Our body work story.

[Cazz]

She passed her MOT today, sorry now yesterday, next job is a service, new timing belt and a posh new exhaust. Someone else is fitting them, I've bought the parts and probably the sandwiches and make many teas, but I don't mind that.

I sorted the side lights out, they did fit when I looked closer, I was clearly being incompetent before, that's why I'm not doing the service. Just for matter of interest the side lights can be in the indicator lens.

We've also put the rock and roll bed in, the wardrobe and kitchen unit. Still to do is the carpets, door cards, roof cupboard and load her up for our holiday on Tuesday.

People ask if I'm mad, maybe I am. Finished pics to follow.

[dougt25]

looks like your doing a really good job with your van. - Mine is also a work in progress...

Can I ask how you got the rear windows back in? Mine are currently all out and fearing it would be difficult to put them back in I had a practice before i finished the paintwork arouns the windows. I failed... Any tips greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Doug

[Cazz]

A long awaited update, well we've been on holiday in the camper, she wasn't finished but perfectly usable.

After I fitted the smoked rear lences the tail lights, one brake light and the tow bar brake lights decided not to work, that makes me sound really incompetent, I'm not really that bad. So I, that is I managed to sort them all out, one side was a duff bulb - that looked fine, the other side the spring bit in the holder was missing, that was the holder that was sent wrong - not only wrong but broken!!! The brake lights situation was where the tow bar electrics had been wired in, the connector had come loose. Looking at that wiring, I could have done a better job myself.

Since back from holiday, we've mainly concentrated on putting our house straight after the interior had lived in the sitting room since just before Christmas. All the new stuff was taking over the spare room, with not much room left for us.

In the last few days we've put the new freshly painted bumpers on, bought from JK last year before I joined club 8090, I wish I knew then what I know now!!! They rear one was no bother, the front just didn't line up, with much swearing and cursing it was eventually on. The posh new pressed UK legal aluminium number plates and surrounds are also now fitted, thanks Brickwerks.

Pics taken on holiday with old bumpers and cracked number plates. The spot lights haven't moved onto the new bumpers, undecided if to or not. We are going to Wales at the weekend, I'll take some more pics there as she is now. The interior will follow one day, lol.

[Cazz]

looks like your doing a really good job with your van. - Mine is also a work in progress...

Can I ask how you got the rear windows back in? Mine are currently all out and fearing it would be difficult to put them back in I had a practice before i finished the paintwork arouns the windows. I failed... Any tips greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Doug

Hi Doug,
All the windows, except the rear were fairly easy to put back in, we had never done it before and our friends said to get a proffessional in to do them, well we are on a budget so decided to give it a go. We really surprised ourselves, the windscreen after prep only took 10 mins, everyone was amazed at us including us.

Basically you need good quality seals, clean metal edges, patience, 2 pairs of gentle but firm hands, tyre black and some cord, we used tent guy ropes, probably too thin but they worked. The day after we did ours Jed the spread released this:- http://campervanculture.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; if you scroll down there is a clip of how to fit a windscreen.

Thanks for the kind words, you'll have to start a thread on your progress, good luck and I'm looking forward to seeing your pics.

[gaz f]

Well done cazz, and an excellent write up.
Can't wait to see the final pics with the new bumpers etc on it. It really is a good looking van you got now.

[Cazz]

Chers Gaz.

Right some pics of her now, one was taken in Wales this weekend and due to a flat camera battery and broken charger the other was taken at home, I'm sure you can guess which is which, lol.

In a couple of weeks she is being flatted and polished, I think that is right. She will be shiny, she already turns heads. we're very pleased we had the rather smokey issue sorted out, if we hadn't, that would have been her let down.

There is still a few little jobs to do on the outside, 10 points to who ever can see/guess what they are.





Interior still pending, we've though about it loads, well it is the thought that counts.

[gaz f]

You could be opening a can of worms with that question Cazz, someone may point out something you think is already fine that they think still needs done.

Ok, here's my thoughts...
Wheels need caps, grills need to be painted satin black to match the shiny new paint and you need to get/fit the little rubber caps for the bumper bolts.

[dougt25]

Tis looking V good now!

I watched that windscreen link - thanks - been looking everywhere for a video on how to do the string trick. Is it the same process for the side windows?

Do you mind me asking where you got your seals?. i am having some difficulty sussing out which ones i need. (84 autohomes Cameo). I hear there are good and bad suppliers.

Made some good progress last night. - Cut the rust out of the front panel and prepped the spare wheel ready for painting. Fabricated the side panel repair patch (all 3 foot of it) My own Progress thread to be started this evening!

Posts like this one are great for my motivation! I reckon you van need some shiney centre caps to finish it off and your nearly there.


Cheers

Doug

[Cazz]

Hi Doug, we used exactly the same method for all the windows, we bought our seals from volkwagen emporium based on a recommendation here. http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/type25parts.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; There are other companies that are also good quality, JK apparently aren't. I'm looking forward to your thread.

Gaz, you're partly right. The caps have been on order since November!!! I need the bumper bolt covers and a wiper nut cover, the grills were blackened with a heat gun, but you're probably right they could do with a coat of paint. I'm pleased my other temporary measures aren't too noticable. I'll let on very soon.

[dougt25]

It looks like you windows are just like mine. Do you happen to remember what the gap sizes should be on the side window seals?

Cheers

Doug

[Cazz]

It looks like you windows are just like mine. Do you happen to remember what the gap sizes should be on the side window seals?

Cheers

Doug

Hi Doug, Sorry I haven't a clue, I rang the company linked above and told them what van I had and they sent the seals out to me. They are all genuine VW.

[dougt25]

Ideal, I'll give them a call, thanks.