My 75' Panel Restoration (my first bus!!!)

Nice work dude keep it uppp!! =]

 

Stop cutting and mend now.

 

What do you think to cutting out the crispy bits, anti rust treating the rest then welding a roof bit back in?

 

Good luck dude. Put something back on. I was like you and cut loads of bits off and could have kept going which would have got depressing and make the job seem even bigger but the first time you weld something back on it's a great feeling especially if you've never welded before. I got the Clarke 135 and funnily enough the rubber grip was missing on my handle too.

 

Back to the van today. Wrist has healed well, removed the sticky stitches earlier. Tidied up the top corner and removed the crusty chassis rail end. Also finished removing the rest of the R/H side panel, arch closers and a couple of other bits. I found that the throttle pedal has been botched on! I'll get a pic at some point.






Double skin and filler sandwich anyone?








There are some holes above the rear window that will need to be cut out and plated as well.
Bet you pic lovers are glad I'm actually posting pics instead of asking stuff. I also picked up a PD24 2 litre Argonshield Light bottle for the mig, it's only £19 for a refill and will last longer than the disposeables.

 

Morning peeps! I am going to order some more parts for the van. I need to repair the floor support at the front, it's the bit that sits on top of the outriggers. Now is that called the top-hat or I section? Don't want to order the wrong bit!

 

I believe it's the top hat section mate

 

Do you mean the long bit right behind the bulk head ?

 

Cross section of floor supports is either Tp-hat or I shaped hence the names.
If you look more closely you find the one top hat that does NOT have an outrigger under it is heavy grade thick steel, while the ones above the outriggers are flimsy.

Best advice if you're replacing the ends of them is to buy a splitscreen top-hat (schofields amongst others sell them). Splitscreen top hats are all sturdy and come without all the holes so much better for repairs.

If your acc pedal has a door hinge attached, PM Lost-en-France - he probably did it.

 

Sorry for the lack of updates, with the weather being so poo and the van being stored outside I've not been able to do much work. I have managed to find an engine so the van is starting to feel a little more whole! Things are tight with money at the mo so I will mostly be cleaning the underside of the van. My wrist has healed well after it's meeting with the grinder and all I have is a small scar as a reminder. Anyone going to Alive and v'dubbin? I will be presenting the trophy for best trailer/caravan as I work for Indespension.

 

Hi Kenzie. Plan to get over there on the Sunday so I'll come and say hello!

 

That would be cool. Once again, sorry for the lack of updates, the money has run dry at the moment so everything is on hold. As in my other thread in mech and tech, I have managed to get hold of a remanufactured AD engine for the van at long last. Seems strange to think after a year I finally have something to put in the engine bay!

 

Hey guys and girls, long time no update. I have picked up a roof cut from Kruger and am planning on going to the van after work tomorrow and make a template of the roof repair before cutting. I was wondering if it was feasable to bridge the inner panel like this:



And then weld the roof cut over the top? Also, would it best to do it with the tailgate arms raised or lowered as the roof moves quite a bit.

 

Go for putting as much metal and strength in there as you can, as thats your roof support bow, id be tempted to try and do it all as 1 complete closing panel rather than 4 smaller bits, remember it will all be covered up!

The hinges either up or down is irrelevant - as the torsion bars are constantly under tension so just remove or unhook them before trying to align and weld it up.

 

Was hoping to get to the van tonight but once again its raining. Would it be better to repair the roof bit first and then try to fit the corner or the other way round. I think my complete corner cost £99, just looked on VWH and C&C and they are £199 now, is it a quality thing? Any tips of fitting the corner as I think the top edge closest to the tailgate/roof is going to be a pain!

 

Personally the approach and order I'd probably take,

Start at the bottom,

Repairs to chassis leg.
Inner valance,
Roof support/ inner upper quarter repairs
Rear corner
Roof

Wouldnt worry about the quality /price jump on the rear corner, this is probably due to the Brazil supply/shipping problems, most of the Brazil stuff seems to be rising in price quicker than gold!

 

Thanks Kruger, I recon I will have to pick up an inner valance first so I can make sure everything lines up.

 

Managed to get up to the van today, had my head in the gutter for a couple of hours. Scraping and stabbing at anything that looked crispy. Overall not too bad but found some holes. Better put some photos up before you think I've given up on it!











Found the back end of the mystery lock barrel under my front panel. No idea what it was used for!





Another view inside the panel, nothing nasty lurking here thankfuly:



Any ideas what this colour is? Found it under the household blue/purple that was rollered on