I’m aiming for a full restoration and really want to work on the body and running gear separately, similar to what they do in the US. I understand it's a more involved process here in the UK, but I’m curious about your thoughts. Do you think it's worth the extra effort in the long run, despite the challenges? I'm leaning towards it because of the potential benefits, but I’d love to hear your opinion on whether it makes things easier overall.Hiya bud, someone asked that very same question somewhere very recently. The body isn’t exactly removable as in there’s not a distinct chassis and body disconnect. However if you’re prepared for lots of drilling, most of it is spot welded together and you could separate the body in sections perhaps. What exactly are you trying to achieve if you don’t mind me asking. And how important is the collateral damage ?
Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,, But anything can be done.
That's what I am wondering about. Leaving the body on looks like a lot of work, and I haven't seen a full restoration on YouTube that explains how to do it leaving the body on.
I’m also wondering how far you’re thinking with the body off idea. If I wanted a total resto with no resources limitation then I’d have a real good think about and ask around exactly as you are doing. Straight off the cuff now without too much thought process, I’d start with a strip down in a decent sized place where stuff / parts can be stored. One of the things that amazes me is just how much space can be taken up when you strip a whole bay down. Thinking I’d start with the doors and hatches then interior including all the panels and photograph as much as you can which is so easy nowadays. Seats out, dash out, will give you so much more space and visuals as to what you’re up against. Than perhaps wiring. Having somewhere to clean and label and box store stuff instead of heaping it on a pile. Once the internals are done and dusted and it’s still rolling, I’d go for the motor and box out and store then the fuel tank and vent pipes etc. I’d then be getting ready to fit the shell onto a rotisserie and I’d like it it chassis mounted front and rear so I could get the beam out and really get in to the nooks and crannies. So beam out and rear suspension out then you’re looking at controls and cables and stuff. Get it on the ‘spit’ and now you’re cooking. The only panels and parts coming off in my little world are the ones that need replacing. Anything that was made by VW originally and is still in reasonable shape, I’d save. Most reproduction stuff is nowhere near as good as original. By now , I’d have a shopping list as long as your arm. Every single resto is different and requires different things and usually dependent on where the van is from. Once you’re on a spit, you can really see the job at hand and can get at it too. Spare parts are usually sourced from second hand good replacements in the main. Sounds like a great approach and attitude you have to this project. Please start a resto thread as you kick off, it sounds great.
Well, I gotta comment on how fantastic I reckon the end result that you’ve achieved here. That’s gotta be one of the best I’ve seen and puts mine to shame. That all looks like new plus ten per cent. The other guy with the fancy boots and the rotisserie also puts us UK bus peeps to shame. To get a garage that size here in the U.K. I’d have to rustle two or three neighbors garages for that much space. Some over here can hardly get down the sides of their vans when in the garage.anything can be put on a rotisserie, trying to separate the body from the frame would be crazy, it's a one-piece assembly with the frame
How bad is the rust? does it need major surgery? or do you just want is clean and painted?
the rotisserie would be great if you want to blast everything and paint the whole underside.
I spent 6 months on my back scrubbing, scraping, sanding, and painting the underside of mine in sections, but it's spotless and zero rust. Mine was painted already on top when I got it, so I didn't have the blasting option.
Zero point doing any of that mechanical work if the body and chassis are rusted away.
Yeah I didn’t really get your logic there static? Every resto I have done always starts with making the bodywork/chassis solid before even considering any of the mechanical stuff. No point putting a shiny engine into a rotten body/chassis.
There are a few around, but obviously not as numerous in the UK compared to the US.
Funny you should say that and I believe you’re spot on too. Unusually I’ve had quite a few long delayed styled projects appearing as of late on various social platforms. Almost as if they’re trying to catch the last wave of project buyers as we seem to be on a crest of a trough right now.
I reckon you could source a solid shell easier/cheaper than you could undergo a restoration that requires a body separation.
no thanks enough put into mine
