Winnie the poo - our new van has arrived.......

Just need it back by tomorrow though or the schedule might still be shot. 2 weeks to camperjam and there's still an awful lot to do. Taking things out doesn't take long but putting them back always takes forever.....and then there's the small problem of getting an MOT in time to register it. Think we may still be in the poo

 

Oh no
There's a lot of people on here willing you on though, if that helps!

 

mot it before you fanny about with interior etc, dvla will take at least a week even if you go direct to the office, i presume you have the title and a c&e386?

 

Yes that's the plan but the DVLA registration rules have changed recently so we've been told they are running very slow on registering foreign vehicles. We have registered loads before so we know the system but it really needs to be MOT'd by Wednesday at the latest. There is a few little things (!) to do like the small case of getting the engine and running gear in and working first but then all the other jobs, like the front seats to fit, electrics to do, all lights to sort and wire, windows in, etc, etc, etc that aren't that difficult but a very time consuming. We also need the roof and engine lid painted yet too and then fitted......

Oh God shouldn't have started writing that lot down. Sure it'll be fine

 

Thanks - the support really does help

 

Remarkable what a bit of bartering of skills can do to help with the budget or we'd have been stuffed But you are absolutely right - this could not have been done without the help of a few friends. Full roll call of helpers will be added on the day we post the pictures of the registered, finished bus - hopefully taken whilst parked in the field at camperjam!

 

It's been a long day, and there's progress but it's heavy going. I'm now 75% done with the wiring, and I'm very pleased with the way it's coming on. The wiring loom was totally gone in the engine bay, but behind the bulkhead it was intact so I have used an eight pin connector, which is isn't quite enough but more pins would make the connector too big. It's all in place now, but I'm waiting for two new rear lights so can't finish the wiring until they arrive. Whilst I know it's not original I have changed the wiring colours to mirror that of a towbar loom, except for the engine and fan etc - made wiring in the towbar socket easy!!
The engine is also nearly done, just the heat exchangers / exhaust to fit, and the front tinware once it's in. Had fun trying to connect the thermostat, and can't find the new dipstick rubber thingy I bought so a new one is coming on Monday.
Tomorrow it's more of the same, need to sort out the fuel pipes, more wiring, couple of wiring bits to do in the front cab where the squirrel had eaten the loom.

 

Been another busy day today. The wiring is all done for MOT, but I still have to replace the interior light wires as the Squirrel has eaten most of the loom..!

All my girls have been in today helping to clean out the interior. I have finally got the kitchen unit out, only to discover yet another bag full of walnut shells.... I think I actually may have found them all at last! It's really amazing to see how well the interior has survived, the under bed/seat area was horrible but a decent dose of Cilit Bang (!) and it's looking good - really pleased with the front floors.

Connected the battery up and Winnie has started to come to life! The original clock is ticking, the cigarette lighter is working although its never been used, the headlights are working, indicators and hazards are working, wipers etc - all good after 20 years!!! The fuel gauge isn't working, but there's no fuel in it so it could be that. Tomorrow we will fit the engine, that will be interesting......is the gearbox going to be ok???

Finally, I'm going to have a moan. Having checked over the underneath ready for MOT I have discovered that my new, yes new steering arms have already got split and perished boots. They are less than a month old FFS!!!!!

GSF / VeeWee will be getting an unpleasant call from me tomorrow..... And I'll put a claim in for labour too!!

-

 

Engine in.....

 

Grazzer, please make sure the final photo of this thread of you sitting proudly in front of your bus at Camperjam with a beer and a big smile. You will have earned it!

 

Well done mate.carnt wait to see it all done .

 

Very nice indeed!

 

Although this is looking great it's depressing me - you are going to have a far nicer van in 6 weeks than I've got in 18 months and am ever likely to have

Great work though and can't wait to see it finished! May have to pop over and see it once it's done as you are so close!

 

It's running!!!! .

 

You're welcome to come and have a look. Or join us for a beer at CamperJam!

 

Bits of bling starting to go back on - went into work this evening and did a couple of hours... Managed to do one side opening window rubber and the chrome trim around the passenger door......and painted the windscreen wiper arms satin black.

So much to do, but chuffed to bits to have it running, and sounding lovely..





The offending Empi exhaust...... It hasn't fallen off yet...

 

10 days left till CamperJam....
Getting front seats back tomorrow and hoping to have pretty much everything finished for the MOT. Sadly still waiting on a couple of parts I need for the MOT that won't arrive till Thursday morning so we're running a day later than I was hoping. But hey it is running really, really well so I can sleep soundly tonight. Knackered and off to bed.

 

9 days and counting - very busy at work today so couldn't pick up the seats which is a pain, but that's ok, I'll do it in the morning.
We have managed to fit the 3 rear windows at the rear, including that nasty opening rear quarter window - usually these are horrid things to fit, but this one went in quite easily - maybe it's because it's the chrome strip type seal and that's a bit more supple?
I'm not sure the wipers are parking, so I think that will be an MOT failure ....

The roof is ready, so I'll try to collect that tomorrow or Friday - I don't want to fit that until I have done the headliner, as it's easier without the roof on....

 

Loads of little bits done, but still not got it to an MOT yet

Everything is still cracking on well though, we are pretty much done mechanically except for a servo pipe. Had to fit a new fuel pump as the old one expired! Got a few electrical gremlins, so no nearside headlight, no fuel gauge and strangely no lights on the dash...including charging etc!! Got to fit some new seat belts to the front cab tonight along with the above issues. All the glass is now in, except for the Jealousy windows.



Pat has been really busy on the interior units, and it's been a long hard slog - a bigger job than either of us expected!!