bulkheads behind front seats

[Haveacamper]

the scoops at the bottom of my bilkheads are looking ropey so was was thinking of replacing them, but i was wondering if i could just replace it with a plate. its the scoop that is just above the jacking point and you can see in the wheel arch.

i dare say it will add some strength but i have seen some campers that have been removed altogether. if i can replace it with a flat bit of plate, that will be much easier as i'd have to find a donor and its a common bit that gets shot.

NaFe

 

[Justin & Muttley]

I'm in the same position with my van - no-one was able to give me a decent reason why I shouldn't change it to flat plate so that's what I'm going to do as it's a much easier repair!

 

[Haveacamper]

i just cant think why else they would have that sculpting if it wasnt for strength.

 

[andewilson]

i was going to do the same thing mate but bottled it and now wish i had done it. i assume they are a strength thing as they certainly dont help with anything else. cut them out and replace them with 1 or 1.2mm steel and that should surely replace any strength lost. or you could spend ages tapping and bend a peice of sheet steel into shape to try and follow the contour

 

[scott wilson]

am breaking a bus and could cut this bit out for you if you wish. Just pay my time and postage.

 

[Danbury Doug]

I remember a thread on this a while back, but I can't recall if there was any definitive outcome on as to why the bulkheads have these.

As far as I'm aware they are to serve (whether as an addition to strengthening or not) as 'footwells' for those sitting in the middle row of seats in people carrying versions.

On the Danbury conversions these recesses definitely mean the difference between squashed up tootsies or not, for those sitting in the middle seats!

 

[Haveacamper]

this is a good sign if it just for feet wells. this may be the case as they all used to be minibuses??

 

[andewilson]

i'd never have thought of the fact that they are for footwells. i'd take them out mate. at least it means you can let in some quality new metal so ne rust will come back

 

[Haveacamper]

i'd never have thought of the fact that they are for footwells. i'd take them out mate. at least it means you can let in some quality new metal so ne rust will come back

as loxy mentioned good, flat metal is better than ****** rusty scooped metal

 

[Clem]

It may be worth considering that one day, you may sell the bus, and potential buyers may be put off by such a fix .....


Just a thought

 

[Haveacamper]

sell the bus... how rude

fair comment, thought about it and as long as its replaced with good metal and welded well, then i cant see them being a problem. plus it will have an interior in

 

[andewilson]

im sure the guy who filled my bus with ten tubes of white bathroom sealant was thinking too much into how i'd feel about having to remove it all. :evil: it all adds to the arch clearance when you slam it on those 17's mate

 

[Haveacamper]

down the van to try measure up for the plate tomorro. need to do both sides and the bit by the walkthrough - that butts up to the vertical face of the front tophat