Tony_C Posted May 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 As ever, looking for something else when came across some of the early (for me) TRaction’s - Still a good read but, not all fun, brought back memories ref page 3..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 Hi Tony, Alec's letter to the Ed is something to think about when flying through the countryside. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 Sobering thought. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 Very......one of the first few Traction’s I received as a new member too.....seems along time ago, but still pertinent. Iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 Every chance I get I encourage TR owners to check these essential fitments, Roll over bar, Alloy rear firewall, and as outlined the front wishbone suspension mounting on the TR4a/5/6. Driving a TR is one of life's pleasures but they are cars from a bygone age, if a new car was being sold with these shortcomings we wouldn't consider either buying it or driving our families around in it. Instead owners persuade themselves that they drive sedately on public roads forgetting the unforeseen cyclist emerging from a side road that causes a driver to swerve and put a wheel onto a soft verge which digs in and...it's over. No rear roll over bar or alloy rear of cockpit firewall... No second chances. Or whilst you are sat at a sideroad T junction a 3.5 ton White van driving too fast losing it and T boning you turning the car over, causing the cockpit to lozenge, the fuel tank to rupture and the occupants to be killed in the conflagration. No rear roll over bar (which helps the cockpit remain square) or alloy rear of cockpit firewall... No second chances. Alec had lost friends over the years of variations of the above and had posted a number of times trying to persuade TR owners to examine their own cars and commit to improving it's safety. It's all about priorities. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 ...and I recall making those aluminium firewalls on the bandsaw when I worked with C&B. The templates were still in the sample stores when I left in 1993. Friday was my day in the workshop. I think the man who ran the workshop saved up all the special jobs for me to do - I seemed always to build diffs or steering boxes, bandsaw out firewalls or bulkhead sealer plates, fly press outer sill ends & blanke and raise hardtop cappings for TR2-3A. All strenuous or ponderous stuff. Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 (edited) . Edited April 15, 2020 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
D1070 Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 (edited) Alec' s words are even more pertinent today than in 1979.Triumphs in general and TRs in particular look incredibly vulnerable compared to contemporary vehicles. I have a roll bar fitted and front hub strengthening kit but does anyone know where the tank shield and suspension strengthening kit can be purchased. Apologies in advance if this has already been discussed in other threads , Cheers Laurence Edited May 8, 2019 by D1070 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 Hi Laurence, Give TR Revington a call. I know they do the firewall Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 Laurence your car should have the front suspension kit fitted already I would have thought, Revingtons do a firewall kit. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 However, be aware that the Revington firewall for a Sidescreen needs quite a lot of fettling to fit it. It’s not a simple bolt on task. At the very least you need to make a template and cut it to fit before trimming the aluminium sheet you get from Revington. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 (edited) I fitted a Revington firewall a couple of years ago. 1) It is only a sheet of ally (thickness?) which has been cut VERY approximately to the right shape and needs serious fettling (cutting and bending) A template in cardboard first is essential. 2) It is one hell of a fiddle to fit especially if your panel ajustment skills are very limited like mine. The top is an aberration and to be done really well the fuel tank needs to come out. On my post 60 000 3A I pop rivetted ally angle iron to the body work wherever I could and then fitted the firewall while 'shaping' it at the same time. The whole sealed with soft setting mastic. Mine intrudes into the cockpit area a little so reducing the space behind the seats Not an easy job but satisfaction guaranteed once it is in james Edited May 8, 2019 by james christie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
D1070 Posted May 9, 2019 Report Share Posted May 9, 2019 Thanks Roger and Stuart,I'll speak to Revington ,bearing James's comments in mind, Cheers Laurence Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drewmotty Posted May 9, 2019 Report Share Posted May 9, 2019 There’s just as much work getting the proprietary firewall to fit as there is making your own. I have templates and a former to make a lip around the diff bulge which you are welcome to borrow Laurence. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dic Doretti Posted May 9, 2019 Report Share Posted May 9, 2019 In 1979 I was going to see John Hayter of the Berkshire TR Centre to buy a surrey top to give some roll over protection when I barrel rolled the 4A. Its not a comfortable feeling being trapped in an inverted car with the petrol gurgleing out nearby. Fortunately some burly lads came along and flipped the car back on its wheels before disaster struck. A firewall would have been good but it wouldn't have prevented the dislodged filler cap which a surrey top or roll over bar would have. John had stories of front suspension failures but hopefully most cars have been sorted by now. Cheers Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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