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Post by JBJ on Nov 11, 2006 19:06:08 GMT 10
Hi All,
after talking to spyder at Cold dale, I've decided to keep the independent suspension, & rebuild it like his. I'm also thinking of keeping the over ride brakes, as Sunliners are reasonably light, & manageable to tow behind EH Holdens.
Which leads to my problem. when I bought the van, it had the original tow hitch with the tow ball bolted thru the hitch. That went into the wheely bin a long time ago, as I had no intention of keeping that style of connector. I need a good over ride ( mechanical ) tow hitch to put on the van. I need it complete with levers, & all fittings. I want to use a 50mm towball.
Does anyone have a good used complete assembly for sale? It would need to be rated at 1000 kg I reckon. My van still has the brakes & cables, just missing the tow hitch.
I happy to pay a fair price for a good unit, but it would need to be complete, & on the east coast between Sydney & brisbane for me to look at & pick up. I'll be in Sydney for NRMA Motorfest, in late January I hope. Or else I think freight costs will be a bit pricey.
If anyone has one please send me a PM.
Thanks Jailbarjuice
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Post by earlee on Nov 11, 2006 19:36:12 GMT 10
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Post by JBJ on Nov 11, 2006 19:52:36 GMT 10
Hi Earlee,
Thanks for that. I didnt realise that you could still get them new,
I'll get a new one at those prices, no point mucking around with old stuff. Thanks.
I'm going to push on with getting it in primer, then stick the windows in. I'll get all the lights & brakes working, then get it registered, so I can use it for Wintersun with an unfinished interior if neccessary. I'm planning a 3 colour primer paint job, similar to final colours, to see whether I like the finish.
There seems to be no requirements for an interior fit out for rego, so I can just use as I need to.
Jailbarjuice
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Post by JBJ on Nov 26, 2006 18:50:56 GMT 10
Hi all,
After looking at the pix of the Sunliner on ebay at Grafton, I took the air hacksaw to the cupboards & made space for 2 single beds, which is what sue & I prefer in vans.
We will end up with about a 200 door width full depth cupboard next to the door, with a top half only double door hanging space next to it, over the end of the bed. We'll use the top half of the narrow cupboard as a food pantry, & fit deep narrow drawers under.
On the other side, we're taking the sink out, & shortening the cupboards towards the front. we'll have a row of drawers next to the fridge, with a new laminate bench top going the same size as original bench/stove cupboard, but again over the bed.
We'll gain storage drawers under the new bed frames, & we intend building an entertainment centre between the beds to carry the TV/DVD/Stereo. With addittional cupboards over the front & rear shelves, we wont lose much space.
The water tank goes with the sink, & we dont cook inside our vans, so no need for stove. Water is easier ( & fresher) bought from supermarkets, or carried in a jerry can in the tow vehicle.
The wrap around club lounge at the front, with a removable table, will provide more than adequate seating, & a good spot to watch our TV.
its taken a lot of time & mental rethinks to work out what we want, but its all OK now. just got to get enough dough to pay the cabinetmaker to do the tricky bits. If I can't weld it or grind it, its easier to pay someone who knows what he is doing.
Jailbarjuice
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Post by JBJ on Jan 13, 2007 20:28:15 GMT 10
Hi All, Another progress report. Just found out I’ve got 140 days to Wintersun, where I need to have the Sunliner registered, at least in primer, with the bare minimum interior. I think I can make it. We changed our mind with the bedding, after cutting away the cupboard on the LHS to clear single beds, we decided to go to a 1500 wide double bed. As we aren’t having a sink or stove in the van, it will fit OK. I’m using 75x38 pine studs on edge, & will lay a 12mm ply base after I install a new floor sheet over the existing, which is only about 6-8mm thick, & so flexible as to be scary. I’m replacing the glass lining at rear with ply, fixed & filled to be smooth with the glass. We are building a large roll out drawer under the bed, similar to the one we built in our ply van. Cupboards will be rebuilt as required. On the outside, the rear is getting close to being ready for hifill primer. I’ve got the 59 Hillman taillight bases roughed up close to final, & I’ve bonded & filled the original number plate frame in place. Both sides are taking shape. I’ve put a lot of thin coats of bog on, using different coloured hardeners, so when I sand with my air operated long board sander, the different colours show as you take off the high spots. Front has come up pretty straight. Still got a lot to do on the roof, as it was pretty sunken & twisted. We straightened the hatch OK, just got to get it up to shape. I’ve been spending a lot of time rubbing & filling around the window openings, & they are getting pretty close. Its just like getting a big car body straight, only even bigger. Jailbarjuice
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Post by casper on Jan 13, 2007 20:46:15 GMT 10
Hey JBJ The Sunliner is starting to look like a Streamliner mate, coming up really well, it is really amazing what a lot of blood, sweat & tears will do to the final finish. Well done, can't wait to see it completed. Paul
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Post by will and Lyn on Jan 13, 2007 22:50:58 GMT 10
;D Hi JB the tail lights look great I reckon thats a great idea not having the sink etc in the van we have got a table that sits outside the door and we use our little grill whenever we cook bloody dangerous occupation cooking inside vans curtains wood fire fat flames gas (no wot I mean) your a glass sculpturor thats what you are (hows the hives ) I mean glass itch should be a work of art like the green and silver Folden when its finished the pair should look great Got some good feeback from a few friends who saw the effy and Jfk in Australian ute this month the bloke who write it did a good job all the best to you and Sue mate Will ps see you in about two weeks
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2007 12:24:51 GMT 10
Hi JBJ
Your doing a great job there mate. The more time you spend inside the van the ideas come to your head. Its all about setting it out the way you and boots want it. no sink or stove....Cooking outside is always a smart move. Not only reduces the risk of fire but a dang sight cooler as well. Just need enough room for a jug and a toaster.
I like the colour scheme at the moment , sorta "rat van" will look cool with hillman lights. using the long board sander is a good idea for getting smooth sides . Just dont get ytoo heavy ahnded with it and gouge dips in the sides.
Now stop reading this and get back to work 139 days to wintersun. Reddo
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Post by royce on Jan 14, 2007 18:43:16 GMT 10
Now I know another advantage to the TD. Open it up and the inside kitchen becomes outside - no curtains, no fiddly bits and fresh air. Ah bliss for the small thinkers.
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Post by cobber on Jan 15, 2007 7:09:48 GMT 10
JBJ mate, You certainly do take on some big projects, but it sounds as though you know what you want, know where you're going, and know how to get there. I could have found good use for a long board sander on ol'36....you'll see what I mean at Motorfest, but then my excuse is..... it's wood, not plastic, it's meant to be bumpy Cobber.
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Post by JBJ on Jan 15, 2007 7:30:28 GMT 10
Hi Cobber,
I wouldnt have been rebuilding the Sunliner like I am if I had bought a complete van, as I could have lived with the rippled externals like everyone else. But seeing mine was gutted when I got it, I decided to try to straighten it up a bit while I was fixing the stuffed external coat. Probably too big a job for most in hindsight, but then I've generally done things the Irish way most of my life.
Thats why its taking me so long, I get enthused for a while, Then leave it for a while. But I will get it finished. As soon as I earn enough to get over Christmas, & the trip to Motorfest, I'm getting a new longboard sander, & getting the cabinetmaker I used on the ply van back to do a bit on the cupboards & doors, as he's only $25 an hour, & gets it right first go, unlike me.
If you stick with your objective, you get the job finished eventually. Thats what you did with Old 36, & look at the great result you ended up with.
See you next week. Jailbarjuice
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 16, 2007 20:33:27 GMT 10
Hi JBJ Good to see you got the eager beavers back again. Knowing what you want to do is always half the battle in a job like that. The way she looks, you should be able to hook a little 5hp Johnson to the number plate bracket and I reckon she would putter up any river to boot! Ray
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Post by JBJ on Feb 11, 2007 18:38:17 GMT 10
Hi All, A bit more on the saga of straightening a Sunliner shell. I got a couple of litres of hifill primer on some of the repaired areas yesterday. Its amazing how you think its fairly straight until you get some single colour to look at. I found a big area at the lower section of the front part of the side panel that was nowhere as straight as I thought. The back panel looks OK. So I wiped on blade putty over the side & sanded it again, this time using 80 grit on a random orbital sander. This picked up a few high spots that need more filling up to. With Glass, you cant do much more than try to level up to the highest spots, unless you build it up behind & grind down. I’m working on the building up principal at this stage. So now more putty, reprime, & rub again. But the panels are coming up great, & every bit of work is a step closer. Its funny. When I was at Coledale I was told by one of the Sunliner Owners that my van had received a lot of damage to the roof & sides, & that they were surprised that I was rebuilding one so bad. Hind sight is easy, isn’t it. Jailbarjuice
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Post by humpty2 on Feb 11, 2007 18:58:29 GMT 10
Looking great Dennis.......love the job on the tail lights, but I suppose to an old Rodder like you .........'twas nutthin!. Spent the day on vans m'self, bit of under and sanding a chassis....all of 10 minutes, wish I could tip it and blast it like Kingys....................spent the rest of the day wrecking an Ali van............well beyond rescue due to WOODROT! Look forward to seeing more of your Sunliner.
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Post by sutcac on Feb 11, 2007 19:20:29 GMT 10
Hang in there with all that prep work JB!! The finished article's going to look great behind the rod ! Cheers Sutcac!
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Post by wildmanaus on Feb 11, 2007 22:16:48 GMT 10
The work so far is looking great there still a bit to do but all worth while when you tow her out for her madien trip. Wildmanaus
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Post by kingy on Feb 12, 2007 7:52:09 GMT 10
Looking good JBJ, that initial prepwork is a pain hey, be all worth it in the long run. Whats the colour scheme going to be, is it going to match the rod ? Kingy
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Feb 12, 2007 8:32:54 GMT 10
Hi JBJ, The Sunliner is sure looking good - will no doubt look like a brand new van when you are all finished. Love the taillights ;D Looking forward to the next lot of pics, Jude & Geoff.
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Post by JBJ on Feb 12, 2007 9:02:29 GMT 10
Thanks everyone for the comments.
Hopefully the paint will end up similar to the rod. But who knows, the rod might sell, then I can buy my dream car, a late 50's Chrysler/dodge/de soto/imperial hemi coupe.
Then I suppose I can paint both in metalflake. Theres no point in being inconspicuous.
Incidently we wont bother with NRMA Motorfest next year, it really is just like Wintersun to us, but a hell of a lot further away. So someone gets a go next time.
Jailbarjuice
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2007 11:45:38 GMT 10
Hi JBJ
I've gotta hand it to ya mate. You have got more patience than me. Stick with it and dont get the "Thats good enoughs" . Once you get it straight and a bit of colour on it besides hifill . you will start to see the fruits of your labour. We all know a good prep job is the secret to a good paint job.
keep at it. No goofing off. its almost mid February and Wintersun is at the start of June... not the end ;D Youve got around about 4 months from today.
Reddo.... motivational speaker for van restorers throughout the world.
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Post by Rosesandpearls on Mar 26, 2007 11:34:43 GMT 10
Hi Jailbarjuice We picked up a sunliner exactly the same as the one you have although in slightly better condition we have repainted ours and even taken it away on a holiday. We were unable to find out the year of manufacture and was wondering if you new the year this style of sunliner was manufactured. Also wondering if you have replaced the perspex windows ??and where you got them done. Ours are intact but cloudy with age. Just read about your windows!! Happy restoring
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Post by JBJ on Mar 26, 2007 20:06:46 GMT 10
Hi Guest, look back thru the thread & you should be able to find the info you need. If not, join the Forum as a member & then you can send a personal message to any member, & we can reply to you. Jailbarjuice
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Post by peteandtrish on Mar 29, 2007 20:53:36 GMT 10
Hey Dennis how are you? Pete and Trish here
I used Wattyl Colourthane 2 pack with associated fillers and products on our sunliner and as you are aware she came up a treat. Colourthane is an industrial grade that is generally used on boilers, and plant equipment. I recommend the product, but at the end of the day it's all about the preparation. By the look of it you can expect a great finish, well done. I have made several attempts to use "photo bucket" without success otherwise I would have posted a few photos of our sunliner. Looking forward to seeing at wintersun.
P&T
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Post by JBJ on Mar 30, 2007 16:36:22 GMT 10
Hi Pete & Trish,
Why not email me the pix you want to show, & I'll post them for you. It took me me a hell of a lot of goes to master crapbucket, but when you get it worked out its not too bad.
Jailbarjuice
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Post by JBJ on Apr 16, 2007 19:26:20 GMT 10
Hi All, We're starting to get some progress now, & since Groovin's sold I can get work done it I cant do as well as paid people can. Our youngest daughter ( 30) is a spray painter, & she's up on a (paid) holiday, to fix the back of Boots EH, & lay some gallons of hifill on the Sunliner. Boy does it make a difference when a tradesgirl lays the paint on. I'm incredibely happy with what a couple of coats of 2 pack hifill does to bog & glass Hopefully the work on the interior starts in a week or so, & runs constantly untill basically in primer. With a bit of luck we'll have it at Wintersun (in primer), unfinished but registered,& looking good. Jailbarjuice
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