Thanks Paradox. Yeah the whole front was covered in it! They had done a good job of making a smoothy I just hated the look!
My garage is quite small and the van is quite close to the front door which is padlocked to the hilt and would take about an hour to open so sorry about quality of photos but you get the jist! The front end is on! I will take proper photos and post when she is trailered to be sprayed hopefully in a couple of months!
Hi guys Have been slowly working away over last couple of weeks and have now managed to cannibalise some old westvalia seats and Renault espace captain seat bases! Ripped out bulkheads and welded in gussets. Still have to get seats upholstered but managed to get them to fit! Welded seat frame to base Welded strengthening patches in Once I cut bulkheads out made and fitted gusset plates Then fitted seats! Quite pleased as seats fit really nice!
Check the seats for driving position before you do much else with them, you'll probably find they're much too high, unless youve got ultra long legs and a short neck.
Lol Thanks Kruger, have checked and despite having short legs I can reach the pedals fine and the seat moves forward enough to get close enough to the steering wheel! Why do you think they are to high?
Have a look at this thread here http://thelatebay.com/index.php?thr...you-put-in-your-bus-photos.21491/#post-351994 where its been discussed with a few photos, generally the seat cushion base needs to be as close to the wheel tubs as possible as per the originals, otherwise it just makes them too uncomfortable if your feet are dangling over the pedals or you're head is touching the headlining, the Renault seats you've used look about 4" too high to be useable.
Thanks Kruger That is really helpful, the thread is very good. I have sat in the seat and can reach the pedals very easily when the steering wheel is quite close to me, I fully take on board what is said in the thread and bow to superior knowledge! I really want to use them if I can as it allows me to spin around to face back! I am due to take the van for respray in two weeks then rebuild to MOT status and get her on the road. I will hold back on upholstering the seats until I have gone out and had a drive for an hour! Thanks again for the heads up, really appreciate it! I was told the actual seats are from a westvalia, wether that is true I have no idea, but of course it is the espace bases that raise them up anyway!
saw these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Unive...ervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item51a41cd173 and was reminded of your post Height = 30mm
Thanks very much pal, they look good. I have gotta be honest I have been over at my van today and tried the seats again. They seem fine, my feet are flat on the floor and I am not stretching at all! I don't mean to question others knowledge as guys on here really know what they are talking about. I am gonna give it a try before I reupholster them as I spent over £100.00 on the bases and about £80.00 on the seats! Thanks a lot for the thought though Cheers Andy
Have worked hard over last three days and have managed to clean all the rust of inside of roof and also treat it! Also welded up a hole in the roof that had been made by PO for an air vent! Also taken the engine!
No prob, if they work well for you alls good, just I mentioned it as its come up on here a few times before, I'm mounting swivels to bases of mine, but so far havent quite worked that bit out!
The swivels that hibiscrub put a connection to look good but you would still need to have rails underneath so I think that would raise it up as well! Thanks for all your help and advice Cheers Andy
To give you an idea: These were too high These are much better Look out for: 1) distance between your legs and the steering wheel - I used to cancel the indicators with my knee when I went for the clutch when changing gear 2) whether you can see any of the road ahead when you've flipped down the sun visor. If they are comfortable and at the right height for you, then go for it. After all, it's you that has to drive the van. Other people can only comment on what has worked for them, and if they're OK, then having captain's seats will help a lot with space inside the van when camping.
Thanks a lot baybirmingham. I have no doubt that lower would be better but I am hoping that I can get away with it! Just sat in the van as is, dash is in situ as is gear stick and indicator and wiper stalks. With the seat a longway forward, steering wheel is in my lap but feels comfortable and sits about 3" above my legs, feet on the floor and bum at back of chair don't have sun visor in place but can see ok out of side window and windscreen at the mo! It is really helpful to get the info from your experience and I suspect once I get on the road I will notice disadvantages. Off for respray in two weeks so once windows are in and engine back in I can feel a quick drive down the road to see how it feels!
The metal treatment is water based so I spoke with the company and asked if I could water it down in order to spray it on! They said no prob so I did just that and you saw the results this morning after it had dried there was a fine coat of surface rust over everything! Te actual organised rust had been arrested to will be ok once I flat it back so should be ok in the end hopefully!
Have now welded seat belt brackets in place Have also welded top ones in on each side piccies to follow!
Well that is that! Almost 2 years of blood sweat and tears! She is off to the paint shop! Woooohooooooo!
