Another EK Ute on SA Roads

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In the Shed
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by In the Shed »

Thanks Clay,
The speedo looked all good inside so I should be ok, provided I don't have to keep up with them hotted up red motor Fb/Ek's on future club runs. I noticed on my speedo case it was stamped 5.61, I wonder if that is May 1961? Whilst I had the speedo apart it crossed my mind to do a little adjustment to the odometer and take a couple miles off the clock :shock: I could then pass it off as a one owner ute that had only done 12,000 miles! Not sure how I would explain how I acquired the ute before I was born though?

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Turn Back Jack :lol:
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Errol62
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by Errol62 »

Easy enough to adjust the numbers but they never seem to quite line up correctly afterwards. Good if you can stick with the original.


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59wagon
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by 59wagon »

Good job with making the custom speedo parts Stephen 👍

Cheers, John
EK283
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by EK283 »

Errol62 wrote: Tue Jan 01, 2019 2:41 pm I would fit 350kg firewood in my sedan going back. Looked really cool super low like that with sedan springs and 2” lowering blocks already. Had to watch the braking distance. It is a shame there is nowhere good to reset springs in Adelaide now. My neighbor sends his to Tasmania.


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Really, i'm surprised. What do all the truck drivers and four wheel drive guys do for springs ?

Regards Greg
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EK283
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by EK283 »

I really like this ute !

Great to see it being used.

I live in Sydney and it's hard to bring myself to drive the classics it just scares me as the traffic is getting like Mumbai.

Regards Greg
So many cars so little time!
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Errol62
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by Errol62 »

Greg
There are a couple of places in Adelaide that still advertise resetting springs but their pricing and turn around leads me to believe they are just sending them interstate. My latest idea is to turn the top spring upside down which gives a bit straight away by reversing the eye.


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EK283
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by EK283 »

Clay I did the same but got the top leaf re rolled the opposite way. It was done by a Sydney spring place who heat treated it then rolled it so its exactly the same but reversed eyes.

I don't like the idea of putting so much reverse tension on the main leaf although people have said it works.

Regards Greg
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Errol62
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by Errol62 »

I’m with you Greg. Got a few sets to play around with we’ll see. Sorry for the hi jack Stephen.


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In the Shed
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by In the Shed »

One of the jobs on my list for the ute has been to get a new tonneau cover. The one which came with the car was a poor fit and as I discovered when on a week long motorbike bike rally the cover leaked. Awoke next morning to find my gear in the back of the ute saturated :(

So made some enquiries with no less than four trimmers who after wasting my time to take the ute to them to view either did not want the job, were not interested, suggested it was going to cost around $600 or did not respond I ended up purchasing one from eBay
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UTE-TONNEAU ... SwH09ZJeWL

As you can see the hooks had been installed by a previous owner higher than they should be when using a one piece cord style so a little modification was required however worked out ok in the end without drilling more holes in the ute. I have a couple holes to patch below the corner back windows and one more lift a dot to install centre of the back window.

The cover was well packaged, prompt turn around and the seller was very helpful along the way. It fitted really well and after a shower of rain yesterday I now have a water tight ute :thumbsup:

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Stephen
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Original cover with hooks mounted too high
Original cover with hooks mounted too high
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IMG_4157.jpg (956.04 KiB) Viewed 821 times
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Harv
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by Harv »

That first tonneau looks to be a little small. Wonder if it was a one-off, or came from another Holden. The second one looks very neat.

Cheers,
Harv
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FJWALLY
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by FJWALLY »

That looks really good - a bit of heat and it will tension up nice - the other one just didn't look right at all. :starr: :starr: :starr:
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Errol62
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by Errol62 »

Very interesting Stephen. I’m debating whether to fill the existing holes in my ute and place new fasteners to suit one of the eBay ones, leave the holes and hope the eBay tonneau fasteners are in the right spot or get one made up. Any advice greatly appreciated.


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Blacky
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by Blacky »

Errol62 wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 7:46 am Very interesting Stephen. I’m debating whether to fill the existing holes in my ute and place new fasteners to suit one of the eBay ones, leave the holes and hope the eBay tonneau fasteners are in the right spot or get one made up. Any advice greatly appreciated.


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I welded the holes up and had a new flat tonneau made with press studs holding it down , looks heaps neater IMHO.
I started with nothing and still have most of it left.


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FJWALLY
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by FJWALLY »

This one I believe is original cover - I’m going to get another made so I can save this one as they are so few and far between but havent found a good match to the vinyl as yet Image


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Errol62
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Re: Another EK Ute on SA Roads

Post by Errol62 »

Blacky wrote:
Errol62 wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 7:46 am Very interesting Stephen. I’m debating whether to fill the existing holes in my ute and place new fasteners to suit one of the eBay ones, leave the holes and hope the eBay tonneau fasteners are in the right spot or get one made up. Any advice greatly appreciated.


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I welded the holes up and had a new flat tonneau made with press studs holding it down , looks heaps neater IMHO.
Like the idea of the flat tonneau Blacky. Might have a chat to the trimmer.


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