So just from the pedals to the clutch/brake master cylinder and they can then become flexible lines, thats cool. Thanks
For 6.5k you could buy a really nice rebuilt engine haha. I just want something thats reliable, nothing fancy.
There are no pipes/hoses between the pedals and the Master cylinders, it is a lever type set up. The lines need to be metal pipe from the Brake MC's to the edge of the subframe and then from the subframe to the brake cylinder they need to be flexible, which means rubber brake hose, unless you can afford ADR approved stainless.
I don't want this project to drag on so what I'm thinking now is to blast it, fix the body, rust proof it and maybe put on a coat of paint, then I'm hoping to get it on the road (registered) after which i can pull it apart again and invest into making it look nice. Im concerned that if i invest too much into it and i can't get it registered then I'm totally screwed, the idea of not being able to get it registered is what really holds me back.
I would say that is a bad idea as once you see how much effort it takes to put it all back together you are never gone to strip it down again and repeat much of the same tasks just to paint it.It would almost be restoring the Moke twice. My advice is almost always not to skimp on the body, do that properly once, and cut a few corners on others things that don't require a complete strip down to fix up later. It is not that difficult to remove an engine later to rebuild it or replace it with something bigger or better or strip down a rear subframe and make it schmick.
If the engine goes and doesn't blow smoke and the gearbox is okay, just wash/degrease it and maybe a pressure pack of paint to make it look reasonable and put it in a black pressure packed subframe and put it back in the nicely repaired and painted body.
I have found another blaster who will charge $300 for just the body if i take it to him, maybe i can just buy one of those small blasting guns for the subframe or hit it with the wire wheel. That $700 was for the guy to come and blast it in my back yard so i can watch him do it.
It would seem to me that the guy coming to do it in your back yard is likely to be a soda blast which is not really going to remove the rust you have in the body OR he is a mobile industrial blaster in which case he is probably likely to have a high pressure unit that is going to change the shape of the metal. I would get a few recommendation from people in your area of blasters who have done or do specialise in vehicles and then work out the best price option from there as not all blasting set up are suitable for doing cars.
Im concerned that if i invest too much into it and I can't get it registered then I'm totally screwed, the idea of not being able to get it registered is what really holds me back.
If you take things carefully ask for advice and help here and maybe befriend some local type people that can perhaps help you on some of the bits that require more skill than labour, or take parts out for the specialist activities, there is no reason why you should get it registered. Get a plan for what you Need to do and then just take things one step at a time to get there. No need to rebuild an engine if the one you have works, if the trailing arms, ball joints and steering are tight then no need to replace them yet. Make sure the drum brakes work and you can upgrade to Discs later on if you want to.
Terry