Well after seeing Jims week off and Robs work on his twin cab, I have had to do some work on my 57, as some of you know the welding has been completed underneath,sills outriggers,center chassis sections ETC,and it has been sprayed with POR15(all thanks to Andrew,PMGBUS)and the beetle box has been fitted with the type 3 brakes and Andrews plates.
I have now fitted the dropped spindles from Rob , these are brill and a credit to the man.
I had a go at starting at the front.
I stripped the paint off the front panel as it had been replaced in the past with a new one , this one had the washer holes in it, which I am keeping, and it had the fish eye indicators plated over.
The reason I took it back to bare metal was that I didnt know how it had been preped or painted so I would rather take it all off and do it properly.
It took 4 hours and a box of sanding discs and I also used a 3M paint removing disc.
Here are some pics

[Edited on 6-10-2003 by 57kombi]

on this one you can see where the indicator has been plated

thank god they had replaced the front years ago, it has saved me a load of work as most splits you see today all need the bottom 3 inches doing.
Here is a pic after it had been painted in the 2 pac primer

Did the dash as well.
Before

And after

Cool!

i will never tire of seeing pics like these, great stuff!!!

kai

looking sweeet!!
:jesus

Hey thats Redbus67 ride on your wall!!!

Awesome job Dave.. Wow! Really good stuff.
Now you did the rear end the same as I am doing, virtually anyway, so I would be really interested in reading about any hiccups or anything you had or have. I will be going dropped spindles as well probably, but at least an adjustable narrowed beam. But Dave, that looks fantastic. I'm glad I could be credited on the same page!

Jim,
The only problem I had on the rear was I needed a plate making for the front gearbox mount, it was a flat plate about 4 inches wide and about 4 inches long and about 3 mm thick, it had slots put in it and I used that to mount the front.
See if you can find type 3 large fives as that way you wont need adaptors,
Just watch what wheels you are going to use as with the type 3 drums you can onys squeeze a 165 tyre inbetween the drum and the guard, without flaring them, Now I know why so many splits have radiused wheel arches.
As mine is a 57 it has the early rear quarters and they have a lip on them that is on the inside, I could bend this up if I wanted larger tyres, will have to see?
The standard split wheels wont fit now as the offset is differant with the type 3 drums but I always wanted to fit beetle solid wheels with domed hubcaps and white walls and these fit perfectly.
Andrew Edwards has the plates made that allows you to fit the beetle box and you dont have to change the spring plates or cut them, handy if you want to change it back to stock at a later date.

I have some photos of the bus on its side but my scanner is knackered I will see if I can get someone to scan them.
Before we put it on its side I spent about 4 days underneath the bus with the grinder cutting out the rust, I wish I had thought of putting it on its side before I did that!!!
Hot metal in your head isnt the best way to spend a day.

I also just cut about 2 inches off the handbrake outer sleeve and the handbrake works great.
As ive said before, you cant beat Robs spindles, and now the front end is like new.

Will be spending at least one day a week on it now as I want it ready for Christmas,

Cheers Dave

Looking good dave, you have been a busy boy. you realy put me to shame, oh well.

good job dave what colour and style are ya goin for

keep up the good work :bounce

cheers mattie

nice work dave
I think you should lower it a bit though.

Dan

You havent seen it for a while it is quite low with the dropped spindles.

Mattie

Got some new barrels and pistons from the bloke across the road from you last week, they are 87s and Mahle originals still in the box.Engine is being built and will be stock apart from the size.Style and colour will be shown at christmas with any luck.Is that your buggy in your drive?

Dave
I think you have had a few things on your mind latley, like a few week old baby.
Guess you havent been going to the club kombi nights then, if you have! Amanda is being too good to you
Cheers
Dave

[Edited on 7-10-2003 by 57kombi]

[Edited on 7-10-2003 by 57kombi]

nice bus i love the prgress pics they always give me some inspiration to work on my car

Found some minor imperfections (read a couple of dents) i didnt see when I painted the front so will fix them this weekend.
Then onto the roof.
and will then work down.

And Andrew has possibly found me a cargo door.??
Cheers
Dave

out of interest, is the 2 pack you use iso free? Or do you use a respirator kit?

I am contemplating using 2 pack at home(workshop, not lounge) and ask your opinion.

kkk

Its Ameron Epoxy high build primer, dont need air fed mask, just a good normal one,
It is a bitch to spray but it is very good and doesnt attract moisture like etch primers.
you can actually drive around with it, but I am using it as i think if you are spending this amount of time and money on a bus you need to make sure it doesnt rust if the paint chips.
That is why I have also used POR15 instead of powder coating.

Cheers
Dave

The front end is now in primer and I have fixed the little dent I found.
The epoxy 2 pac primer is a bitch to rub back
Well the harder it is the better for the bus.
Have also painted the cab floor and hopefully next week will do the roof.

I have promised the missus it will be ready for christmas.
Cheers
Dave