TheSamba.com :: View topic - Velvet Thread - saving a 21 window project with Ray Vallero

Tue Mar 13, 2012 6:44 am

I just wanted to say what a great story this is. With help from the outside as well just says what a great bunch of guys there are out there. Joe Patterson is a great guy.

I also showed the thread to my wife today, although I cant see her with a screwdriver somehow...

I look forward reading it - good luck with the samba.

Sat Mar 17, 2012 8:53 am

peecee69 wrote:

It's not possible that is from a DC. Double cabs have the same air box as single cabs - short ones. Either someone swapped the DC VIN plate onto a different air box, or the VIN isn't from a DC.

Interesting, we thought it said it was from the VIN#. I bought it as a clip, never saw the vehicle.

Putting Tommy's SC to work again. Taking a front floor clip to Robert's from Ray's shop.

Some of Robert Skinner's current stable.

Front windows are out, getting ready for rust repair above them.

We finally got all the old headliner removed, that was a 3 day job.

Robert's enjoying some time with Velvet, working on her late nights and weekends to fit her into his busy sched.

Robert cutting the 11" floor section under the cargo doors for replacement metal.

He sprayed it down soak for the night with rust inhibitor.

Her rebuilt 2-1/2" drop spindles are in! Thank you to Matt from Punch Drunk Customs (www.punchdrunkcustoms.com). We will be putting these in and replacing the front leaves to hopefully get the exact same stance and not have to move the back again. While Ray has the front end apart, he is replacing the center pin and tie rods too. Then Robert will align the front end and she'll be done up front, no more crooked steering wheel and driftiness hopefully!

Sat Mar 17, 2012 12:25 pm

looking good... your prob gonna get a little more than 2.5 in out of those flipped spindles.. more like 3.5 but i bet itl sit nice if anything itl have a ever so slight nose down stance(rake) and il bet itl look killer looking forward to seeing it at redbarn/kelly park.. Itl be weird for me to accualy hear it run.. since it sat idle for so long in my shop

Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:32 pm

Replacement metal is in, pre-fit and installed with panel bonding on the areas that are close to the outside to avoid damaging the original exterior paint with welding. He also soaked the rusty areas under it in the belly pan with rust inhibitor. The next day, Robert welded on the interior areas and cross members.

He drilled the popout screws that wouldn't come out. He got video in my absence using his GoPro mounted to the wing window and aimed at him working, but we haven't downloaded it yet.

A couple GoPro HD still shots:

Suited up for the dangerous wire wheel work to remove all loose rusted material from areas up front that will be repaired.

The drop spindles came back so Ray Vallero spent the afternoon at Robert's putting the front end back together. Got the spindles in, new tie rods and center pin. Put her on the ground and I am LIKING that stance. As Alex suspected, it's a bit lower in front, and even more so when people are in it, so we will probably adjust the back again to get it even. Also may need new tires since they would rub on a bump with a driver in the seat. But we'll wait to see until we get the back down, that will bring the front up a hair... It has the stock 185-14's.

Here she is with Chocolate (SST bus) in the background. I know it's hard because they aren't next to one another, but Velvet is at a much more comfortable height for me. Will handle better and easier for me to get in and out, and all the leaf springs are back in place. :)

Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:44 pm

I told ya the front would be low lol :D just throw a CB 2in beam and a SAK out back already.. that bus would be insane with a mild lowering job...it can always be put back to stock Dawn..lowering the rear of buses with RGB dosent look good... With a 2in beam and a good 68 bug tranny and some offset plates plus your flipped spindles and leave the adjusters at a stock setting that bus would handle great and still haul 6+ peeps anywhere you want to go.and look killer doing it.when we talked on the phone when you were buying it from me you stated you wanted to lower it a bit,why the change now? all theses negitive stock Nazis tellin ya your gonna ruin it gettin to ya :D ..
lookin good

Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:55 pm

50ate wrote: I told ya the front would be low lol :D just throw a CB 2in beam and a SAK out back already.. that bus would be insane with a mild lowering job...it can always be put back to stock Dawn..when we talked on the phone when you were buying it from me you stated you wanted to lower it a bit,why the change now? all theses negitive stock Nazis tellin ya your gonna ruin it gettin to ya :D ..
lookin good

I actually am still with you Alex. I wanted to do a bug box and spindles from day one. That's why I left your JerFab sticker in the back! But it's a cost thing. I had the 5 14" wheels/hubcaps and thought the original tranny was going to be good enough for a while when we first started driving it around. So I got the tires and the powder coating and then the tranny went and turns out I could have just replaced all the trans and wheels/tires at first. It's just been an evolution of trying to keep my cost under control. I would now have to get new wheels/tires/trans to go back to that direction. That doesn't mean I won't at a later date when I recover financially. I like the look of a lowered bus, not slammed, but not stock either. :)

It'll be like putting a new dress on my girl, just when everyone gets used to her looking one way, we'll mix it up later. ;)

Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:03 pm

New (old from Alex) front floor pans went in this morning:

Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:10 pm

i would have that thing on its nuts but thats me..

you would just need a new trany section and the offset plates and some new tires.. id get new fronts from tire rack and some good used rears.im not sure what sizes peeps run on lowered buses with 14s i run 195/65 out back and 165/45 up front on my truck.but thats 15s. I would still run the 14s as thats what is correct for her,,

i totaly understand the cost thing tho.. i bet you could get some decent coin for your new rebuilt RGB trany and use that to cover the cost of a Known good bug tranny section.. I have a set of 68 axles and tubes that i could make you a killer deal on.. then you just need a bug center section and the plates.. Cmon Dawn do it do it do it do it. :lol: . Velvet needs a dent in her steering box :D

what ever you do it will be good she has came along way since sitting in my shop and its nice to see her get taken care of..

Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:29 pm

50ate wrote: Cmon Dawn do it do it do it do it. :lol: . Velvet needs a dent in her steering box :D

You're dangerous Alex. Just sayin'. ;)

Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:35 pm

i will GIVE you the long axles and long tubes hell il even get em powdercoated your color of choice,so it matches all the clean up work you guys have done..

IF you lay er out...your so close to there..

Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:07 pm

some motivation.... not nearly as nice as yours but its the only velvet green i could find...

Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:53 pm

You're killing me dude... You. Are. So. Killing. Me.

Thu Mar 22, 2012 9:07 pm

Dawn. you might as well have Robert do a steering box raise while its there , cause youll need it if you slam it !!!!:) we just lowered my wifes double cab with a 4" bem flipped spindles and Nates adjustable spring plate with a straight axle kit. She didnt want it slammed just lowered some so she could get her short lil self into easier. Its definetly nopt slammed but looks sooooo much coller and rides a lot better without banging the steering box even with my big butt riding beside her. Heres a pic of it at a very drivable height! and she loves it! drives it damn near everyday instaed of her passat or ghia! :D

Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:38 am

50ate wrote: some motivation.... not nearly as nice as yours but its the only velvet green i could find...

C'mon Dawn! Look at that thing! It's so bitchin', a fuckin' DINOSAUR came to check it out!! Now THAT'S badass! 8)

Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:31 pm

I gotta say I am digging the altitude of that velvet bus ^^^

She's kinda durrty. I like it 8)

Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:58 am

Robert Skinner is moving right along on "rustoration" work!

Floor patch finalized; shaped, trimmed, fit, welded, grinded, etched, and seam sealed. Its ready for paint!

Windshields are out to do the repairs on the worst rust up front.

Putting the donor piece into the triangular hole at the bottom of the center post.

Moving right along, hoping to have her ready for Niello Ranch Run, or the following weekend to go to BYOB/Red Barn! :)

Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:53 am

dsimas62 wrote:

Why not put the correct floor parts in? It's the same amount of work to do it right.

Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:13 pm

DanM wrote:

Why not put the correct floor parts in? It's the same amount of work to do it right.

The correct ones? If you mean a complete floor replacement panel, that would cost money and this was included with the bus from the PO.

Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:17 pm

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211801051H

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211801052H

Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:05 pm

DanM wrote: http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211801051H

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211801052H

I don't happen to have $150 laying around when I already had these for free. This is the rare 21 window that doesn't have an owner with a big budget. :)

Thank you for the link for others that are reading this thread though. :D