Teaching an old dog new tricks

Discussion in 'Show Us Your Ride' started by leadsled2020, Mar 7, 2013.

  1. New member and a new project!
    I have a '77 LHD Automatic trans 2.0L Tintop that my dad purchased from the local VW dealership in early '78. It had been taken out for a test drive and was rolled over and totaled out before it was ever titled! The rear drivers section of roof had been crushed. My dad bought it and traded work with a local bodyshop to have the roof rebuilt. Dad titled and licensed it and drove it off and on for years. He lent it out to a friend one weekend and they overheated it so bad the it burned a hole all the way through one of the heads. The van was parked and covered. It sat for over 10 yrs before I was able to get dad to let it go. The van is now at home in my garage and we have begun the long rebuild process. Updates may be slow but I will try to keep them picture heavy!
    Now onto the pics!
    This is what it looked like before I even moved it:
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    Here we are all loaded up on the way home:
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    Parked in it's new home:
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    Lord Congi likes this.
  2. We are beginning by removing the interior to assess hidden rust damage:
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    This is as far as we got before the miserable cold set in and I have a small surgery coming up so nothing will happen for about another month except planning!
     
  3. Planning!
    OK here we go:
    The plan is to Modernize the van so that it is fun, comfortable, and safe to drive on today's roads!
    Here is a quick rendering that I threw together to get an idea(yes I know that the rendering is of an prototype bay)
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    I plan to run Brazilian front and rear bumpers.
    I also plan to use the European Bosch H4 headlights with HID Bulbs
    I also want to build some LED tails and try to integrate a 3rd brake light.
     
    kenregency likes this.
  4. Wheel ideas:
    Tenzo R Concept9 Dark Bronze finish:
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    Drag Wheels DR33 Bronze/Gold finish:
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    Volk Racing CE28N Bronze finish:
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  5. The plan for the interior is to use Ultra-Leather and Diamond stitched Alcantara to make it feel comfortable and look luxurious as well as last for years to come.
    The pics that I have are courtesy of Edge Automotive interiors, the drawings are mine:
    Edge Seats-
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    Edge panels-
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    Edge Bench-
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    My adaptions-
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    And the Gauges!

    I will also be using a black perforated headliner and Black loop carpet.
    We are planning power windows and a new Heat and A/C system too!
     
  6. Now onto the Drivetrain !
    We are doing a Subaru EJ25 powerplant with an Link G4 Storm Management system and a SubaruGears Automatic transaxle(last part is still in development)
    Pics courtesy of Fellows Speedshop
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    Swap display
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    Link G4 Storm
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    SubaruGears!
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  7. Suspension duties will be handled by Red 9 Design.
    I am planning on using their Complete wishbone setup with new discs front and rear.
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    I am still deciding whether I would like to use Air ride with it but if I do I will go with Ridetech Shockwaves and use Accuair for my ride management.
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  8. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    Excellent project fella, good luck with it, keep us posted on progress!!
     
  9. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    You've got your work cut out there then :)
    Should be fun watching this one develop.
     
  10. Indeed it will. Looking forward to seeing this one develop..:)
     
  11. aw the poor thing! fair play for giving the bus the life it deserves! to be loved and appretiated, sounds like its has a hard life not very well taken care of! Soon it will have some serious jewellery and look pretty damn nice! Cracking plans mate, cant wait to see how this plays out! keep us posted!

    The colour as it is at the momment would be a shame to lose as I think there is only a couple of purple busses on here lol

    Well done buddy!

    B :D
     
    leadsled2020 likes this.
  12. Nice to see a well thought out plan. Well done also for taking the project on as it will be a long one, but ultimately rewarding when you see the dream come true !
     
  13. This is going to be fun to watch being built
     
  14. wkw...going to be mad...don't lower it too much though as you will regret ut, glad it's being brought back to life after being sat in the garden all those years... poor old bus... sounds like you've put some mega thought into this...cant wait to see the transformation...x
     
    leadsled2020 likes this.
  15. :cool:
     
    leadsled2020 likes this.
  16. Don't listen to tp.. Slam it fella :) will look forward to seeing this one develop. Glad to see your keeping it a tintop :)
     
    konaboy6284 and leadsled2020 like this.
  17. Thanks for all of the positive support! I have been planning this one for a while and I am sure that it will evolve a little as I find different a possibly more compatible products. I just had surgery this morning for a hernia so I will be down for a little while but don't lose hope! As spring hits i should be back on my feet!
     
    Tiny-Pie likes this.
  18. All the best with the recovery (you and the bus!)
     
    leadsled2020 likes this.
  19. Thanks Foxy!
     
  20. I have found a company that specializes in HID lighting and they are going to custom retrofit a set of 7" headlight housings for Bixenon HID projectors.
    If you know anything about HID's then you know that a full retrofit is the only way to go to get the best results and not have that horrible glare.
    They are also going to be doing a custom built set of LED tail lights using the original housings with completely custom built internals.
    Their website is: www.hidillusionz.com
     

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