I GOT MY BUS! How do I remove it with out incident?( plz poll)

[aguythatisthis]

Any ideas?

[70 140]

I like where this is headed.

[aguythatisthis]

[hazetguy]

so you asked how to move it, and then the poll is how much it will cost to restore?
hahahahaha, $0-$5000, it's not 30 years ago!

i bet this shows up in the classifieds within 6 months, after 'restoration cost sticker shock' sets in.
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[EverettB]

I don't see any issue removing it from there.
Are the tires low and can you inflate the tires?
If the tires won't inflate:
Jack it up, remove the wheels and get some new or used tires just to get it home. Use some wood under a floor jack and jack stands for safety.

See if it rolls.
Get a trailer and a winch or call a tow truck and take it home.

If the brakes are locked up, that's another issue.
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[pyrOman]

How old are you?

Fair question as it is a huge factor in everything. So, you asked how much to "restore", well over $10k as everyone has voted for. However, well under $5k will easily get this specimen going and enjoyed. Just do it and good luck!
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[hitest]

Ask Grandpa for the tent and rack- they're up in the barn loft.
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[tasb]

I know my location says CA but I grew up in northern MI. I'm used to seeing the trees a lot closer together. That appears to be someone's yard. So, push, drag, tow it home. Good find.
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Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[crofty]

Looks like a decent 65-66 Westy.
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[aguythatisthis]

[aguythatisthis]

[aguythatisthis]

[aguythatisthis]

[ToolBox]

[aguythatisthis]

[Malokin Martin]

I feel like the frame would be the biggest issue if you were going cheap.

20k for a mediocre safe rusty driver If you do absolutely everything yourself.

[62DoKaGuy]

[60freak]

There won't be anything quick about the restoration Your main enemy is gonna be rust, and I'm not referring to cosmetic stuff like the body. The frame, outriggers and jackpoints are area of concern, as well as lower a pillars at bottoms of front doors. Don't get to excited till you have closely inspected the whole bus in it's entirety. It would be in your best interest to find a local bus enthusiast or specialist who is in touch with the "real bus world" to help you determine prices and labor amount. Since it's in the Midwest and been sitting for a few years, the wheels will most likely be locked up, that will probably be your main issue to get it loaded on a trailer. Anyways, good luck and I hope it pans out as a good project worthy of saving!

[Help Help]

Don't let these guys scare you!

First, get it out and rolling (safely).

If it's been sitting a long time, get the brakes sorted next. It does not matter if it runs if it does not stop (until it hits soemthing)! Might just be a flush with new fluid might be a complete replacement. The good news is you have something to start with and the answer is probably in the middle and probably less than $1k if you're willing to do the work yourself (and you should).

Third is steering. Usually not a problem but YMMV. Are all of the pieces there and and good shape? New tie rods could cost you $1-200 and the pivot bushing redo another $150. taking apart and cleaning the front beam should be done but can be further down the road. Make sure to lube it well early though!

Is there any rust that is beyond cosmetic? Some people see that rust as a badge of honor you know! If it's only cosmetic, it can be addressed later.

Is the motor seized? can you turn it by hand? Getting it running might be as cheap as an oil change and a tune up or a total rebuild. Gear oil in the trans?
Clutch? Check out the threads here there is a lot of knowledge and a lot of folks that are happy to help if your willing to get your hands dirty.

Electrical in good shape? 12V already? A new wiring harness is relatively cheap and not that hard to replace. Battery? Headlights? Gas gauge?

Rust repair and paint. There are some that would do the spot rust repair and blend rattle can paint or you can go yard on a show paint job for big bucks or just somewhere in between.

Getting on the road might be a question of under $1k or $20K+ depending on your involvement and expectations. Your bus can be a journey or a destination. Enjoy your bus what ever you decide.

PS: Buy a manual/Bentley book!

[velvetgreen]

"restored" is an entirely subjective term as is "driveable" to some point, ditto too for "stopping" (stop-ish?). Price is entirely dependent upon the previous and whether you plan to tackle this yourself or pay someone else to do so

Anyhow given that you are in MI and the bus appears to have been sitting for a while a common sense approach would be to assume that it likely needs tires, brakes (soft/hard lines, wheel cylinders, shoes drums tuned etc), some engine work from sitting at a minimum. The above comments re: seeing if the engine is seized etc are also worth considering, although I think the engine would be the lesser of your concerns

Also have to factor in metal work (at least structural) generally when inner/outer rockers go you may find more mess to deal with- hope I am wrong. Metal work can veer in to the cosmetic at some point but that too is subjective.

Anyhow get the bus out of there first and get it home somewhere where you can evaluate it (preferably a heated garage with some space before you go crazy buying stuff. Don't expect to be driving it next week and take your time and enjoy

Any idea how long it has been sitting there or why it got parked in the first place?

Hope that the mice have not invaded the bus as they love making nests in all the nooks and crannies of a westy and shredding wiring looms. Might take a quick google of hanta virus before you go too crazy cleaning the bus out.

Good find for MI! Can't be an easy find up there and velvetgreen westy's are one of my favourites. A final suggestion don't push the bus to get it out of there, pull it out via attaching to a solid place *under* the bus (front beam is popular) and not something like wrapping a chain around the bumper- you don't want to start off by denting up the bus.

Good luck and have fun