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oneday!

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Mar 6, 2009
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have got serious problem with front arches,got a 1971 bay and had new front arches inner and outer and new lower front panel inner and outer but the arches that have been fitted are of later bays the ones with a lip and now only realised that early bays arn't supposed to have these and belive me im gutted because there is an inch gap on the lower step between the door, and obviously the original ones look much better as iv'e seen on this awsome web sight the van is in the paint shop after having loads of work done{new sills chassis rail ,chassis centre rail, 4 out riggers and jacking points, front beam main chassis rail, front arches inner sill, outer sill outer sill long panel window, v section, cargo floor list goes on and on what the fudge am i to do pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee can some one help am really gutted have put my hart and soul in to this van and a load of cash this is my third bay but first early bay,will try and get some pics up to show help. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
 
If it's still in the paintshop then get them to fix it - a one inch gap at the bottom of your door just isn't right. They should have replaced the panels "like for like" (unless you supplied them of course).

Have a chat with them and see what they say

;)
 
first - WELCOME to earlybay!! I feel for ya mate, I made some mistakes early on in Bay ownership that I've always regretted. If I'm honest though,It really depends on how you view the bus,and how good you want it.If you can live with the arches and gap then just move on.

From the sounds of it though, you want it 'right'.If that is the case,you must bite the bullet, otherwise it will niggle you everytime you look at the old girl,there is no other way round it. Think positive, at least you've found out while its in the body shop and un painted, rather than the first time you park it next to another early - that would be even more dis heartening!!! I must agree with the above, if the garage have done it wrong then you have nothing to worry about - they should put it right (I assume its a VW specialist?) if you supplied the parts then just put it down to expeirience, move on and spend your life on here learning about early Bay's!! :mrgreen:

From what you've said though,you've put a lot into the bus so it would be a shame (i.m.o.) to let this go. expensive - yes,....heart breaking - yes,....can you leave it? only you can answer my friend. Best wishes and get some pics of her up on here!
Kind Regards - Rob
 
Thanks for your replys the van is all prepped primed flattend lovely and flat and straght been well fusy and spent about £6000 so far and now this{always a drama} how much work is it going to be to cut those arches out? i was asked by the specilist which arches i wanted,they supplied them there should'nt be a choice :x i didnt no back then the difference but no after looking at early bays this a crime :? what you rekon do i have a leg to stand on gutted :cry: this is my third bay but first early there are lessons to be learnt :eek:
 
I had some similar, though not quite as drastic, work done on my 1970. I had the correct year arches but patterns from 'that danish company' and the fit was no better - I bet I have 1/2 inch or more gap in the same place even after the welder cut them and shaped them for a better fit.

If you bought the bus cos you like the early bay look then I would have them removed,
but as most folk will tell you here replace with rust free clips and not Danish pattern parts.
If not enjoy it for what it is. There is practically no bay on the planet that is 100% original.

NOte also that I don't think your current arches will have the mounting holes for the wrap-around bumper steps that alone may be enough to convince teh body-shop they've mad a cock-up. Perhaps some good old British compromise is called for. You agree to supply the correct parts if they will fit them for free. that way it will 'only' cost you about 250 quid which on top of 6000 doesn't sound too bad - does it ?

Good luck

James
 
james_stan said:
I had some similar, though not quite as drastic, work done on my 1970. I had the correct year arches but patterns from 'that danish company' and the fit was no better - I bet I have 1/2 inch or more gap in the same place even after the welder cut them and shaped them for a better fit.

If you bought the bus cos you like the early bay look then I would have them removed,
but as most folk will tell you here replace with rust free clips and not Danish pattern parts.
If not enjoy it for what it is. There is practically no bay on the planet that is 100% original.

NOte also that I don't think your current arches will have the mounting holes for the wrap-around bumper steps that alone may be enough to convince teh body-shop they've mad a cock-up. Perhaps some good old British compromise is called for. You agree to supply the correct parts if they will fit them for free. that way it will 'only' cost you about 250 quid which on top of 6000 doesn't sound too bad - does it ?

Good luck

James
Cheers james for your reply will get some pics up for you all to see the headache but this should'nt have been done in the first place mate im fuming this van has been a two year project and really wanted this to be the one seems like its back to the dreaded cutter or i try and live with it, i noticed that there are three holes on the bottom step is this right? at first i thought there was another section to go in there to raise it up but dont no any ideas? been into vdubs for about twenty years now had three golf mk 1 and this is my third bay,first one i owned was in australia and was absolute gem even had air con with all the the trimmins in the head section never seen one like that sinse and all worked will try and get those pics up to so feeling like a numty should of known :oops:

kind regards leon ;)
here she is before starting
DSC01989.jpg

DSC01985.jpg

kind regards leon
 
Hi to all
What section needs to be cut on the arch to change these arches over,can i get away with cutting the outer section or do they have to be cut right back to inner floor section.The arches on the van are new :cry: :cry: :cry:
 
Best to get some original cuts from US/SA/Aus & replace the whole arch with them, places like FBIVW (amongst others) will do the cuts.
 
cheers mate thanks for the reply

the arches on the van are new so would i still need to have the hole lot out
cheers leon
 


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