Cunning Bus Project

[Buss69]

Liking the floor layout idea. Run the build down the right hand side if you are following the original route. The reasoning behind this is because the loom gets much longer at the back due to the nearside lighting. First thing is to run a small cable and route it exactly where you want the new loom to go. Accurately mark and note where there are breakouts, such as reverse light switch, brake light switch and starter etc. Its really worth spending time on this process. I think the key is to make sure your routing is sound. I used a lot of cable ties to hold the cable in place, it's really annoying when the cable moves, when done, cut and dispose (don't leave used ones on the floor, they hurt like hell when you get one in the back or the palm of the hand :? )
Other things to consider. Are you going to re-use the OG fuse box? Are you going to locate it in the original place? All things to think about when planning the initial route.

 

[cunning plan]

Liking the floor layout idea. Run the build down the right hand side if you are following the original route. The reasoning behind this is because the loom gets much longer at the back due to the nearside lighting.

Okay makes sense.

First thing is to run a small cable and route it exactly where you want the new loom to go. Accurately mark and note where there are breakouts, such as reverse light switch, brake light switch and starter etc. Its really worth spending time on this process.

Fantastic tip, good point!!

I think the key is to make sure your routing is sound. I used a lot of cable ties to hold the cable in place, it's really annoying when the cable moves, when done, cut and dispose (don't leave used ones on the floor, they hurt like hell when you get one in the back or the palm of the hand :? )

Roger that arty0021:

Other things to consider. Are you going to re-use the OG fuse box? Are you going to locate it in the original place? All things to think about when planning the initial route.

No, a new, modern fusebox will be used. However, now you ask, I am not entirely sure where I would like to put it. I guess at the front, behind the clip would make sense. :?

Really appreciate the help here :mrgreen:

 

[Buss69]

No, a new, modern fusebox will be used. However, now you ask, I am not entirely sure where I would like to put it. I guess at the front, behind the clip would make sense. :?

Really appreciate the help here :mrgreen:

OK, work out what you need in terms of all electrical components and then work out the fuse box size. The MTA units I used are pretty good, the different modules allow for a lot of variation. Getting your positioning right now means you can work out the correct cable lengths. The other option is to make the loom longer at the fuse box end and then trim to size when you know the location.

Only put your fuse box where mine is if you want to fight the cable loom behind the washer bottle, I thought I'd left enough loom to allow for this and only just got it to work. I don't mind telling you it was a 5p/ 50p moment! :?

 

[cunning plan]

OK, work out what you need in terms of all electrical components and then work out the fuse box size. The MTA units I used are pretty good, the different modules allow for a lot of variation. Getting your positioning right now means you can work out the correct cable lengths. The other option is to make the loom longer at the fuse box end and then trim to size when you know the location.

Only put your fuse box where mine is if you want to fight the cable loom behind the washer bottle, I thought I'd left enough loom to allow for this and only just got it to work. I don't mind telling you it was a 5p/ 50p moment! :?

Roger that! arty0021:

Update:

• Headlining

Material samples arrived from MegaVanMats to choose for the headlining material.

 

[cunning plan]

I think I have found the range of gauges I would like to use! arty0021:

Here's the Speedo:

:jerkoff:

Although, they are an American company and do not have distributors in England.

:sign0001:

 

[Buss69]

OK, work out what you need in terms of all electrical components and then work out the fuse box size. The MTA units I used are pretty good, the different modules allow for a lot of variation. Getting your positioning right now means you can work out the correct cable lengths. The other option is to make the loom longer at the fuse box end and then trim to size when you know the location.

Only put your fuse box where mine is if you want to fight the cable loom behind the washer bottle, I thought I'd left enough loom to allow for this and only just got it to work. I don't mind telling you it was a 5p/ 50p moment! :?

Roger that! arty0021:

Update:

• Headlining

Material samples arrived from MegaVanMats to choose for the headlining material.

Mate, have you decided what type of headlining you are going for yet. I've yet to do mine and just can't make up my mind :!:

should it be like original? should I go with one that's fixed to the interior skin of the bus like a modern car?

Oh, decisions, decisions.

 

[cunning plan]

I'm deffiantly going for something different to stock, probably more of a felt-type material rather than a vinyl.

I am just waiting for delivery of some more samples as I decided that I didn't like any of the first four samples enough to choose one :lol:

Would you like me to put you in touch with Mark at MVM who has my old headlining to make a template from for full-length Bay Window headlining or do you want to wait until you find out how my one turns out?

 

[Buss69]

I'm deffiantly going for something different to stock, probably more of a felt-type material rather than a vinyl.

I am just waiting for delivery of some more samples as I decided that I didn't like any of the first four samples enough to choose one :lol:

Would you like me to put you in touch with Mark at MVM who has my old headlining to make a template from for full-length Bay Window headlining or do you want to wait until you find out how my one turns out?

Not sure bud, I'm thinking I might try something different. I've got an idea to put some RGB LED light strips in the roof and go a bit mad (Circuit and wiring already in place :lol: ). I wouldn't mind Mark's number though I think I really need to talk to a pro first. I've also got to take out the windows because I want to go round the frames as per original. I'm a little frightened about doing it. The people who put them back in said they used washing up liquid to aid installation! It's about the worst thing you can do as it has salts in it. If I take them out I'm thinking it might be a bit rotten in there. I keep putting it off. :?

 

[cunning plan]

I wouldn't mind Mark's number though I think I really need to talk to a pro first.

Sure, as above chap on the complement slip :shadey:

I've also got to take out the windows because I want to go round the frames as per original.

Yeah, I would not be doing anything to the interior until the bus is back on the road, but as parts of the headlining are fixed in by the windows, you end up having to.

I'm a little frightened about doing it. The people who put them back in said they used washing up liquid to aid installation! It's about the worst thing you can do as it has salts in it. If I take them out I'm thinking it might be a bit rotten in there. I keep putting it off. :?

:roll: Arrhh. The worst thing to use! :x

You never know, it might be fine. You might as well get them out and do it properly.

Are you replacing the rubbers too or reusing the old ones? If the old ones are in good enough condition to keep, preserving them when you take the windows back out will be a challenge. I have read somewhere that wooden pegs are good to use to hold the rubber back as you go around the rim and as they are wooden, they should not damage the frame. :?

 

[cunning plan]

I am just waiting for delivery of some more samples

Arrived! :shadey:

arty0021:

:rocknroll:

 

[Buss69]

Hey dude. funny I posted a question some time ago about a dark headliner and thought you should see this to.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7WMFyUzohXo/TSGhVwSmCBI/AAAAAAABfMU/iq5Hmlft1cY/s800/1142809265_ZpRSc-XL-1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think it looks pretty good. Gotta be brave to go for a dark one though.

How's that wiring coming along fella?

 

[cunning plan]

Hey dude. funny I posted a question some time ago about a dark headliner and thought you should see this to.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7WMFyUzohXo/TSGhVwSmCBI/AAAAAAABfMU/iq5Hmlft1cY/s800/1142809265_ZpRSc-XL-1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think it looks pretty good. Gotta be brave to go for a dark one though.

Yah, it's not bad at all!

How's that wiring coming along fella?

Not coming at all right now if I am honest
I am still not getting that much time to work on the bus :? When I do, I am kind of in-between the sliding door, lowering spring plates and the wiring :character0036:

I have made a nice rig to fabricate the wiring loom ON though :lol:

Updates:

The accelerator peddle area was looking crusty, so I sorted that out:

I drilled and tapped new holes, then fitted a new peddle, using stainless fixings.

Steering column off for reconditioning.

A bit of a boring colour, but as the column is a big part of the cab-area / interior, I have planned something a little different for it........

On-to the rear spring plates.

Here I have decided to fit a pair of adjustable rear lowing spring-plates from TransporterHaus.

Here they are from a previous post, I have had them on my shelf for a while:

Apart from having the benefit of being able to adjust the rear ride-height just by turning a bolt, the main reason I wanted to fit these is that I did not fancy doing this every-time I wanted to take the back wheels off!

I will give this a clean up and put some protection paint on it.

The spring plate had welded itself onto the torsion bar, so I had to heat the spring-plate up and hammer it out :| :character0036:

Next to do:
[*] Sliding Door Hinge - Find a replacement or fix the original - Still looking!
[*] Buy components for headlining along with the actual headlining - soon to be fabricated when my buddy has spare time.
[*] Fit Headlining
[*] Wiring Loom diagram
[*] Wiring Loom component purchase
[*] Wiring Loom fabricate
[*] Fit Rear Adjustable Lowering Spring Plates from TransporterHaus

 

[5erge]

I think I have found the range of gauges I would like to use! arty0021:

Here's the Speedo:

:jerkoff:

Although, they are an American company and do not have distributors in England.

:sign0001:

Check out http://www.realsteel.co.uk they do most autometer gear and are the.cheapest around. I'm sure they are a U.K distributor.

Des

 

[Buss69]

It's progress buddy and in the right direction. 8) It's also a lot more than I have done on my bus as well Strong work

 

[cunning plan]

Check out http://www.realsteel.co.uk they do most autometer gear and are the.cheapest around. I'm sure they are a U.K distributor.

Des

Hey chap, thanks for that, but I have already tried contacting them and have had nothing back :? :roll:

It's progress buddy and in the right direction. 8) It's also a lot more than I have done on my bus as well Strong work

 

[cunning plan]

Parts drop!

3/4" Breaker bar to help with the rear castle-nuts as I am re-building the rear suspension.

 

[cunning plan]

I have planned something a little different for it........

... and here is that something a little different:

Back of the deck-lid and the steering column.

Having issues getting the spring plates back on as they are adjustable and have a larger diameter on the back of the plate than the originals, this is expanding the rubber bushing too much to then sit in the axle recess properly to then connect with the torsion bars. So I am sourcing larger replacements now I have the exact measurements. :shadey:

 

[Buss69]

Having issues getting the spring plates back on as they are adjustable and have a larger diameter on the back of the plate than the originals, this is expanding the rubber bushing too much to then sit in the axle recess properly to then connect with the torsion bars. So I am sourcing larger replacements now I have the exact measurements. :shadey:

Like to see some pictures of this problem fella. I'm thinking of going down your route with the rear spring plates and would be interested in the actual issue you are facing.

Liking the check effect as well. I have a mate with a late crew cab who's done the front of his bus in check

 

[cunning plan]

Cheers buddy. I'm not planning to do lots in checkers, just the odd bit of detailing. :rocknroll:

Regarding spring plates, threads you need are:

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=52658" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53261&p=446225" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[cunning plan]

Parts drop!

The custom-made headlining arrived from MegaVanMats too, but I didn't take a picture of it. :roll: