My westy, Ellie the earlybay.

[Bigbear]

Well it's been a while since a had any spare time for the bus, works been busy (for a change!) and the baby has been suffering with reflux which has been painful for all of us!

Anyway, I've been buying little bits and bobs and today finally had some time to try fitting a few if them, first up was the beauty rings for the wheels, I thought this would be an easy job but they were a pig and also made a proper mess of my wheels.

I wasn't really sure I liked them at first but they've grown on me, and considering the mess they've made of the powder coated wheels I think they'll stay for now!

 

[Bigbear]

Next up I fitted a new GB badge, didn't really want to drill holes in the rear bumper so I mounted on the inside if the rear window.

 

[Bigbear]

Next I added a bit of bling to the cab, firstly the chrome dial rings ( these were a bitch to fit! They just kept flying back out at me like a spring!)

Then replaced the handbrake handle, this was also a bastard job as the pin that holds he original on was solid

Put the buddy box in aswell

 

[Bigbear]

Then a nice easy job, fitting a new fringe on the pop top to tidy up the manly edge
Before

After

The mother in law also retrimmed the westy stool for me
Before

After

 

[Myvanway]

Nice work Brett.
8)

 

[rallye dale]

Lovely

 

[Airtime]

Great work! 8)

I love the look of the beauty rings.

 

[Bigbear]

Cheers lads, next on the list is to fit the auto extinguisher, and replaced the padded part of the dash that's cracked, then I will finally get the madmatz ordered.

 

[Lee C]

Bus is looking fantastic 8)

 

[Max Power]

Where did you get the buddy box from,I think that would be quite handy,not really seen them about at the usual suspects?are the jail bars good quality,not sure about drilling my tailgate,Ive just read a couple of previous pages on this thread,where in Sheppey is the beach picture,its so nice parking right on the beach having everything to hand and keeping an eye on the van.The best place down this way is Sandwich,you can park on the dunes and if the weather is nice you cant beat it.The only downside is you have to drive down a toll road to get there (£7.50) and there can be a bit of rubbish on the beach.Hythe beach and Seabrook are ok as you can park an the road and hop over the sea wall.
Congratulations on the new arrival too!

 

[Bigbear]

Where did you get the buddy box from,I think that would be quite handy,not really seen them about at the usual suspects?are the jail bars good quality,not sure about drilling my tailgate,Ive just read a couple of previous pages on this thread,where in Sheppey is the beach picture,its so nice parking right on the beach having everything to hand and keeping an eye on the van.The best place down this way is Sandwich,you can park on the dunes and if the weather is nice you cant beat it.The only downside is you have to drive down a toll road to get there (£7.50) and there can be a bit of rubbish on the beach.Hythe beach and Seabrook are ok as you can park an the road and hop over the sea wall.
Congratulations on the new arrival too!

Hi mate, the buddy box is from Paul (myvanway) from this site, not used it yet as I've not really been far in the van, I'm sure it will come in handy though, it's really well made and suits the fan well. Keep your eye on the group buy section to see if anymore are being made.

The beach I'm parked on is minster beach, between bartons point and the White House, there's a slip road for access and there's normally lots of kite surfers and wind surfers. The only down side is that you park on a mound and it can get quite breezy, not so bad if you sit on the beach at the bottom of the mound with the van above you. That beach in sandwich, is that as you go down past the golf club?

The jailbars are from just kampers, they look good enough for me but I'm sure some purists would say otherwise.

 

[Max Power]

Yes Sandwich bay is right down the toll road past Cinque ports golf club and next to Royal St George's.we have booked the ferry to Calais tomorrow for £30 so going continental for the day,and not quite as far as Minster
I will contact Paul and maybe madmatz as they have a pic on there website but no details of pricing and availability.

 

[Bigbear]

Got a few bits done last week,

Fitted a fire extinguisher in the engine bay, probably wouldn't do much but I feel better knowing its there.

Also fitted a deluxe front grill trim

I then replaced the foam dash trim which was quite badly cracked

The new one from vw heritage was grey, so I primered and painted it black first

And the grab handle

All nice and fresh looking now, no splits anywhere. Pig of a job getting the old one off and new one on, the new one is slightly different shape so a lot of bending and persuading was used!

 

[Bigbear]

Also got given this today

Result!!

 

[StuF]

Beautiful looking bus!

 

[Bigbear]

Beautiful looking bus!

Cheers mate

 

[Bigbear]

So today I rewired my rear lights as they were intermittent, also adjust the brakes a touch, had a poke around under the bus whilst I had a chance and noticed a few worrying things.

Firstly this bodge of a repair by the previous owner

Seems that the gasket has gone and just been pugged up with silicone. The engine is coming out over winter so not the end of the world.

Also this, seems the oil strainer has an odd nut, which lets a drip of oil out every so often

I also noticed that I have a petrol filter above the gearbox aswell as in the bay, this can't be good can it? Surely restricts flow a bit?

Also, what is this?

And should it be plugged in to something?

Please excuse the thick oily gloppy mess everywhere, this will be cleaned up and looking fresh over winter, .......I promise!

 

[Airtime]

I also noticed that I have a petrol filter above the gearbox aswell as in the bay, this can't be good can it? Surely restricts flow a bit?

I noticed on one of your other photos that you also have a filter in the enige compartment. You should better remove that one and keep the one above the gearbox (maybe put a new one there). When the one in the engine compartment breaks it might cause fire because it's right above the dizzy.

Also, what is this?

And should it be plugged in to something?

Looks like an oil temperature sender to me. So could be wired to an oil temperature gauge if your interested in your oil temperature. 8)

 

[Bigbear]

Fitted my madmatz today. Very happy with how they look.

Also replaced the brake fluid reservoir as it had small cracks running up it
Before

After

 

[Myvanway]

Matz look sweet. 8)