crossover rear valance removal?

[ibérico]

hi guys...as a crossover owner I´m afraid I envy all those of you that can remove engine,gearbox,fueltank etc in a little while without too much hassle and most important,without lifting the whole van in the air :mrgreen:
I had a splitty years ago and I remember how easy it was to take the bumper and rear valance off and have a "naked " bus , so I would like to know if anybody has cut their crossover and what is the best way.
I know I would have to leave the bit with the chassis number,but it would still clear the fanhousing when removing the engine with a little bit of skillwhen rolling the engine out,I guess.and the valance isn´t a safety structure of the bus is it?
I really want to do this without too much harm to the bus.I don´t think the there is a kit for this ,isthere?

any help or pics greatly appreciated

Tonio

 

[67panel]

it has been done but dont ask me how :msn4: i would do a stagerd cut so it would slide in with internal box/flange to suport it with captive nuts to fix it in place

 

[Araon]

Theres a guy on the late bay forum that did this, not sure what the final finnish was like but he didnt have any real issues performing the basic works.....

I cant remember his name but he was a navy cop so suspect it was Scuffer or similar, nice helpful bloke and believe he was doing a full thread on the subject...

I have considered the same for the crew cab.....

 

[ibérico]

have looked at Nelly´s thread and haveacamper(naFe) andboth have made the conversion....but theyboth have porsche engines! :lol: and incredible vans :shock: ...I can only dreamof those quality standards!

 

[ibérico]

Just read a lot today on thesamba regarding this matter... it is amazing how many people seem to have an opinion about it(for and against the idea,) and how few have actually done it :lol:
Search for "rear apron removal" and you will see what I mean
( in the US it seems to be called an apron)
Looking again this evening at the actual area to cut it really doesnt seem complicated...has anybody on this forum done it ?

Cheers

Tonio

 

[ZedBed]

Having fitted a few replacement inner valances on lates and x-overs I'd say leave it welded in place - it's a heavy duty part of the chassis.