So............ at long last some time spent on the van. During the winter we have had a few named storms rattle through with no damage here in South Devon but three weeks ago a big "storm with no name" came through took out a number of local trees, destroyed my chicken run and ripped the cover of the van! It's been protecting the van now since I started work on it all that time ago and kept it bone dry as it had no windows fitted.
So I needed to do some essential work, first off was to fit the "new to me" opening quarter lights and all new door window rubbers.
Quite some time ago I had bought a two door set of door rubber seals from Camper Van Culture, and they fitted very easily.
That only left the sliding window in the sliding door to do. Do you think I could find the necessary felt channel for the sliding glass? I searched the Internet for suppliers, received a few samples and was about to give up when I came across "Hadlow Marine Services" who specialise in boat window restoration. "Bingo" they had "flock coated window strip" in just the right size to fit.
Not that easy to fit, it kept slipping out of alignment but the use of an old school science ruler worked well.
With that window finished and installed that's quite a milestone for me, all windows re-fitted and a waterproof van at last!
Another job to do was weld up the vent and exhaust port for the original fridge! We decided that the old fridge took up too much space for what it was and we can make better space use now it's gone. It will be for sale later with some other not needed parts! I cut a piece of steel to the correct size and put "home a made joggle" around the sides.
I've found that if you bend steel sheet through 90 degrees then carefully bend it out almost flat again, because the original bend work hardened the steel it won't fully flatten out but with some carful use of a hammer you can make a pretty good joggled edge.
This patch was held in place with magnets whilst it was welded into place.
A small amount of filler and some paint and the jobs a good one. Two less hole in the van to allow water in!
Next on the list was to fit some 'anti drumming' to the interior panels. I've used flash band, though I know some on here have said it will always smell of bitumen
but I've used this before with no smell! We will see, I can always take it out! I used a small roller that worked well to firm it down.
I managed to do all the panels around the van apart from the under dash area. Need to buy a new roll for that.
Now this is where I am at the moment
With better weather now expected, lighter evenings and no cover to remove every time I want to look at the van, I'm hoping for better progress this year!
1987 1.9 WBX DG Hi-Top. Soon to be Subaru ej20
I'm an old guy but I still learn new stuff!
