Bluebird Rock and Roll Fitting

[yetihair]

Hello all,
Just trying to fit a full width Bluebird rock and roll into our van and like most people who have fitted a bluebird rock and roll themselves I have found the instructions that came with it helpful but only up to a point.
The only big problem I have is figuring out where the mounting points into the wheel arches need to go.
I've obviously searched the forum and found these
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... d#p7705523 and the more helpful
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... d#p7886426
but its not really that clear where exactly the best mounting spot is!
I lined it up a bit but realise now from looking at the above posts that I've got the brackets sitting a bit too high. (I was thinking I might need to make some mounting plates up)






Also, as you can see in the last photo there is a bump in the wheel arch. Does the bracket sit above this or to the side? The bed is just a little too wide to mount to these bumps and still be centred in the van.
Basically I'm asking for anyone who has one of these fitted to share any photos they have. I know a few people said they would post some up but haven't quite got round to it.
If I can get enough photos and advice from people I'll make a guide for future use.

[yetihair]

I've also found this http://archive.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic ... 40&t=68080
The first post helps a bit.
And also this where brackets were fabricated http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/blueb ... 71377.html

[jamesc76]

Fitted a few Blue birds ones but never a full witdth all ways the 3/4 ones, defo to high up tho!

[yetihair]

Well, with a good hard look at the photos and some eyeing in I came to the conclusion that the angle that the side stays need to be at means that the mounting points are at the wrong angle. So with a bit of help from a scaffold pole to bend the mounting points and a template to get the right angle this is where we currently stand.




Its obviously not all done up tight as I think there might need to be some minor adjustment to get everything right, but so far so good.

[jamesc76]

make sure that the bed ends up level in bed mode tho defo needs the rear raised up and a good landing ledge for the back edge of the bed as I did but gives you extra space for tools etc !

[yetihair]

Hi,
Yeah it will need a bit of tweaking and it depends on the final thickness of the floor.
Once I've got that sorted I can then take measurements for the bed support and the box for the rear.
I guess it will be down to the wife's school to use her D&T workshop thickness planer, rip saw and other assorted workshop equipment.
Thanks for the help

[CovKid]

I'd put a thick plate or washer between bracket and body so it really solid. I presume you have spreader plates on the outside? I used 1/4" flat bar and drilled holes in short sections (takes some cutting) to create a DIY big flat washer, that way seat can't rip out. Underseal plate afterwards. The best solution with yours if you want bed closer to engine hatch level is cut those brackets off and reweld them so they sit exactly where you want them. Not ideal if it was meant to fit out of the box but sometimes needs must.

[Cruz]

Bluebird beds are designed for bays hence they sit higher over the engine bay

I built a bed base and I'm no carpenter. Measure, measure, measure again and then get your bits cut to the sizes you want at the builders merchant/b&Q

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... uebird+bed" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[yetihair]

Well it's done and in.
Box is built (no photos but below is one of the box frame.)

Covkid - Big washers to spread the load are in!

Bed is level when in bed mode.
Bed rests on a batton attached to the back of the box to provide support

It's in to get some upholstry done and then it is good to go!

[Plasticman]

are you making it so you can pull a draw out the rear or as is and lifting it out?
nice frames though, what sort of £££
mm

[yetihair]

The centre bit will have a hinged lid to allow it to be easily opened to access the storage and then the whole middle bit lifts out to allow better access to the engine bay. The middle bit is big enough to get the engine cover off for easy quick tasks.
The mahogany is reclaimed science worktops from the wife's school. Can you believe they just throw that kind of stuff in the skip?? I used her workshop to rip it to width and run it through the thickness planer. Unfortunately lost some of the great school graffiti.

But all free!!
They look okay in the photos but I'm no Norm Abram.

[Plasticman]

Pity bout the grafitti,what do the beds cost
mm v

[yetihair]

I think it was about £300 plus delivery. I can't seem to find it again on their website, but it's not a great website.
They get pretty busy this time of year as everyone tries to push to get their vans ready for the summer.
Shame about the graffiti indeed!

[Plasticman]

Well its a lot of money but there again a lot of wor gone in to them and good quality too
mm

[yetihair]

It is pretty well made it has to be said, which is why we went for it over the other options out there