Front Panel Replacement Costs

[Whistler]

Hi guys,

A couple weeks back we picked up a repo front panel. That needs to be replaced, so the indicators need blanking up, the bump where the badge is needs taking out and flatening, and also may as well attach the lower panel as well. On top of this, I guess it would need a skim of filler as well. But the inner windscreen panel needs replacing also as it has rotten through. The front of the aibox also needs repairing as that has rotten also.

What sort of price do you think I would be looking at getting a garage/VW professional to do this? Just getting an idea, as I am a little hesitant about doing it my self. Unless of course, any one had done this and it was actually easier than expected!

Thanks.

Forgot to add that I have all the panels already, it's just the little repair to the airbox that would need to be fabricated. So mainly just labour costs I would presume.

 

[Anonymous]

fitting the front panel is pretty straight forward the tricky bits are getting the panel wrapped around the a posts so it looks consistent with the door edges you can get the whole inner screen repair piece the middle dent could be cut out and new metal welded in if you take it to a garage I reckon they would or I would want about a grand to do it so you have welded up the y sections on your bus you look to me well able to fit it you could get the panel and I could give you a hand say one weekend for beer tokens after all its my :mrgreen: job

 

[Whistler]

fitting the front panel is pretty straight forward the tricky bits are getting the panel wrapped around the a posts so it looks consistent with the door edges you can get the whole inner screen repair piece the middle dent could be cut out and new metal welded in if you take it to a garage I reckon they would or I would want about a grand to do it so you have welded up the y sections on your bus you look to me well able to fit it you could get the panel and I could give you a hand say one weekend for beer tokens after all its my :mrgreen: job

Thanks Ronnie, £1,000 doesn't surprise me, but I was thinking a bit cheaper. I may take you up on that offer!! Get the job done by a professional and for a fraction of the cost!

 

[Graham L]

Just be careful as although they are built on a jig the last one we fitted had to be racket strapped around the b posts etc to get it to go anywhere near the a posts with enough to wrap around, not an easy job. Taking the bump out isnt that easy either as the metal is very thin and has no supporting structure so getting the replacement welded in without distorting the panel is always a challenge, nearly easier to bond a new piece of metal to the rear with panel adhesive fill the whole were the bump was, not ideal but better than a wonky front panel :lol:

 

[Whistler]

Cheers Graham. I like the idea about bonding a bit for the bump. The last thing I want to do is mess the panel up, with a cut fetching £650 at the moment it is definitely out of my budget, so although not ideal like you say, you have to work with what you've got!

I did see a blog post on how to to the front panel (I think it was camper and bus), and they also ratchet strapped it around to get the fit which I think is a great idea.

They also bonded the indicator block off's as well.

Sounds like a plan is forming