Running Gear

[Andy302]

Assuming the future engine rebuild goes without too many major cock ups, I would next turn my attention to the Jag running gear.

What opinions are held by the masses regarding rebuilding your own running gear vs. buying the lot recon. from wards or the kit supplier?

Are there any hidden costs that make buying recon kit the best option, given the firly high price tag. also what happens about proving the origin when buying recon stuff?

thanks again

Andy
1st the Garage, 2nd the engine 3rd the kids..doh sorry, GD427!

[VinceGledhill]

If you buy your running gear from a scrap vehicle and also get the V5 you should get it all sorted (new bushes etc) for about 600 quid. That's using the dif as is. Taking a chance.... yes.... but the Jag difs are pretty rock solid.

Then there's your time to re-furbish it all.

If you have the time and want to save about 1400 quid then it is worth doing yourself without a doubt.

Tight Yorkshireman here....

And you can save dosh by doing the following...

Buy a Tig welder and make up your own exhausts and Headers (Tig paid for with savings made) then make your own stainless fuel tank and cooling header tank.

Buy three rolls of cable (all black in my case) and make your own wiring loom.... 10 quid instead of 200 or so.

Get fibreglass seat shells and pay someone to upholster them for you in the leather you provide (Hyde of leather for 90 quid +VAT) my seats cost £150 to upholster.

Get your own roll of 6m of carpet from Middletons in Cleckheaton west Yorkshire for 50 quid and do the carpeting yourself.

Get everything you can possible from the scrap yard.

P.S. All the above has been done on mine and many others cars to save money.

Then get the most expensive paint job that you can afford. And the best wheels and tyres money can buy.

JMHO

[Dutch Paul]

Vince

< Then get the most expensive paint job that you can afford. And the best wheels and tyres money can buy.

Are you sure you`re from Yorkshire?
What`s wrong with gelcoat and Jag wheels?


Just a thought

Paul

[JimT]

Hi Andy,

I'm reconditioning mine myself, my main problem has been lack of knowledge on my part and lack of tools (it's a sh*t getting an oxycetalene bottle on the sly). It's been taking me ages 'cos for every single part I have to try and find out if it needs replacing, if there are better parts, how to recondition it...and how to put it back together....this process may well take you a lot less time than it has me.

Although it's taken ages I don't regret it as I've learned loooads.

If you do go for it yourself just make sure you have access to a hydraulic press, hex sockets, a decent heat source and a damn big hammer (moral support).

If you want any pictures I have hundreds at various stripdown stages.

Jim.
www.kitbitz.co.uk

[nbracken]

Hi Andy, the front is relatively easy to do yourself without special tools or knowledge. I went this route. However it is so easy you probably don't save much by the tim you have bought all the bits yourself versus buying complete units from Wards or similar.

The rear is another deal altogether. For the amateur (I include myself here), I think stripping and reconditioning the diff and the rear hubs is a cahllenge too far. I bought from Eddy at Wards (he recondition the parts I took in. About the only job I did on the rear was the brakes and the u/j's. Many people take a chance with the diff (and some the hubs also). I did not.

Good luck.