Hello This isn’t our 1st stab at a bay build. We sold our Adventurewagen conversion a couple of years back and have regretted it ever since...So whilst browsing eBay a week or so back I came accross what I thought was a rather sad looking late bay Adventurewagen for sale up in Edinburgh. I watched the auction end with no interest, so phoned the guy for a chat. He said it was pretty solid and straight, and if it doesn’t sell he’d paint it up all pretty and stick a westy roof on it! What a waste! So we left a deposit and trundled up there and 550 miles later it was in the garage... Although it’s not an Adventurewagen, it’s an Adventure camper...close enough. Heres a few pics; Had to remove the roof as the garage was 50mm too short. Should be fine once the engine/interior are fitted Pulled the windows and found surprisingly little rot, especially around the front screen which was fine. Started a few repairs to sliding door. The tailgates going to be a bugger. One small patch on the cab floor. Didn’t realise until I’d cut the new panel that it was the wrong one/Marmitety quality. The cargo floor repairs gone back as it was nothing like... Couldn’t resist a little test polish
Not a very interesting update, but managed a few hours on the bus today. Had some issues with poor quality panels and one order got lost so I was hoping to have the welding finished today, but not happening without panels... I managed to get both battery trays replaced, a repair to the rear below the light and some to the inner rear quarters where some screw holes had gone crusty. Just a couple of patches on the cargo floor to do and decide how to go about fixing a very rusty tailgate. Few uninteresting pics
More fascinating welding Today’s all about the rear end...everyone loves a tidy rear end...unfortunately, this ones buggered Before After Made a start on the lower part which was hiding a lot more rust between the skin and frame, so I have ordered a repair panel. Looks like the previous owner sold the solid imported tailgate for a tidy profit, and popped this rusty turd on instead cheers buddy!
looks like a great project. love the look of the lowered early.. spot on. Your new one will be even better though as you've gained a deformation panel ;-) good skills there too
More welding Finished the tailgate and patched the cargo floor. The tailgate repair panel from just kampers was a very good quality part and fitment was spot on, although folding edges over is never fun!
Floor = done Arch patch near rear belt mount = done Patches by both front belt mounts = done Welding = done Pulled the tank to check it’s condition and cleanliness along with painting it all up. Gave the engine bay a good clean ready to start prepping for paint. Filth More slightly uninteresting pics...but I’ve started, so I’ll finish... Before scrubbing After scrubbing Original factory underseals done it’s job
After a little sabatical on another project, a house move, and work to deal with, I’m back on the camper with the aim to have it rolling and water tight ready for the garage move in the next few weeks...probably not the best time to roll it on it’s side... Removed the beam for narrowing. I’ve bought end plates and adjusters along with dropped spindles, so should be attempting this soon. The under seal, although thick, is chipped and cracked, so the decision was made to remove the loose stuff and re do ready for the glorious UK weather. Before... After... Last, but not least, we have an engine/box. Not the purists choice, but we like southern France, so this bus will be a 5 speed cruiser...
Interesting stuff @Locke_Lamora, nice work. I’ve got lots of original and loose factory under seal on my van. What did you take yours off with please? Cheers
Just a normal decorating scraper/wire brush for the easy to get to bits. The original under seal was very brittle so came off like ice off a windscreen. In between the centre rails is the tricky bit...wish I had a shot blaster!
Anything that gets the bus back on the road and used is a good thing as far as i'm concerned. Looks like a great project.
lots of Orange! Beam built and fitted (although due to the move, I didn’t have time to make my own so ended up buying one. Have all the bits though to make a narrowed one so will do this at some point to earn some cash back. Brakes and bearings done Mocked the engine up to look at fabbing some engine mounts. Spoke to RJES about a belhousing conversion and I think that's the was we're going to go with it. I mocked up the subaru box and didn't like the way it sat or the angle of the driveshafts...plus the cost of the Subaru gears kit when we’ve so much more to buy