So, my new and first project bus was delivered to my house yesterday afternoon. Not really had chance for a good poke around it and probably won't do a huge amount of work on it until after Xmas. My first job is to build some shelter for it! Anyway, here are some pics. Any words of wisdom, encouragement, sympathy etc appreciated What is the general consensus on panel suppliers? VW Heritage or elsewhere? I will add a few onto my Xmas list!!
Good luck on the resto Andy, first off I would make a list up of rough areas and have a look at whats needed overall and go from there! When we did Gusbus, we started at the back and worked forwards, whether its the right way or not, who knows! Panelwise, we get a discount at VW Heritage (code is latebay) or Alan Schofield also does panels...both are good. Custom and Commercial are also great for parts and speedy delivery too, never had problems with any tbh!
Well, I thought that I'd better update! I haven't been around for a few months as I have been really busy, away lots and not in a position to start the resto due to weather, horrible dark days and money etc. While I haven't made much progress, I have bought a new metal shed which will store my new welder and tools and I'm almost ready to go. I'm currently awaiting a delivery from machine mart (lots of discs for the grinder) and some panels. First Job is going to be the O/S outriggers, sills (inner, middle, and outer) then onto the full O/S arch and work my way around the front to the other side. Here are a few more pics of the O/S, scary eh? Hopefully more posts with some progress soon
Managed to spend a couple of hours working on the camper yesterday. Most of the time spent with grinder in hand trying to find something solid!! I have a delivery of new panels (inner sill, middle sill, front and both rear outriggers and jacking points etc) but need to order a few more parts before these can be fitted Hmmm..... two floors? You can see the previous cover up repair And with the floor "repair" removed. As i need to replace the ends of the top hat sections, I thought I should cut out the rotten floor. Trying to figure out the order to do things is hard work as I don't want to cut out too much before replacing a few bits. I guess the order will be top hat sections, floor section, out riggers and then inner and middle sills....? Oh dear:
As the sills fix to the top hats rather that the outgiggers, and the outriggers make it very difficult to get the sill in, and it's nice to access everything with the floor up... Top hats Sills Outriggers Floor. Just done one that looks identical - also a 73 westy. I made this hole with one hand - It all looked like nice paint but there was a crusty bit it the corner. oops! For a very old mate : who wouldn't buy floor halves, just floor repair bits so I had to do all the shaping at the edges - PITA. You can see what I replaced outlined in seam sealer. Turned out ok.
Oh if only I Lived closer to Zed! I would love to bring my van to him so he could work his magic on it. (Mental note - next time I in that neck of woods plan to take van to Zed....)
It's my least favourite job. Also replaced front arches and everything within 6" of them. All in all this one was a rotter - This chap and myself bought our first buses the same summer - he's still got his and hasn't spent much keeping it good. It's his daily driver, auto 2,0l. It was nice condition when he got it - even 20 years ago there were plenty of rot-box bays about. This year, having no sills alarmed the MOT inspector and one thing led to another once the furniture wqs out. It had had lots of repairs like your floor.
Zed, thanks for posting your previous work. At least I know that it's repairable with some work! Today was the first day that i've had chance to do some work on it after a few days camping last week. The front cross member has seen better days so today I hacked it out along with the complete front top hat section: The nearside isn't looking any better than the offside and i'm not looking forward to it with the sliding door to add complications! This is my first welding on the camper. I replaced a section of chassis that was rotted out under the outriggers and repaired one of the ends of the top hat sections. Cleaned up a little: A little more floor section cut out to allow easier access to the top hat and H sections that need to be replaced.
Long time since posting! Major news is the camper is now parked up in my neighbours double garage best of all, it's for free in exchange for painting the doors and fixing the garage up I don't have any recent pictures since it's been moved, I'll post those up another day. Here is some progress: 8th May 12th May 13th May Inner B Post Repair Panel Welded in Outer B Post I only had left over silver paint to hand! And probably the biggest news is: This is likely to effect progress! and accounts for the lack of updates. Due 30th Nov! As mentioned above, I have moved it to the garage and have done a few more bits so will post those pics up soon. The engine has been removed and I've chopped out the OSR wheel tub. Next job will be to remove the fuel tank and either fix the fuel tank support panel or fit another salvaged one...
all too familiar buddy. mine's been going for a few years now. just had my little one and a house renovation and move! GET AS MUCH DONE NOW BEFORE THE LITTLE ONE ARRIVES! great work so far buddy, keep up the good work!
I always think you guys cutting out all that rusty metal are very brave. Good luck with the resto and the addition to the family ;D
Gutted!!!! have the entire weekend to myself, probably the last one before the baby arrives and have been messed around by city link who said they delivered a body cut panel from fbi but didn't :-( Been round all my neighbours (only have 3 within about a mile) and nothing! FBI are closed for the weekend and there's nothing i can do until Monday. Was planning on replacing the fuel tank support panel so i can fit my new wheel tubs and rear arches!! Will post some pics tonight as have plenty of other stuff to do.
