1970 Covair Microbus

[dodge6x6]

had a play with bus yesterday and fitted tracker,took a while but wanted it well hidden and all the wiring out of the way, put a little bleaper on it to show when its activeated on remote, works a treat just need to wire up to the fuel shut off to complete the wiring on it,
also permantly wired the push button for the starter,
got a lovely big metal chest when we were away last weekend, its got a P & O sticker from 1954 on it and a name and RAF on top.
also fitted origional californian numberplates to roof racks (not in these photos)

only problem im having at mo is still the charging set up so looks like i will have to take to a expert to have it checked out, dont like admiting defeat on it but (or paying someone else) i think the system i got on it needs checking properly and also check that theres not a problem with the alternator, just got to wait for them to come back from holiday.

 

[dodge6x6]

been out to a military show this weekend managed to get all my vehicles there as a mate drove the dodge
as his ser2 landy has a fubared gearbox.

all together

other vw's at show

this is actually vw aircooled powered

over all a good non vw show but pleanty of interest in the bus as well as other toys there

 

[dodge6x6]

day off today so striped rear suspention changed the doughnuts and raised the rear 2.5" back to level with new shocks.

from

to

the old air shocks and worn out rubbers

now level and looking better

 

[dodge6x6]

little car meet nr coventry today

amazing how quick you collect travel junk for the roof racks lol

mates series 2 landy

 

[ZedBed]

I like your classy table. I've got one the same in red. 8)

 

[dodge6x6]

hiya Zedbed
partner bought it at Stanford hall, had to rebuilt table underside and made i leg locking bracket but it does the job nicely.

went to back to bassic show sat at Birdingbury, had booked in for weekend but due to personal reasons was unable to stop over, hope to next year, had a chat with Lobie like your bus.
took my daughter and granson, got to start them young

sunday we picked up a 1970's Romein dutch bicycle my partner won on e-bay,
which im titavating at work (to tall for Gail so i will prob end up using it 28" wheels and 22" frame)
Gails going mad wanting a ladies Dutch cycle so will soon end up with another bike here

 

[dodge6x6]

just back from a week in a cottage nr Honiton south devon, did about 700m round trip with no probs,
didnt realise how hilly it is around there was a good test for the bus, weather wasnt that bad,
had a chat to a few people,

cream scones and tea in the van at Beer very nice

 

[dodge6x6]

one year on,
just over 4000miles
serviced engine at weekend and replaced oil with 15-40 mineral oil was useing 10-30 before,
changed all cv gaiters this they split due to being over stressed when i fitted them last year so hopefully will last longer than a year,

passed MOT today with only a couple of adviseries

one being front side marker lights not working, thought about this for a couple of mins and then told him they were refectors not marker lights! :?
need to adjust front brakes and one wheel bearing, and tighten movement in steering colum that i hadnt
noticed was loose, but stripping that this weekend to replace ign switch so will sort that.

 

[dodge6x6]

not much done on bus at mo, had to change battery due to charging fault and found the alternator wire had pulled out of the battery terminal, so fixed that and will have another go at the charging system at the weekend,

so for something to do in my dinner hr at work took a bike that my partne had bought two years ago but was too tall for her and cut 4" out the seat post and repainted it from this

to this

just needs a test ride

 

[dodge6x6]

striped doors down on friday and replaced door plastic sheet with ones from e-bay, to try and stop some water ingress, and weting of door pannels (even though there knackered), so when i rebuilt it put back on the retro electric window winders as new seals had had a year to bed in, bit slugish but they work,

old photo forgot to take new one

got back from american diner took all travel crap off roof racks and took roof racks off for winter so cover can go on bus when not in use, must say looks strange without racks now,

going to anker wax bus this Xmas work shut down to prevent bodywork deteriation and protect the paint,

Partners bought some front seat covers for me for X-mas so once X-mas is all over will get some new pading and rebuild origional seats

cheers for now

 

[dodge6x6]

better picks of electric window winder units
just wish windows were smoother still seem a bit stiff

seat padding ordered so hopefully will rebuild front seats b4 new year.

cheers and happy x-mas to all

 

[yackaboo]

Hi Pete,

Just noticed the Dodge 6x6 on your profile pic, you did'nt get it from a guy in Swindon by any chance?? a mate of mine imported a couple a few years back from Sweden and sold one to a guy from the midlands, its another interest of mine, got a 1944 Bedford MWR 15cwt truck, 1944 Royal Enfield Don R bike,and... 1969 Devon Early Bay that after 2 years sat in a barn is finally going to be worked on to get it back on the road..

Cheers

Mike

 

[dodge6x6]

HIya Mike
had my dodge 12years now, bought it from a guy in Stoke on trent so dont think its same one, also got 1940's norton 16h painted sand coloured and bsa folding para bicycle, all good fun if you go to Stoneliegh Military in jan bike are usually there on MVT stand,
had my bus 18months now for something differant to do, each have there uses and for differant shows to go to,
have fun with your bus

cheers Pete

 

[dodge6x6]

partner bought some front seat covers for x-mas for me so stripped them down and fitted them yesterday quite pleased with them, used new VW H hair pads a mattining on the springs,

from

origional sticker on old seat padding

new pads on with mattining under them

like new

just waiting for rain to stop to try them out in bus
cheers Pete

 

[Myvanway]

Nice. 8)

 

[dodge6x6]

gave seats a try out realy comfy had a run to anual new years day BBQ with local MVT group,

 

[dodge6x6]

went to first sunday of the month "butty run" at Long Itchington the other week, lots of hot rods classic cars,
american cars, motorbikes and a good sprinkling of VW's of various types, keep forgeting its on but gave the bus a blast up there, foods good with cafe packed out all the time.

mates hot rod

not a lot else happening with bus hideing under its cover at mo waiting for a nice(ish) day to drive

 

[dodge6x6]

wheres the time go, went to another 1st of the month Butty run, then took the alternator off and took it to be checked, tested out ok so looks like will have to go back to the drawing board with the wireing and start with changeing the ign switch (if i can find the correct one)

 

[dodge6x6]

well striped dash and replaced ign switch and ign lock and reqired it,
lost one of the heater plastic pins somewhere in bus and still havnt found it!!
charging still not 100% right but better.
so whislt striped thought i would repair the steering wheel.

tried a metal compound to sort it but came straight back out so rebuilt it with Upol fiberglass pre mixed resin,
just need to paint it got rid of most of the cracks round the rim

 

[dodge6x6]

weres the time going another month gone, another butty run today, roof racks back on and cover not going back on till winter,
some lovely cars there again and a nice sprinkle of V Dubs