Hi all This is the resto thread of my 1977 panel van (converted to camper with viking top) it has been off the road since early 2000's and has then been parked pretty much since. Having managed to recover it from its current resting place ( an alotment) Due to working nights and needing to go to bed fir that nights shift.. time was limited but heres what we have uncovered so far. 1) broken rear axle. Drivers side wheel sits far too high inside the arch and having quickly looked at the position of the spring plates and comparing with the oposite side which the wheel appears to sit better in the arch, i did think this must be due to the splines giving up the ghost on the torsion bar ( this happened when the bus was being towed and it hit a speed bump too hard). 2) two batteries fitted ad a bit f a bodge with jump leads and battery terminals dont know what all that was about but... they have both been removed ( the one actually sat where the right hand battery tray is) was actually bulging and was nearly splitting!! This revealed a badly rotten battery tray and some wires with connectors hanging about from what looks to be a relay?... On the other side of the engine bay the panel piece directly behind the valance and runs down the left side of the engine is also badly corroded abd will need chopping out. Theres a fair amount of work to do on the back end as the engine lid, tailgate, rear corners upto the beltline are in a bad way We used the battery from my 306 cabriolet to see if it had any life and this revealed a possible wiring fault as the ignition lights (battery n oil) came on some times but not others and the ignition barel was also a bit iffy with the key and wouldnt turn but on other ocassions it would. We tried the starter and heard clicks from the rear... believing this to be the magnet inside the starter solenoid trying to fire the starting pinion gear.. after a few attempts, we hard a postive "clunk" this led us to believe this was the starter motor pinion gear hitting the flywheel. It wouldnt spin the engine over regardless so gave up... We cant cirrently open the tailgate due to an issue with the lock. Bodywork wise... on first appearences the previous owner ( family friend) has been busy with the welder! Its had a few patches to the floor rear abd rear arches and appears to have hadbhe cargo floor replaced! It also appears to have the front wheel arches replaced too. The outriggers, jacking points and chassis rails all look solid ( except the back end as i cant see the chassis rails clearly to say). Tge viking top opened up to reveal the bellows perfectly intact! Although im not sure about how it has been fitted as the viking top frame etc has wood attached to the original roof panel and has angle iron as props to keep the roof up in position will have to upload pics to explain this i think.. the viking top also appears rippled slightly down the sides ( no rubber seal between the top and the roof when closed so could possibly be down to this).. again i will upload so pics. The front panel is shot... rotten above the bumper bulge section and also rotten under the windscreen. Both front steps need replacing too and also side panels so.. front door outer skins, sliding door skin, and just generally outter panel work. Everything appears to have seized to some degree or another due to sitting for so long!.. if possible i'll upload some photo's of its current state. Im currently learning to weld at home with gas mig, this will be my first complete resto so.. can see me asking for help! I have owned a couple if other classics but none as cool as the bus! Why is it not a good think to have a camper that was previously a normal van? Thanks in advance Rob
most vikings were converted from panelvans (they ran out of microbuses) it is not a bad thing ,i've seen some beauties...
I have a Viking spacemaker currently undergoing work ,is yours a spacemaker or a super? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Good luck, I've just recently started my 1977 project panel van after it was sat off road for 25 years so I know your problems!!! Sent from my Moto G Play using Tapatalk
A few pics.... not great as had limited time had a go with battery charged.... checked oil level and.... she turned over and very nearly started! No end float at all and sounded very well. Oil light went out after a few spins and stayed out for around 30 seconds. Think theres a spark issue Also managed to get the boot lid open ( lock had well and truly seized!) Brother also removed all cargo interior paneling etc to reveal the inner metal work and appears very sound. Downsides... right under the gutter as per pics is rotten in areas and also the seatbelt anchor points on the front tubs appears to have been repaired badly at some point. One area of serious concern was the engine compartment left had side ( dont know the name of the panel) but i could just make out what looked like the vin number/chassis number... half missing due to rust . Can these be stamped into the new panel?. As for the viking top... im not sure if its a super or moknraker. Whats the best way to tell? Sorry totally new to campers Rob
Get the roof off first and investigate the roof and gutter problems, could be the biggest job on the bus.
We've opened the roof ip and checked the gutter the gutter itself looks and is very solid... hwoever right underneath the gutter is holed or badly rusted.. the rest of roof is great though Thanks Rob
The roof rear corner gutter area is multi layered metal , looks a mess in your pics, also you saying how much rot there is in that side of the engine compartment suggest water has ingressed down from above over time. Looks like you need to chop the entire rear corner panel out anyway so all will be revealed!
Plenty to keep you busy there. I'm 12 months or so into our full resto with at least another 12 to go! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If it's been sat for 15 years I'd be at least changing the fuel lines before I try and start it. A burnt out shell will be properly expensive to restore!
