Jennings question.

eightcans

eightcans

0
Hello all :) I`m still lurking after all these years and am reaching out for help !! My Jennings is slowly and embarrassingly rotting away and to keep the peace I feel the threat of having to sell it shouldn`t be taking lightly.... Space is an issue, especially height wise, so needs to go undercover. With this in mind I`d like to strip it down to a rolling chassis. May sound a tad extreme but I know a little chassis welding is required plus fitting of a replacement fuel tank, o/d gearbox, tow bar (hopefully), exhaust, wooden framework and any other horrors that may be looking to brighten my day. So my Q is, what is involved in removing the tin ware after gutting the inside please. Angle grinder/spanners/drill bits for all those rivets, how do I equip myself to start the restoration quest !!

Thanks, Guy.
 
Hi Guy you dirty lurker you;)
It would be a HUGE job taking the coach built off but it really isn't necessary. You've got a ready made workshop already there once you've stripped the interior out, the frame can be inspected and the bits replaced from the inside as can any floor repairs. You would have to get underneath any way to do chassis repairs - unless you can get to them through the bits of floor you need to repair;)
Have a look at Colinthefox' repairs to give you an idea of what the skeleton looks like.

http://forum.commervanfan.co.uk/index.php?threads/jennings-restoration.7437/page-2
 
I`ve plenty of experience when it comes to big projects. Back in 1986 I put a new spark plug in my mates sports moped and even pumped up the rear tyre so my mechanical abilities are pretty impressive.......:eek::p
But seriously height is the issue. I can make space for the rolling chassis with cab but no higher. The reality is that unless I can make a start on restoring it then it will have to be sold on, not something that appeals. Once it is undercover then I will have a happy wife and a happy me !!
Looking at the pics (thanks for the links :)) I`m still unsure as how it is all put together. If any light could be put on this it would be much appreciated.
Without limited headroom I`d happily keep the body on but alas I can`t see this being an option.
Thanks, Guy.
 
I know there are bolts holding the rear frame that run through the floor and inner sills but that is the limit of my knowledge as to how it's held on. There must be other fixings around the cab so I guess the only way to find out is to strip out the interior and outer panels as necessary and search for them, taking the frame off in sections would probably be the best option but removing the roof would be the biggest challenge. The outer panels are held on with about half a million screws that go through all the trim mouldings and there's a horizontal join behind the upper trim moulding on the side sweep, pull the plastic insert out of the moulding to reveal the pop rivets (or screws) holding it on.
 
Thanks John, any information is good. It will be a little while before I can crack on with it all but the more reference points the better :)
 
Guy.

Sorry, been busy renewing the garage roof, so missed your post.

Like Panky says, it would be one helluva job to take off the body. Once you've got the furniture out and the floor up, you would have to disconnect the body at the bulkhead, and round the cab, and I have no idea what there is holding the front on. You would then be left with a very fragile body to lift off, store, and lift back on in one piece. I had similar thoughts when doing mine, but soon realised that was not going to be the way forward. Oh, and you will need a lot of storage space for all the stuff. It's remarkable how much room it takes up. You can get at almost all of the body by taking out the floor and the lower aluminium side panels. As a lot of the welding is done from inside, having the body on would give you shelter to work.
 
No worries, thanks for the input !!

I think taking out the interior out and putting into storage will be the first job to get an idea as to what I`m up against. The woodwork at the rear is definitely rotten so will require replacing, I doubt that will be the only area though !! I didn`t realise that the side panels are in 2 parts so that is good to know.

My biggest issue is that with so much work being required it isn`t a job that can be undertaken without being undercover. I can get the chassis with cab into an instant garage but not a hope with the conversion still attached. Time isn`t an issue as work will be done when money allows although their will be an initial amount to get the big jobs done.

Thanks again for the input. I would love to have the facilities available, a Wheeler Dealer style garage for instance but wouldn`t we all.....LOL, but will have to play it by ear. Having seen the great work so many have done on the forum I shall endeavour to follow as many hints and tips as possible !!

Cheers, Guy.
 
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