This is the van that wasn't meant to be. Vynii is part way under a slow burn restoration to replace my Split van now the kids are bigger and we need some extra space and power. Thinking about power I decided that a 2.0L fuel injected type 4 would be the way to go rather than a warmed up type 1. After a lengthy search I found a good engine and box through a contact and went down to collect them. They were in a van that was going to be broken and thinking I'd need some more bits I bought the whole lot. That was about a year ago. Thinking I'd get the engine checked out I arranged to get the van delivered up to Russ. When it arrived we checked it out and decided that it was far too good to break and so asked Russ to weld her up...! The plan is to get the van roadworthy, use it as much as possible and make decisions on the engine and gearbox down the line when Vynii is ready. Here are some pictures; The all important motor
First port of call was to get the engine running. The fuel lines need replacing so Russ ran up a temporary line and return. The van was brought inside to help it warm up and dry out. Oil was drained, plugs changed and some cleaner run through the fuel pump. After some mechanical magic and injector cleaner she's running like a beaut for the first time in 10 years.
Next on the list was to remove the BN6 heater. This is a pretty serious piece of kit. Sadly too far gone to be saved as it's completely rusted out underneath. I've kept everything though and on the look out for a replacement to fit into Vynii using the good parts from this one. I may put a BN4 into this van if I can get a hold of one. Oh, slight side note. As the van warmed up the wasp next that was hidden inside woke up and the place got swarmed! Don't often see a bug light in November! The original paint work looks like it will come up quite nicely.
The interior has been stripped out. The crustiness that is the underside of a van that's been parked in a field for 10 years. (temp fuel lines in too). Floors are generally ok. Cross members, top hats, jacking points, sills all shot. It's had sills in the past but mostly untouched.
Was nearly mine ( spoke to you at slough a couple of times, my green tin top Westy was the one you looked in a couple of years ago. Looks not to bad
Anyone who has had to buy a sliding door mechanism knows how much they cost. I've had to buy two - one LHD and one RHD!! Time to start cutting. I love the tyres by the way - if these ones are no good I want to find some suitably gnarly replacements - suggestions welcome. Always good to see daylight through the bottom of your van. But this is a better look Heritage panels are a great fit. Surgery is under way. Nurse, scalpel please. Being more used to splits I'm impressed by the beefiness of the cross members on the late bay. These need to come out. Hole in the heater tube. Standard heating will go back in rather than the BN6.
Brakes are being renewed all around. New discs and callipers up front. Backing plates refreshed. Back to the fun stuff. Heater tube is in. New cross member in. Jacking point. Rear tube fixed. Looking a bit more solid. A few left over bits and pieces. New x member Middle sill (I think).
And this brings us up to today. Not bad for a couple of weeks work. I don't want to jinx it by saying when we will hope it will be ready but progress is coming along very nicely.
Sorry about that. It's all your fault I wanted a late bay Westy after Matthew sat in your van the first year at Slough he was determined we needed something more spacious! Mine will look like the poor relation to yours when done I hope. This one will jump kerbs too like the split had to at Slough! I have a RHD westy interior I might try and make a frankenstein interior from but that's a way off from now.
I drove one last summer when Russ had one for sale, 2 minutes down the road and I knew that the 6 rib box and 2.0 FI was the perfect combo for me.
Drove one from Manchester to Portsmouth then from Bilbao to Alvor Portugal then to Mijas and back to Santander, didn't miss a beat until a week back in the UK
Swedish pickup here, I got these tyres as close to the originals as I could find Fedimas off tyresdirect If I was doing it again though I'd go up to 15' wheels as tyre choice is much better
Thanks mate, good call, they look awesome! 15" is controversial as I don't want to screw up the gearing but let's see how we go when she's on the road. I can rob the wheels off Vynii so I can run summer and winter tyre combos.
Do I have to fit an MPH speedo for use in the UK? Russ will alter the headlamp relay and wiring so the car can run with headlights off. Other than that any MOT issues that I need to prepare for?
You don't need to alter the relay, there's 2 extra relays one does side lights the other headlights , identical relays in the fuse box, just pull them out, they are the short silver ones. no need for mph speedo, I've got some rhd NOS headlights in the classifieds
