steved69tr6 Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Hi Guys I want to get my chassis redone this year. However I have a very early build TR6 CP25243, and like originality. (That's probably answered my own question) But I'm either going to go down the path or taking the body off the chassis and sending the chassis to TRGB for recon, or buying a new one from CTM. Any thoughts on the matter? Cheers Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Steve I had the same dilemma, rebuilding the car and didn't want to end up with 'triggers broom' and when the body was off the chassis it looked really good, with no holes what so ever. Problem was that the whole chassis had gone 'thin' ……very thin and over the years had 'hogged' very badly. A compromise might be to send your chassis to CTM with the instruction to save as much metal as practical. For me I insited that my front suspension towers were used for my new chassis …at least I got a little bit of the old car back. As for the rest it was so thin that I managed to chop up the whole chassis using a single 4" cutting disc and the disc still looked pretty fresh when I had finished the steel was down to less than a MM in places. Its a hard decision I know expect you will get a few differing opinions none of them wrong ………………………. Good luck with the rebuild Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 It's a little like my Grandfather's hammer... When my father inherited the hammer, he had to replace the handle. And after I'd inherited it, I replaced the head. But it is still my Grandfather's hammer and I am happy with it. In short: the choice you have is money-driven (hours equals money) I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 This brings to mind one of my favorite lines from the movie Ronin, where De Niro's character says, "If there's any doubt, there is no doubt". It's the chassis -- probably no more important part on the car. I'm all for originality and that, but having had a semi-trailing arm TR way back, with a rust-belt chassis that was falling apart and had plates welded to keep it together, I wouldn't blink at the thought of a replacement chassis if my original were suspect. I'd smile and go on. So answer to yourself that question about doubt and act accordingly. (And it's not always a negative answer -- my TR3B is on its original frame, and although it's dinged in places it's perfectly sound and I have no doubts about it). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Bourne Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Hi Steve - For peace of mind - I suggest you get a probe camera and have a look inside. I believe there is even one for the iphone. So not expensive. If anything really bad or suspicious, then renew it. If not then restore. My TR5 chassis was in between - bad in the usual areas, but virtually untouched and almost like new in others. So I had mine strengthened and repaired. I also took the opportunity to have the front cross member fitted with an overplate for jacking and extra ones on the rear for the same purpose. Then paint inside/out - then loads of waxoil etc. Took a while,and it's messy, but it's straight and fits and will last for years. Pictures on my blog. http://www.tr-register.co.uk/rebuilders-diary/2013/07/0055/TR5-Patience-Rebuild good luck Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steved69tr6 Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 The old chassis is weak, theres also some dents along the front cross member where its been jacked up, there are several patches, some of them I've done and some done before me. Although it only goes out in good weather, it has had it. One day I do want to restore the car, but not on a bent chassis. So its fresh metal, or recon by TRGB what remains of the current. I also have a compleate from end including turrets from a chassis I scraped a few years back Cheers Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim D. Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Go with the CTM replacement and be happy.. Fit and forget. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 Go with the CTM replacement and be happy.. Fit and forget. Tim I would too. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steved69tr6 Posted March 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 Chassis ordered, gone with a new one. Thought about it and my thoughts being I'm 30, my car is 48, I want it to last until I'm dead without hassle so sod it, new CTM chassis it is Cheers Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rhino_mac Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 Chassis ordered, gone with a new one. Thought about it and my thoughts being I'm 30, my car is 48, I want it to last until I'm dead without hassle so sod it, new CTM chassis it is Good decision. Nice one! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 You won't be disappointed the chassis are top quality. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 Hi Steve - For peace of mind - I suggest you get a probe camera and have a look inside. I believe there is even one for the iphone. So not expensive. If anything really bad or suspicious, then renew it. If not then restore. My TR5 chassis was in between - bad in the usual areas, but virtually untouched and almost like new in others. So I had mine strengthened and repaired. I also took the opportunity to have the front cross member fitted with an overplate for jacking and extra ones on the rear for the same purpose. Then paint inside/out - then loads of waxoil etc. Took a while,and it's messy, but it's straight and fits and will last for years. Pictures on my blog. http://www.tr-register.co.uk/rebuilders-diary/2013/07/0055/TR5-Patience-Rebuild good luck Bill Bill, If you still have time consider fitting and sealing a rear of cockpit Alloy fireproof bulkhead panel, to prevent fuel from a ruptured fuel tank either burning or not flooding into the cockpit and over passengers. Only costs about £60 ish and if you are involved in an accident could be the difference between you being able to bemoan your luck and your damaged car, or not being in a position to do so ! Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim D. Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 £60! What's yours made out of, titanium. Mine was less than £20 for a sheet of ally, a few blind rivets and some PU sealant. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 TR specialist pricing Tim seems to be about £60 ish (I'm informed, haven't bought one myself). Like you I've always attacked an alloy sheet using the fibreboard rear board as a template and made my own for a few quids. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Robson Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 A simple question ? Would it cost you more (labour costs, etc , etc) to have an aged chassis frame 'restored' , rather than to pay for a new one ? Have you even asked your preferred supplier about that ? If so, I think I know what my recommendation would be .... Hon. Pres. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted April 1, 2017 Report Share Posted April 1, 2017 Good question Graham, and CTM are more than capable of restoring an aged chassis frame to 'good as new' - preserving whatever of the original is reasonable to preserve. Colin has done just that for me in the past, and whilst the final cost probably wasn't much different to that of a newly manufactured replacement, I preferred a CTM-restored Stanpart chassis to a CTM reproduction . . . . seemed more in the spirit of to preserve the marque TR. Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GT6M Posted April 1, 2017 Report Share Posted April 1, 2017 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-TR4A-NOS-STANPART-ORIGINAL-CHASSIS-/172577005424?hash=item282e641f70:g:rjkAAOSwOyJX9k2S M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted April 1, 2017 Report Share Posted April 1, 2017 Good question Graham, and CTM are more than capable of restoring an aged chassis frame to 'good as new' - preserving whatever of the original is reasonable to preserve. Colin has done just that for me in the past, and whilst the final cost probably wasn't much different to that of a newly manufactured replacement, I preferred a CTM-restored Stanpart chassis to a CTM reproduction . . . . seemed more in the spirit of to preserve the marque TR. Cheers Alec I'd agree with the above mostly because Alec knows what's underpinning Eric these days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 1, 2017 Report Share Posted April 1, 2017 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-TR4A-NOS-STANPART-ORIGINAL-CHASSIS-/172577005424?hash=item282e641f70:g:rjkAAOSwOyJX9k2S M Same price as a new one near enough. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steved69tr6 Posted April 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2017 Theres so many patches on my current chassis if it was restored, it would almost be a new chassis, so new one it is Cheers Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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