Different advice - lots of work or patch welding

[jaosnjleach]

Hi All, i have a 68 bay which needs some TLC but it has its original Devon interior, lights, windows, mirrors, even the stool, all in good condition. The place I bought it are suggesting ripping off the belly pans and doing a full underside restoration, sills etc. I have taken it to another specialist restorer (who just does vw campers) for a second opinion who suggests this is not needed as its in good state, there has been some restoration previously but done to a good standard. Any thoughts? Clearly cost and longevity are important but if it isn’t broken?? I'm new to this and I wasnt expecting such differing opinion. Thanks in advance. Jason

 

[trebor]

Im new to this but give the pan a slap with the palm of your hand to see if you can hear any rust inside, or get a small opti scope camera with a viewing screen, stick it in drain holes, have a look round.

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

Belly Pans can hide a multitude of sins, The most thourough way of getting your van tip top would be to remove the pans inspect everything, scrap it all back paint it with rust proofer and then re underseal before re applying the belly pans.

 

[Whistler]

When we took off my centre belly pan it was in surprisingly good condition underneath, considering the rest of the underside was fubar'd. So I am planning to definately put them back on once proctected but make it so they are removable. As for the patching vs fixing completley I think you should investigate further and get some pics up on here. You will find out in a matter of minutes what the majority of people will do.

Personally it does depend on the condition of what it is you are repairing. I am by no means a professional on the subject, but time and money aside I think replacing is the better option. Unless of course you are someone who wants to keep as much original metal as possible. However, the condition it is in at the moment will largely dictate whether that is possible or not.

If your bus is a RHD then chances are the entire underside is rotten :lol: That seems to be the general theme to UK busses. Sills, Outriggers, Jacking Point, I Beams and Top Hats generally all need doing when you look through the restoration threads on the gallery. And it is certainly the case with my bus.

 

[woz]

Just been through the same decision myself. in the end i came to the conclusion that if i took them off and the work needed doing then i would deal with it, and if it was fine then although i would have done all that work removing them at least i would know that it was safe!

So removed them and the work certainley needed doing, remember the MOT man cant see under there so you could be driving around with Rotten chasis rails but feel safe as you have a mot.

Have a look for other clues i.e if a lot of repairs have been done to other panels and you have the original pans on then that would get me thinking.

Have a look at others resto threads at what they can hide.

By the way once they are off it is a time consumming job but relatively easy

hope it's good news whatever you deside

 

[BrotherNumberOne]

What you need to do is have a very thorough look at the portion of the inner sill not hidden under the side belly pans, I.e the bit between the rear jacking point and the rear wheel housing. Any sign of rot there or any evidence of repairs to that part of the inner sill and you can guarantee that the portion behind the pans will also need doing, in which case you'll need to cut the pans off.