Updates since April:
1)
Alfred's saga continues! :giddy:
So, after 7 months of arguing with the DVLA, everything finally came good last week!
So Saturday morning saw me hopping onto a very early train to Suffolk, where after a gentle 4 hour journey, I met up with another member of this parish, Mr Lightweight Nat, who has kindly been storing Alfred and re-submitting endless rounds of paperwork until the DVLA saw sense!
Some tea was drunk, some bollocks was talked, the new number plates were fitted, and I saddled up for the 260 mile trundle back to Somerset! Having faithfully promised my missus that it would only take 4 hours, and I would be home at 4pm, she was less then impressed when at 3:54 I was only at Reading services - still some 80 miles away! Overall journey time ended up 5:45 - oops!
To be honest I had valid excuses - firstly the speedo under reading by ~15mph didn't help - it took me a while to figure out why so many people were getting angry behind me! I've also never driven a land rover with an overdrive before, was very out of practice at non-power steering etc etc.
Anyhow, so Alfred now has a new guardian - plans, photos and more adventures to follow, though first off, fitting some soundproofing and adjusting the idle revs is in order!
In the meantime - I shall continue with my ringing ears, popeye arms and big
**** eating grin as I trundle round everywhere! >rock<
2)
So, some small updates:
Fitted a cubby box instead of the middle seat, and knocked up a removable sleeping platform out of 2" x 4" and plywood so the missus and I could go camping last Bank Holiday weekend:
Weather closed in a bit, so makeshift awning time!
All worked well, and missus is now sold on the "camper landy" idea, so hopefully Euroleafing next year!
In the meantime Alfred has been my daily drive to work. A couple of slightly sketchy moments when braking heavily on wet tarmac (even though I was only doing 30) led to a purchase of 5 new tubeless steels with Michelins, comparison below:
So today I fitted them, here's a halfway through photo for comparison:
The post with flowerpot is so I know where the sharp rocks are when reversing!
My brake pedal was also pretty spongey, and Alfred had developed a sharp dive to the left when braking. In a rare attach of CBA I dropped into my local independant garage on the way home from work on Friday, who for £10 bled the whole system. While definitely a DIY job, its a bit of a ballache so defo £10 well spent!
While Alfred was up on the ramp, I had a bit of a nose around, the front swivel is pissing oil, as is either the transfer box or gearbox (or maybe both, there was so much is was hard to tell).
So after payday I shall be investing in these:
Any recommendations for a swivel seal kit and some idiot proof instructions would be appreciated?
Next small job today is to apply some bitumen flashing tape to the doors, as the vibration is horrendous, some buggering around with the fuel injection pump has improved things, but still ear defenders the whole time when driving!
Motorway speeds are actually when Alfred is quietest, which is a bit odd! Anyhow, my war on vibration and engine noise is about to begin. I have a dB app on my phone - which while not calibrated, will give good relative readings so I can see how much of a difference things are making!
I have a 2A tropical roof off a station wagon and a gentleman from this parish is providing some hard top sides, so around September time the preparations for winter can begin! I do love the rag top, however I really need a bit more security than it can provide - often having to leave Alfred in an airport carpark etc.