Throwing a HJ/HQ/HZ nosecone on a WB

[NickyG]

Ok so after much thinking i've decided on getting a WB and making a replica Sandman. I'm just wondering how easy it is to change the nosecones. I'm about ready to purchase my WB so if anyone knows of a good auto (yes damn p restrictions) WB id be very happy to hear from you if you find something ebay or whatever.

Still tempted by a HJ or HZ though..

[Absinth]

Easy enough to change but you will need the bumper, nosecone, radiator support and guards off a HJ/X/Z.

[NickyG]

Great thanks... This will be my first custom and with limited background knowledge ill be leaning on the forum for help. But Yeah Thanks For that.

[agr071]

Did someone say "Custom Van"????

[ozbox]

bonnet,bonnet hinges and inner gaurds are the only thing that you can use from wb to do hj to hz front..

[NickyG]

thanks ozbox i'll keep that in mind and im sure this amateur (me) will need some help from you guys

[razsandman]

i think the wb had metric body panel bolts to, so you'll need to change the speed nuts or get the nuts and bolts to suit the hj panels.. im not 100 % on that, Anyone know for sure??

[ozbox]

yeh...i know for sure........ i have pulled 100s of wbs apart in the last 20 years...:twisted:
you need 2 sets of spanners and sockets,metric and imperial coz from the factory they ran a mishmash of both and after they left the factory people did the old..[hq to wb are the same] which meens that they are always fucked up bolt wise....:Chin:

[NickyG]

ohh sweet well i have metric and imperial but first things first i need to find a relatively decent WB.. anyone know any going?

[HK1837]

Agree with Greg. I've been pulling these things apart since they were new. In my experience they seem to also have a mixture of imperial heads with metric threads, then the odd bolt will have a metric head. Very wierd. I bought heaps of NOS WB bolts in the 80's and 90's too and they were a mixture.
I'd keep the WB inner guards too if you put on a HJ-HZ front. It will allow you to keep the WB washer bottle and carbon canister without too much hassle, although you may have to drill a hole here or there to align with the support panel. I'd also modify the HJ-HZ radiator support to take a WB radiator - takes a few hours with a grinder and spot weld drill, plus a few welds and presto.