Big changes...

Evening chaps and chapesses,

Right, just failed the MOT on quite a lot of welding needed(lots more than previously thought apparently although still not sure how much as the welder seems a bit vague) and am contemplating a variety of changes and would be most pleased to hear your advice and thoughts on the following.

What is the actual likely cost of changing a chassis? I have heard people suggest that it's actually cheaper to get it done professionally as they have all parts on site, know what they're doing - what would it be likely to cost to hand it to someone with a pants chassis then pick it up a week later with a gleaming galvie one?

If i was to replace the chassis i would probably change the bulkhead too - are these available galvie and are they worth it?

I have been thinking about changing the engine from a td to a 200tdi which i would probably do at the same time. I don't know how the points system for the DVLA works and don't understand it, if i did this would i still have enough points to keep the vehicle on its original registration (especially as i would be changing the chassis for like for like as a new one as a direct replacement - does this still come into it?)

or would i be better off just biting the bullet and splashing right out on one with all these desired bits already on it and selling what i have for whatever i can get for it? I am not after an investment as would plan to keep it forever, the rest of my 90 is pretty tidy and i now have some sentimental attachment to it so i would not really like to do this!

Give us yer thoughts!

Cheers
OD

I think the points system is 8 for a chassis, 2 for an engine and 2 each for axles (check on DVLA web-site though). As long as you keep below 12 points, you're OK.
You can get galvanised bulkheads. There's a guy in the village who's just had his 200TDi re-built on a galvi chassis and bulkhead. I don't know his name, but he trades as Golden Oak (Landscaping / Tree Surgery) - you could look him up in Yellow Pages and give him a ring and ask him how much it cost.

Do you "score" points for a like-for-like replacement, or is it only if you upgrade (e.g. leafs to coils)?

I was hoping someone might suggest that a like for like (with new) replacement wouldn't attaract the point system and it wouldn't matter! - (although not sure it would be all that much point in declaring it anyway, this would be a job-for-life!)

How bad's your chassis? My 1986 90 on original chassis is clean metal along the main chassis rails (found that out when I scraped all the waxoyl off with my new fuel tank). It's got one patch on the offside bulkhead out rigger, a patch behind my rear near side spring and a patch on the rear cross member.

So long as you're replacing the chassis with a new one that's the same it counts as a "repair" so no problem.

Pos has a point have you actually had a good look at it? My 110 is having new outriggers and a rear x-member but the rest of it is sound as a pound. When I cut the old back end off I had a look inside with a torch and it's spotless in there. I was expecting much much worse after 18 years.

The bloke i spoke to today said there were some really dodgy repairs on the chassis between the trailing arm points and the newish rear (with extensions) cross member. Originally he said £200 repair then he said he couldn't be bothered to do coz it would be "a few days work" it so i'm trying to get someone else sensible to give me a better quote, but it did get me thinking that as i plan to own one of these for a very long time, why not make it this one and rule out future chassis problems, as there will obviously be more with this chassis coz all we;ll be doing is putting off the inevitable with a spot of welding here and there!

Very glad you said that Hughesy, so really i don't even need to declare it?

yup, hughesy is right, like for like is no problem on the points system

ere Od - dont Trewy know of a good welder?

why don't you dedicate all your evenings and your weekends for two months, lift the whole body off the chassis and slot a nice new one in underneath. It can be done.

The Mad Hat Man said:

ere Od - dont Trewy know of a good welder?

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aye, but his main job is doin MOTs, which earns him much more money than weldin!

yella said:

yup, hughesy is right, like for like is no problem on the points system

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And would Galvie be considered an upgrade? (or just sensibe planning!)

The Mad Hat Man said:

ere Od - dont Trewy know of a good welder?

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Yeah, he does, if my local garage lets me down i might pop over there (they are the ones who quoted me a good price for an engine change too so maybe they'd not consider the welding too much hassle too, and kill 2 birds with one stone!)

a galved jobbie is just a replacement, fook knows why cos everyone who has done one reckons none of the fookin holes are in the right places

exscuse me for butting in lads . but i do mobile welding round st austell eria . dont no where in cornwall you are ut if it aint to far i wuld gladly come round an ave a look for ya

oooh, there ya go odi, yer got yer own personal mobile welder, get in there son

Doh, just seen this but missed it at the time - latest update is that i've got it in another garage in St Austell who say it int all that bad and he should be able to do it (and hopefully has done it all for a coupla hundred quid) - the other guy was really neurotic and basically told me that he couldn't be bothered with the hassle of welding me motor so that made me think it was rteally bad and actually it isn't (although it is a bit bad!)

Really sorry i missed yer fred before i booked it in Billbord, i would very much appreciate if yer'd PM me your details so i can get in touch next time there's (definitely!) gonna be some more soon!

Lesson learned is the devil (garage) you know might feel matey and like being at home but OTHER GARAGES ARE AVAILABLE!!! - and me doris always said they were a waste of time, i keep trying to prove her wrong but might have to bite the bullit and admit that she might have a point and go elsewhere!

ffs odie, dint go admittin yer was wrong ter the doris, yerl never hear the fookin end of it

s'awright, she was tryin ter tell me i was wrong to buy the thing in the first place but i put her straight! Now i've sorted out the mot thing, i was looking at spending several hundred to keep it on the road so now it's only a couple of hundred, by her reckoning (which i worked out after the christmas "sales"), i have probably saved £500 so new TDI engine and a hydraulic winch here we come!!!

Just got it back this evening and it looks like a patchwork quilt! That's it sorted fer another year though - sure is nice to have it back (the "courtesy" car was the least courteous car possible, being a Skoda Favorite R reg - didn't do too badly off road though )