New front panel?

[froggy]

How easy are they to fit?
My current panel has the front drilled to take the spare wheel mounting bracket and also its got a dent in it(the van moved a little during transit and hit the front of the trailer) also it needs the bottom repairing, the wife now thinks it would look better with a VW badge on the front, so i'm thinking that i either need to cut and shut to remove drilled holes / dent OR fit a new panel.
I've seen a few of these panels on Ebay and was wondering if anyone has used them?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/t2-vw-camper-...ryZ27385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here is the front of my van to show the damage

 

[Htotheunit]

mines currently in the garage having a new front panel.. sorry i can't comment on the fit/fitting process but i'll let you know how it goes

 

[froggy]

whos doing this for you?
Dont mind a bit of welding but not sure if my welding skills are up to a new front panel!
Are they seam welded or Spot welded?

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

The holes where the spare wheel was are actually where the badge holes are supposed to be,at least they where on my Dormobile.So just fit badge clips in then and fit a badge :wink:

If your panel isn't rotten I would get it panel beaten and repaired if I where you.It would be much better not to disturb the front unless you have to.

 

[Htotheunit]

whos doing this for you?
Dont mind a bit of welding but not sure if my welding skills are up to a new front panel!
Are they seam welded or Spot welded?

my local VW specialist's undertaking the work.. not sure what type of welding is been done

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

If you going for a new front Panel I think Tofufi replaced his front panel and will know what to do.I just hacked the hole front off and replaced the whole front end.

I wouldn't recommend it just for a dent,dents can be fixed easier and cheeper and look much better.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

The holes where the spare wheel was are actually where the badge holes are supposed to be...

WHS, mine looked like that but it's actually badge holes!

 

[andy11]

on the go with a front panel at the mo, and its a pain in the arse, looking at yours I would get a good panel beater to take the dent out. you can't buy an early front panel anyway, you have to make one up out of 2 panels, too much trouble matey, if it was rotten it would be a different story.

 

[Tofufi]

As someone above said, I did one on my bus. It was an utter pain in the arse. :lol: (Name a job on a VW that isn't)

Mine was damaged and rusty throughout though - my windscreen surround was non existent, there were rust holes caused by previous accident damage which had badly been repaired, and the lower section had a new layer of metal welded over the original lower panel. Had it been better,in any aspect, I would only have repaired the areas which needed it.

If your windscreen surround is good, and there is no other rust (looks ok in the pics, but can't be sure unless in the metal) I would go for just replacing the bottom of the panel, and having the dent beaten out.

If you replace the whole lot, you will only have to do a seam weld all across the front anyway - the new panels come as a lower section and upper section.

Finally, with the ebay auction, check the GSF price. Don't forget you may have to add VAT on the GSF price (not sure on their new catalogue) but it may be cheaper.

 

[froggy]

Cheers, think im going to just fit a new lower section (under the indicators) and see if i can get someone to pull the dent.
Stupid question but the metal under the lower section is rotten on the one corner, is this called the deformation panel? Want to make sure i get the correct bit

 

[Araon]

The dent shouldnt take much to pull at all just need a little time spent on the profile....

The deformation panel was on the lates, the big bulge to beef up the front end hidden behind the bumper to a degree....you want to get the early front lip.....