cold, maybe 5 deg.C, the pressure was less than what we started with (75psi) the day before by about 2 or 3 psi. We put that down to the colder morning!
We also had to contend with lots of mice invading the roadside camp!
Fuel economy has risen to 4km/lt = 24lts/100kms = 11mpg. I think that this is mostly due to the 43" tyres.
Cruising speed is around 75-77kmph, but sometimes it seems to like to creep up to 80kmph comfortably.
Otherwise, we've had only very minor problems. The cabin hood bow has dropped, so we will adjust that in the morning and do something to secure it for the rough roads ahead. Also, the accelerator pedal linkage came apart on the first day as I had forgotten to fit the split pin. Easy fixed.
So far, very good.
Til the next post, have a nice day.
Sam.
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
- Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Good morning MV followers, friends and other incurables,
Two days ago, we crossed the famous Cooper's Creek at Windorah.
Due to an outback festival taking place at Birdsville soon (Red Big Bash), there are a LOT of caravaners here, I mean many hundreds. The small town was very crowded. Very glad that we did not need to buy diesel due to the very long ques of vehicles waiting to buy fuel.
The country is very open from Windorah to Birdsville, about 400 kms, and the road is surprisingly good. Roughest parts were manageable at about 50kmph.
At Birdsville (so named because it was noted as a place where large numbers of birds gathered due to the usually permanent water in the Diamantina River, I'm told) was our first fuel up from the drums we are carrying. We have 10 Jerry cans and the rest are re-used plastic 20 lt drums. We emptied and threw out 12 drums yesterday. Yes, in the town dump!!
Last night, we camped at the old Diamantina Crossing, still at Birdsville. It was 2deg.C at sunrise this morning. I hate the cold!!
The Glorifier continues to travel with no real problems. The rear rear diff which is the one driving the truck is leaking oil and we lost a small bolt from the side of the cabin.
But we have a problem. Due to COVID19 border closures, we are currently unable to enter South Australia and therefore cross the Simpson Desert as we planned. There is no information that we have found to speculate how long the closures will remain. So we are investigating traveling the Hay River track which also crosses the Simpson Desert, but more north-south, and does not cross into South Australia. We may even need to go via. the Plenty Highway.
A decision will be made in the next 2 days.
Many people like the Glorifier, we get lots of waves and it puts a smile on many faces.
What an adventure!!
Until the next post, have a nice day.
Sam.
Two days ago, we crossed the famous Cooper's Creek at Windorah.
Due to an outback festival taking place at Birdsville soon (Red Big Bash), there are a LOT of caravaners here, I mean many hundreds. The small town was very crowded. Very glad that we did not need to buy diesel due to the very long ques of vehicles waiting to buy fuel.
The country is very open from Windorah to Birdsville, about 400 kms, and the road is surprisingly good. Roughest parts were manageable at about 50kmph.
At Birdsville (so named because it was noted as a place where large numbers of birds gathered due to the usually permanent water in the Diamantina River, I'm told) was our first fuel up from the drums we are carrying. We have 10 Jerry cans and the rest are re-used plastic 20 lt drums. We emptied and threw out 12 drums yesterday. Yes, in the town dump!!
Last night, we camped at the old Diamantina Crossing, still at Birdsville. It was 2deg.C at sunrise this morning. I hate the cold!!
The Glorifier continues to travel with no real problems. The rear rear diff which is the one driving the truck is leaking oil and we lost a small bolt from the side of the cabin.
But we have a problem. Due to COVID19 border closures, we are currently unable to enter South Australia and therefore cross the Simpson Desert as we planned. There is no information that we have found to speculate how long the closures will remain. So we are investigating traveling the Hay River track which also crosses the Simpson Desert, but more north-south, and does not cross into South Australia. We may even need to go via. the Plenty Highway.
A decision will be made in the next 2 days.
Many people like the Glorifier, we get lots of waves and it puts a smile on many faces.
What an adventure!!
Until the next post, have a nice day.
Sam.
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
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- G-Private First Class
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2020 6:40 pm
- Location:
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Great to see you enjoying the rewards of your years of hard work in restoring The Glorifier Sam.What an incredible journey you are on — very envious
Good luck
Peter
Good luck
Peter
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- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
- Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Thanks for the feedback, Peter.
Greetings fellow virtual travelers,
After due consideration, the reluctant decision was made to travel north to Boulia then west on the Donohue Highway (250kms) into Northern Territory and onto the Plenty Highway (500kms) to the Stuart Highway and down to Alice Springs. It was a complete unknown how long it would be until the S.A. border restrictions would relax or whether a 14 day quarantine would apply. So, off we went.
The disappointment of not being able to test the Glorifier across the Simpson Desert was an unexpected dampener on a trip that was going really very well. Hopefully I'll get the chance in 4 years time at the next BTTT.
More open country.
Sometimes the going was good, like this . . .
. . . but the road was very poor in a few places, with the dreaded and always not far away corrugations to test whether you have packed your vehicle or tightened all the bolts well enough. Thankfully, we lost only a small cabin bolt and a grease nipple from the hand brake linkage.
Here was a major intersection for us, we turned left to head south the 70kms into Alice Springs.
By midday, we had found our campsite, arriving many days earlier than we expected or planned.
BTTT2021 is not due to start for 2 1/2 weeks yet, so we will have a quiet time, doing a few hours a day volunteering for the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, where we are camped.
Overall, the Glorifier has behaved very well, cruising at 75 - 80kmph when the road condition allowed. Interestingly, the trailing rear diff which is driving the truck has lots of oil leaks, but the idling leading rear diff has almost none. I can only speculate that this is heat related. I'd like to replace the breather with a long 'riser' to see how that affects the oil leaks.
Anyway, until next time, have a nice weekend.
Sam.
Greetings fellow virtual travelers,
After due consideration, the reluctant decision was made to travel north to Boulia then west on the Donohue Highway (250kms) into Northern Territory and onto the Plenty Highway (500kms) to the Stuart Highway and down to Alice Springs. It was a complete unknown how long it would be until the S.A. border restrictions would relax or whether a 14 day quarantine would apply. So, off we went.
The disappointment of not being able to test the Glorifier across the Simpson Desert was an unexpected dampener on a trip that was going really very well. Hopefully I'll get the chance in 4 years time at the next BTTT.
More open country.
Sometimes the going was good, like this . . .
. . . but the road was very poor in a few places, with the dreaded and always not far away corrugations to test whether you have packed your vehicle or tightened all the bolts well enough. Thankfully, we lost only a small cabin bolt and a grease nipple from the hand brake linkage.
Here was a major intersection for us, we turned left to head south the 70kms into Alice Springs.
By midday, we had found our campsite, arriving many days earlier than we expected or planned.
BTTT2021 is not due to start for 2 1/2 weeks yet, so we will have a quiet time, doing a few hours a day volunteering for the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, where we are camped.
Overall, the Glorifier has behaved very well, cruising at 75 - 80kmph when the road condition allowed. Interestingly, the trailing rear diff which is driving the truck has lots of oil leaks, but the idling leading rear diff has almost none. I can only speculate that this is heat related. I'd like to replace the breather with a long 'riser' to see how that affects the oil leaks.
Anyway, until next time, have a nice weekend.
Sam.
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
- Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Good morning MV voyeurs,
We have been at the NRTHOF for about a week and have been making ourselves (The Glorifier) useful by moving vehicles around to make space to put the military items in the front display area.
One item that took a bit of thinking was a Moore Scoopmobile. We had to chain the bucket down then put chains from the front axle, under the bucket and up to the crane hooks. The distance bar, a.k.a. 'A' frame, was then attached to the chains in a manner seen in the T.M. pictures.
The only other problem was the articulating steering which had a mind of its' own, so was constrained with ratchet straps. The move was then no problem.
Another interesting and very tiring job was to fit new tubes to the wheels of two 40mm Bofors guns. The tyres were flat, distorted, hard and mostly uncooperative. But we got it done over 3 days. The Holmes W45 came into its' own lifting the Bofors axles for the removal and replacement of the wheels.
This is morning 'get-going' at our camp. The days have varied from cool to quite warm.
We still have 2 weeks before heading off to Darwin with however many vehicles manage to arrive pending COVID restrictions.
Anyway, until the next update, have a nice day.
Sam
We have been at the NRTHOF for about a week and have been making ourselves (The Glorifier) useful by moving vehicles around to make space to put the military items in the front display area.
One item that took a bit of thinking was a Moore Scoopmobile. We had to chain the bucket down then put chains from the front axle, under the bucket and up to the crane hooks. The distance bar, a.k.a. 'A' frame, was then attached to the chains in a manner seen in the T.M. pictures.
The only other problem was the articulating steering which had a mind of its' own, so was constrained with ratchet straps. The move was then no problem.
Another interesting and very tiring job was to fit new tubes to the wheels of two 40mm Bofors guns. The tyres were flat, distorted, hard and mostly uncooperative. But we got it done over 3 days. The Holmes W45 came into its' own lifting the Bofors axles for the removal and replacement of the wheels.
This is morning 'get-going' at our camp. The days have varied from cool to quite warm.
We still have 2 weeks before heading off to Darwin with however many vehicles manage to arrive pending COVID restrictions.
Anyway, until the next update, have a nice day.
Sam
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
-
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 5652
- Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
- Location:
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Hello Sam,
The adventure looks outstanding!!!
How nice it must be , to be free , and rolling across the wilderness and desert areas in remote locations.
Your truck pics on those roads look great !!
Alice Springs reminds me of a very popular TV show from many years ago, called "A Town Called Alice", it was highly popular in the USA !!
That Bofors gun looks very interesting !
Are you hooking it up and taking it home with the Glorifier
My father was in the 463rd Anti -Aircraft Unit in California and fired a 40 MM anti-aircraft gun in the Mojave desert on training missions. He said he loved the night firing, seeing the tracer effect of the 40mm rounds bouncing of the hills in the target areas.
That was before he joined the infantry as a machine gunner and went to France to battle the Germans in the Alsace -Lorraine.
Keep us posted,
What a trip !!!
When I get a couple vehicles done, I want to do a cross country trip on the Trans America off road Trail across America, coast to coast.
Best Regards,
Ray
The adventure looks outstanding!!!
How nice it must be , to be free , and rolling across the wilderness and desert areas in remote locations.
Your truck pics on those roads look great !!
Alice Springs reminds me of a very popular TV show from many years ago, called "A Town Called Alice", it was highly popular in the USA !!
That Bofors gun looks very interesting !
Are you hooking it up and taking it home with the Glorifier
My father was in the 463rd Anti -Aircraft Unit in California and fired a 40 MM anti-aircraft gun in the Mojave desert on training missions. He said he loved the night firing, seeing the tracer effect of the 40mm rounds bouncing of the hills in the target areas.
That was before he joined the infantry as a machine gunner and went to France to battle the Germans in the Alsace -Lorraine.
Keep us posted,
What a trip !!!
When I get a couple vehicles done, I want to do a cross country trip on the Trans America off road Trail across America, coast to coast.
Best Regards,
Ray
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:48 pm
- Location: Near Bundaberg, Australia.
Re: A 969 rebuild from Downunder.
Thanks for the comments, Ray.
And it is true, traveling across the country is a wonderful experience.
The last week has been mostly moving vehicles around. One vehicle is a Studebaker US6 6x6. When I inspected it, it seemed to be in fairly good condition. So after wrestling with fuel supply issues and a failing condenser, it ran quite well. So I hooked it to a Bofors and have been running it briefly each day. The tyres are shot, but have held air (mostly) with 7.50x16 tubes found in the tyre dump! The radar antenna is from the WW2 HMAS Hobart, according to the plaque. It seemed like a good place to put it.
Today, I attacked the Stuart Tank remains. We tried to get it to move last week without success. The tracks did not roll, but skidded in the dirt. But it did give me the opportunity to try something that I have been long wanting to have the chance to try. I have in the past seen modern and vintage film of tow trucks with their front wheels in the air, including one of a 969. This was my chance. I am well familiar with the construction of the 969 to know that this can be done without damage to the truck. So, . . . . .
It did not seem that dramatic in the cab, but looks great. Gently raised by working the clutch in high range/first gear and gently lowered as well. I was surprised how easy it was to control it.
Today, after some thought, I checked again only to find that the tank was stuck in reverse gear, by taking the transmission top cover off and working out the gears. It is a 3 speed transmission, yes?
Anyway, despite the corrosion, we managed to get it into neutral. But the tracks were still solid, so after some sledge hammer and porta-power assistance, we did get it to roll. The tracks are in very poor condition, so we didn't push our luck and after about 300meters, stopped before we broke a track and will wait for the tilt-tray truck to move it to its' new position.
Yesterday morning, for the first time this trip, the Glorifier let me down. It wouldn't start, air in the fuel lines. Turned out that the shutoff tap at the original chassis-mounted fuel filter was sucking air through its' gland packing. A simple tighten with a spanner fixed that.
As more participants arrive, the activities are changing from volunteering to seeing the local sights, etc.
So, I'm sure that there will be more to report on in the next few days before we depart for Darwin on Sunday.
That's all for now.
Have a nice week.
Sam.
And it is true, traveling across the country is a wonderful experience.
The last week has been mostly moving vehicles around. One vehicle is a Studebaker US6 6x6. When I inspected it, it seemed to be in fairly good condition. So after wrestling with fuel supply issues and a failing condenser, it ran quite well. So I hooked it to a Bofors and have been running it briefly each day. The tyres are shot, but have held air (mostly) with 7.50x16 tubes found in the tyre dump! The radar antenna is from the WW2 HMAS Hobart, according to the plaque. It seemed like a good place to put it.
Today, I attacked the Stuart Tank remains. We tried to get it to move last week without success. The tracks did not roll, but skidded in the dirt. But it did give me the opportunity to try something that I have been long wanting to have the chance to try. I have in the past seen modern and vintage film of tow trucks with their front wheels in the air, including one of a 969. This was my chance. I am well familiar with the construction of the 969 to know that this can be done without damage to the truck. So, . . . . .
It did not seem that dramatic in the cab, but looks great. Gently raised by working the clutch in high range/first gear and gently lowered as well. I was surprised how easy it was to control it.
Today, after some thought, I checked again only to find that the tank was stuck in reverse gear, by taking the transmission top cover off and working out the gears. It is a 3 speed transmission, yes?
Anyway, despite the corrosion, we managed to get it into neutral. But the tracks were still solid, so after some sledge hammer and porta-power assistance, we did get it to roll. The tracks are in very poor condition, so we didn't push our luck and after about 300meters, stopped before we broke a track and will wait for the tilt-tray truck to move it to its' new position.
Yesterday morning, for the first time this trip, the Glorifier let me down. It wouldn't start, air in the fuel lines. Turned out that the shutoff tap at the original chassis-mounted fuel filter was sucking air through its' gland packing. A simple tighten with a spanner fixed that.
As more participants arrive, the activities are changing from volunteering to seeing the local sights, etc.
So, I'm sure that there will be more to report on in the next few days before we depart for Darwin on Sunday.
That's all for now.
Have a nice week.
Sam.
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.
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