|
|
Post by billytribe on Apr 12, 2011 20:40:06 GMT 10
Hi VV enthusiasts, We bought our ‘sunny’ off ebay in November 2010. We had to drive all the way from Melbourne to Ulladulla to collect it! On the way back, we underestimated the ‘drag’ even an empty caravan can add to fuel use and ran out of petrol. We have since learned our first lesson in van towing... always have plenty of fuel in the tank! I can only work on the van during my holidays so last summer I stripped it out, removed the shell, sandblasted and strengthened the under carriage, added some new brackets for a 100 litre water tank, added a 19mm from ply floor, glued the shell back onto the plywood using sikaflex ($25 a tube!) but bloody strong!. I now have two weeks off to get some more restoration work going. As you can see from the photos, the roof had weathered so badly over the years that the fibre glass was as thin as 2 mm in some sections. I will add an entire new layer of resin over the roof area for strength. My thanks to Banno for his encouraging words so far! Here are some pictures of our restoration journey so far! Adam & Emma Our ‘Sunny’ awaiting some big love...here goes....wish me luck  This side pretty good- repacked the wheel bearings before making the 1200km trip home  Severe erosion and no gel coat has left the roof as thin as 2 mm in places and very stringy  The original interior  Kitchen unit about to come out  Gutted!  Original wiring  “Look mumma..no wheels......that’s great sunny!”  The rusty chasis – had it sandblasted for $150 bucks- revealed severe cracks along draw bar which is now gusseted using steel flat  Draw bar now strengthened for next 50 years -  New floor made from 19mm form ply  Shell glued onto ply using original fibre glass edge as the guide – used sikaflex adhesive  Well that’s it for now. Cheers, Adam |
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 12, 2011 20:44:35 GMT 10
Welcome Adam looks like a good project there with great progress. You must have got it just in time the interior looked like it was in pretty good nick  |
|
|
|
Post by banno on Apr 12, 2011 20:53:37 GMT 10
Gidday Adam, Sunny is looking good. Keep up the good work.
You will be learning a lot form this project. It is a Hoot when you get into it isn"t it?
Can't wait to see more progress pics.
Banno
|
|
|
|
Post by billytribe on Apr 12, 2011 21:15:53 GMT 10
Thanks guys. It took me a while to figure out the whole picture loading thing...thank god for that instruction sheet! Banno, I have just revisited your thread on page 3 - what is the product you are spraying in the photos - is that spray filler?
Adam
|
|
|
|
Post by oldbitsmadenew on Apr 12, 2011 21:54:58 GMT 10
Hi Adam
You have certainly jumped in at the deep end with your project! I'm sure you will get many hours of enjoyment in the refurbishment, good luck!
oldbitsmadenew
|
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 12, 2011 23:06:52 GMT 10
You've made a start and that's all that counts and may I add a good start it is, keep at it and you'll be finished and ready for the next one before you know it, OH yes you will, take it from someone who's got the resto bug, once you start you can't stop, isn't that right guys? projects just keep coming, more fun that way.
|
|
|
|
Post by Swellwillys on Apr 13, 2011 12:43:15 GMT 10
Billytribe, Gr8 updates mate, seems from the photos posted that you're going to enjoy the ride - I was parrticularly impressed with your hoist for elevating the sunny!!!!!!!!!!  Seems your going the full hog- I understand completly, as I suffer from the same illness. Keep us updated ! And well done ! ;D Swellwillys |
|
|
|
Post by seeshell on Apr 13, 2011 14:47:41 GMT 10
Hi Billytribe Congratulations on your purchase and for so comprehensively getting into your project! Have to love and admire your energy and passion. Like Swellwillys I did particularly like your "levitation" feature for the Sunny. When you touch and refurbish every par of your van, it certainly gives a lot of piece of mind that all the other work you do won't be undone by something "hidden". Plus, it's just heaps of fun. Welcome to the group, and be sure to give us lots of updates over the next two weeks while you crack on - we love the pictures and to hear about how people are going. Cheers! Seeshell |
|
|
|
Post by billytribe on Apr 13, 2011 19:31:39 GMT 10
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all of the encouraging words....pretty sure this will be my only caravan restoration in life..but obviously some of you guys are just suckers for punishment! I didn't really have any choice but to strip the van right back as the floor was massively rotted out around the fridge area and the seats were also very wrecked. I have begun building the new cupboards out of 12 mm plywood today. I will post more photos soon.
Again..its great to be part of this web site ... I have already spent way too many hours looking at other people's vans and restoration projects. I particularly like the matching vintage cars that go with the vans.. wonder how I could convince my wife about that in the future?
Cheers,
Adam
|
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 13, 2011 19:36:42 GMT 10
AH HA, a future tow car, see I told you the resto bug would get ya, already thinking ahead ;D ;D OH dear not to worry we'll look after you.
|
|
|
|
Post by maddatto on Apr 14, 2011 19:56:57 GMT 10
well done billy those vans are awesome. Sikkaflex is amazing stuff and incredibly strong. One thing though is that you mentioned adding a layer of resin to strengthen the roof.Resin on its own wont make it stronger.your best bet would be to glass in new reinforcing sections on the underside in the thin or cracked areas.
|
|
|
|
Post by surferh on Apr 15, 2011 18:45:26 GMT 10
nice to see another sunny getting restored
|
|
|
|
Post by retro64 on Apr 18, 2011 8:59:03 GMT 10
Hi Adam and Emma, welcome to the forum,
Firstly congratulations on the purchase of your Sunliner, they certainly are a much loved Vintage Van(we happen to have one also) and an iconic shape.
Those of us who have them certainly love the little bubble shape and style unique to this brand.
Thanks for posting pics of your resto thus far, along with others i'll comment on your elevation design in saying that if its simple clever and it works, great!!!
Might also add the strategically placed chair, to sit and admire your handy work, is a nice touch to the overall scene.
You've certainly got your hands full with this resto, but it looks like you've got it sorted and will have a van to be proud of when all's said and done.
We wish you all the best in the process of achieving your idea of the perfect Sunny,
cheers retro64
|
|
|
|
Post by billytribe on Jul 14, 2011 23:17:32 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by surferh on Jul 15, 2011 0:29:36 GMT 10
looking real good, from a chippys point of view the carpentry is really good, probably better than i have done haha. its starting to take shape =]
|
|
|
|
Post by retro64 on Jul 15, 2011 8:41:27 GMT 10
Hey billytribe, Thanks for the updates, you've certainly done alot in afew months, that fiberglass was awfully thin  in the first pictures, glad you found a way to thicken it up. Hope that it all comes together for you, and the new hoodlining is just what you want. The new cupboards look good,so you're well on your way to a great van. Well done guys, Cheeers retro64 |
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Jul 15, 2011 22:27:19 GMT 10
Hi billytribe, got to ask why your so concerned with thickning the fibreglass? them cupbords will hold it all together no problem ;D , think I'd have to agree with you on 9mm ply even at that thickness it would have been plenty strong enough but having said that your sunny will be the most solid one out there and will outlast all the rest.
|
|
|
|
Post by wayne benson 61sunliner on Jul 16, 2011 10:59:06 GMT 10
HAY GREAT JOB ,HOW MANY SUNLINERS ARE CURRENTLY GETTING A BIRTHDAY MAKE OVER ??
|
|
|
|
Post by surferh on Jul 17, 2011 18:11:17 GMT 10
mine is xD
|
|
|
|
Post by wayne benson 61sunliner on Sept 8, 2011 20:01:32 GMT 10
im at undercoat stage and will send some pics soon all on target for xmas camping ,cant wait!!
|
|
|
|
Post by seeshell on Sept 8, 2011 20:44:30 GMT 10
Go you mad thing, go! Pictures, we need pictures of your progress! What's the date you are counting down to? Pre-Xmas or Post-Xmas camping? If it is Boxing Day +, you have all Xmas Day afternoon if you need it...  Cheers Seeshell |
|
in the first pictures, glad you found a way to thicken it up.