Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi , i am restoring a 1965 Gpo van , all bodywork is now sound ie all welding done. Is ir worth while lifting off the cab and rear to do a good job of paint on chassis .
If i decide to ..

1) how easy is it ?
2) can 2 people lift the rear or cab off??
3) is the seal between cab+rear avalible to buy?
4) Any known probs with re fitting ?

The van is stripped so all wiring and pipes are off plus the cab is empty of seats + sterring wheels.

Or... should i just jack her up and paint from underneath .

To make a good job the cab and rear need removing. It's reasonably straightforward, 2 can lift it, pretty sure the seal is available, but keep the old one handy. Should go back ok. Of course the usual restoration problems will arise, but you probably know that. If you go down this route you will discover rust that has been covered, ie; on top of the chassis etc. It depends if you want that good job or just an mot pass.

Tiger - as les says - since you have it to that stage, and have done that much work of stripping it out, you might as well make sure every thing is good between the chassis and body. In answer to your questions:

1) how easy is it ?

Taking the back off is pretty easy. Just two bolts at the rear and the ones between the cab and back (van will be easier than my ute) Healining will have to be disconnected to get at the bolts. Make sure the fuel filler pipe is disconnected. Then get a person on each side and lift at the wheel arch - be careful tho, it will tend to tip because that isn't the point of balance. Have some boxes etc to place it on when you have it off - ideally you don't want to put it straight on the floor as it will rest on the sides and try and push them out of shape. I used sawhorses.

Once the back is off, the cab is fairly easy. It does require removing much of the front suspension. But when you have that out there are a few bolts at the rear (just below where you took the van back off) and a few at the bottom of the firewall (bulkhead) and at the front. (the engine mounts must be out - but be carefull as one bolt can't be put back in if the stay bar (if that's what its called) is in place. ) When all bolts are out grab the two bits out the front that the bumper bolts to and tip it up, I took mine right up and over so the roof was resting on the chassis. Its easier to carry and store up this way (as well as repair the underside of the floor) but you'll need a high roof shed.


2) can 2 people lift the rear or cab off??

You really need two people - I tried carrying both parts myself but really it doesn't work! its not so much heavy just difficult - two is heaps


3) is the seal between cab+rear avalible to buy?

Yes - no problem (at least here in NZ there isn't) - but if yours is in good condition you could use it again.


4) Any known probs with re fitting ?

I had none - and my deck was totally rebuit and cab had much work, but all fits well.

the ute a nice colour as well Fweedy
ive started on my rusty old van last weekend. going to try and catch you up.

Hew Fweddy - is that your dad's minor in the background on the new pic? (minus headlights etc.. )

Bet it's his brother's Mini............. could be wrong though......

brixtonmorris says:

the ute a nice colour as well Fweedy
ive started on my rusty old van last weekend. going to try and catch you up.

Thanks Brix - its an New Zealand Factory colour for Morris/Austin vehicles for 1973 - although I haven't been able to prove the minors had it, seems Marinas here did.

You'll be doing well to catch me up - its getting quite exciting now that its almost done and I want it done before winter is really settled in - and dad is helping as he wants a hand with his car after! ;)

I have a rusty van too - getting ideas as to what to do with it when the shed is free next (seems like a BMC club here! - bloke over the road (who owned an Oxford before I got my minor!) blames me for starting a fad!)

rayofleamington says:

is that your dad's minor in the background on the new pic? (minus headlights etc.. )

No, actually his is looking real good at present, we gave it a cut and polish and it looks brand new - been driving it about the dity lately. But we are still intending to strip it out and give it a redo. I just have to get my ute finished and out of the shed for him (and my bro!)

Cam says:

Bet it's his brother's Mini............. could be wrong though......

Yep - its one of his Cam - he got that one first but we decided it was too rusty so he got a better one and the one pictured is a good parts machine - espcially as it comes will all parts and he gets the engine he wants with it (hence my PM about best choice).