My next problem was getting her home. I live in Newquay and she was over 500 miles away. So a big favour from my brother and his breakdown truck, off we went. Met the chap as arranged, money changed hands and she drove onto the back of the truck.
Came with a folder full of history, and about 25 old MOTs. Last MOT 2015 and a fortune spent in the past. Been standing since then.
Eventually got her home and have now got a plan of attack. She’s gone in all the usual places, and more.
Now I’m not going for a show winner. I just want a solid daily driver that we can use to travel round the South West visiting various places. I’m not bad with a set of spanner’s, but bodywork is not really my bag, so this is a steep learning curve and I will be looking for advice all the way to revive the old girl.
So, first problem. She is on the sloping drive. I’ve taken the wheels off and set her on concrete blocks, no wheels means she can’t roll away.
I’m starting on the rear right and working forwards, so here we go.
Jacking point crumbling above.
The inner sill has gone
So, to replace these, they are all linked. Took the trailing arm off to make more room and it’s knackered. Took nearly two days to get this bugger off, with weather, rusted bolts etc, angle grinding under the van.
Initially I did try and replace the bushes, following James Akers YouTube videos. Using the black ones with the insert fixed it was nigh on impossible. I can’t see anybody doing it without damaging the bush or the arm. So, a new one on order from Brickwerks with bushes already fitted.
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