Nice progress there Deano, keep it up👍 . Chopping the old panel up was a good plan of attack, I've still got the front panel from my yellow van even tho it got totalled on removal , parts of it might be needed one day ..

I can vouch for that Mark , and prolly did some of the under carriage carnage in my time . Especially one time I was selling a more door mk2 2littr my friend and I decided to go flying over yumps on a local dirt track , the stock suspension was crying and I nearly lost a wheel on the way home after 3 front wheel nuts rattled off, no jack or brace we limped back without drama.

 
 
 
 
Marty seems to have stole all my motivation. :)
Summer normally means other stuff going on, so its no surprise its slowing down ATM.
The shed did get a clean up, and I stuck the bonnet on to help start in lining up the guards and give the impression some progress has been made.

 I measured up the van OEM 13's with all of 175 tyres on them, plus the Rostyles.
It definitely is going to need more than 5.5". Its now nearly time to fit the diff back in and come of the spit to do some more welding inside.
 
This weekend is Ballarat Swap meet, promoted as the largest in the southern hemisphere. Unfortunately from experience though, its not much of a source for Escort or  Capri parts, but good if you were doing up a falcon, chev or T model. Every year the delimma is to take a bike or not. The bikes are a pain, but without them you wont get around the whole lot in a day.
Im going up on Friday, for a day on the bmx, attempting to spot a bargain.
 
https://www.ballaratswapmeet.com.au/ 
 
So if you see an old, over 50 dad bod riding a bmx with straw hat and sign saying, "Escort and Capri parts wanted" feel free to say gday. :)

ha, you know me too well.
I bought one of these a while ago, exactly that. Electric fat bike, in silver.
https://leitner.com.au/collections/electric-bikes/products/electric-fat-bike-500w?variant=39707064729682 
Its an absolute blast to ride, the rear drive motor is smooth and cuts in and feathers in and out.
Technically is has a twist grip throttle and does over 25kms/hr, so is for private roads only.
Big fat arse seat too, and comfy position, just really heavy and a workout when you ride it sans motor assistance.
 
 

Cars looking good Deano. The bike looks like fun too...
I'm a bit jealous of the Ballarat swap meet, its on my bucket list. Let me know if you see many parking meters, I've developed a bit of a penchant for them of late. They're a good little garage filler, cheaper and take up less room than fuel pumps and oil products.
That and I move one out to the driveway and make some change when the father in law parks his Holden out there 

 few pics:

pretty cactus van:
 

 

how many do you want Drewdog?


 

i bought a few spares


and more toys..

 
 
back to the shed.
Diff out, half shafts look ok so far.
May as well replace the bearings at the same time.
 

drugs are bad Marty, you should not do LSD anymore.
1 day after, and I have buyers remorse: should have bought that.....
Not sure how much the PV went for, wasnt even tempted enough to chat.
On a side note, the 4 door escort found at the last sm in Geelong (sold for $5k, in about 10 minutes after pulling up), has now surfaced on FB of a local dealer...$9k something, not bad for 2 months work doing nothing).
Def no meter maids, the opposite: Swapmeet babes: i'm sure lovely people, just not MAFS material..

I used to buy the studs from smcka performance , there are a few knerl sizes, Capri, mk2 escort front and rears. Taf would've taken your money and ran lol . Also watch for the shank on the stud as that can get in the way if wanting to put steels on.

My go to now is buy falcon studs, lots meatier than escort and a good length, only thing is the axle/hubs need slightly drill to work nice . I did this to a mk1 long ago and never had problems

Lucy in Sky with Diamonds, never touch the stuff ..
I think I sent a link to a decent limmyslip centre shop in UK, can't remember it right now but it's on my list 😜