I thought as this isn't really a restoration any more, and was only a part one anyway, I'd do a cut-down thread here. I got this last August from Spike on the prototype bay forum. I've had 4 late bays previously but I fancied a change. I had in my head what I wanted and this was about the first ad I looked at and perfect. No interior, mix and match wheels and tyres... Bashed about, but still straight with fair fitting doors, roughly straight panels and bags of character. Not to rusty either apart from inside... Which was a bit of a mess. The whole interior was coated in a thick layer of cigar smoke stains... And the cab area wasn't too hot either... ...and then there was the stowaways... But it had an engine and gearbox which was a bonus.
First goal was to get it registered for which you need an MOT, so that was first really. Being a US bus it was mechanically challenged - they don't have MOT like we do. Everything about the steering was shot - I mean 1/4 turn of freeplay at the wheel, Steering box pin had a flat worn into it... I had the pin machined and it seems ok so far. Then as the ball joints, tie-rod ends, rear donuts etc were all knackered, it seemed a good time to lower it on dropped spindles and 2 notches at the back. While doing that I found (lucky me!) all the brake parts were recently replaced.
Next to the rust... The only bit that failed the MOT was the drivers cab floor (MOT man put his foot through it to make a point), but there were other issues - the rear floor and the bottom of the sliding door. and a strip opposite the sliding door... The battery tray has also all but disappeared, but that's just got a sheet of metal balanced on it for now. I gather this will fail the new MOT rules but ok for a few months yet.
That was that for the exterior and the mechanicals. There were other things obviously - converting to UK spec lights, getting the engine running, experimenting with tyre sizes, killing deadly spiders. But one day it seemed the right time to look inside. No plans really other than a bed. I thought about re-instating a fabric headliner, but it's expensive so I did wood. Copied the front piece from a friends Westy and the rest made up. Lights are LED on dimmers. Central spine - bits of an old cupboard, cheap ply boards.
Then onto some rear furniture. I didn't want curtains I didn't want it to look like a camper at a glance I didn't want visible speakers I haven't seen a bus with a 3/4 bed in the middle I was going to make a big chesterfield/rock and roll bed in the back, but then I considered sleeping on it. And I wanted to make use of the arms space, so I made this lot. Complete with rising roller blinds. Then I pondered the "kitchen" bit. I wanted to hide it. In a seat. First was to desgn the special hinges, a bit like bed hinges only a very different job. After some trial and error fails I bit the bullet and desgned them, and the whole seat cabinet thing on the computer. While simultaneously hacking away at the real thing... Flooring down... That's where I am inside the rear. I'm organising the upholstery - going to treat myself to that. In the engine bay I chopped out the spare wheel well as it was useless with the rear side cupboards, and installed an Eberspacher heater in the space to save cluttering up the inside of the van.
Cab got a clean up and some new seat covers and arch mats - thanks Sarah! I convereted from walkthrough to 2/3 1/3 seats for a few reasons. It looks good. Somewhere to put your map and sweets. I didn't want seatbelts in the rear as they look crap and get tangled in the RR bed don't they? So an extra seat might be handy. Mainly for the look though. And a head unit and speakers. Speakers are hidden in the fresh air vents with a sub in the walkthrough space under the seat. There are a few more things to do before I can properly enjoy it, but nearly there and been on the road for 9 months and camping. 8)
Bit more done. Bed converted to Westy hinges for proper rock and roll action... With the Devon board support frame welded on, and some stands for bed position. The stands tuck in right at the edge of the under-bed box so hopefully won't mash things. Bed mode - the stands sit on purpose made thingy's.
Really like the concept of your layout, Middle 3/4 bed awesome it's different and the way you made room in the engine bay for the heater nice.............shame its a prototype lol!!...just kidding would love a tax free bus
Cheers Robo, I can't wait to get the trimming done, I've been planning it since start of the year. Then I'll probably dismantle the whole lot to make a few last adjustments, paint the bed metalwork and redo the blinds so I don't wake up at 5am!
It's a Kyam. I got it at CJ quite possibly from these people - I didn't pay attention, but that was the price I paid. http://www.campervantastic.com/product.php?prod=495 When it rained water collected in it. It comes with enough poles to make all 3 as high as the middle one. I set it up like that to help with water run-off. You have to get your own figure-of-eight strips which I already had. I'm very pleased with it, I was going to make one, but I'm getting a bit fed up of making everything for my bus and for £50...
