hyper7 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Hey everyone, new to this board, and to the world of 7s. I have an order in for a 420S kit coming from Time Machines in the next few months (I think it should be getting started in a few weeks). And I'm starting to wonder what types of stuff I'll need to have on hand to build this bad boy. I have a friend that has an engine hoist, but no leveler, I'm guessing I'll want to pick up one. Also, we're going to fab up some rolling axle stands using some industrial casters my friend can get for free, and some scrap wood. What else do I need? I actually have a four post lift, but don't think it will be helpful for most of the work. I have all the basics, wrenches/etc, just wondering if theres other special stuff I need. Attached Spec'd out build and bonus pic of my garage :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBuff Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 While I don't have the space to build my 420 and Greg is doing all the work, I have been looking at other resources on the topic. Some good info, defer to others whom have gone thru it on pros and cons https://purplemeanie.co.uk/index.php/2018/07/01/caterham-420r-build-tools-and-trinkets/ https://caterham420detailedbuildblog.co.uk/category/preparation/ https://310build.com/caterham-build-tools/ https://team420rbuild.com/garage-preparations-2/ https://www.caterham7diaries.com/420r/categories/pre-build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyper7 Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 Bookmarking all those, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I'm just here to comment that I'm in awe of your garage space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyper7 Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 Yeah, it was a big project a couple years ago - We had 3 cars (2016 Mazda CX5, 2016 Subaru WRX, 2014 Lotus Evora) in a 3 car garage, and my wife decided she wanted a Miata (2021 Miata RF) so we needed more space....after it was finally paid for, I got the approval from her to order the Caterham kit. Its been a part of the long game, finally paying off. We tore down the third bay and did the "new" portion of the garage - its 23' wide by 45' deep. 14' ceiling at the low spots. We've had my buddies full size truck up on the lift with room to walk around under it. I love my garage 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyper7 Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 The reverse view of the garage.. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I think your garage is bigger than my house! Congratulations. Good luck with the build. I've never build my own so I don't have much to contribute in that department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf4018 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 A turntable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Plus one on what Vovchandr said: Wonderful garage! Too bad you are so far away or I could house the Evora for you to give you room for the build! Good luck. Taber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyper7 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 1 hour ago, Taber10 said: Plus one on what Vovchandr said: Wonderful garage! Too bad you are so far away or I could house the Evora for you to give you room for the build! Good luck. Taber Lol, nah the Evora is actually going to be my DD during the warmer Ohio months (april-october). We plan on trading in the WRX soon for an electric SUV, and selling the cx5 to our daughter soon (she's 15). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowdude Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 41mm/42mm socket for rear axle nuts. Preferably impact rated. Dope garage btw. Enjoy the kit! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Congrats on the incoming kit. My advice for prep: Start reading through the build threads on this forum and the blogs provided by @CBuff. I found the second one in his list particularly valuable during my build. There is enough variance in manufacturing tolerances that some activities which are hard to perform for some, are easy for others. Getting a broad perspective up front will better prepare you for some of the head banging frustration you will likely encounter later. Make sure you have plenty of light. It looks like you are set from above, but good lighting under the car is helpful. I am also partial to wearing a head lamp. Supplement the Caterham supplied build manual with the older version in the Downloads section. When Caterham changed from the written build manual to the Ikea version, some important details were lost. Some of these are highlighted in the various build blogs. The only special tool I can recall buying was the socket @slowdude mentions above. In my case, the nuts were tapered, and although 41mm at the bottom, the very tops were 42mm and therefore required the larger socket. Always have your phone with you to take pictures along the way. It's really helpful to refresh your memory of what certain aspects looked like weeks earlier in the build. Start a build thread here. You'll receive a lot of help along the way, and it creates something to refer back to when troubleshooting things in the future. No need to rely on your memory. Plan where you will place the crates (I have measurements if you need them) and clear sufficient space so they can comfortably coexist with the chassis during the initial parts of your build. Bonus points if you have a laptop and large monitor in the garage. This is really helpful when looking at the build manuals, blog photos, and various youtube videos people have published. If you don't drink, you should start practicing now. I guarantee you will need a drink at several points throughout the build process (see the end of bullet one) 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyper7 Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 Excellent tips, thanks! I'll pick up the 41 and 42 mm sockets. I do have tons of overhead light, but under is a little trickier. I have a couple work lights, but nothing great. I'll look at getting a headlamp. Look for the build thread in a couple months once everything shows up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnifeySpoony Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Hub nuts are 42mm now. This: https://caterham420detailedbuildblog.co.uk/category/preparation/ was what I used as my primary build guide along with the "ikea" manual. I couldn't have done it without this blog tbh. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowdude Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 55 minutes ago, KnifeySpoony said: Hub nuts are 42mm now. This: https://caterham420detailedbuildblog.co.uk/category/preparation/ was what I used as my primary build guide along with the "ikea" manual. I couldn't have done it without this blog tbh. Redline still has some 41mm ones. I got a 41 on one side and a 42 on another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 I bought this one from Amazon. Only $18 with free Prime shipping: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081PJSSKY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marek Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 6 hours ago, hyper7 said: Excellent tips, thanks! I'll pick up the 41 and 42 mm sockets. I do have tons of overhead light, but under is a little trickier. I have a couple work lights, but nothing great. I'll look at getting a headlamp. Look for the build thread in a couple months once everything shows up! I can't say enough about how well designed, well made, and useful these lights are in the shop. https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/stinger-switchblade 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark IV Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 We suggest sawhorses rather than jackstands, much more stable. Harbor Freight has some adjustable height horses that work well. Go to the dollar store and purchase some "pool noodles". Slit them and tape over the top bar of the horses. The noodles are also very handy for the bonnet; you can slit them and place over the end to stand the bonnet up or on the bottom edges to lay it down with no paint damage. "Road Wrap", the clear low tack plastic wrap is great to cover the paint work on the chassis and wings while assembling the car. It will prevent many "oops" that WILL happen during the build. Caterham shows silicone spray being used for hoses to allow them to slip on easily, it also allows them to slip off! We prefer some dish detergent and water to lubricate, it is water soluble, so it mixes with the coolant. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyper7 Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 Yeah I saw on one of the links that @CBuff provided they used "pipe lagging" which looks exactly like pool noodles. So you're recommending sawhorses over mobile stands? Does it make sense to make them mobile? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 You'll get differing opinions on how to support the car during the build. If you are building it in a location that can't remain blocked for months on end, or doesn't provide enough working room around the car to easily perform all the jobs, including adequate space up front for the cherry picker, then mobile stands will create fewer moments of frustration. If those things aren't issues, then you have to ask yourself if you will ever move it if you have the option? Stands/sawhorses vs. jackstands is another one I initially debated. A desire for wheeled support basically eliminates jackstands from consideration. If you don't need that -- I didn't -- then it comes down to a few considerations: Height, stability, and access. For me, I didn't want the car so high that it forced me to stretch my arms unnecessarily when laying on my back under the car, nor did I want something that could potentially get in the way for some jobs. Given my jackstands provide sufficient working height, have always felt very stable when doing major jobs on the Westfield, and have the option of using either one or two up front thanks to the cruciform jacking location, I opted to stick with what I know. During my build, there was never a time I wished I had gone with a different setup. That doesn't mean they are right for you or for others, but things to consider. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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