So what have I been doing these last few weeks?

nicklouse

Well the move is done. Had to leave some stuff behind as it was not worth doing another trip to get.
Gear linkage went last time which was fun.

So the Bus.

I bought the Bus in 2004 and one of the first things I did was to remove the rear seats and fit a cargo shield and load anchor points and fit a tow bar. the reason to register it as a "Truck" in Sweden to reduce the road tax from about £900 about £300 a year.
So that is how it was for quite a few years.

then one day I decide it is time to start doing stuff to it. so i ordered some H&R -40 springs and a 27mm spanner.
Well the morning that i decided to fit the springs i came out to the van and jumped in and heard a tinkle.

some low life had been after something.

you can see the screwdriver mark.

they also tried the side door glass.
they also really wanted to get in through the tailgate.

which as you can see was in a poor state.

so what to do?

well lets get the springs fitted and the front lowered.

I had also at some time fitted a side exit exhaust. and it is parked up against the wall as there is no rear glass.

what to do? on Monday down to the steel stockists and get the welder out.

and then away for a week of mountain biking.
a few weeks later


A replacement was found. newer version so new struts were needed.
then came a whole pile of mech stuff that was needed. new ball joints (4) new track arm on the rack. new discs pads drums and shoes. Oh also the head gasket went so head off and skimmed. but it went again so out it all comes and a replacement from the scrap yard was found. new water pump and belts and clutch were done as a matter of course.

then came the sounds. I do a lot of miles in one go in the bus, last trip was 1200KM in one go towing a race car. the kit involved 3 amps 3 pairs of speakers and a sub. lots of sound deadening and sound absorption fibre and lots of MDF.

this was back in 2009 and was not finished but both front sill sections were replaced.

rear speakers. the black boxes are removable/rotatable.

door speakers fitted to the 'velle door pockets.

dash speakers with cut out standard trim.

2 of the amps (rear speakers and Sub).


Oh that tailgate.

taken as it passes its MOT this year after 2 years in the garage and part way through some paint "work".

the reason for the sudden MOT was the job was gone but I had work in Germany. time to relocate.

anyway she was running like a bag of spanners so after getting here to Germany I booked her in for some work.
one rear wheel bearing, check the timing, do an oil change. but i was also concerned about the condition of the sump as i remembered that there was some "filler" on it and i had an oil leak. so while the van was up in the air i had a look and the "filler" was wet... new sump was ordered. also the poor running was worked out to two things. One the glow plug fuse had gone. (Yet the dash light still worked as normal) and two the plugs were shot. so they were done as well.
Runs sweet now.
before the window incident I had self tinted the windows but they had faded to almost clear. so they were ripped out. I have just had them redone as it helps hide the different glass colours.
The interior upper trim has also gone back in. just need to sort out the space between the MDF and the trim. I also found out that my Ikea leather sofa fits nicely on the wheel arch covers.

Other work that needs to be done. front cross-member needs changing as it is very rusted. should be a nice weekend job. will be changing the lights at the same time.

Paint..... well it aint ever going to be a pretty Bus is it. so i am thinking something with a roller. maybe something with a sand blaster! and i am sure there will be a sticker attack somewhere.

Then i will have to see about getting it registered as a German bus again. It was imported to Sweden from Germany in '97.
shame that the rear seats had to be left in Sweden but no space for them.

nicklouse

Went shopping for some bits.


Saab 9000 heated seats.

replacement front cross member. headlights. rad surround and grill.


Cleaned up the seats


new head unit collected as well.

Sound deadening
how it was.


measuring out the sound absorption material

and up


time for a drink


grab handle removal


and off comes the A pillar trim


tailgate done

roof done


now to sort the seats out.

nicklouse

bases modded.

seats in. yes the drivers one looks low on the left,

and the party trick


needs a new IC frame. mine is falling to bits.

Oh the head unit



not much room for the cables at the back.

Then sorting out the "new" grill.



as the logo had gone grey


and what to do with years of MBUK stickers

homers_double

Looking good, where are you working now Nick?

nicklouse

in the Frankfurt area.

still doing Cars.

jndb72

Your middle names not "Ed China" by any chance

nicklouse

Ed is still a beginner.

Chunkers1980

It's Edd. He's a ledge. Good work on the van, those speaker units are a great idea.

nicklouse

Today's stuff
so how rusty was the front cross member?



very


oops






replacement panel in.

Raymondavalon

Coming along nicely Nic, I've watching the progress via the social network
I do like those VW vans, they're great and are easy to kit out too.
Keep up the good work

nicklouse

Been sat in it for the last hour drinking beer and listening to tunes/rain.

Today's work has been invisible so no pics. But sheered bolts two. Sheered tools one and broken tools one.

And if I needed to remember why I never recomend easy out on here that is the reason. They break. They are Leo hard. So they don drill out easily.

Chunkers1980

Drinking beer. Couldnt tell ;-)

MountainMonster

Awesome van mate!

mintedox

Very cool, top work. Never seen Saab seats in one before.
A set of vw/audi alloys would look good, or maybe Merc AMG 8)

nicklouse

mintedox wrote:

Very cool, top work. Never seen Saab seats in one before.
A set of vw/audi alloys would look good, or maybe Merc AMG 8)

Saab seat are a common fitting. maybe not the 9000 though.

wheels. nope they need to be load rated as do the tyres and i dont see the point of making the ride worse through lower profile tyres.

anyway this weekends work.

trim refitted.



next job the rust.....



it was started in the old garage but relocation means ......

YeehaaMcgee

You need to cover the whole van in the same way as the grille.

mintedox

And sort out thay big dent on the bonnet

nicklouse

mintedox wrote:

And sort out thay big dent on the bonnet

did you not know the iDent is the latest iProduct.

YeehaaMcgee

nicklouse wrote:

mintedox wrote:

And sort out thay big dent on the bonnet

did you not know the iDent is the latest iProduct.

Ah. iSee.

nicklouse

do I?

YeehaaMcgee

iThink you should.

nicklouse

might make the Seat/bed first. or maybe the side bars.

VWsurfbum

I must say i'm slightly jealous!
the wife says i can have another camper, but it must be one where people say wow not erghhhh
I like the idea of a more modern one like yours, and going 90's Cal look on it?

Fingz999

someones in bauhause i vote yes

nicklouse

Ordered the metal for the sidebars so the lights will have to wait.

nicklouse

Ikea style side bars,




just need to collect the bolts and weld it up paint and fit.[/

Raymondavalon

nicklouse wrote:

Ikea style side bars,

just need to collect the bolts and weld it up paint and fit.[/

What? Not going to chrome them?

nicklouse

Nope. Might leave them rusty

paul20v

Good work man

I was reading this thread and forgot what forum i was on :?

nicklouse

well this afternoon was spent changing the colour of the hood and making some brackets,



a bit dark but...


Oi you have changed your avatar Paul.

paul20v

nicklouse wrote:

Oi you have changed your avatar Paul.

Well spotted
Change is as good as a rest
Apparently