SO-34 1962 wounded westie

[58deluxerag]

Aweosme work!

I would not have enjoyed welding up that roof. Or bodyworking it later. Good job. Keep it up.
_________________
-Corey

'58 Binz
'58 Beetle Ragtop
'65 Sundial

[Eric&Barb]

Yes, this bus had a hard life. Came so close to not buying it due to that! So glad we did, because since then have only had two other chances to buy SO-34s in far worse over all shape.

Really wish we had gotten the shrinking disc for the minor roof damage in the original roof. Now going to have to cut that all out and add another patch....

While this has been a hard learning curve and not that fun, once done it will be a good accomplishment to look back on! Even if it is not perfect, the fact this bus will be back on the road and FINALLY we get to camp in it.

Thanks all for the encouragements!
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

Any updates?
_________________
1956 Oval
and a barn full of VW parts

1956 Oval build thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

1962 Single Cab Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7959298#7959298

1967 Beetle Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495269&highlight=larrys

[Eric&Barb]

Nothing of late. Went into overtime at work back in July working ten hours six days a week. After a month went to ten hours five days a week, till just this last week in FEB.

_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[Eric&Barb]

Took the below images back in June.

Here is the rear roof area that keeps sagging down into a slight bowl shape.

Same area in next two images after trying to heat and shrink with torch with almost success and then it would pop right back worse....

Rear passenger roof damage vertical dent where the original Westie roof rack leg shoved into it when the bus was flipped on the other side.

Just forward of the above image shows some more shallow dents running horizontally about 3" above the rain gutter, just above the rear corner of the rear cargo door.

_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[Stocknazi]

The area that keeps oil-canning looks to be close to where the rear roof bow will be; you could try puttimg it in to see if it keeps it from poping back down.
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).

"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God."

Thomas Jefferson

[type47fan1]

Do you have a shrinking disc? If you do you could drive a couple of outward dents from the inside out with a pointed body Hammer or ball peen and then shrink them back down flat to tighten the metal up. I had to do that on my roof because it was stretched.
If it is too tight already, this may not work though.
_________________
JLD
My 60 Mango Build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=581699
My 66 Westy Build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5825134#5825134

[Eric&Barb]

Have since gotten the shrinking disc, but for now have been replacing that section with a new patch panel.
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[vwserphguy]

First of all, way to go to have the balls to make this repair!

I saw your photo of the roof cut:

... and I had a major flashback of my nose repair:

Yikes!

But when you got nothing to lose and you believe in yourself that you can make it better than what it was is a great feeling of accomplishment . Even if it's not perfect.

Nice Work and keep at it!
_________________
"Relax and just enjoy the ride knowing everybody passing is wishing they had one."

[Eric&Barb]

[Muthashabubu]

Any updates to the progress?

[Eric&Barb]

Not a whole lot. In the last year only had three weeks of 40 hour work weeks. 50 hour weeks really drags down time and energy. What little left, is going to keeping up the home and the running VWs. Need to get a Beetle working for Barb.

Have gotten the roof hole in the Westie closed up and trying to work out the warps in it.

Did notice a big problem with the cargo doors opening in the body. Looks like the top of "B" and "C" pillars are bent backwards about 5/8". So the cargo doors do not line up in there well. Might have to jut take this to the frame shop for this and at same time have them take out the rest of the rear hatch bend out of square. Was only able to get about half of the rear hatch bent back.
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[Eric&Barb]

Here is the opening cut into the roof.

New metal fitted in.

Welded into place, but there is some warping to work out. Will need to shrink and stretch in places.

With straight edge found that the passenger side between vent louvers was bent. Was able to hand tweak the areas flat by hand.

_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[Eric&Barb]

Got the roof shaped out so it no longer forms a bird bath on the rear of it. Need to rig up a long profile gauge made up of six inch gauges to measure where there the curvature is off.

Passenger side a bit behind the top hatch:

Just rearward of the above:

Looking forward up the left side of the rear:

Roughed out the graft weld on the "A" driver pillar.

Tackling the lower rear cargo door hinge mount due to it being bent backwards:

Bracket before straightening:

Bracket nut plate:

After straightening:

A lot of the lower edge of the door opening frame is bent up and will need to be pounded out:

_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[empiracer]

Nice work, keep up the progress_ !!

[AS350driver]

Has this one recuperated yet or still in physical therapy?

[srfndoc]

BBT now sells full roof skins.... would that be an easier option here than trying to get that all straightened out?
_________________
RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches

[Eric&Barb]

[Eric&Barb]

[easy e]

...