Advice needed

[Goldensyrup]

I'm looking into getting a USA import and need a bit of advice on how much cash it will take to get it rolling on the uk roads?? It's already over here just needs proper going through. ie engine overhaul , brakes renewed , lights swapping over little bit of welding to the cab floor. And of course hitting with the lowering stick. ( nothing crazy like air but a nice drop closer to the dirt) . I'm no nechanic so would need to get a local company to do it for me but need a rough guide before I get in too deep.

 

[Bluesnailman]

Proverbial piece of string question I'm afraid. I think you need to explore each one carefully, one at a time, or find someone (repairer/restorer) recommended that can give you some sensible advice. For eg engine may or may not need refurb, it might just need a carb clean and some light maintenance.

 

[Goldensyrup]

Thanks for the reply, thought id ask first because i dont want to get half way through the project and realise i dont have any cash left to finish it off. got to be relaistic i guess and whatever i think it will come to it may in fact be double.

 

[who?1]

Post up some pics dude, have you driven it yet? Do you have an idea of the gearbox condition?

Try starting to put a list together of all the known items that need looking at and the associated materials costs.......then double it!!

All depends how much you are willing/able to do.

Matty

 

[Anonymous]

best thing is to get it on the road and enjoy it before you even think of lowering it, then lower it when you know you got enough cash. Might be a good shout to ask a company who imports them in to the country to know the paper work and the cost of things to get it UK legal like FBIVW. As for the engine and welding, its hard to say until your local garage looks at it. Best to get your garage to give it a once over and prioritise what needs doing to it. hard to say how much its going to cost until you own it, you could get your garage to go and look at it with you. Dont buy the first one you see, its so easy to get carried away with the moment. I saw 4 or 5 before I found mine and I got mine from FBI VW ,imported and already uk legal and still going strong.
Hope this helps

 

[Lee C]

I've spent £1500+ so far on top of the price of the bus, for that I have brakes, driveshafts, some wiring, working lights & horn, running( until recently :roll: don't ask) engine, new tyres, painted wheels, and a canny bit of welding that would've pro been about £600ish + panels if I wasn't handy with a spray gun

Parts are a fortune & all the fiddly little bits add up real fast ££££

Then you've got to find a specialist, you can trust to do the stuff you can't, without ripping you off!!
I'm lucky in this respect living round the corner from "classic campers " in Chester Le Street.

Basically, think of a figure & double it!!! :lol: then add £500!!!

 

[Graham L]

As a guide we usually budget £1500-£2k to get a US import to a running and MOT condition assuming it has an engine that runs etc, as a matter of course you need to go through all the brakes and ideally replace, steering links, ball joints, electrics. Remember in the US there is no such thing as an MOT so running gear etc tends to be in far worse condition than if the bus had been MOT'd each year.

This does not include any bodywork or major engine work, if buying a bus buy the most complete one you can as once an engine is removed lots of other bits soon disappear and it all mounts up

 

[Clem]

I think the week I got my bus, it cost me maybe just over £100 to get it MOT'd and it was driveable enough to go to Bug Jam

From that point onwards? Ive spent thousands :lol:

As said, get it running, get it road legal, those are the only two real prorities here. From that point onwards you can choose your own path depending on your budget. Once its useable, these no rush to do anything specifically.

 

[Goldensyrup]

thanks alot guys for all the replies. gotta get my thinking cap onand decide how much cash im willing to spend on it

 

[Lee C]

Then double it!!!!!!! :lol:

 

[AGC]

Ive had several imported busses all described as in good running condition from the states and they have all cost more than £1000 each to get road legal and MOT'd here, plus you should factor in what can be described as essentials like new fuel lines, new set of tyres, brake lines etc for peace of mind. I also think an auto fire extinguisher system is essential.

 

[ballbag]

I think the week I got my bus, it cost me maybe just over £100 to get it MOT'd and it was driveable enough to go to Bug Jam

From that point onwards? Ive spent thousands :lol:

As said, get it running, get it road legal, those are the only two real prorities here. From that point onwards you can choose your own path depending on your budget. Once its useable, these no rush to do anything specifically.

I wish I'd done that now. Instead, I opted for the 'get all the modifications done first' approach. Needless to say, it's sat in the way on my drive.

:lol: