1971 Panel Restore

BusJunky · Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 5:05 pm Post subject: 1971 Panel Restore

Well I picked up this panel a few weeks ago and I'm doing a full restore on it. Normally I keep my post to the local club website, but I do most of my research here on the good ol' samba. So I figured I would do a build thread here for a change(thanks nick). This bus is in very poor shape. It had been restored at some point in the past and looks like it was a poor restore as well. The bus came out of Chicago, but it's port or origin was SanFran back in 71.

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Digging it out!

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blue71 · Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 6:52 pm Post subject:

This winter my 68 will be in your shop right next to this awesome panel.
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BusJunky · Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 6:57 pm Post subject:

Ill save a spot for ya bro!!
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Stuartzickefoose · Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:31 pm Post subject:

ill be watching! Very Happy

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BusJunky · Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 11:55 am Post subject:

Got some rust removal done today. More to come. Hopefully by the end of the month ill be fabricating and replacing panels on my panel...
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BusJunky · Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 3:15 pm Post subject:

Got all the paint off. There was like 6 layers. I had to use a flap disc because my air file wouldn't put a dent in it. Even with 60grit. Damn.

Got the rest of the cargo floor out. What a pita.

The PO used lineX to cover the whole nose. That was one of the most idiotic moves in PO history. Also there was bondo 1/2" thick all the way up the walls and on the upper corners. Once I started grinding it off I got real scared to find out what was under it all, but surprisingly enough the body was nice and straight.

Before

After. Almost finished prepping for the new inner valance, but the bottom of my A pillars are trashed. I have no idea what I'm gonna do for them. The rest of the pillar is in awesome shape. I'd hate to cut it all the way out.
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blue71 · Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 3:36 pm Post subject:

It's good to see that you were able to get that bedliner off the nose! By Thanksgiving it'll be looking great.
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A.K.A.: "Doc", "Subwoofer Nick", "the LEAKOIL parts whore", "Amish canvas connection"

BusJunky · Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:09 pm Post subject:

BusJunky · Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 5:27 pm Post subject:

Here was today's focus. The B pillar, cross members and outriggers. As you can see the bottom of the pillar was non existent.

I started repairing the outriggers out of sheet steel. I'm on a budget as most, plus I have an abundance of sheet steel laying around from previous work. As you can see those were pretty trashed too.

Out with the cancer and in with some new!

Then I patched up the rear outrigger. I kinda had to fabricate the jack point by hand. I don't ever use them it was just for looks.

Once that was all patched up I redid the outside parts of the I-beam style cross members. I had some square 2x1" tubing around so I used that. Don't be hating! I'm not to stressed about the cross members. I notched them to get the proper height and slipped them over the frame and welded them up. I cut them 1/2" long on the end so I was able to recreate the flanges. As you can see in the pic I redid the lower pedestal wall and top hat section.

After that I started in on the B pillar. I formed the lower radius and got it all tacked in. Then I started making the inner part that I'm pointing too.

I took a piece of sheet steel and cut on a straight edge in the back. Then I laid it on the radius and traced it to the steel to be cut fit for the pillar.

Probably not the greatest way to fix it when I know they sell whole B pillars, but I'm resourceful and I was not about to drop $120 on a new one. I only needed the bottom and I have everything I need to make it happen Wink

Once that was all back together and solid I started boxing it all back in. Still needs some touch up's, but it's solid!

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collinVW32 · Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 8:50 pm Post subject:

Nice to see another bay being saved! Looks like your doing a really good job, I think yours may have even more rust than my 71 did.

Oh and you are going to lower it....right? Wink

Whatever you decide it looks like that bus is in good hands, keep it up!
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blue71 · Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:32 pm Post subject:

Looking good. I can't wait for the inner valance to arrive so things can start coming together!
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A.K.A.: "Doc", "Subwoofer Nick", "the LEAKOIL parts whore", "Amish canvas connection"

BusJunky · Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 5:06 am Post subject:

Yeah I'm going to lower it Smile

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9mmMike · Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:02 am Post subject:

BusJunky · Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 9:01 am Post subject:

BusJunky · Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:29 pm Post subject:

Got the inner valence in the mail today. Forgot to take a pic, but got that fitted and welded on then got the lower nose fitted and welded. Turned out real nice. Minimal filler will be needed.

I'm building a upright type 4 turbo for this bus that I'm going to mate a 091 trans too. Made my first attempt at polishing aluminum lol. Turbo compressor looks pretty good eh?

Also, I picked up a raby's shroud at a good price. I was gonna do the Joe Cali method, but figured I had enough fabrication work ahead of me.

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blue71 · Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 8:15 pm Post subject:

Now that looks good!
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R.I.P. Mom

A.K.A.: "Doc", "Subwoofer Nick", "the LEAKOIL parts whore", "Amish canvas connection"

BusJunky · Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 7:51 am Post subject:

BusJunky · Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 7:59 am Post subject:

Closer look at the new nose.

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BusJunky · Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 8:00 am Post subject:

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BusJunky · Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 3:50 pm Post subject:

Got a dogleg fitted in and tacked up. For klokkerholm it somehow fit with little troubles. Just a few tweaks.

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