72 crossdresser:

Hi everyone,


A few months ago we’ve bought this van:

It is a 72 scooby with an engine installed a long time ago by TSR. I am aware that many had issues with them. But this one seems to run fine. However I may have it re-installed by the guys at fellow speed shop.

For now the plan was also to swap the interior to something a bit more modern and adapted to us.

The van was a mix between original features and non standard elements. The red carpet throughout could have driven even the most zen person on earth mad on a camping trip of several days :



The plan was quite ambitious. We were to take the van from the UK to south west of France to work on it (a friend’s house with a well furnished toolbox and near to the sea side) and then drive it all the way back a bit more than a week later. In the meantime the plan was to:

• Strip the old interior
• “Tackle” rusty bits
• Soundproof the van
• Fit the new interior in
• Install the leisure electric system
• Try to enjoy the holidays….

First big journey out of the UK with the van and first big job on the it! Did you say optimistic?tuesday_wildchild

 

So here it is fully loaded and ready to hit the road.
PHOTO LOADED


Eurotunnel to France and small stop over at my parents in Paris. About 300 miles driven and so far no new problem but a burnt-out front indicator and the van being to high to fit in the parking...



Next day was spent in Paris, seeing old friends, waiting for my buddy to finish work and join to help on the project (poor him… didn’t know what he was signing for...). About 330 miles to go… Long drive but still no problem.

 

Let’s start working now!


Day 1: Stripping the van:

I’ll have nightmare about carpet glue for the next few weeks… As we always we have found a bit more rust than we were hoping (did you say optimistic again?)



DAY 2 & 3: Rust management:
We don’t have welding equipment nor welding skills, so it was rust converter, filler (+piece of metal if needed), primer and paint over. Not exactly the cleanest solution but it should do for now. (If proper welding should be done if we decide to go for a proper restoration).




DAY 4: Soundproofing/ insulation:
Small mistake while cutting the silent coat sheets… We have forgotten to multiply the quantities by 2 and only half the van is soundproofed. Order more sheets in emergency and back to work. I think we are getting tired…

 

DAY 5: Floor:
Just plywood and lino there... Nothing too hard, if only we could find the meter. Cutting to dimension using a ruler, is not very fun (nor precise ).


DAY 6 & 7: Furniture:
The interior is from SJH joinery. The rear wardrobe has been replaced by a iano hinged box for a flat unit throughout. Quite straightforward to build. A coat of lacquer and they look very nice.
Many thanks to Scott for delivering perfectly on time!




DAY 8: Driving area:
Change the floormats and the already non standard front seat for neater looking MGF seats. A bit harder than expected in a crossdresser since the fixed seats runner are a bit on the way.


DAY 9: Top locker and Rock and roll bed:
Rusty Lee ¾ beds. Super easy to fit (especially after ringing him for help)






DAY 10: Driving back home:
600 miles under a massive storm… Starting to think england is actually sunny
No problem beside the feeling to drive a submarine.

 

At the end we didn't find time to do the electrical wiring. It will have to be done over a weekend. We are also waiting for nice cushions for the bed and door panels from Delilah’s. Looking forward to it!

It was a cracking fun week! Long hours on the van but always with the smile. Many thanks to my friend!

On the plus side even though it is an infamous tsr conversion the van drives well and does not suffer from overheating problems (yet) even on french highways. It will have to be taken out to do repair to the bodywork later this year so I may have it refitted more properly by the guys at the fellow speed shop.

On the not-so-bright side, I think the clutch starts slipping. Sometime the van looses the 4th gear, I just need to press and release the clutch (without touching the stick shift) and it’s back. Anyone ever got this issue? So the transmission may need attention in the future.

 

Wow you have been very busy!

 

Thanks! As advised here, we plan double time for each task... And it was still not enough

I was also wondering where would you recommend to pierce to pass the cables from the leisure battery (split charger cables)?
The options I have listed are rear corner of the engine top panel, rear side panel or spare wheel area.
Any advice?

 

I'm sure someone will be along to answer the split charger cable question, but i don't have a clue!

 

looks cool !

 

Nice one!

 

Thanks! We took the van out this weekend. The new interior is perfect for us.
Next on the list will be some bodywork and mechanical issues.

I owe him way too many drinks but luckily for me we've stop counting long ag!

Hahaha! I knew the T2 were called cucumbers in Poland but no that wasn't intentional. I quite like the idea though.