Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
What did YOU do to your van today?
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 571, 572, 573 ... 627, 628, 629  Next
Jump to:
Forum Index -> Vanagon 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
djkeev
Samba Moderator


Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32433
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
djkeev is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 4:50 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

I’m right there with Dave, flood my lead with acid!

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
leecat
Samba Member


Joined: September 13, 2012
Posts: 773
Location: Regina
leecat is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 5:19 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Finally welded the rotating seat assembly into the passenger side of my lovely van - all thanks to Igeo sending me his spare swivel assembly. Turned out to be a super easy addition, drilling out the old rail spot-welds was a piece of cake (despite punching one or two drill holes through the floor) and the new base dropped right in. Allowed just enough room for a stock battery (7 & 1/4 inches).

Ground the welds a little, threw some leftover Dove Grey paint along the weld lines, and called it good.

I ground the rear battery mount plate off the seat swivel base and will use the stock Vanagon one - that let me move the whole plate to the rear almost a full inch.

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
leecat
Samba Member


Joined: September 13, 2012
Posts: 773
Location: Regina
leecat is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 10:19 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Today is body filler day - finishing up the new Westy roof on Bluey, super fun! While I admire those with the grit and determination to drill out ten thousand spot welds on the drip rail seam, I went the route of splicing an inch above the side top seam. I didn't like the look of the pics on here of cutting into that mess of rear brazing, and this way I avoided that whole keg of monkeys.

Couldn't be happier with the install - to weld the rear hinge plates in I cut a small inch-wide 'flap' in the outer skin of the top and folded it up - then bolted the hinge plates to the top, set it in place, tacked the plate to the body through the flap, unbolted the roof-to-hinge-plate and lifted the roof off. Then I was able to have the hinge plate in the right location to finish welding the entire plate down. Then I banged the flap back into place once the roof was back on, and welded the small cut lines. Worked really well.

Anyway, making big progress, would like to get her painted this week while it's crazy hot, Odin willing.

Before welding the roof on I used a wide pair of body pliers and gave the long edges of the roof the tiniest kink inward - when I set it onto the body this gave me a shallow 'valley' to weld into and later body-fill. Worked nicely and kept my welding seams below level.

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.


Is there anything more fun than spending a summer day on your van???
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
bobbyblack Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4333
Location: United States, Iowa
bobbyblack is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 11:27 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Got LED headlights this AM in the mail. This lunch hour, was in the car park installing them. News at 11. (Square lights on this one, the low/high [outers] look strong. The inner high's only look weak in daylight)
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
GreenMachineVW
Samba Member


Joined: August 08, 2008
Posts: 645

GreenMachineVW is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 11:25 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Started it after five years sitting. I had to replace Boston Bob's engine, pictured below about ten years ago, with a rebuild from Adrian at Headflowmasters. Didn't take a single picture this time.

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


Once my kid straightened me out on the static timing, it started right up.

Here we go again!

RIP Bob Donalds
http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/a...ir_expert/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Jake de Villiers
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
Jake de Villiers is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:51 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

leecat wrote:
Today is body filler day - finishing up the new Westy roof on Bluey, super fun! While I admire those with the grit and determination to drill out ten thousand spot welds on the drip rail seam, I went the route of splicing an inch above the side top seam. I didn't like the look of the pics on here of cutting into that mess of rear brazing, and this way I avoided that whole keg of monkeys.

Couldn't be happier with the install - to weld the rear hinge plates in I cut a small inch-wide 'flap' in the outer skin of the top and folded it up - then bolted the hinge plates to the top, set it in place, tacked the plate to the body through the flap, unbolted the roof-to-hinge-plate and lifted the roof off. Then I was able to have the hinge plate in the right location to finish welding the entire plate down. Then I banged the flap back into place once the roof was back on, and welded the small cut lines. Worked really well.

Anyway, making big progress, would like to get her painted this week while it's crazy hot, Odin willing.

Before welding the roof on I used a wide pair of body pliers and gave the long edges of the roof the tiniest kink inward - when I set it onto the body this gave me a shallow 'valley' to weld into and later body-fill. Worked nicely and kept my welding seams below level.

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.


Is there anything more fun than spending a summer day on your van???

Nice work, Lee - that looks very tidy!
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
4Gears4Tires
Samba Member


Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 2982
Location: MD
4Gears4Tires is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 7:18 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

leecat wrote:
Is there anything more fun than spending a summer day on your van???


Spending a summer day using your van? Laughing
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
leecat
Samba Member


Joined: September 13, 2012
Posts: 773
Location: Regina
leecat is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 4:08 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Ah-haha! 'Use the van', Gears - surely you jest! Do you mean some people actually drive and camp in them? I mean, I've heard rumours, but...

Smile

And thanks for the kind comments, Jake! Turned out better than I'd hoped - all the work was in the cutting and fitting, must have had that roof on and off 50 times. But the actual MIG welding was a lark. I added 3/16" steel plates at the inside crossmember-to-body junctions as well, just for extra-extra strength, especially on the upper bunk. Some of these girls on the Craigslist personals are getting heavy.

Just pulled her into the paint booth this afternoon for high fill primer and spot-putty, and I'm installing the Westy kitchen cabinets while I wait for paint supplies. Still have to seam-seal the body seams on the left side as well.

I've got to sort out that rat's nest of wiring for all the cabinetry too - thank goodness for the knowledge base here. I've had to cut up three other Vans to build this one - hopefully not everyone is so degenerate as to do that, or soon there won't be any vans left.

Should add this pic - I used this to support the sides of the van so that it couldn't move with the roof cut off, it's just one piece of steel rod inside of another with a set screw, and a couple brackets screwed to the body - I later welded those holes closed. Worked well and I had zero body movement in or out:

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
charleslabri
Samba Member


Joined: December 08, 2019
Posts: 615
Location: Nashville/Yosemite
charleslabri is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 4:41 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

I did a full conversion.. the C pillars hold up pretty good on their own unless you really want to warm them. Looks good!

leecat wrote:
Ah-haha! 'Use the van', Gears - surely you jest! Do you mean some people actually drive and camp in them? I mean, I've heard rumours, but...

Smile

And thanks for the kind comments, Jake! Turned out better than I'd hoped - all the work was in the cutting and fitting, must have had that roof on and off 50 times. But the actual MIG welding was a lark. I added 3/16" steel plates at the inside crossmember-to-body junctions as well, just for extra-extra strength, especially on the upper bunk. Some of these girls on the Craigslist personals are getting heavy.

Just pulled her into the paint booth this afternoon for high fill primer and spot-putty, and I'm installing the Westy kitchen cabinets while I wait for paint supplies. Still have to seam-seal the body seams on the left side as well.

I've got to sort out that rat's nest of wiring for all the cabinetry too - thank goodness for the knowledge base here. I've had to cut up three other Vans to build this one - hopefully not everyone is so degenerate as to do that, or soon there won't be any vans left.

Should add this pic - I used this to support the sides of the van so that it couldn't move with the roof cut off, it's just one piece of steel rod inside of another with a set screw, and a couple brackets screwed to the body - I later welded those holes closed. Worked well and I had zero body movement in or out:

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

_________________
-------------------------------------------------
An example of my labor in action:
https://www.instagram.com/wileythewesty/

My Build Thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=730525&highlight=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
fishgo
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 127
Location: Madison, WI
fishgo is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 1:26 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

GreenMachineVW wrote:
Started it after five years sitting. I had to replace Boston Bob's engine, pictured below about ten years ago, with a rebuild from Adrian at Headflowmasters. Didn't take a single picture this time.

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


Once my kid straightened me out on the static timing, it started right up.

Here we go again!

RIP Bob Donalds
http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/a...ir_expert/



My Boston Bob engine looked like that 153,000 miles ago. Still running strong, though.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
leecat
Samba Member


Joined: September 13, 2012
Posts: 773
Location: Regina
leecat is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 11:37 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Cutting and cleaning out old seam sealer to redo the body seams - and deep under the body line sealer I found...rust in the seam for about the bottom six inches.

You always think rust is going to happen to someone else - maybe someone forsaken by God; someone who forgets to say their prayers, eats peanut butter out of the jar with their fingers, and probably sells cheap Pokemon knockoff plushies at state fairs as a sideline. You know, like Zeitgeist, say.

I shook my fist at the sky and railed and ranted at the shop cat - how dare this happen to my previously rust-free van. But in the end I suppose there's nothing to do but grind it out and find the true extent of it. Looks perfect from the outside.

FUN PRO TIP - do NOT install seam sealer at 95 degrees, unless you're so fast that you can work with a 45 second cure time. Good God. On the other hand, now I get to dig it all out and start again - I'm going to be SO good at this, eventually! Smile

Edit - SO much better working in the early morning at 70 degrees instead of 95. Seam sealer went on great and was much more workable.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jlrftype7
Samba Member


Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3549
Location: Chicago
jlrftype7 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:56 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Finally finished wiring up the rear LED light I installed a few weeks ago.


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



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

_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
bobbyblack Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4333
Location: United States, Iowa
bobbyblack is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2021 6:33 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Parked it Friday after work, forgot several systems plugged in on the start battery side (I still need to move my dash plug over to the house side)... Thus, this AM, no crank. I usually drive somewhere out of town on the weekends, but this one was full of 'farm stuff' and I used my Tundra exclusively. Anyway, first time I've needed to use my jump pack on my bus to get to work. And, of course my bus needs to be at work, right? Ya, I'm at a stage in my life where I really need an hour to rest in the middle of the day.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
4Gears4Tires
Samba Member


Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 2982
Location: MD
4Gears4Tires is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2021 6:48 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

bobbyblack wrote:
Ya, I'm at a stage in my life where I really need an hour to rest in the middle of the day.


First grade? Laughing
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2021 7:02 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

4Gears4Tires wrote:
bobbyblack wrote:
Ya, I'm at a stage in my life where I really need an hour to rest in the middle of the day.


First grade? Laughing


I've been taking a nap every day since kindergarten... and 100s of times in the bus when I drove it as my DD for many years.

In fact I feel a nap coming on right now! Cool
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Jake de Villiers
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
Jake de Villiers is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2021 7:10 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

4Gears4Tires wrote:
bobbyblack wrote:
Ya, I'm at a stage in my life where I really need an hour to rest in the middle of the day.


First grade? Laughing
LOL!!! Laughing
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
TomInAlaska
Samba Member


Joined: June 02, 2007
Posts: 385
Location: Anchorage, Ak
TomInAlaska is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 1:03 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Got the oil in the transaxle changed. After seeing some of the pics of other peoples' drain plugs I was expecting a fuzzy caterpillar but was pleasantly surprised by the lack of swarf on mine:

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


I'm hoping that the fresh oil and that I was able to add a little extra due the slope of our driveway will contribute to reducing the gear whine I've noticed since I've finally started to be able to drive this thing around. <fingers crossed>
_________________
'73 Super Beetle (resto-mod/rally look, 1776)

'84 GL adventure van project (1.9L, 4speed) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755844&highlight=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
djkeev
Samba Moderator


Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32433
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
djkeev is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:53 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Jake de Villiers wrote:
4Gears4Tires wrote:
bobbyblack wrote:
Ya, I'm at a stage in my life where I really need an hour to rest in the middle of the day.


First grade? Laughing
LOL!!! Laughing


Oh COME ON!!!!!

I’ve met you!
You’re nothing but a mere Child!
You should have energy oozing from your pores!

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
brickster
Samba Member


Joined: January 05, 2004
Posts: 503
Location: CO, USA
brickster is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:05 pm    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

TomInAlaska wrote:

I'm hoping that the fresh oil and that I was able to add a little extra due the slope of our driveway will contribute to reducing the gear whine I've noticed since I've finally started to be able to drive this thing around. <fingers crossed>

I'm just a dude on the Internet, but I would not overfill. It could cause a higher pressure than the seals can take.

It's best to have it on a level surface and wait until it drips occasionally before inserting the plug.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
fxr
Samba Member


Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2301
Location: Bay area CA
fxr is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 11:36 am    Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? Reply with quote

Added an elasticated map rack to the rear seat.

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

_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 571, 572, 573 ... 627, 628, 629  Next
Jump to:
Page 572 of 629

 
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.