cover plates and belly pans...

[mginty]

my van originally had both belly pans and a cover plate at the front like this - #2:
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_parts_Chassis_act_page.render_pageID_308_lang_EN_country_GB.htm
When it was restored, we didn't put any of these back on. I can remember the reasoning behind the belly pans - that it hides the bad stuff but can't think why the front covers weren't replace and am now thinking of putting them all back on.
I'm wondering....

1) what's the general consensus on belly pans and the front cover plate
2) where's a good place to get repro from?

v gratefull for any tips
Rob

 

[sparkywig]

When I've finally finished the work on my bus, I'll be fitting belly pans. If it was good enough for VW then it's good enough for me, although they will be removable.
The Heritage ones look fairly good quality, but I haven't had them in my grubby hands to make an informed opinion.

The front cover plate under the pedal cluster does cut out noise and protects the various linkages, etc, but has been somewhat modified by my local speedbumps....

 

[froggy]

Have a look at Angus's thread (or PM him)
Think he has fitted new belly pans, sure he got them from JustKampers but best to check with him

 

[Graham L]

That front pedal box undertray shown on the heritage side looks nothing like what should be fitted. The one on the diagram is right but when you click the link it takes you to something completely different!!

 

[AGC]

This is the problem that Ive had with Herritage site..... click on one thing..... see another :?:

 

[Clem]

The side belly pans always got a bad rap in the days before 'dry' imports were common as usually they were full of the bits of the sills that had rotted away over the years but all covered up with underseal.
I removed them from an old van of mine and there wasnt much left behind them! On US buses its usually a bit better and they are fine. Id refit them myself.
The front belly pan cover is more important and should always be fitted imo.

 

[Trikky2]

The front pan should be fitted - it protects the components.

The side pans were an optional extra that could be ordered but were fitted as standard to vehicles destined for certain export markets, where the vehicles would likely be used a lot on unmade surfaces when heavily laden. They were welded in place and were there to increase the torsional stiffness of the chassis.

The factory also insisted they were welded to vehicles like elevating roof campers, to replace the torsional stiffness lost by cutting out a large section out of the roof.

 

[67westy]

the heritage shows the cover plate as being 69 onwards, were these not fitted to 68's

 

[Clem]

the heritage shows the cover plate as being 69 onwards, were these not fitted to 68's

They should be, I guess 68 ones were different?

 

[Sparky]

The Heritage one looks like a modern take on the way to make them (Square folds etc), but the mounting hole positions look similar.

Mine, a 72, looks like this:

It looks like 68 to 70 should have a different shape much longer and thinner:

 

[Mickey Sam]

My '68 front pan is the same as the bottom picture. I'll be putting it back on.
Not too keen on belly pans though, I prefer to see what I've got and what condition it's in and it's easier to maintain the underneath without them welded in place. As Sparkywig says, probably a good idea if they're removable for maintenance, just my opinion..

 

[sparkywig]

Anyone want a later front pan.

I've just realised I've spent most of last weekend cleaning and painting something that won't fit on my bus. :lol:
Is there an early pan for sale?

 

[Merlydog]

I need an early pan as well Sparky if you find two?? :mrgreen:

 

[scott wilson]

the much maligned( on here by certain volks anyway) vwcp on ebay has south african import front pans.Genuine not replica and no they are not £100 not even cheap at half the price.Search vwcp or if you still can`t find us type in rhd sliding door and swear a lot....speaking of which...container arrives brisle tommorow.Loads of rhd only stuff... :roll:

 

[sparkywig]

the much maligned( on here by certain volks anyway) vwcp on ebay has south african import front pans.Genuine not replica and no they are not £100 not even cheap at half the price.Search vwcp or if you still can`t find us type in rhd sliding door and swear a lot....speaking of which...container arrives brisle tommorow.Loads of rhd only stuff... :roll:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-CAMPER-T2-BAY-FRONT-BELLYPAN-SPLASHPAN-/220665629061?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3360b24985" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the same as I've got already Scott, I need the narrower early one. Got any coming in tomorrow? I could meet you at the docks.

 

[scott wilson]

you know what.I`ve got a long thinner one that i really haven`t got a clue what its from.Its not a split so i`m reliably informed so maybe just maybe this is what you are after..no pics till next week as i can`t breathe for work to do!

 

[mginty]

Thanks for all the responses! certainly food for thought. I must admit I was a bit surprised when I got the van home and the front cover plate wasn't on. We'd discussed the belly pans so I was aware of them not being there.

The Heritage one's don't look like my memory of mine ('70) - from memory it looked like Sparkywig's but it was some time ago now!
Other than Heritage/ C&C/ FBI/ JK does anyone else do cover plates? Can see a few belly pans but not many coverplates.
Scott, think I may give you a call tomorrow!
cheers

 

[sparkywig]

Mine's up for sale now.

 

[mginty]

looks nice! you sure it doesn't fit??

 

[cunning plan]

Good thread.

The front pan should be fitted - it protects the components.

The side pans were an optional extra that could be ordered but were fitted as standard to vehicles destined for certain export markets, where the vehicles would likely be used a lot on unmade surfaces when heavily laden. They were welded in place and were there to increase the torsional stiffness of the chassis.

The factory also insisted they were welded to vehicles like elevating roof campers, to replace the torsional stiffness lost by cutting out a large section out of the roof.

Excellent information. I will be fitting a front pan now. :msn4: