Complete newbie, in over my head...but having fun!

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourselves' started by DrNinjamonkey, Jun 11, 2018.

  1. I bought this van in November last year and it has spent quite a bit of time since then in the workshop!

    It had some welding that needed to be done and has recently been checked over for electrical issues so I am hopeful that the bulk of the work is done for now.

    I am completely clueless, I have never done anything more than change a wheel and I am hoping to learn! If there is an idiots guide to general maintenance then please point me in the right direction!

    First job is to figure out the bed - at the moment it folds out fine with the table supporting part of it but its really high/close to the van roof. I would like to get the bed sitting on the van (at the moment there is a wooden compartment right at the back of the van under where you would be lay down) so its possible to get in and out of bed without having to wriggle in!

    All the best.

    WhatsApp Image 2018-06-11 at 10.26.23.jpeg WhatsApp Image 2018-06-11 at 10.27.35.jpeg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 2, 2018
    Merlin Cat, Peter Moncur and S1mon like this.
  2. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    DO you have a pic of the bed? Sounds like a dormobile bed. Ours came with one of those which I’ve replaced with a rusty lee instead for the same reason


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  3. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Buy fletcher Gillets book. It’s a superbly illustrated Haynes manual that is full of easy to read instructions on bay restoration. You can have my signed copy for £100 ovno.
    @brothernumberone ;)

    Welcome btw :thumbsup:
     
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  4. Sproggy4830

    Sproggy4830 Supporter

    Hi , looks a decent van, anjoy and good luck, where are you based,
     
  5. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

  6. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

    Hello and Welcome from The Colonial Contingent
     
  7. Im based in North London - I should have included that!


    Will get some pics of the bed, did you get it replaced by someone or do it yourself?


    Is there a decent directory of garages that know their way around vans? My local garage will "have a go" but they dont know where to find parts and dont have any experience with them - would be good to find someone local who can help me when I need it.
     
  8. crossy2112

    crossy2112 Supporter

    Welcome from sunny Barnsley.
    Your lucky some can't even change a wheel :)
     
  9. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

    Aha !
    A mortal enemy of @Barry Haynes then.
    COYS !
     
  10. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    I say I’ve fitted a rusty lee bed, I should have said I will be! I’m at the tail end of a full resto on ours but have drilled the holes for the new bed.
    They’re not too difficult to fit, needing just a few holes drilled for the mounts.


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    Merlin Cat likes this.
  11. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    Welcome to the forum fella, nice looking bus :)
     
  12. Barry Haynes

    Barry Haynes I dance in leopard skin mankini’s

    Don
    don’t jump to conclusions, we have supporters in norf lundon you know

    Welcome from posh East Grinstead
     
    Terrordales likes this.
  13. Hi from West Lancashire - nice looking bus
     
  14. DSC_0870.JPG DSC_0867.JPG
    Mine is a Dormobile. rear bed is plywood with some Z hinges fitted by PO. the seat has never looked right to me the back is too low. be interested to see what a rusty lee bed looks like.

    and welcome DrNinjamonkey
     
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  15. Welcome aboard from sunny Northants:thumbsup:
    If your local garage don't know anything about the bus but are willing to "give it a go" I'd find another one sharpish. Or better still come on here for advice and have a go yourself, bit of a steep learning curve at first admittedly but they are actually relatively simple devices and it's much more satisfying doing stuff yourself(and a lot cheaper!) :)
     
    Richard W12 likes this.
  16. Day

    Day

    Welcome to the best vw camper forum.
     
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  17. crossy2112

    crossy2112 Supporter

    POSH - it used to be till they let the rif raf in :)

    How's the visa going Bazza :thinking:
     
    Barry Haynes likes this.
  18. I'd be very happy if mine looked like that, i will grab some pictures later but to try and describe it - If you open the back window when the bed is down there is a wooden draw you can access by lifting up the top of the bed, its about 6 inches deep.

    When lay down on the bed the spare wheel is on your left side and the top of the wheel is level with the mattress. I think i would prefer to mount the wheel somewhere else and get a bigger bed but the main issue at the moment is when the bed is out because its so high up you cant sit up and have to do the worm to get in/out!

    Looking forward to learning more - at the moment there are buttons that dont do anything and i haven't even began to think about regular maintenance i should be going etc. Steep learning curve here i come!
     
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  19. A warm welcome from BucksS

    The best Londoners are West Londoners
     
  20. Welcome, visit the forum regularly and make it your first port of call if you need any help or advice. Unless you have a bottomless pit of money, it makes sense to do the maintenance and other jobs yourself.

    Until you find a good garage recommended from here I wouldn't be spending money on 'have a go garages' as they charge you money and won't do a proper job.

    Ownership should be regarded as a fun and learning experience. Enjoy.
     
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