Project Sink or Swim

so cool, what a great way to spend the day.

The bloke with the shitroen has been watching far to much top gear.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Some great photos! Glad you were able to make it! I was a little jealous to see all of those photos!

I have some great news! 3 months after applying for the IVA test, failing the 1st inspection, passing 2nd time around and then having to send a large amount of paperwork, and more money to the DVLA project "Sink or Swim" is finally road legal!

Still have not taken into the water yet, as I have a few little jobs to finish but its getting closer to be an officially amphibious car!

Sam

ohh and the down side, I have to remove the engine and gearbox as the R72 gearbox is loud, very loud in 2,3 7 4th :ohmy: :blush:

I have a feeling that's why the Jimny ended up at Copart, between the front damage and rubbish repair and then a potentially knackered gearbox the pervious owner part exchanged it and the dealer off loaded it to Copart. On the bright side while the engine is out over the winter, I can fit some more insulation and do a few other little improvements to the engine bay.

I will start a separate post about the R72 gearbox as I will rebuild it.

Looks going to be another life time project!

Sam

Oh what a pain, hang in there will be worth it love this build..

I've managed to sum up the energy (mostly mental) to start on the gearbox rebuild. I've been putting it off for weeks and weeks as the thought having to completely undo all my hard work was to much!

To remove the gearbox, I have to completely remove all of the cooling system for both the water and oil circuit, drain all of the fluids, decommission the air con, remove the front seats and floor, remove the exhaust system, power steering, heat shields, air intake...

The list goes on!

I have had a good start tonight, and plan to spend a couple of hours in the evening between work and family getting the gearbox out. My intention is to rebuild the box following the Big Jimny Wiki article. I've never rebuild or worked on a gearbox but 2 years ago, I had never built a amphibious car!

An intact amphibious car

and a few hours later...

What a pain. At least once it's done it's done.

Good luck will be worth it in the end

The gearbox is rebuilt. It was actually far easier to rebuild than take the entire engine and gearbox out of the hull!

Thanks to Bosanek for the excellent guide on the Big Jimny Wiki section.

Once I had pulled the gearbox apart it quickly became apparent on what the noise was!


One knackered countershaft bearing!!!


While the gearbox was apart, I took the opportunity to replace all of the bearings and seals on the box. I even found a very easy way of pushing the new bearing back on using axle support tube from an axle stand. It was the perfect diameter and length to push the bearings back on the shaft.

Before putting the engine and gearbox back in, I also took the opportunity to tidy up a few wires, pipes and soundproof the fire wall

My gearbox went at 32000 and it's now done app 87000 (55000 extra) with no problems so although it's a real pain and even if you have to get a garage to rebuild it it's a lot better than buying a used box.

Hi,

just wondered about your progress. How are you getting on? Any new photo's?

Thank you in advance!
And good luck, hope you can take her out soon.