Anyone else Feeling overwhelmed and under prepared build

[brokevwguy]

Well I do not seem to be making any progress on the bus besides cutting the cargo floor out. All I seem to be doing is spending money on parts, rear bumper, all the seats, glass, crows feet rims, engine ect ect. I'm up to 5k total and my wife is letting me know this . She sees no progress just money going out the door. She was under the impression that when I bought this that it was just going to need a motor and we were going to be on the road. I'm starting to think that I should have saved my money and just bought a bus that was running and driving. I just look at it and do not even know where to begin or how to begin. I even bought a welder, but I do not know how to weld . It just seems that everywhere I look it needs something. I have absolutely no direction or guidance. I am just very discouraged I guess. It's not like I want it to look new. I just want it to the point that its safe to drive. I'm starting to think that if I do not show some progress my wife is going to want her garage spot back and the bus is going to be gone.

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Be happy with what you have, you will save allot of money that way....

1961 Standard

[roadkingdoc]

maybe easier to get rid of the wife just kidding. nothing cheap or quick about a good restoration. Get the floor done. Do the mechanicals and drive it Good luck!

[Clara]

It is easy to get overwhelmed. You are sliding down that slippery slope. The trick is to focus on fewer things. Don't buy everything for the bus. Decided what you are going to tackle, and address *that* issue. If you are starting with welding, ignore motor and brakes and all that. Learn to weld!
If you are building a motor, don't buy sheet metal.

Accept that you bought a bus to be a project and your hobby is fixing it up. You did not buy a bus to drive around.

I am big on getting a ratty bus and just driving it, and blithely ignore the shallow guys who can't see part rusty rockers, dented nose, and hacked wheel arches. But buses are rusty and .....
you can look at the long build thread on my 56. It's not done yet. (but has been camped in and driven a lot as a work in progress)

[Enkiel]

my wife sometimes tell me that i could have bough a running vanagon for the price of my project.

in my mind, like clara said, dont buy everything at the same time, for a first.

Also, keep in mind as long as its not open in the element, it can sits a few months without being touched So when you want to work on it, do it. If you dont, dont. Its easier, in my mind, to stay motivated and avoid rushing stuff just to finish it.
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1964 Turkis Flipseat

[srfndoc]

So many guys jump in to project buses like this and they never see the light of day. I'm with Clara... get it running/driving/stopping first and forget about everything else. You will be so stoked being able to drive it you will forget about the rusty parts.
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RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches

[ryans65]

Once you get one big piece of metal work done on your bus you will get the momentum going!

I have to drive an hour one way to work on my bus as I am sort of in between homes right now, I get maybe 3-4 days a month to work on it. Just stay focused on one area of your bus until you complete it then move on to the next area. When its structurally sound then get the engine and other chassis mechanicals worked out and drive it!

[sgellis]

Yes, only get what you need now too keep moving on the restro. Avoid those shinny bits.

A lot of what you need for parts in the beginning is relatively cheep per month. Especially while learning to weld and such.

This is a long term project. likely a year or more unless you can put a lot of hours into it. If you don't want to put the hours in then this may not be the bus for you.

I would suggest getting the floor cleaned out and replacing the right side rocker. Not a lot of cost there in parts. Take your time and learn to weld. If you don't like the work then sell/trade it. You may enjoy it once you accept this isn't getting done any time soon.
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My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings)

[aa390392]

Stay focused on 1 thing....
Make a priority to do list.
Starting with the mechanics and drivibality.
You need a good foundation.
Beat it, don't let it beat you, know one said these things are cheap.
Stay positive.
Cheers
Thomas
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.
getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet

[chgrec]

[BusJunky]

Im with the other guys on this one. A running driving project still puts a smile on my face. Gives me motivation to work on it it. Most new bus owners are very concerned with appearence, but I promise you, once you are driving it down the road and everyone is smiling and throwing peace signs as you pass them, you'll forget about how rusty it is and you'll fall in love with it again. Put plyboards down on the crago and just tack in some sheet steel on the front floor to get you by. Put new brakes on. Put a good running motor in and go for a cruise. The price of a running/driving bus is alot more then a non runner. So if you decide its not the bus for you, you'll most likely make money on it. You could apply that to a better bus.
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https://m.facebook.com/Lerouxs-Autowerks-942149562555768/?ref=bookmarks

[joe cool]

If you can make the bus run and drive, even if just around the block, I bet you would find new inspiration to slog through the metal work. I would focus on mechanicals first.

[brokevwguy]

Thanks for all the advise and encouragement. I find myself going out to work on it and then just sitting there staring at it and shaking my head. I live in upstate NY so it's now going to start getting nasty out. I will have at least till may or June of next year to try and get it going.
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Be happy with what you have, you will save allot of money that way....

1961 Standard

[crofty]

It can be overwhelming but as was suggested focus on one area at a time and then move on.
It took me over a year to get a bus back on the road but you can do it!

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=611253&highlight=
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Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.

[Gwdghiaguy]

[bubba]

Take your time.. work on the mechanics , wiring, cleaning up the original stuff you have to get it road worthy! STOP spending money!! There is a lot to do before you get to that point. If you slow down it will be less overwhelming.. Parts will come around. go to swap meets rather than buying everything off the samba.. It's a lot more fun and you can get better deals.
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***WANTED***
SO-23 Cargo net hooks...
for sale
curtain Bungee cords for SO23, 22, 33 ,34 ,35
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1587591

[SamboSamba22]

What helps me is this, remember why you fell in love with it, as it is a relationship/friendship. You will receive out of it what you put into it. If you don’t show it love and affection but buy it fancy jewelry (parts) is it really loving you in return?

I do my best to touch my single cab daily. Even if it’s tightening a single bolt. Little by little, you’ll begin to see improvement.

Don’t get discouraged, things take time. Just a relationship has to develop, and we learn about the other along the way, it’s all relative.
Start practicing your welding.
Consider it courtship, and in the mean time try to find a little that allows the lady to contribute.

Whatever you do, as stated by seasoned Samba members, don’t let the wife hear you talking to your bus.

Stay positive, you can do it. The reward is paramount.
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The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[AlteWagen]

Broke and no spare time is the usual for me. Here is how I tackle each project I get. Most projects are complete stock non runners which I keep stock and use as many original parts as possible. For basket cases I usually go more custom since I have to source so much stuff anyway.

CLEAN IT OUT FIRST!!!!! No one wants to get full of rat crap, rust bits or greasy engine/trans goo.

Pressure wash as much as possible, then blow out with air nozzle.


-Brakes.

Replace all soft and hard lines, wheel cylinders (rebuild if possible), reuse hardware if possible, and turn drums if needed. New shoes, compare to old and modify as needed. Since the drums are off anyway replace the front inner and outer bearings. Repeat for rear and replace axle seals while in there.


-Electrical

Repair and replace as needed. Rebuild headlight/tail light buckets, turn signals, dome lights, relays and switches etc. You will be surprised how much a working turnsignal with brighten your day!


-Engine

I usually have a spare stocker I throw into any non runner in the driveway but putting together a cheap runner will do wonders. Learn to build your own engine with usable cores, its a good winter project and can be fairly inexpensive depending on the area.

New tires, lube up the front end, service the link pins, new trans and rgb oil, and go for a cruise and take it camping.

Try working on it 1 hour a day. It could be cleaning or something small, you will be surprised how it progresses with such a small amount of time spent.
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Grapes of Wrath $200 Engine Rebuild
Official Dual Carb Thread
Cylinder Head Quick Reference Sheet

[Hokie87]

[BarryL]

[silkvw]

Good advice all day from those that have done what you are trying to do.
Stay with with the project, you can do it!!
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'64 single cab Big Bend Bus Bash 2015 '16
'59 camper BBBB 2017 '18 '19 '20 '22 New Mexico
'70 Ghia........Bonneville,........TX Mile,........142 mph......(sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=641871&highlight=