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Thu Aug 22, 2002 12:30 pm

I have an opportunity to purchase a decent looking single cab for $600.00. I've never owned a bus but have heard enough horror stories about rust buckets to completely avoid them all together. But after an initial inspection (I looked inside the cab and the floor is absolutely rock solid no rust) it looks ok. Its got a ding in the nose which appears to be reachable from the cab...the gates and bumpers are there (gates do need some work) and the roof has no rust. Anyways, what would the common locations to look for in determining whether or not to get it? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Thu Aug 22, 2002 12:40 pm

Did you look in the cargo hatch under the bed? They seem to keep moisture inside there to make them rust out. And the check the outriggers, from the frame rails to the rocker panels. But if you looked at it and you thought it looked solid, for $600.00 you better get it or it will be gone! Good luck.

Thu Aug 22, 2002 3:56 pm

I really only looked at the exterior and the cabin interior. What are the outriggers/frame rails and rocker panels? Also, I forgot to ask this initially...but what are the hard to find parts for these things. Its missing the front seats and the window on the driver's side is cracked.

Thu Aug 22, 2002 4:43 pm

Also if you find a bus for parts, all the glass will interchange except the back window. That would have to come from a double or single cab.

Thu Aug 22, 2002 4:44 pm

Look under the bus where you slide the jack in to left it. from there to the main frame is the out riggers. the rockers are the areas of the lower most point on the body between the to jack points on each side. Look to see if this area is rusted out and or has had bondo work to cover the rust. What year is it? you can use Seats out of a bus for it. But you need to know what year so you can get seats to fit it. If it's a 62 or older you need 62 and older seats, same with 63 and newer. Can you tell where the truck came from? If its a northern bus it's probably rusty on the under side or did it come from a dry state?
Good luck

Thu Aug 22, 2002 9:23 pm

windows are about $10-$25 at vw swapmeets.Front bench will be some cash,like around $150 for just the frame.Make sure you have all the gate latches,there pretty hard to find i was missing two on my 58 but luckly found them at vw swapmeet.The good thing about restoring a singel cab is that they are probaly the least inexpensive type 2 to restore.P.S $600 bucks sounds like a steal!!Good Luck!!

Fri Aug 23, 2002 9:08 am

look for rust. all buses have it and it is very expensive to fix.