Traveller - Rust in the rear end

[27woodstock]

As part of the process of checking the wood work on my 63 Traveller I have removed the rear bumper and what I believe is called the body panel rear bottom (Workshop Manual R43 Item to see what the wooden frame was like that goes across the back under the rear doors. The wood is OK but the metal brackets at each end of the wooden frame are rusted through. It looks as if the brackets should be attached/welded to the rear of the wheel arch or in that area. As this looks like a fairly big job I am unsure how to gain sufficient access/clearance for welding. I have unbolted the rear cross frame but it cannot be removed as it extends behind the the rear pillars which in turn indicates the door pillars need to be moved.
Not having had any experience of taking the frame apart can anybody advise if I am on the right lines and the difficulty in doing this. Is the whole frame (which is in very good condition) just bolted together? If so what is the order of dismantling. I have also been checking for spare replacement parts but have no luck yet in identifying the part. What are the brackets supposed to be called or are they part of the wheel arch or do I need to make them up?

Grateful for any advice.

Pete B

[Mark Wilson]

There are two brackets at each end, one welded to the wheel arch with the bumper iron bolted to it, and one which bolts through this to the boot floor and is coach bolted to the rear pillar. This second one is extended upwards into a thinner oddly shaped bit which fits around the lights and is welded to a cross piece which supports the timber floor. You can in theory unbolt this corner bracket without disturbing the wood, but it won't be an easy task. Removing any part of a sound timber frame would be a last resort.

I recommend you get your hands on a copy of Ray Newell's Morris Minor Traveller. It's quite expensive but the section by Steve Foreman of Woodies will show you exactly how the rear end is put together.

Mine's in pieces at the moment - might get time tomorrow to send you a photo of the exposed metalwork

Just reread your post. The metal panel is usually called the valance, and the outer brackets are the corner brackets. Don't know offhand what the welded inner brackets are called.

Mark

[Mark Wilson]

Some photos as promised. Most of the panels are temporarily clamped into place, but these should give you an idea of how the corner is built up. The flange which the arches are screwed to starts off as a separate piece from the rear arch,, and will be welded to the arch after alignment of the side frame. Ignore the rough timber you can see - that's my sophisticated rollover jig!

To remove the corner bracket you will need to undo the two bolts through the boot floor, which shouldn't be too hard and they will cut off from below quite readily. The hard one is the coachbolt through the timber pillar, which I don't think will be easy to remove or cut, but I haven't done this myself.

The final picture is a trial fit of the timber, with no flange or brackets but illustrates how the pillar and valance frame sit on the boot fllor

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[27woodstock]

Mark - many thanks for the photos. They certainly help in trying to identify how the rear body is put together. I think the first thing is to see if I can remove the two bolts that go through the floor and then re-access the limits of the damage.
I would like very much to see your expert construction. I live near Kings Lynn. Are you any where close?

Again many thanks

Pete B

[Mark Wilson]

I'm no expert, Pete, just a step or two ahead of you in the learning process. For expertise on Traveller restoration search for the threads on here from NeilMG and Taupe. You'd be welcome to look at my efforts, but I'm in West Yorkshire, nowhere near Kings Lynn. But there isn't anywhere near Lynn, is there?


Mark

[whyperion]

We found to remove (cut out) the coachbolt) the jiggle saw on a bosch sander did the trick of cutting it.