TheSamba.com :: View topic - VanSlyke VW

Sun May 04, 2008 3:57 pm

Well, I figured I would track my ’67 Doublecab progress here instead of cluttering up the “What did you do for your bus today” thread. By far my favorite thread on TS.

Background: I lived out East in Jersey for 4 years, where I daily drove my ’67 bus. Just really enjoyed driving my bus. Did the first trailbash no problem. In July of ’06 I moved to Detroit. (Downriver)house, job, family, new baby, etc. Everything is great.

Easter Sunday while checking the “Good Deal bus thread, I see an EBAY link...

Sun May 04, 2008 4:02 pm

A 1967 Doublecab………In Michigan……..REAL close…….old pictures, and a poor description…….with a Buy it now price of………… $3500

Well what would you do?

Call the guy, I tell him I'm VERY interested, I live local, I’ll be by on Monday to see it....I'll take it. Then I called my wife……”well you have to get rid of something” was the response. Along with: “You can’t work on it until there’s a For Sale sign in the green bus.” Yes Dear, Yes Dear………

Sun May 04, 2008 4:04 pm

The next day I was so stoked. Went to the bank at lunch, and left early. Drove the 10 miles from work…..and there it was.

The only vehicle in the garage, with 5 in the driveway. Primer gray, completely disassembled with a big box full of parts. All the interior panels, and it was complete with bumpers, splash pan, spare, jack, everything. The motor isn’t running but it turns free and looks pretty fresh. Looking underneath, under seats, under mats, I see metal, everywhere and it’s DRY, DRY, DRY,

45 minutes later the seller made it home. He talked, I looked, I asked, he answered. He had been getting a ton of phone calls, even while I was there. After 30 minutes I handed his son an envelope and asked him to count it. The deal was done and the price was paid.

Sun May 04, 2008 4:18 pm

pics or it never happened! :wink: Sounds better than any double cab you may have found in NJ!!!! Best of luck and keep us all updated with your progress.

Sun May 04, 2008 5:07 pm

Sun May 04, 2008 5:21 pm

The real issues are the passenger dogleg and the driver rear corner. The dogleg metal was sliced, in a wierd sort of way. I'll replace the whole dogleg along with the short rocker and B pillar area. The rocker is pretty nice, but I'll just redo that whole area at the same time. My dog KOBE, used as a wheel chock)

The floors have some small holes which I'll repair, then about a small section of floor which needs to be replaced. The rear corner is funky as well. I'll gain some skills before I attack this.

Sun May 04, 2008 5:43 pm

Hey Paul,

Thanks! I'm gonna try and keep this thing going. It will be cool to look back on the progress.

I hope you're doing good. I know you'll be holdin down Jersey this summer, pushing those drinks. Have fun!

DC's in Jersey......I wish. The day I bought this thing, was the first day I had ever seen a split DC in person, though I had wanted a truck for the longest time. Michigan was the last place I thought I'd find one. Too much competition in the area. (Ford, GM, Chrysler) I saw a single on Woodward last year, and a 59 westy at the Henry Ford yesterday. These are the only other splits I've seen in 2 years.

Sun May 04, 2008 5:50 pm

I towed it home on March 27th of this year. Since then I've been busy on the weekends doing work on the truck, my green bus and my chevelle. I've been pretty pleased with how productive my weekends have been.

I didn't get a key with it, so I pulled off the rear handle and took it and a VW blank to a locksmith. After a week he got it done. And the moment of truth......it fit the ignition. yeaaah!

Since it was going to live outside for a while, I rigged up a big gray tarp with 2 liter-bottles, and a closure in the front. Easy on, Easy off. Unfortunately, the day after I got it, we got a late snowstorm all day Friday. The only thing on the truck was a nice thick layer of Garage dust. It leaked from the bed (slat holes) and some window seals. I was bummed, but I got it dry and got it covered and I keep it very aired out.

Sun May 04, 2008 6:22 pm

great lookin bus for such a wet area!!

Sun May 04, 2008 6:34 pm

Thanks.

The story goes:

It was sitting in the PO's garage for 12 years. During that time, he stripped it inside and outside, did some minor bodywork and then sprayed primer. He had grand visions of it being a father/son project. But him and the kid got older, busier, and there it sat.

Prior to that, I heard it was on the Oakland University campus at student housing. I do know the 2nd PO only had it for a year or two. Beyond that, I'm not sure. It has been used based on the condition of the bed and gates, but likely not during any Michigan winters. The delivery port was Washington.

Here's an undershot. This is where leftover in the cup POR-15 goes.

Wed May 21, 2008 5:10 pm

Well, I pulled a Type2 II motor for the first time today. I wanted to powerwash the engine bay and install a new seal. Got it out and back in without issue. Very productive day off.

I got it fired for the first time on Friday. I was ecstatic. I actually drove it out of the driveway and backed it in. E-brake only. My MC and rubber lines are ordered.

I can finally check out the drivers side.

Heres the ripped corner.

The front floor is ok. It needs some small patches. (styrofoam)

Wed May 21, 2008 5:26 pm

Here's the front. The seats were all re-covered by the PO's fried who worked at Lear.

I soon realized it wasn't starting due to lack of fuel. Apparently someone didn't hook up the fuel tank. So I pulled it, and started wire brushing, coating and painting.

After this pic, I put 2 cans of commercial gray in the tank area and on the POR-15ed floor. It needs just a bit more paint.
I'm going to coat my tank, paint it, and get it back in.
I order a reserve fuel tap, new donut and plenty of fuel line.

Wed May 21, 2008 5:38 pm

Score! great looking project . 8)

Wed May 21, 2008 5:40 pm

I've also been working on all the bolt-on stuff.
67 only pedal pan:

The fuel tank dividers needed some love.

POR-15, tape and JB Weld added some real estate. They are going to sand up pretty nice, then get painted. They look good enough to be out of eyesight.

Wed May 21, 2008 5:51 pm

The truck is mostly complete. All the 67 only stuff is there.
Interior panels will work, seats, pedestal, rubber mat front and back, pedal pan, tank dividers, all the lights lenses and bezels, bumpers, engine hatch, radio delete, rearview, elephant ear mirrors, etc.

The only things it is missing is the:

Oil bath air filter. (Anyone have a spare? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Rear bumper overriders. (I like it without anyway)
and a few small odds and ends.

Wed May 21, 2008 6:01 pm

Looks good Russ! keep the momentum going!!!! I am at a grinding halt with my current project especially with the Missus out of work now :evil:

Wed May 21, 2008 6:11 pm

Thanks!

I've been staying super busy, just getting stuff done on weekends and today I had a day off. I'm also working on my Chevelle, working and travelling too much and trying to find time for my wife and daughter.

I was happy to find stevem49090's photo

Seat belt mounting points. Perfect for a center mounted car seat.

Wed May 21, 2008 6:16 pm

WoW... Your Double Cab looks like its coming along great!
That thing looks AWESOME for being in Michigan. :)

Wed May 21, 2008 6:36 pm

It doesnt live in the garage yet, but soon.

I hope to get it in and start doing some welding, bodywork and paint.

The original pearl white that is in the cab and engine bay is pretty nice. The exterior was stripped then sprayed with primer by the PO. Which sounds like a good enough excuse to paint it Dove Blue and as stock as I can make it.

Thu May 22, 2008 10:32 am

great work!!! cant wait to see more progress!!!