TK-ing it - the 1968 Bedford sees the light of day

Probably the best look I've had of our TK for the best part of more than three years.  We rolled her and the 1949 ML out of their shed for a bit of a shuffle.  Both have exchanged places - as detailed in an earlier post - and have been turned around.  The TK rolled so nicely it was a dream to drag and push her around.  I hadn't been in the cab for a while but was pleased to be reminded of just how good she is inside.  Really, all I need to do is re-upholster the driver's seat and get a new floor mat and she is good to go internally (not counting a bit of a wash).

Externally, she still has her challenges with a steering linkage having a stripped thread and the brakes and king pins needing a complete re-do.  I suspect the brakes will be the biggest, and most expensive, job.

I'm probably repeating myself a bit here so will sign off on this post.  We did try starting her, and while her electrics appear sound (headlights, high beam, tail lights, indicators, dash and internal lights all worked), suspected stale fuel prevented a start.  Well, it'd have to have lost its octane.  Another high point was discovering I don't need two new steer tyres!

Slowly, slowly...

An update on the update

Happy new year everyone.  I thought I might as well get a post up on BTW now so that when I get to the next entry the site will have already added more content than 2012!

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying a fine start to 2013.  I know myself and my family are so I trust you and yours are too.

Since this is an update post, here's a little bit on our '68 EFN TK.  The shed shuffle and work I mentioned below did not happen but it is now planned to occur in a couple of weeks.  All we're doing is moving the '49 ML out so the TK can also be removed from the shed.  The ML will take up the TK's current spot and the TK will inhabit the old ML parking space.  This will provide a lot more room to work on the TK's Holden 308 V8 motor before the cracked exhaust manifold is finally removed, along with its sister, and replaced with extractors.  That will probably be the limit of the work in the next month or so.  There's lots of little jobs to do like replacing pins and bushings and grease nipples but the more expensive stuff (driver's seat upholstery, servicing the entire brake system, steering wheel restoration, two new steers, four retreads and new wood for the tray) will be chipped away at this year with a very tentative aim of getting her to pass her roadworthy by the end of 2013.  I'm not in a rush but she needs to get out and about to get the juices flowing (mine and hers!). 

Really looking forward to sitting in that comfortable driver's position with that wonderful view of the road that only a TK can provide.  Let's make sure we really do see them everywhere!