Some people have noted I've been quiet on AVD for a while which would be correct, mainly because I've been working so much....on customer's cars and thus haven't spent any time on my own cars!

I'll soon do a thread up in the business section (as I own and operate DAS Resto Haus ( http://www.dasrestohaus.com.au ) here on the gold coast) to update some of the resto's we've done to date when I get some time.

In the interim though I've passed on my old T4 van to my brother and picked up a rusty, crusty banged up old T3 van as the new shop 'truck' (ie van).

Its sat for the last 3 years close to the beach hence all the rust, but I'll give it a quick resto after hours over the next couple of months...nothing too flash, but hopefully interesting nonetheless.









The repair process has started - rear hatch has been welded, along with left rear corner, now left sill...


Lots of patches and welding ahead

Al

The brickbus, is it aircooled Al?

Wow Al, thats a good look'n bus. Nice colour too. Glad your gona get rid of the cancer, I better post my few pics of my similiar but much smaller rust repairs to the Hillbilly tow car

hey al
so thats where you have been hiding..
had a squizy at your new site n i must say nothing but quality quality quality
i'll have to book in my 54 and panel for some tlc in the future..
nice one mate
cheers paul

Hi

Wow, I've never seen a T3 that rusty, must be beachside/Queensland thing. I'm sure you will have it looking great soon.

The T3s with 2 grilles on the front are water cooled.

Steve

as you are doing the work i'm sure it will end up very nice, but i'm surprised that you didn't find a better base to start with.

looking forward to watching it's transformation.

Cheers guys - price was the prime motivation with this one (ie cheap). And it seems I love rust, I must as I keep ending up with cars with lots of it!

Yep Damo, wasserboxer and goes quite nicely and will be even better with a bit of a tune and some general attention to all the underpinnings including a bit of a hit with the lowering stick. I'll be keeping this resto cheap and fun to save some $ for my splitty and oval (both of which I'll update threads whenever I get back onto them!).

Al

Alan,

You beat me to this one while I was waiting for a transport quote, spewin now as I have dismantled my motor today to find out its terminally ill. This one was going to be the heart donor.

Do you have any leads on lowering springs? Would be interested to know what you come up with & costs. PM me if you like.

Cheers
Brendan

Sorry Brendan, I called Gunter as soon as I saw it advertised, went with the cash in hand and had it delivered that day - I know the guys there were in a hurry to get it out of their shop.

I'm still looking into the lowered springs - will let you know the details once I find out.

There has been a lot of cutting, grinding, welding etc - not very exciting pics so I don't want to clog the the thread with a multitude of the same sort of pics...



A section of the front gutter was rotten and needed replacing....



Hopefully will get it into paint over the next few weeks.
Al

next few weeks.whats going on,do you sleep these days.or are we a litle fizzeld out from everyone elses cars.
what projcts are you working on at the moment.
oh ! and nice work as always.you shold change you name to das rust removal resto haus.

As you know westi, unfortuantely working on your own stuff doesn't pay the bills! Despite marrying a blonde, I seem to love rust....quite surprised I didn't end up married to a Fanta-pants.

Still trying to find time to start a thread in the business section to show a bit of stuff we've been working on (mainly splitties)....pics are on dasrestohaus.com.au (link at bottom to gallery).

Al

or so they say. dave.
cheers for the link.i will check it out.

Al send me some details on the car ie build date model no etc etc and i'll see if I can get you some prices on springs. am good mates with a suspension wholesaler!!

That front makes it a late one (after ~'89 at a guess), 2.1L.
Very nice to drive if their in good nic.

Make sure you do give it a good tune/service, give the EFI/electrics a good look over if it's been neglected and exposed and replace all the coolant with the best stuff you can get (go for VW stuff).
It's sure to reward to for the attention.

Sweet as Brennden. I was told it was 89 (yep Richard is right 2.1L) but haven't checked any numbers yet. Would be keen to get a price for springs!

Work slowly but surely continues when I am not tied up on customers cars....

As expected things were pretty nasty under the rear left window...


The outer rusty section was removed first and pieced back together before the inner was repaired.


Mid way through repair....lots of tacks to avoid warping (can be done even on a curved section like this)


Looks a little better now


A fair few hours later and all is solid once again...

Well after a month off work during our trip to the US for some of the big vw shows, I got back into the T25 after hours and got the crusty old girl into paint.

Decided to go for a bit of hot rod inspired matt finish with "C-stripe" and thin band white walls. Suspension will be lowered when funds allow and windows in etc. Getting close now = driving around in my 54 oval with solid mounts and close ratio box is not much fun so looking forward to getting around in the van!

Things have been happenning over the last couple of months, mostly after hours after I'm done with customers cars...hence no time to update this thread! But after primer it was given a quick rub prior to paint.




Bit blurry unfortunately, but the roof was painted in gloss blue and below the gutter in matt.


Rims are the stock steelies off my old T4 van


New bumpers etc to come soon then windows back in and hopefully rego soon!

WOW - the black out looks great

Vanagon V's oval with solid mounts

Al checked out spring options and they only thing that would be easily available would be custom made Kings springs. If you wish to go down that route then let me know.

Quote:

Originally posted by pete wood ah you old sook. you could always give me the oval....

Looks cool Al. Another job well done

Do you sleep Al?
Or do you just curl up in the corner of your shop and plug in?

You lads have to be the busiest panel/paint shop I have ever seen, and the quality is astounding.

I hope you're not working for love.........

Not much sleep - just got home from work now after spending the night doing some wiring on a splitty I have to get finished ASAP.

At the moment working for love but unfortunately love doesn't pay the bills/motgage/petrol/food etc - live and learn! Looking forward to the end of the year and next year should be much better.
Al

Some discussion of spring options for t3 transporters here:
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=67510 

hth