Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, I’m on the hunt for my first van and I have been looking at a t3 recently that seems to work for what I am after. I don’t need a perfect van, happy to do a bit of work myself but I would like it to be structurally sound.
Unfortunately on the passenger side, under the sliding door the situation is like pictured. Salvageable ? I’m a rookie so any advice welcome

Significant rust in a significantly structural position. Certainly an MOT failure as it's right by the trailing arm mount point.

I'd suggest you could put your thumb through there.

Press with the handle end of a screwdriver and listen for the crunch.

Walk away, the area above and under the door has been bodged already, if the paint and filler were removed it would reveal a big problem.

Having done that job myself, I agree - walk away, that's not structurally sound and not a simple job.

Rob

Id imagine that's hiding a nest of horrors with the condition of under the door. That rust might also lead to the trailing arm bracket there inside and either way you'd be looking at a fairly costy fix.

Unless of course you can do the welding and fabrication yourself 

My doka had a similar small few bubbles and a tiny hole there, and it turned into 6 days work for a professional fabricator.





Both sides were just as bad, £1200 for the labour and £450 in panels, plus paint.

multisi wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 15:12 Walk away, the area above and under the door has been bodged already, if the paint and filler were removed it would reveal a big problem.

Yep. Mine didn't look that bad, but on restoration needed extensive cutting and welding to straighten out.
That's not to say it's not fixable, but deffo walk into it eyes open knowing it needs sorting.

I found any price given for the work was also unrealistic. By the time you start cutting, the work required just grows arms and legs. Anyone ever asks me now, I'd suggest double the initial quote, and triple the time it will take to get it back 

Smiffo wrote: ↑23 Aug 2022, 09:36

multisi wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 15:12 Walk away, the area above and under the door has been bodged already, if the paint and filler were removed it would reveal a big problem.

I found any price given for the work was also unrealistic. By the time you start cutting, the work required just grows arms and legs. Anyone ever asks me now, I'd suggest double the initial quote, and triple the time it will take to get it back 

Oh yes! ^^^

My last bodywork estimate for near side quarter including jacking point was 1100 quid and eight days. Then many calls, visits and photos over 32 days, and later £2700 lighter, l collected my camper.

Four years later it's still rust free though...well that bit is!