This is my fisrt Bay, so putting photos back from before. Bought in April and gettig there slowly! Cant post each photo at the mo, but click HERE for the album.
Still thinking at the mo, got a while until I get to that point anyway. Gathering a huge pile of panels and parts so I have everything in one place to do the job, rather than have to order then wait. So far I have both rear arch side panels, a complete L/H rear corner and outrigger kit on the way, the r/h chassis leg repair and a few other little bits. Will be offering a l/h vent panel for sale as I won't need it.
Tell me about it! I'm going on a welding cousre in the new year to get the basics, will help no end with the amount of welding I have to do.
Its a good starting point for him though zed He can get used to welding fresh steel to old vw vintage steel upside down and not wearing a mask at a later time
I bought the VW restoration manual as suggested, one of the tips for chassis welding if the welder is not powerful enough is to vee a grove where it is to be welded then run three overlapping beads of weld to ensure good penertration. If this is the case then I may crack on.
ideally you need two of you mate, just to be on the safe side..one on each side of the van & it'll be a doddle. Dont forget to remove the gear linkage and brake rod first (along with any other cables etc)
Best to get help to remove the beam it will make it much easer, but it can be done on your own i did mine on my own but I think I will make a Friend before I do it again.
I like a challange. Sorry the resto has gone quiet for the time being, gathering panels and parts so I have eveything to hand when the time comes.
Beam piece of cake. If you're going to remove the trailing arms and discs, do it first so you can leave the brakes connected and hang the calipers from the chassis and lighten the beam a bit. I do this on my own every time. The holes will magically line up when you jack it back into place.
Going to replace the calipers as they are seized unless they do an overhaul kit? Got loads of panels building up in the flat at the mo. Still looking to book a welding course so I don't make too many mistakes. Also the corner that had been tacked on but it hadn't pentrated properly so it just pulled off.
Thinking of colours at the moment. Got a complete corner to weld on later and slapped some paint on it. VW Pastle white on top with probably L50K Neptune Blue on the lower. Will post a snap when I have painted the bottom. Opinions please.
Just rattle cans to get a feel for what they look like. It's an ex panel van and I want to keep it looking as original on the outside as poss. Actually, looking at the Samba.com swatches, Neptune Blue is a bit dark for my liking.
I'd go back to full panel van and go all blue , the lighter of the 2 you said Keep us posted I want to see how this one turns out