My 71 Bay resto project

[aps]

Boah what a project. I would like to say "HARDCORE".

 

[Alfie]

Bit of an update on the drivers side.......

After.....Put on some new panels I got from Volksworld. New wheel arch and started to put in the wheel tub Will update with more pics later today if I can.

 

[aps]

What a work!!!

10 years ago such a bus would have been scrapped!

IMHO you go through the "sheet metal hell" ;-)

Great work!

 

[easy]

nice work dude! should have taken the time to tub them arches up a couple of inches! then you could have slammed the van into the weeds.
:wink: 8)

 

[jerrys_bus]

Great job,

makes me feel bad about what I call rust in my bay, Though I haven't opened up the front apron as yet, most of the back of it is fiberglass :x

Are you going to keep it stock?

 

[Alfie]

Another job done Not much more left to do on the welding side. Still got to put in the cab floor panel and make some repairs to the bottom of the drivers cab door.

A couple of other little bits of welding then I should be ready for the prep and paint stage. Will update with some more pics soon.

 

[mattyd72]

Stunning work matey !

 

[Alfie]

Thanks everyone

Jerrys_bus I was going to lower it when I take off the beam.


Justin & Mutley I went down the local metal worker and got a load of off cuts. I made up the rear cargo repairs with a little bit thicker than normal repair panels, think it's 1 mm but not sure, will check and let you know.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Thanks for that - you're doing a great resto! Are you self taught?

 

[Alfie]

Thanks for that - you're doing a great resto! Are you self taught?

Just bought a cheap mig welder from Halfords which cost £150 and had a go myself. It's great fun, thats when im not setting fire to myself. :lol:

 

[Trikky2]

What a work!!!

10 years ago such a bus would have been scrapped!

IMHO you go through the "sheet metal hell" ;-)

Great work!

Hate to tell u but they still are - lol

 

[aps]

Yes of course, it was wrong grammatic. Correct:

10 years ago such busses were scrapped ...

Even by me, too ;-) ... and 20 years ago ... I don´t wanna talk about ... Only thinking about our faux-pas. But in the past that were no mistakes. It was "daily work" scrapping also better busses thans this one here.

 

[Alzy]

That is amazing what you are doing mate.

I have been partly restoring a 72 dormo since last august and after seeing what you have been going through its just made me feel lazy!!!

Keep up the excellent work mate and no doubt we`ll be seeing it at shows this year.

Cheers

Alex

 

[Alfie]

Next job was to weld in new floor repair panel.

The new aftermarket panel didn't seem to fit properly or line up with the exsisting groves of the floor ( And after a few choice swear words :shock: ) . decided to cut the panel into two :idea: . Once lined up with the groves again, welded it back in.

Hopefully once I have ground it all back, the weld seam wont show. Will update with more pics tomorrow if I can.

 

[Airtime]

If I could I'd rate this project with 5 stars (on a scale of 5, offcourse!). :shock: 8)

 

[Alfie]

Thanks Airtime

Finished repairing the cab floor today, still need a bit of finishing off, but at least it's solid once again.

Next job is to repair the drivers door, will update once I manage to get the bloody thing off :x

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Looks great with the welds ground down and primed - hope mine looks that good when I do it!
Where did you get the panel from?

 

[Alfie]

Thanks, I got the wheel tub, wheel arch and floor panel from Schofields.

 

[ianvdubvanman]

the work your doin is mega

 

[Alfie]

Thanks

Manged to get the drivers door off today which was a job in itself
The bolts were on so tight that in the end I had to weld a screw driver to them, then use a spanner to prize all four bolts off, this took me most of the day, still it's done now, got the bloody thing off in the end

As you can see from this pic the outer skin on the drivers side isn't too bad apart from a bit at the bottom

Underneath however is a different story

I have decided to give it a go and try to repair it as a new door will prove very expensive. Here I have started to cut away the main bit of rot before treating it.