Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
I found my first Bus! These are my project updates...
Page: 1, 2, 3  Next
Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 7:52 pm    Post subject: I found my first Bus! These are my project updates... Reply with quote

Hi everyone! I'm a bus noob! I've been reading this site for many years but now it's time to post. I hope you enjoy my VW adventure.

Anyways, after my Bug was sold, I began looking for my first Bus. I've always wanted a Bay Window bus so I focussed on those. After much searching I decided that, within my budget, I was only going to be able to afford a project, maybe one pulled out of a ditch, or one with much rust and lacking motor/trans....demoralized I almost gave up looking. Until 29th August 2015, when after a particularly awful morning at some local yard sales, my VW radar clicked on and I slammed on the brakes to look at a Bus wedged up against a fence in Mapleton, Utah.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I knocked on the door of the house and talked to the owner, who said it was not for sale, but it only took another minute before he was telling me all about the bus..how his son bought it and drove it back to Utah from Idaho......he said he would sell it to me, and I jumped at the chance. It was such a good deal that even my wife couldn't believe it. The owner went to a football game, I went to the bank, and four hours later I drove it home!


Last edited by The Pilch on Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:00 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Upon arrival at home (only about 6 miles from the PO's house) I had some oily smoke coming through the vents. I disconnected the heater bellows and I'm now burning off oil from the heater boxes. Anyways, still shivering with excitement, I got to dig around in the bus.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


She is wonderfully solid, with barely any rust. In fact, I am absolutely blown away as to how solid she is. Her battery tray is toast, and there's a small rust hole behind the rear bumper, and of course the standard "parking lot dings" and the occasional scratch/rub.

The most irritating thing is the jalousie window on this side "fell out" after a "prank" played on the PO....I cannot fathom what/who that could have been funny to...but anyways, the wood panel is there, I have the frame to the jalousie, but two panes of glass are broken.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It amazes me (and I really do feel so very lucky) that everything except the horn works on this bus. All lights, turns, wipers, even those Bosch spotlights work, it's fantastic!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Digging around in the Westfalia interior was great! She has the mustard colored seats which personally I do not like the color of, but that's ok. Inside the "closet" I found the cot!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's my Westfalia interior, which my dawgs immediately enjoyed!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Still buzzing from the days excellence, I took the bus for a spin around the neighborhood. She drives great, no clutch judder, and she doesn't wander around the road. The steering is a little clunky (drag link?) and the brakes could be better, but this is a project, and I am excited to find out more about these awesome little machines! I parked her up in the garage...welcome to the family.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A quick tidy-up ensued. We've all done this, vacuum cleaner, back to black, windex.....it's so exciting going through a new old vehicle.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


My first job was to tidy these up - four weathered old stock rims....

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


That's much better! Amazing what a little time/elbow grease and some Rustoleum can do. I am on a budget, but despite that, I do want stuff to look nice.

I went to the junk yard and after some fabricating for the seat frames, I rid the cab of one trashed low back seat, and one possible Vanagon seat, and replaced them with these!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My rear lights are disgusting, so I went to Bobs VW Parts in West Valley, and treated her to some new lenses..

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


...and also some new front lowlights..

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


It was then, that I got "medieval" on the paint, and with the help of some rubbing compound and a lot of effort, I brought the paint up pretty nice!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I have some great friends in the VW scene and one of them donated a window to replace the "wood window", while I figure out how to redo the broken jalousie!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Last of all a little fun window graphic made by me Smile

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Tcash
Samba Member


Joined: July 20, 2011
Posts: 12844
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Tcash is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the Bay Windows!

Jalousie (louvered) Window Restoration

Tcash wrote:
Here is a little information. Good Luck

Pictures would be cool.
How to post photos/How to post a photo in the Forums

Pronunciation (Samba) English

I am thinking of buying a VW van
Cleaning+Rodents+Hantavirus
Up in smoke... Bus fires... don't let it happen to you!
M-Plate Location
M-Plate Decoder Volkswagen Type 2 Bus
Bus VIN / Chassis Numbers
Type 2/Bus Owner's Manuals
Bus repair manuals
Bus parts manuals
Early Baywindow Bus Parts Book
Late Baywindow Bus Parts Fiche
Type 2 Wiring Diagrams
Model and Year Variations
Type 4: Secrets Revealed
Distributor Parts & Specifications
PARTS INTERCHANGE MANUAL
Youtube Videos

There is a ton of information located at the top of the Forum section.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I went on a little picnic/drive, just locally. She drives nice but of course there's always new things that pop up to fix. During the drive to Canyon View Park, I found shifting a bit of a pain, so I decided to change out the shifter bushings once I ordered the parts. She's idling a little high too, so the twin carbs need adjustment, and she definitely needs a brake job, full or just a dial-in remains to be seen. For now, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the drive, and counted my lucky stars that I found her when I did.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I couldn't help myself, I had to drive her more! So I did! I went right across town, loving the ride (I was used to a 2" narrowed/1 rear click 67 Bug boneshaker) and of course, jumped out for another pic!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tcash wrote:
Welcome to the Bay Windows!

Jalousie (louvered) Window Restoration

Tcash wrote:
Here is a little information. Good Luck

Pictures would be cool.
How to post photos/How to post a photo in the Forums

Pronunciation (Samba) English

I am thinking of buying a VW van
Cleaning+Rodents+Hantavirus
Up in smoke... Bus fires... don't let it happen to you!
M-Plate Location
M-Plate Decoder Volkswagen Type 2 Bus
Bus VIN / Chassis Numbers
Type 2/Bus Owner's Manuals
Bus repair manuals
Bus parts manuals
Early Baywindow Bus Parts Book
Late Baywindow Bus Parts Fiche
Type 2 Wiring Diagrams
Model and Year Variations
Type 4: Secrets Revealed
Distributor Parts & Specifications
PARTS INTERCHANGE MANUAL
Youtube Videos

There is a ton of information located at the top of the Forum section.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Thank you thank you, it's a pleasure to be here and in a Bay finally!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So, first bit of real work on the bus, is to weld in this hole in the rear floor. I guess this is from the sink unit that is not present.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I then sanded the excellent floor, with my welded patch, and POR15'd it, then primered it.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


...and then with much dicking about, and some prints from my work (I work in vehicle wraps), I managed to have this cool looking interior!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I went to the local skate shop, and bought some Jessops Griptape, to put on the lip of the door frame for better grippyness. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep the "landscape" prints, this was purely a trial run to see if I like it. As of now, I'm undecided.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
richparker
Samba Member


Joined: November 24, 2011
Posts: 6936
Location: Durango, CO
richparker is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice score, I'm stoked for you. Enjoy, tin top westys rule!
_________________
__________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

richparker wrote:
Nice score, I'm stoked for you. Enjoy, tin top westys rule!


Thank you so much! I must admit, I am loving the tin top. If I'd found a pop top Westy, it wouldn't fit in my garage!

So, work begins, I switched out just one of my shifter bushings (the very front one) and oh-my-god it's now shifting like silk!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Then I had to tackle the worst part of the bus - the rear quarter on the passenger side

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Now, I can hear some of the purists groaning at my attempts at bodywork and I agree, but I live in Utah and if I don't just dive in and get on with it (after much reading and video-watching) it'll never get done. I'm learning as I go!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Lucho
Samba Member


Joined: August 25, 2015
Posts: 28
Location: Fort walton beach
Lucho is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice Score, it makes me want to go knock on a few houses with Buses ive seen around the city!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As I said before, my battery tray was toast...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


...so I made a new one, complete with bolts that hold the battery in place.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I painted it after this, but I don't have a pic right now. It looked great!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lucho wrote:
Nice Score, it makes me want to go knock on a few houses with Buses ive seen around the city!


Do it! This bus was not advertised for sale, and the guy was not a hardcore VW guy, which I believe is the only way now, to find a vehicle without paying the recent ridiculous prices thanks to Barrett Jackson et al.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The next thing for the bus was a new battery, and some extra length battery cables - PO had cables too short and were stretched to fit.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


...then, I cut this terrible repair out of the front floor and rewelded a new piece in

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


...one more fun graphic for the bus...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


and it was all just in time to go to the Utah VW Classic show in Riverton, Utah! A great great day!! I ad a fantastic early cruise with some of my friends and many more, and a full day hanging out with over 250 VW's!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
wcfvw69 Premium Member
Samba Purist


Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13382
Location: Arizona
wcfvw69 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice bus and welcome to bays! They are addicting.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Pilch
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2013
Posts: 628
Location: Utah
The Pilch is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wcfvw69 wrote:
Nice bus and welcome to bays! They are addicting.


Thank you so much! Yes they are, and I hate to say it, my Type 3 project has been put to the back of the class for a little while....for me, a bay window bus was/is a dream car!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Wasted youth
Samba Member


Joined: July 06, 2012
Posts: 5134
Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
Wasted youth is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wcfvw69 wrote:
Nice bus and welcome to bays! They are addicting.


Yes... yeeessss thay are...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Left unchecked, they will breed like cockroaches.

Welcome! You have done a great amount of work! Looks like you are really getting into this. Cool
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Brian
Samba Moderator


Joined: May 28, 2012
Posts: 8340
Location: Oceanside
Brian is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

had to do a double take, thought that was asiab3's bus Laughing

Are those wheels powder coated or rattle can? Either way, wax them like no tomorrow man.

But holy cow, looks great so far! Very Happy
_________________
Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.