Not a restoration.

[bigbadbob76]

Cheers Ant.
Yeah, big improvement on the Tesco's gloss.

[mshaw1980]

Great restoration

Dont suppose you replaced the panel under the sliding door rail did you?? Have got the panel from Mike on here but a bit worried about starting as it means cutting away more of the metal. Rear arch on that side is currently been cut out so there will be nothing left on that side at this rate

[bigbadbob76]

Sorry I can't help there MShaw, that was one of the few lower bits that was ok so I left it be.

[bigbadbob76]

I did a trial fit of my Saab 95 seats tonight. They're 3" higher than standard but it's not an issue for me so I went ahead and drilled out the spot welds on the passenger side rails using a centre bit. Then bolted in the seat with 3 M8 bolts and penny washers each side.
SWMBO is happy.

[Superal]

Van looking great now love the new colour. I have saab seats in mine big improvement so much more comfort to sit on the gf often nod off on a long drive

[bigbadbob76]

Thanks Al.
I got the drivers seat in last night in spite of being bitten by a horde of these...

[captain Byrne]

Thanks Al.
I got the drivers seat in last night in spite of being bitten by a horde of these...

Yikes. Going to Ardnamurchan peninsula in a couple of weeks & praying for a breeze to keep the buggers away.

[bigbadbob76]

Good luck Capt'n.
Ardnamurchan is pretty exposed so if you're going to get a breeze anywhere you'll get it there.
Enjoy!!

[bigbadbob76]

I've had some scraping noises from my back brakes lately so whipped the drums off and had a look in there.
Amazed to find the shoes had plenty of material left and the springs, adjusters, retainers etc and even the back plate were in almost new condition and even the drums didn't have a big lip.
Just a bit of rust around the outside that was scraping on the back plate.
One of the bearings looked pretty dry though and hub looked like it had been hot where it sits in the seal, so i worked in some grease as best i could, no point fitting the Meyle bearings i have on the shelf so I put it all back together.

[bigbadbob76]

I picked up this roof box for a mere £70 on Saturday and got the Thule bars for free today. It should free up some space in the van.

[mshaw1980]

Saab seats look like a good option and cheap but worried about the extra height. I am 6'1 and have rugby thighs from years of weight training so worry about increasing seat height as the steering wheel isn't adjustable. How do you find them?

[bigbadbob76]

The extra height is not a problem for me Mark, but I'm 5ft10 with skinny thighs.
That's with them set as low as they'll go.
I think they'd be a problem for you though by the sound of it.

[mshaw1980]

Doh! Have to have a rethink then. Cheers mate

[bigbadbob76]

You could use saab seats and then an aftermarket steering wheel on an extended boss but you'd be close to the roof and looking out of the top of the windscreen.
If I was as tall as you and as muscular in the thighs I'd be avoiding saab seats.

[mshaw1980]

When I drive vehicles that are high off the ground like our scenic (well higher up compared to my 159) I like to have the seat as low as it can go. When I get in my wife's car after she has been driving my head is nearly touching the roof and steering wheel in my chest...she is only 5'1 though.

Same principle though. I wouldnt like sitting in a position where my eyes are the same level as the rear view mirror. Will have to do some more research.

Getting ahead of myself though. Gotta do all the rust repairs on the driver side of my van now all the passenger side is done. Another 6 months to be done...hopefully.