the love bus project

[kingcreaky]

Ok. So; may aswell start from the beginning. I have posted previously to say my hello's, so this thread is simply a project thread. Ive had a quick look round not sure where im meant to post it; hope this is the right place
I intend to use this thread for everything; (engine;bodywork;wiring;interior;mechanicals)

So; its a C reg (1986?) type 25. My misses & neighbours have tagged it the 'lovebus' as its presently an eyesaw!

originally a diesel.

bought it start of the summer; it included an engine; (1 1600 diesel from a golf; but without the camper JX conversion or anything)
the engine wasnt fitted.

This initial post is essentially a summary of my achievements between then and now. I must also point out that during this time my wife
gave birth to our first baby; so progress has been limited somewhat because of this! - well that coupled with the fact its too tall to fit in my workshop
therefore progress has been very much weather permitting.

anyway.....picked it up from Nottingham Way; a trailered it back

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/1.JPG

pressure washed it

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/2.JPG

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/3.JPG

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/4.JPG

removed engine (this was a standard 1.6 diesel) -- using 'cunningness' as i normally lift engines off roof joist, obviously in this case not possible!

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/5.JPG

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/6.JPG

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/7.JPG

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/8.JPG

Then came the engine issues. Cutting a long story short; I decided to cut my losses on the engine that came with it. As the requirements to convert it
to be used in the t25 wasnt worth the financial risk; especially as I hadnt actually heard the engine running. So I decided to buy one complete; that I could test drive
remove myself; and refit.

So I bought a 1.9tdi (fly by wire) that had already been converted into a t25

removed it; and refitted it

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/9.JPG

only issue was the wiring. The loom i removed included headlights and all of the ancillaries from the original Ford Galaxy donar. So with much patience and some help
from some of the boys on the t4 forums. I stripped out all of the unnecessary wirining from the loom.

its now all fitted; and in a drivable condition. However; still not quite finished Im still to connect it to the t25 dials. water temp etc) then get it up to temperature
and ensure its cooling sufficiently.

I have however concluded all the gears work!! and the brakes!

next job; is to sort the bodywork out

as you can see; drivers side is the worst side; so il tackle that first.

It appears the previous owner didnt fit the side windows very well at all; and as such have rotted quite badly.

the central one has also leaked that much it has caused the demise of the o/s sill.

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/10.jpg

best rule ive learnt with bodywork and cars; is where it is bad remove and replace.

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/11.jpg

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/12.jpg

so; out with the old; in with the new... (new metal is actually the side of a filing cabinet! its all I had spare!) now just to grind those welds back; and fill the difference
then sand!



Next; is that sill. But the more I look at it; the more it seems I should replace rear quarter aswell as the wheel arch is shot.

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/13.jpg

oh; and the floor! (so; plated that all up so I have something to weld the sill too)

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/14.jpg

if you look closely; I had to remove half the inner wheel arche as that was all bad

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/16.jpg

so; before fitting the cheap nasty replacement panel; I had to weld the necessary flanges in place to make it possible for me to later rebuild the inner wheel
arch

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/17.jpg

So; replacement rear quarter; fitted (needs welds grinding back; some seam sealer and some filler) but essentially done

now just for the sill!

il keep you all posted

http://woody.pensys.co.uk/bus/18.jpg

[kingcreaky]

sorry, had to use [url] tag. [img] tag moaning it cant determine image size (all images resized to height 600)

[Mickyfin]

Blimey, thats green! Good luck with it my friend.

[dapple]

poor thing