[Tony Wheeler]

Next job was to get rid of those silly little wheels, which IMO are only presentable with 10.50 x 16 chevrons, at least on a medium wheelbase at any rate. I'll need them for the ambo eventually but in the meantime it will be an F60S cab and chassis, which means 20" wheels.

With the backyard being rather soggy I drove around the front and parked on the driveway so as to use the jack (pic 1).

I think you'll agree the 20" wheels are a big improvement. Radiator went back in to allow for extended driving and I set off into the backyard again. Ran out of time to fit a front drive shaft as I wanted to get some laps in before dark.

Handling greatly improved with proper tyres all round. Good traction allowed me to charge round and round the windmill in 3rd gear with full lock on without cutting up the ground much. Got a bit dizzy though so had to go back the other way round for a while!

Had a ball for half an hour or so doing donuts and spinning out on the boggy ground down the back. Made quite a mess down there but I couldn't help going back for more. It's so much fun to hit the gas half way through a tight turn and promptly find yourself pointing back the other way, to take off again in one motion with the back wheels spinning furiously as you fishtail back up the yard, then swing back around the windmill and do it all over again! I fear for the state of my back yard in the coming wet months!

The fun was interrupted when I ran out of petrol, and by the time I'd raided the lawnmower supply it was pretty much dark, so I called it a day and parked next to my F60L. This one I bought from Ian Styles in Temora nearly 2 years ago, but it only came home in March this year. It was the first one I got running. On the back is Keith's SWB GS body, also bought from Ian, which hitched a ride down. It will be coming off shortly to make way for the crane off my F60S. I'll be needing a crane truck here as the shed is too flimsy to hang a block and tackle.

That pretty much brings you up to date with my blitz ambo project so far. I also have a FGT project planned, which I'll present in a separate thread.