I got some good news last night, the van is finished and goes for MOT on Tuesday There were some trials and tribulations which I'll post up with some pictures later on. Once I've got the MOT I can start the registration process. Unfortunately I'm off on a two week business trip tomorrow night so won't get to see the van for a while. My daughter has been busy helping me plan the interior as we are going to be fitting a RHD Westfalia continental as best we can. Looking forward to being on the road in the not too distant future.
Well here she is, a few weeks later than we'd hoped but ready to rock and roll. There were a fair few electrical gremlins and a lack of third gear but all sorted now and ready for MOT and a new interior. [url=http://s289.photobucket.com/user/Bathtub57/media/1976 Swedish Van/IMG_3602.jdpg.html] I've been reading a number of threads (on another forum ) about off-road adventures and am in love with the jacked up fat tyre look which is the antithesis of the way most people have gone in the VeeDub scene these last years. Will see where we go from here but I have some ideas.
That's the ideology behind my bus Have you read the off road modifications to your bus thread on the samba?
It's been a frustrating couple of weeks. The MOT rules seem to have chsnged and we had to get an extra code from the DVLA to do the MOT. First attempt was a fail because, wait for it...... the rear fog light was on the wrong side! Anyway MOT is now done and I've filled in the registration form ready to post off today, fingers crossed. As this is going to take some weeks I've come up with a few extra jobs; Fit Westy side windows Replace rear screen (heater elements gone and luckily I have a spare) Fit eberspacher - over he summer I hope to sort a working BN6 out of the bits and pieces I have and bits on their way. Powder coat wheels and source tyres - my preferred tyre is the BF Goodrich and I can get these in 165 70r14 but think I'd like something wider. The van's gearbox has a low ratio 4th gear, presumably as it was used in hills a lot? Anyway I think a taller tyre will work well. Still looking for now. Replace exhaust and heat exchangers Replace radio - I'm on the hunt for a period Blaupunkt I with a DIN plug so I can plug in my iPhone Make sure tow bar electrics work - I use a tow bar mounted bike rack I was planning on adapting my RHD Westy interior I bought for my other van but don't think it is going to work so I am looking for a unit I can use with a full width bed. Repro Westy do a really nice Helsinki version which has fridge, cooker and sink which would be perfect but very expensive so I might get something made. If anyone has a unit which might work please let me know. Well I hope I am on the road before the weather gets too good as this is meant to be an all weather bus!
165/70x14 is too narrow and the profile is too low. And don’t forget the load rating you need for a bus.
Agreed. Not sure what the load ratings are but I don't think they make the size we need anymore so a moot point perhaps.
Oh dear I got bumped down to page two, can't be having that! Whilst I am waiting on my rego I thought we could get another couple of jobs ticked off. The side window drives side was leaking quite badly so thought it should come out for investigation. Looks like we were just in the nick of time, the metal is all solid still but only just, another winter or wo and it would have been teabag time! As it is out and I have a couple of these lying around I thought it'd be rude not to go Westy style. Point of note for anyone else with a '76 MY bus, April 1st 2017 is when they become tax free which is annoying as effectively I will tax the van for a month at the price of £235. I wouldn't bother only I have a few things planned for March and it's cost me more to hire tow vehicles and my other bus is now off the road. I'll just have to see it as my donation to the wellbeing of our road system.
Still no letter from DVLA but just placed my order with Vanwurks for a LHD interior and put my two RHD Westy interiors in the For Sale section. Meanwhile, back on the farm.. Crusty window frame all sorted out and Westy windows in And popped on a proper front badge Come on DVLA!!!
Well after a false start the Swede has moved in to Ascot. There is a problem with the fuel injection which I am dealing with on the tech thread but otherwise work has started on the clean up and conversion. I was unsuccessful in my attempt to swap the RHD Westy interior I have for a LHD one so have ordered a similar interior from Vanwurks. I want a full width bed, more for the seating width than sleeping width. I mocked up the RHD one today because a)I need to store it and b)I am impatient, This interior is for sale if anyone is interested.
Next up was to give the old girl a bit of lustre, given it is Easter holidays I put the little people to work with the jet wash and mops The original paintwork is coming up well. Of course this now shows up dents and repairs even more but at least I won't have to worry about taking it to Tesco's. ***I've only done the side FYI*** The interior is going to need a lot more work but looks better after a clean. Happily there is a long weekend ahead so hopefully I can get the cleaning and polishing out of the way. I've also got a nice original VW radio to fit as well.
One thing I figured out today is that the Westy window on the long side is wrong, the opening knob needs to be at the rear, not the front. I don't believe the windows can be swapped over as the one on the sliding door has to be at the front or it will foul the rear window when opened? Is that correct??
Perfect thanks for posting. So obviously the knob does not foul when the door opens. That's good so I just need to switch them over.
