Have just read through your entire thread, awesome job! Looking really good, be nice to see the roof on so eagerly await those pics
Took the van a few weeks ago to gets its mot – they did a few thing that I could not do – tracking headlights etc. – they then took it for a test drive – it was all wrong – if you turned a corner it was so unstable – so I asked them to sort it out . The problem is that the passenger’s side front suspension is higher that the drivers and is very stiff – so they took it all to bits – and could not find anything wrong – but this took 3 weeks – as they used it as a hospital job (after me telling them to get the job sorted asap) So with that this weekend I drove it home (1 mile) and finished off the pop up and the 240v wiring. The pictures show the main board that I made that goes in the lhs of the engine bay – the top bolt is going through the spare wheel carrier (I used round head 10mm so not to rip the spare wheel) and the others are done with self-tapping bolts so it will come out easily so you can get at the leisure battery. I have gone with the water proof 3 pin sockets in the engine bay – so I can use my Ctek charger to charge the 12v at the same time as the 240v – I got the CTEK MXS25 as it will run 12v as a direct take off. The other reason why I went with is set up is that I can take out the charger and use on my other cars. Got the boot lid on after 200 years of messing around with the rubber that was stiff, I found that putting a spray of water/fairy liquid helped it get shut. So today I put it on a trailer and took it to Blackpool to a VW specialist – and told him that I WILL be driving it back – he will now sort out the suspension as I have tried and failed big time – if it means me getting a new beam – I will have to do it as I have go to the stage that I may not be able to stop myself taking a very large and heavy hammer to it. The chap who is doing the cabinets is having problems sorting the walnut edging – so that’s taking its time as well- Christ it’s all turning to S@@@ On a different note – last week my next project has arrived – I have just got a Daimler Dart to restore this winter- it’s in bits!!!!
Well after hours of taking things off – and on – trying another beam – it became apparent that the reason why the front passenger’s side was higher was that the rear torsion bars (driver’s side) need adjusting – this has caused the whole problem – and it’s been big one as everyone has been pulling hairs out. It’s quite odd really as the van sits at the back the same distance on each side – I did check this by looking at the distance between the IRS flat trailing arm and the little bum stops on both side – so I ruled that one out. When I put the IRS together, I has marked it up and when putting in the torsion bar it located on both sides may be 1 or 2mm lower than the bump stop – So the driver’s side rear is being moved by 1 spline – may be 2 – to balance it up What a job – and its taken time and money!!! Good news its sorted – bad news its cost me a few hundred pounds in time
Well done, you can look forward to driving it now! (Was it Zed who said it would be the back causing the problem....he is usually right!)
Well done for sorting the suspension problem. I've not been on here in a while and have just caught up on your resto. Boy have you been busy!!! I must say you have done a totally amazing job and in an unbelievable time. The quality of your work is superb, its a credit to you. Looking forward to seeing your bus at a camp/show some day.
Just spoke to the chap who is sorting it out – the rear suspension was out by 1 notch – it’s now all level and doing fine – he is putting a anti toll bar on as he tells me it will help as well. 1 notch – can you believe it 1 god dam notch -
Hi Marc, 1 notch............I recently had a similar problem, 1 tooth out on the camshaft on an OS 4 stroke model aircraft engine......makes you feel such a fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is the name/ spec of the cable you used for your 240VAC system, as I will be doing the same later in the summer. Tony
Got the camper back after the suspension was sorted – drove it back from Blackpool to Preston on trade plates, the sun was shining and it was great fun as I was the first drive back and I was unsure it would make it because it’s so new – any how it did no problem – when driving a lot of folk seam to look at me and smile – it must be me not the camper Gave it a clean off and tomorrow its going in to the auto electrician’s as I can’t get the indicators working and then its MOT and by the end of the week it should have its insides done and we are away –I hope!!! Do you think it is sitting high? or is that normal - ? I was hoping it was going to be done by mid April - that's gone out the window.
WOW! Just read all 18 pages - what a great restoration. Can't wait to see the interior fitted. Gives me faith to tinker - even if only in a small way!
The last months have been frustrating. The van was done in April – then I had the suspension issue that I could not work out – so then off to the garage – weeks later it came back done – then off to the cabinet maker – been there for a few weeks because we decided that we wanted a Walnut interior and the chap who is doing it could not get the walnut edging – I must say he had been great and tried to find all sorts of alternatives – but in the end we have had to go for a dark brown edging – and hopefully sometime in the future we can change it over. The pictures show it without the edging – Anyhow – we hope to get it back this weekend for the good weather – I hope- not far away now!!!!!
Well it’s the final post in the blog. Started the van in August last year and managed to get it on the road in under 12 months – all be it that the last few months have been sorting out the drivability of the thing. I have just put on a new steering box (the only thing I did not replace) and sorted out the camber, and the van now drives to a reasonable standard without filling up your pants – even got it up to 75mph on the motorway and it felt ok – but it’s not up to new van standards – but hey ho but for 1 78 van its fine. Well, as I promised this would be a no holes blog and I have just worded out how much I have spent ----- the grand total Inc. buying the thing is £14200.00 – give or take a few hundred that I can’t find the receipts for – So was it worth it? – Well if you put the 220 hours welding – 250 hours plus painting and putting it back together again and put a figure at let’s say £30 per hour – probably not. But as always it’s not about the time it takes, but about the adventure and enjoyment bringing back to life a rusty, knackered old van. Over the months I got sucked into the van, dreaming about welding at one stage (sad) – especially enjoyed the welding, I hated the filling and sanding, and enjoyed putting the new bits on, but it’s been a great adventure. Would I do another one – may be, but I need a few years to get over it, and I have now stared doing a Daimler Dart (much easier) – but now have a useable machine that me, my daughter and wife and have a bit of fun in, and hopefully see some of you guys who have been a big help posting reply’s to my blog I have to say that my wife has been especially patient as I spent most week nights (excerpt Friday as I go to the pub) and most weekends working away in the garage. The best thing I purchased was the roll over jig – I must if anyone is doing a full resto – and old git like me! Well – to all that have read the blog – I hope it has not been to boring, and there may be some things that may help you in the future, and to all that have been posting stuff on here – thanks for all your helps and comments, it is really appreciated. The Latebay has got to be one of the best forums – you only need to post a problem in the Mec Tec areas and within 10 minutes you get a reply – it’s better than Google. Well that all folks –Oh yes, the final pictures are the interior. Its now time to go Camping- Kind regards Marc
I feel sad that this is over now, I feel like I've been watching this for ages! You've done such an amazing job and should be so proud of your van, it looks fantastic!! Hope to see it in the flesh one day
