Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[ponygirl]

Hi everyone, I'm new on here and hoping for some advice

I have an old horsebox (not sure if she's considered a classic but she's old) she is a 1978 Ford D series model D0710 7.5ton and I have a dilemma

Last week we failed our MOT on one thing, the front drag link end. Was pleased that everything else was good but am having real problems getting hold of this one part.

Have seen some drag link ends on ebay but none for my year and model.
Anyone any ideas where I could source one?
Also would a drag link from any other year/model/make fit?

Have found a website called Powertrack but can't get through as its the weekend so will try tomorrow, but has anyone any other ideas in case they can't help.
Would prefer new old stock as opposed to old but as long as its in full working order it doesn't matter.

[admin]

Hi Ponyg

It might be worth picking up a copy of a classic lorry mag, such as Heritage Commercials, as a number of traders advertise in there, and they specialise in older lorries - whether they have D Series stuff I don't know, but that'd be where I'd start looking

Let us know how you get along!

cheers, Rick

[Uncle Joe]

Could you call it a mature classic? The D series was one of the first new lorries that I ever drove!

[ponygirl]

Thanks for the tip, I shall certainly keep the Heritage Commercial magazine in mind.
I think I might have managed to find what I am looking for We went to a local HGV place (warrington truck parts) who were very helpful and they sourced ONE drag link end at one of their suppliers in Stoke and it should be delivered today! They said the risk is that the suppliers may have not have updated their stock list and when they go to their stock rooms its actually not there They will let me know one way or the other later today so fingers crossed!

Uncle Joe, what do you think of the D series wagons? I love them! This is my first wagon, we wanted a horsebox and this was in our price range and to be honest, I don't think I would change now.
This little lorry has so much character and is fun and easy to drive. (well actually, the gears are not easy, my mechanic took it through its MOT last week and he couldn't get it in 3rd gear )
I personally have driven this wagon from one end of the country to the other going to County shows with my daughters ponies and she has never let us down, the only time we have needed breakdown is when I left the lights on and flattened my battery and the ran it out of diesel on the way back from Derby county show

[admin]

Do you have any photos of the horsebox? I dont think I've ever featured one on the main site, but theres always a first time for everything!! I could include a mention that parts are required - see if it turns anything up.

I live in Cheshire, and theres a scrappie just down the road in N Shrops that has some older trucks in it. There was a very rough D series in there a couple of years ago, sadly not as shiny as this restored D seen at a show not long back ...



cheers
Rick.

[Uncle Joe]

The D series that I used to drive was owned by my Uncle, who used to run a Haulage Company in St Helens. That poor lorry was used for everything that you could think of. I dont ever remember it breaking down in spite of the punishment it received. At that time, I used to find the gearbox really easy, a lot better than a new Renault tractor unit that I drove last year!

If I tell you that a cousin of mine trains race horses, (and now and again I used to drive for him, as well!) can I have a go next time I am over? Please, pretty please!

[ponygirl]

Uncle Joe, of course you can have a go

Heres my old girl, affectionately known as Rita-Queen of Speed (after the ride at Alton Towers

[Uncle Joe]

Ponygirl, I´ll take you up on that, especially when her condition looks to be that good!

Can you tell us all a little more about Rita?

[buzzy bee]

Looks a tidy truck, I have never driven a truck, lots of vans, tractors and self proppelled sprayers, with hydrostatic drive. Having no pedals was off putting at first but they are unbelievably quick at accellerating!!

[admin]

Pony

Not sure if its worth pursuing, but I noticed that today (19th) someone popped a For Sale ad on the D series parts page (the page you recently placed a Wanted ad on), advertising that they are breaking a lorry over in Yorkshire. Maybe they'll have some useful bits???

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/truckads/ford_d_series.htm

Rick.

[ponygirl]

Thanks for the tips everyone

I tried the chap mentioned above who placed an ad for breaking a Ford D series unfortunately it was a smaller model than mine so no good but if anyone is looking for parts they are very helpful and spent ages rummaging through tons of stuff looking for something that would suit.

As I mentioned earlier, I tried a place called Warrington Truck parts and they ordered me a drag link end, when we first looked at it we dismissed it as being too small, but after searching for a week we thought we'd try it on the wagon as we had exhausted every other avenue, and it fitted perfectly

Then we had a problem in that the place that tested it refused to book it in for a retest until the 5th October, by this time the retest cut off date was over so it would've needed a full test, I was very annoyed, but thanfully Simmonswood managed to squeeze us in last Friday and..........We Passed!!!!! Very very pleased!
So now we can get to work on the bodywork and the rust under the wheel arches that will definately need doing before next year.

[admin]

Glad to hear you're 'legal' once again!! I can't remember the last time I saw a good D series horsebox on the roads around here, plenty of TK Bedfords, but not many Fords. I wonder if there's an owners club for the D Series?

Rick.

[Uncle Joe]

Yes ponygirl, it is good to hear that the Ford is roadlegal again. Does that mean my test drive is imminent?

UJ

[admin]

Hi ponygirl

Just checking some older posts - hows the D series doing?? did you get to do some work on the bodywork bits and pieces???

Rick