Club 80-90 Forums

Aw Shucks, you embarrass me ref the window
But hey you have done a great job on that resto. Looking good mate.

I'm going to have to do some welding to my van in the future so am eagerly reading many project write-ups. Just wondering about the welding, you've done across the top, left side and bottom left of the panel, how is it attached on the right hand side or is it just a loose gap down the seam?

jake1953 wrote:Aw Shucks, you embarrass me ref the window
But hey you have done a great job on that resto. Looking good mate.

An embarrassed Scotsman? Never!! Jon.

keytouch wrote:I'm going to have to do some welding to my van in the future so am eagerly reading many project write-ups. Just wondering about the welding, you've done across the top, left side and bottom left of the panel, how is it attached on the right hand side or is it just a loose gap down the seam?

The top was tacked in place then seam welded but not in the same place for too long or the panel would warp.
The left side is spot welded, new panel is pretty flush but will cover with seam sealer so no water gets in.
The bottom is simply spot welded too.
The right side was worked on till the gap was even and sitting nicely next to the adjacent panel. We then spot welded the lip from inside the van to that adjacent panel. I can try get a few pictures next time I am at the van if you wish from inside?

I am pretty certain that is the correct way, I am sure if somebody disagrees they will let us know.
Hope that helps and please ask any more questions or let me know if any pictures may help.

Jon.

Nice work there jon

coming along nicely

James

Managed to get another day on the van today despite the rain. The aim was to fit the rear lower corner which turned into repairing some of the battery tray and sort that rot problem on the rear panel.

Started with this:

Decided to leave a slither on the end so we knew where to fit the corner panel to.
I now need a piece to fit what's been choppped off if anyone has one?
Jon.

Next we repaired the battery tray, it was only rotten on the edge so thought this was best done now before the corner panel was fitted. Jon.

Next we repaired the battery tray, it was only rotten on the edge so thought this was best done now before the corner panel was fitted. Jon.

View from inside (battery tray) Jon.

View from inside (battery tray) Jon.

Next we ground down the spot welds in preperation for the lower corner panel. Jon.

Next job was to cover the inner skin of the rear panel, again easier to do before welding the corner piece in place. Jon.

Clamped in place so just need to spot welded from the inside and seam weld across the front/top. Jon.

And finally all welded in place.



This will need a bit of filler/fibre glass to finish off but will leave that for now. Well thats roughly 1/4 of the van done in 1/4 of a year and probably the hardest parts done. Learning a lot as we go along so some other bits should be quicker/easier. Just need that rear valance chop if anyone can help? Then it's time to fix the sliding door, the van came with the inner and outer repair panels and got a window seal off Mike the other day. Also just a small matter of finishing my side project (wooden structure covered in visquene to cover the van) We welded today with the MIG covered with a ground sheet and a tarp doing the rest. Jon.