my 2nd attempt at earlybay ownership
- Thread starter bluenose
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bluenose
Well-known member
update on getting my red9 fitted. It really is very straight forward and everything lines up perfectly. Very nicely made. So far there are only a couple of minor things which in my opinion could be improved.
old beam dropped off with the help of leon. The best type of earlybay buyer, one that helps you get the bits off your van!
first you have to loosely fit the 2 end plates. I had to grind the bracket for the brake line off the chassis to fit it. The brake line isn't long enough to reach the new mounting point so will have to replace
then I fit the top cross member and tighten up. At this stage your supposed to put shims behind the end plate if they don't fit flush against the chassis but mine sat perfect so no need.
Tightened the end plates and then fit the bottom cross member
then fit the track rod ends. This is one thing which I think could be slightly better. The nut doesn't fully engage down to the nylon, could have done with a couple of mm machined off the spindle. I might go back over this and drop a little Loctite on it.
old beam dropped off with the help of leon. The best type of earlybay buyer, one that helps you get the bits off your van!
first you have to loosely fit the 2 end plates. I had to grind the bracket for the brake line off the chassis to fit it. The brake line isn't long enough to reach the new mounting point so will have to replace
then I fit the top cross member and tighten up. At this stage your supposed to put shims behind the end plate if they don't fit flush against the chassis but mine sat perfect so no need.
Tightened the end plates and then fit the bottom cross member
then fit the track rod ends. This is one thing which I think could be slightly better. The nut doesn't fully engage down to the nylon, could have done with a couple of mm machined off the spindle. I might go back over this and drop a little Loctite on it.
martin.sim
Well-known member
Very envious I'd love the red9 setup for mine
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Why didn't I buy my bus years ago !?
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Why didn't I buy my bus years ago !?
bluenose
Well-known member
made some progress fitting the red9 over the weekend
got the bevel box bolted in place. It is a ali box which bolts to a steel adaptor plate which bolts to the chassis
then connecting rod attaches to the steering rack
Then the other end has a slidey universal joint to connect to the bevel box. I had some probs at this stage as the rod seemed slightly too long. I had to undo the steering rack to get it on but then the rod was fouling the universal joint when it rotated. I chamfered the end slightly with a dremel to clearance it then it was all good.
got the hubs and brakes on
and now back on the ground
Just need to get the back end done now
got the bevel box bolted in place. It is a ali box which bolts to a steel adaptor plate which bolts to the chassis
then connecting rod attaches to the steering rack
Then the other end has a slidey universal joint to connect to the bevel box. I had some probs at this stage as the rod seemed slightly too long. I had to undo the steering rack to get it on but then the rod was fouling the universal joint when it rotated. I chamfered the end slightly with a dremel to clearance it then it was all good.
got the hubs and brakes on
and now back on the ground
Just need to get the back end done now
red 9 kit looks nice, and will probably make the handling better. Are you fitting a servo for the brakes?
and will probably make the handling better. Are you fitting a servo for the brakes?
bluenose
Well-known member
mike202 said:red 9 kit looks nice,
cheers dude,
not bothering with servo, would be something else to go wrong!
right I suppose that's true, the red nine beam is not going to make the van go faster so there's no need.
I sometimes think it would be nice to have one, on a longer journey involving hills! I sometimes feel like Indiana Jones on that mine wagon ride :lol:
I sometimes think it would be nice to have one, on a longer journey involving hills! I sometimes feel like Indiana Jones on that mine wagon ride :lol:
bluenose
Well-known member
Gave the bus it's first test flight today, ran it up to the paint sprayers to get all the white bits re-done
wil
Active member
How was the ride/steering with the red9 beam fitted? Would you recommend it?
Been looking at these for a while now but something else always crops up to rob me of any cash!
Been looking at these for a while now but something else always crops up to rob me of any cash!
bluenose
Well-known member
bit early to give full opinion on the red9 yet as I've only driven it about 5 miles to the sprayers but initially it seems good.
easy to fit and looks a well made bit of kit
the steering is lighter and more comfortable. It was riding harder than stock but not unpleasant and pot holes were no problem. I haven't had a chance to play around with the coilovers yet so I might try them on a softer setting and see how it feels
Steering feels a vast improvement. I can let go of the wheel and it doesn't drift an inch. Feels very stable, I was hitting corners quick and it was solid. I wanted to see how far I could push it but drifting a bus isn't on my bucket list! I felt like I was driving a yacht if I hit over 40mph before.
Couple of things I noticed were on full lock it felt like it was dragging a wheel slightly but I think I just need to take it in to get the alignment done properly. Also that the steering wheel doesn't self centralise if I let go of it after turning, it will just stay where I put it but I cannot remember if stock setup is like this.
The late bay disc setup is a vast improvement to the drums.
All in all a good initial test run
easy to fit and looks a well made bit of kit
the steering is lighter and more comfortable. It was riding harder than stock but not unpleasant and pot holes were no problem. I haven't had a chance to play around with the coilovers yet so I might try them on a softer setting and see how it feels
Steering feels a vast improvement. I can let go of the wheel and it doesn't drift an inch. Feels very stable, I was hitting corners quick and it was solid. I wanted to see how far I could push it but drifting a bus isn't on my bucket list! I felt like I was driving a yacht if I hit over 40mph before.
Couple of things I noticed were on full lock it felt like it was dragging a wheel slightly but I think I just need to take it in to get the alignment done properly. Also that the steering wheel doesn't self centralise if I let go of it after turning, it will just stay where I put it but I cannot remember if stock setup is like this.
The late bay disc setup is a vast improvement to the drums.
All in all a good initial test run
My steering which is standard EB vintage type self centers - however I think that has something to do with the steering damper? Does the red9 have one of those?
Bus looks great by the way!! Cant wait to have a good look at a show! 8)
Bus looks great by the way!! Cant wait to have a good look at a show! 8)
68_early_bay
Well-known member
Red9=wow
8)
8)
bluenose
Well-known member
lots of work done with no updates but finally on the road, taken for maiden voyage the weekend, about 80 mile round trip without issue, happy days
time to get some use out of her before the winter months set in
time to get some use out of her before the winter months set in
Resto-raider
Well-known member
Looking good. Even with two different types of rims.
bluenose
Well-known member
Resto-raider said:
haha yea I know, haven't made my mind up on wheels yet. Want to get some use while the summer days are here then sort that in the winter.
