TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:36 am

Replacing the right lower dog-leg was not on the list, but after digging in with the wire wheel it is rusty.

This is the inside.

Iner valance is in it final resting place.

I would have never dreamed I would be doing this much rust removal when I first pick this bus up.
I was real close to excepting a deposit to ship Patches over seas, But the
old bus grew on me.
It is crazy how things have turned out, and Patches is going back to her family.

Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:03 am

jeremyrockjock wrote: Looks great. I have learned it is hard to stop digging when you see rust.

I am on the home stretch now. I will have made a 180 degree circle around Patches removing cancer.

The Paint man came by Saturday and ready for me to finish up so he can take Patches away for a complete inside and out paint.

If anyone has the PPG paint codes for TitanRed /BiegeGrey, Sara would greatly appreciate it.

Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:25 pm

Right lower dogleg.

Right a-pillar below hinge.

Trial fit the outer valance and lower nose.

Sun Jun 26, 2011 5:20 pm

Positioning the inside support for the dogleg is pretty critical... Do you use a straight edge for this? I rely on measurements I have from another bus that hasn't suffered a collision.

Good lookin' work Brett!

Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:15 am

Left dogleg and a-pillar complete.

Right dogleg and a-pillar welded and doors gaps are great.
Need to finish grinding welds.

Media blasted the headlight support and Sealed primer it and the inner valance.
I need to remove the tape on the harness and speedo cable.

Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:32 am

Man I'm sure the new owner will be extremely happy when she get's Patches.

Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:36 am

Ready for floor.

Floor fitment was excellent everywhere except at the left a-pillar.
I can handle a small problem like this.

Weld in 6 holes on the nose from the spare tire mount.

Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:13 pm

Decided it to be easier to plug weld than use the spot welder.

I will use the spot welder for floor to headlight support.

Lower nose and outer valance are held together with screws.

I will spot weld the bottom of the outer valance, then remove lower nose and spot weld top part of the outer valance to assure it's proper placement.

Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:15 pm

great stuff :D :D :D :D

Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:24 pm

A new surprise, I found minor rust at left-side bottom part of window near spit pillar. It looks like he used rattle can black paint around windows.
It made patches look like a raccoon.

PO had installed new glass and seals (I cut seals to remove).
Instead of repairing the rust he gooped the rust with window sealer. I guess he thought the rust would magically disappear.

Removed walk-thru mat, panels and ribbed rubber at base.

All doors are removed for bodyshop as with gauges, handles, clock, and other misc. stuff.

Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:25 am

If you cant see the rust it isn't there, right?

Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:12 pm

great job brett, thanks for sharing the progress

Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:19 am

The minor rust in the wind screen bottoms are worse than they appear.
Full of fresh bondo.
The Guy I bought the bus from, his Dad owns the largest body shop in town.

Sara ordered the lower wind-screen replacement from KlassicFab.
This has to be the last piece of matal.

I am just taking a break. I have a lot of pictures to download tonight.

Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:03 pm

I know the early doglegs dont have a drain hole, but your's should have it. Does Gerson not make the later dogleg sections with the drain holes put in them?

Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:45 pm

brettsvw wrote:
Sara ordered the lower wind-screen replacement from KlassicFab.

Don't get your hopes up about the fit of this piece. It looks good but when offered up to a bus (at least on mine) there is no way you could just cut out the old and weld in the new. There will be blood.

Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:15 pm

Hey, I am looking to replace my left drivers side rocker panel and have not found any threads containing a start to finish or even a tech guid type write up. Have you replaced or will you be replacing yours? Do you know of any other links with info about replacing that? I am a newbie to welding but unafraid. Help?

Wed Jul 20, 2011 5:47 am

cru62 wrote: brettsvw wrote:
Sara ordered the lower wind-screen replacement from KlassicFab.

Don't get your hopes up about the fit of this piece. It looks good but when offered up to a bus (at least on mine) there is no way you could just cut out the old and weld in the new. There will be blood.

Last one I did was really nice, these pieces have come along way from when they were first made. (I got the first one he ever made) There was very very little tweaking to do on the last one I installed.

Wed Jul 20, 2011 7:36 am

YOUBUGME2 wrote: cru62 wrote: brettsvw wrote:
Sara ordered the lower wind-screen replacement from KlassicFab.

Don't get your hopes up about the fit of this piece. It looks good but when offered up to a bus (at least on mine) there is no way you could just cut out the old and weld in the new. There will be blood.

Last one I did was really nice, these pieces have come along way from when they were first made. (I got the first one he ever made) There was very very little tweaking to do on the last one I installed.

I did mine this Jan. and while I was able to make it work I was disappointed in the overall fit. Neither of the wiper shaft holes were even close and it was too thick on one corner. I made it work and it was still way easier than making it myself. Must have been a Monday or a Friday part.

Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:24 am

EmpiGT wrote: I know the early doglegs dont have a drain hole, but your's should have it. Does Gerson not make the later dogleg sections with the drain holes put in them?

I did not know about drain holes. Gerson only make the one lower dogleg for all years.

I will take a look at the originals for the drains holes.

Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:27 am

Absolutely Aircooled wrote: Hey, I am looking to replace my left drivers side rocker panel and have not found any threads containing a start to finish or even a tech guid type write up. Have you replaced or will you be replacing yours? Do you know of any other links with info about replacing that? I am a newbie to welding but unafraid. Help?

Earlier in this build it should show the installation of the left rocker.