None of the pillars should move no matter how hard you slam the doors, the front panel hasn't been fitted quite right, looks like maybe some material was left on, you could fix it, got any pictures of the sliding door fit and all the latches
Will grab some pics tomorrow yeap. I've made the front panel fit a little better now around the cab door gap. I think I hadn't hammered the panel sufficiently around the a pillar. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Could be that the front arch isn't bracing it so it has some flex but I still wouldn't expect the pillar to move. I put my panel van mechanisms on a microbus sliding door and mine closes fine so not sure if that will be the issue or not. Unless some had a bigger striker plate perhaps?
Quite possible but yes it shouldn't move. Doesn't help that I've had to repair both the middle sill with the track in and the B pillar. Thought I'd done it correctly but hadn't noticed the pillar movement until I fitted the cab door. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No pictures I'm afraid but they're definitely different mechanisms. As said though the pillar shouldn't move regardless, did you remake the inner part of the b pillar and weld it to the sill?
If it's anything like this I can't imagine it would move, especially once the front arch is in. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I had to remake some of the B pillar inner but left the bit near the door attached to the door threshold. Think I'll just need to remeasure everything and work out where it's gone wrong. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ok I have a theory hoping it's along the right lines. Measured the door aperture and its spot on with the width consistent at top and bottom. Removing the front striker plate and the door then fits and closes like a dream. Door gaps look the best I've seen them. Is the striker plate correct? It doesn't match what I've seen in the Bentley book. Is it an early plate perhaps? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's the same as the striker from my late panel sliding door, your door is from an early factory window door just like mine is (your basically re living my resto ) if your mechanism is like mine you'll need the striker pictured above.
Perfect! That'll be it then. Our door mech is the early style one with the lock in the handle. I'll get one ordered. That'll explain why the door never fitted correctly in the first place. I've been having nightmares all week of having to redo the middle sill, to get it to fit. Onwards! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Cheers mate. I eventually found an article on the prototype bay pretty much confirming my suspicions. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sourced a genuine VW toughened windscreen and had another go at fitting with Max helping this time after a weekend off the van to visit Max's parents at their caravan in Skegness. Got it fitting near perfect, but the corners will need a bit of sealant to pull it tight against the metal (will know for the next resto ).
Removed the windscreen after the trial fit and removed the sliding door window to avoid getting grinding sparks embedded in it. Spent some time getting the door gaps for the sliding door and cab door to the point where I’m happy with them. This should do nicely for us: Making a start on the bulkhead and wheel tub. The wheel tub isn’t in too bad nick, it’s had some awful repairs in the past which will need to be chopped out and repaired properly. Hoping to get the bulkhead all welded up this week.
Ok a few queries for tonight. 1. Is this strengthening plate supposed to be here? It looks like it should. 2. Where do the passenger seat brackets attach to? My wheel tub is peppered with holes so I'm not sure where it's originally supposed to go. I can't work out how the B pillar would've originally transitioned from the bit where the cab door striker plate is to the bit that attaches to the bull head (ours was shot so no reference point). It looks like the panel would've sloped down just as it passes by the wheel tub to fall into the same plane as the bulkhead but can't quite work out how it should look. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ok managed to find this image which shows it's a funky looking pressing which transitions the b pillar. Think I'll just box it in somehow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
