Had camper since 2011, bought off someone local who had owned since the 90s. General condition was good although bodywork had a fair amount of filler, 1st trip home didn't go too well as I mistakenly thought 70 mph was a reasonable cruise speed. Obviously not so as I had to use the Rac. Oh well was nice to meet @Dubs . Had few upgrades fitted. Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
Spent next few summers having family trips and discovered the latebay Engine always used oil but was happy with just topping up. Went to techenders and after a look from a few it was decided rings were the weak point. Fitted heated leather front bench seat as kids were wanting to be up front had new passenger too Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
Interior was refitted and continued to be used, engine was next to be sorted, full rebuild with new heads had Rob Parry give engine complete works. Had carbs retuned again with Jason and then used regularly for next few year.... Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
All was going well until during a summer trip some idiot ran into us in Croyde. Took van into some local who I knew to do insurance work. Wasn't happy with the finished job so started doing the things which I was never happy with. Sliding door was first. Badly repaired with original panel underneath. Convinced a welder to reattach newer lower repair. Filled and sprayed but then started looking at other parts. Left bodywork and fitted new beam and did all wheel disc upgrade with braided hoses. Bought some Brazilian front arches and kept on using throughout the summer and autumn. Had dash out, rewired and stripped wiring to original. Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
Did the daughters prom in camper and then after other winter the covid lockdown made us decide to sort bodywork properly. Wow what a learning curve I had never realised the body had so much filler Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
Soon realised the metalwork was going to be above my skillset so had to get it professionally looked at. Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
So have known @Kruger for some years and after replacing rear arch we came u with a plan to gradually sort from arches which I already had. Once these were removed we realised that B posts needing replacing on the bottom and this obviously lead to repairing the arch tubs and seat belt mounts. As with all these buses we gradually replaced the inner and outer sills on both sides, out riggers which lead to the sliding door track which always was showing signs of a previous repair. Every panel removed showed signs of previous poor repairs. By now we were in so far we just kept going, I gradually bare metalled all paint work and removed all glass to reveal more repairs. The door skins didnt look to bad until all layers of paint were removed and found metal was too badly stretched so they were both replaced too, as I find more pictures I will upload them too but whilst being repaired my phone got mullered so pics are sparse..
Whilst so far any panel not perfect was skillfully replaced (not be me) I just prepped and caused chaos. Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
Another evening we spent bare metaling. Ordered new front panel and couriers damaged it after losing for a week. Not impressed. May not/won't be ready for our Stanford hall stand but not biggest concern with the year we've had Tbh. Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
Finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Never did work out what brackets behind rear valance were actually for only guesses were removable valance or rear wheel carrier. Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
I spy an engine donor in the background! Top work... the van didn’t look too bad before you let @Kruger loose on it!
The Subaru is being kept as a contingency plan, until mine is running.... hope to get back into mine this summer as running out of bits to cut off Kev’s van!
Nearly all panel work and welding complete, after all careful panel aligning front panel and driver's door still not same profile even though they are Schofield's door skin so will probably need a bit of extra trimming. Also removed engine other day and prepped engine bay for epoxy primer. Hopefully whole van will be in epoxy primer soon and can arrange to be transported back. Really impressed with quality of repairs above and beyond what I hoped for. Got so many more pics of previous repairs etc but don't want to post too many pics..... ]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210707/c1c30bef36ffab4510f38a44c0bcf9ee.jpg[/IMG] Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
All welding complete there was even filler in window lips and door gaps as perfect as they can be, really amazed how although front end looked undamaged and all new panels the gaps were poor a big up to Kev. Whilst it was hot we took a few days away it would be rude not too. Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
Only part untouched is gutters were hoping they are ok as no signs of previous repairs. Garage at home full of bus parts. Sent from my Nokia 3.4 using Tapatalk
