Chassis Information

[Jonnyb416]

I have just bought my first T25. 1983 Diesel hightop!!

Before I start work and invest all my hard earned cash I would like to be sure there isn't any problems with the chassis; something that could prove fatal come MOT day.

The van requires a lot of welding, then an engine and a full interior.

There doesn't seem much if any rust on the chassis, ceratinly nothing really bad.

Is there a way to tell if I will have any serious future problems before I go ahead investing in the bodywork etc?
I have also bought some vactan, should I scrub off any suface rust and apply this?

Thanks, Jon.

[jimpainter]

Wire brush any rusty bits to see whats underneath, or if you wanted tap around the chassis lightly with a hammer.Any rust issues will show themselves with a different sound to solid metal

[billy739]

being an 83 bus all the wiring / suspension / coolant pipes (if water cooled) / sliding door will be early and so will create more work either in cost of sourcing parts.


i wouldnt start it but buy one ready. post 87 ie D reg onwards to keep things simpler

most of these buses have mint chassis , in fact any one ever seen a main chassis rail rusted out?

[Jonnyb416]

Cheers guys, there seems to be a lot ok with the van.

Billy, I am prepared to put in the extra effort and cash to make this one sound.
Could you tell me exactly what areas on this van I should look into further or maybe get a quote for first before I tackle the easier parts please?

When the weather gets a bit better I will be posting pics for advice but in the meantime the areas I think are worse are:

1) Bottom of sliding door has been chopped off and needs replacing.
2) Sill below sliding door needs welding, which I have the panel.
3) Rear wheel arch panel needs replacing, I too have the panel.
4) 2 window surrounds are rusty and will need fabricating.
5) Various spots of usual rust but most seams seem ok.

I only paid a few hundred quid for the van and at worst could break for profit but I really would like to recover this one as I am in no rush to finish. Also I cannot afford a few grand now but want a project I can spend time and money on each month.

Would you still say to get rid?? I'm not qualified in any area to do the work but learning to weld for the easier parts, I know a few mechanics and can do a lot of other bits mysel in time.

Cheers for the advice and anymore is appreciated.

Jon.

[billy739]

my honest opinion-

it will never make the road , at least as yours!

you will spend loads of money mostly in places that are non recoverable - welding ect

you will buy lots before you sell it - new brakes ,engine service,wiring , seats ect

you will for whatever reason sell it at a loss - probably to someone who will break her!


. just my opinion based on this cenario being quite common with many vans i have bought.

not being on the road for a while will create its own problems . seized brakes / water leaks ect

sliding door-you will not replace it , it will need to be repaired , so get good quotes first! - good used early doors go for £250+ you will need to check if yours is early or late

[Jonnyb416]

How will I check if the door is early or late?
Is it the actual door or the runners, handles etc that are rare?

Would you say if I can get the van solid for a reasonable amount then everything else can be repaired or renewed at an average cost?

Do people not restore these vans anymore? and if they do are they normally highli skilled people.

Thanks, Jon.

[billy739]

above is the scenario i come across quite often

yes people do restore these , as with any vehicle its as good as you can afford / accomplish

although some parts are obsolete and you need to be creative.

early vans had lots of parts superseeded in later years by better designs.
take for example the coolant pipes under the van front/rear yours came with steel ones, these corroded and were later replaced with plastic ones. if you look under yours (unless its a very late Aircooled) the steel pipes will either of been replaced or bodged along there lenghts. in the ong run you will need to sort these either with 2nd hand plastics or replacement kits.

obviously this is all my own personal view and if your happy to go ahead then go for it , but dont start shelling out big sums. make a list of jobs that need doing , then take each one and go into detail with it , look on here for answers and get prices from various sites , the price of getting the van ready will soon outweigh its worth but you will at least have a van you have put some worth into

[Jonnyb416]

Thanks for the advice. I have planned to do exactly as you said by tackling each section/problem at a time and ensuring it is done properly.

I also understand it will end up costing more than its worth but it is a project that my family and friends are all willing to help with.

Believe me I have been studying this forum for as much information as possible and I will hopefully pick your brains again at some point. If you have any parts that may be useful to me then please let me know?

Would you advise getting it on axel stands ASAP and stripping the brakes etc to avoid them seizing up?

My plan was to get the van solid, get the engine in and get it running/drivable then paint and finally interior. Easy eh?

Thanks, Jon.

[fidget]

Good luck with it mate

Im in the same position as you are, I brought my bus cheap a year ago knowing it needed work . Be prepared for it to take over your live for a bit

Im half way there but am now sitting here deciding its fate , If I cant get a replacement chassis leg from vw germany I think im going to call it a day and recoup me losses.

When I started my bus a good friend and mentor told me "do whats needed first ,but always decide on a point where to draw the line and walk away. Dont keep pumping money into it, as you will never get it back.

Mines an 83 so if I do decide to break it Ill have plenty of parts

James

[Plasticman]

James, pardon me if Ive missed something but whats this chassis leg from the fatherland bit??
mike

[Plasticman]

Jon, you posted up pickies of your bus anywhere
mike

[Jonnyb416]

Hi Mike,

Never uploaded any pics before but here goes:


http://s1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa440/jonnyb416/

Just took 2 quick ones on my way home from work. Not had the weather since I got it to take any decent ones. Thought I would take 2 of the side door, could you tell me if this is the early style? It isn't in too bad nick. The bottom needs a new skin, slight bit of rust that will easily fill and a bit round the window that will need a bit fabricating to repair. Is there anything else I should look into with regards to the door?

Will add a few more shortly of the whole thing.

Thanks, Jon.

[Jonnyb416]

Here is one of the complete thing:

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa4 ... 197_n1.jpg

Hope it works

Jon.

[Plasticman]

Early door, bottom int too bad the window area looks more work, see here viewtopic.php?t=68856 for door bottom and other woes, whats this chassis leg? bit that your stuck for. aint nothing that cant be made/got.
mike

[Jonnyb416]

Cheers Mike that gives me a bit more confidence. The chassis leg was mentioned by someone else. I've not had chance to look at the chassis properly yet. Waiting for good weather and a day off work. I was orginally asking for easy to spot signs of chassis damage before I start work.

I am sure the bottom of the door is available from JK. Just need check the seal and sliding/locking mechanisms next.

Thanks for the advice. Once I get cracking I will start a thread. Got my heart set on this one but it's good having people bring me down to earth.

Do you think anything is repairable on this 1983 bus if you've got the skills/cash?

Cheers, Jon.