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Spey Caster
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2017
Posts: 36
Location: Vancouver
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 Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 6:18 pm Post subject: Scary Method? |
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I have an '88 Westy. Rust, as usual, is the enemy.
I wish to replace the rocker panel on drivers side and the panel above it. The rust is from water getting into the Van from poorly installed water and electrical covers (primarily).
I was told, that given that I do not intend to repair the rocker panel and the panel above it, but to replace the metal, that it would not be necessary to haul all of the cabinets out because any metal going into that area would be new and treated with the appropriate rust proofing prior to installation.And/or can be gotten to with the cabinets in place.
Doing this would save many hours of dismantling the cabinets, hoses, propane and electrical. Seems a bit scary to me because I have no idea what lurks above the rocker panels and behind body panel. Is this a dangerous and useless short cut? Any other tips? |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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GreenG
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2014
Posts: 151
Location: State Road, NC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: Scary Method? |
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| Remove the cabinets. Its a 2-3 hour job, and you get the opportunity to clean up 30 years of PO detritus that has collected there. If you have the inclination, might as well rewire and run new water lines at the same time. You'll be glad you did. |
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calo1956
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2011
Posts: 700
Location: long Island new york
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| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 7:18 pm Post subject: Re: Scary Method? |
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I have to say, i might be one of those guilty of not taking out my cabinets. I will some day, but i didn't to replace the rocker. I cut out the old one, from the seam down, and seam to seam, left to right. it gave me a clear and open view of what was going on inside, i removed the soggy insulation, and also cut out and fabricated some replacement metal in the area around the water fills and power cord area. Yes this was the first area, i tackled, and i could have done it differently. But I'm replacing everything around the whole van, and did the drivers floor. Still have the drivers side rear wheel arch, and the two lower sections of the doors. I did the two areas in the engine compartment , call them the battery boxes, and sections of the chassy on both sides in the engine compartment. I enjoy this type of work, and am learning as i go. Im no expert, but rust doesn't scare me anymore! There are some interesting videos on YouTube on this subject, worth watching for what ever you get out of them...
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hdenter
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2008
Posts: 2754
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Scary Method? |
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Those repairs pictured above where done in the engine compartment area. Behind the cabinets is a different animal and you need to pull the boxes to do it right.
Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender |
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B.O.B.Wanders
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2014
Posts: 351
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: Scary Method? |
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+1 on removing the cabinets. It isn't as hard as you think it would be and it is worth it.
Unfortunately, if you see the rust coming through on the outside, what you'll find inside will look like this:
So it is better to do this:
You can get the panels from several vendors including Bus Depot.
_________________
83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.
"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4351
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:42 am Post subject: Re: Scary Method? |
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I agree that cabinets need to come out. In addition to the above comments hinting at the relatively low amount of time to do it, you will want to cut, grind, and probably weld your repairs. While it is possible to do it as first mentioned, the possibility for fire or other damage is higher than the average Joe would want to risk. Also, its really hard to paint those places again when you've got cabinets in the way. It's the epoxy primer you will want, over bare clean metal, so your repair will live a deserving long life.
Good luck, and keep us all in mind, maybe post some pix in the sticky 'what did you do' thread, or get started on your own on-going thread of your van project!
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Spey Caster
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2017
Posts: 36
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: Scary Method? |
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All good advice. I think the fellow who suggested this appealed to the lazy side of me. I love my Westy. So will treat it right.
Out come the cabinets!
Thanks everyone for your help. The images were a huge benefit. You guys are the best. |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: Scary Method? |
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a tip if you are brave.
don't be afraid to cut a slot on the base of the kitchenette so you don't have to lift the whole thing over the copper propane lines
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Spey Caster
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2017
Posts: 36
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Scary Method? |
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Hello B.O.B.Wanders
1. Did you use just a cutting wheel to cut out the body parts?
2. Being unfamiliar with the actual structures, it appears that you have cut the rusted floor away along where the outside panel was. Is this with a wheel as well?
3. Is the floor section available as well or was that from a donor?
Maybe a couple more pics would help the slow guy? |
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