Chassis Swap Advice

INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND ASSESS THE FOLLOWING:

CONDITION OF SUSPENSION AND BUSHES. THESE ARE OFTEN WELL WORN AND DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE VEHICLE. THESE PARTS ARE VITAL TO THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE AND AN EASY MOT FAILURE IF LEAKING OR SPLIT. THESE ARE RELATIVELY CHEAP ITEMS AND WELL WORTH REPLACING WHILST THE VEHICLE IS APART. GEARBOX & ENGINE MOUNTS WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM BEING REPLACED AS MOST WILL BE 20+ YEARS OLD.

WHAT CONDITION IS THE CLUTCH & REAR CRANK SEAL IN? THESE ARE A LOW COST ITEM AND ARE A TIME CONSUMING JOB IF THESE ARE NOT REPLACED AT THE TIME OF A CHASSIS SWAP.

BRAKE LINES ARE ALWAYS A MUST WHEN CHANGING A CHASSIS AS THESE WILL CORRODE AT A SIMILAR RATE TO THE CHASSIS AND WHILST THE SYSTEM IS DRAINED REPLACING THE PIPE WORK IS QUICK AND EASY BY ANY DIY ENTHUSIAST. CHECK CALIPERS & CYLINDERS FOR ANY SIGNS OF DAMPNESS, ITS ALWAYS EASIER TO REPLACE NOW WHILST THE SYSTEM IS DRAINED AND PARTS CAN BE EASILY INSPECTED.

FUEL TANKS CAN DETERIORATE TUCKED UP OUT OF SIGHT, SO WORTH CHECKING AS THESE WILL NEED TO BE DRAINED AND REMOVED FOR A CHASSIS SWAP.

PROP SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS CAN GO QUICKLY SO CHECK FOR ANY PLAY AND GREASE WELL IF THEY ARE TIGHT, ITS MUCH EASIER ON THE WORK BENCH TO CHECK AND GREASE RATHER THAN ON YOUR BACK UNDER THE VEHICLE AFTER.

EXHAUST SECTIONS CAN ALSO LEAK WITHOUT NOTICE, CHECK SEAMS AND JOINTS FOR ANY SIGNS OF BLACK SOOT AND REPLACE IF REQUIRED ALONG WITH THE MOUNTING BUSHES.

CHECK EARTH STRAPS FOR SIGNS OF WEAR, THESE CAN GIVE ENDLESS ISSUES IF CORRODED AND NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY.

BRAKE PADS AND AN ENGINE SERIVCE ARE ALWAYS A FINAL JOB TO COMPLETE ANY CHASSIS SWAP TO PREPARE THE VEHICLE FOR LOW MAINTENANCE AFTER THE WORK IS FINISHED.