|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 10, 2012 18:17:18 GMT 10
Thanks guys, I guess you just have to get into it when the time comes along, we are trying not to get to carried away with it all before Cowra, we will be there by hook or by crook! Bit of a late start today as I had to get some more supplies  , and now flying solo as Tracy had to go do that horrible work stuff  Got into cutting the side to get rid of the rot, this is the biggest repair left to do, so I guess its all downhill from here   Then decided to do a little more deconstruction, I was going to leave the overhead cupboard floor (it was delaminating from an old leak) but with the front all pulled apart it made sense to tackle that too ... it only involved a couple more pieces of wood coming out for access    New cupboard floor made up and installed, finally I got to put something back in!!!!  Then made up the new piece for the side repair, its only rough cut at this stage so will need to do a bit of fine tuning before fitting tomorrow.   As it stands tonight, looks about the same as last night! Still, there is progress.  Cheers Doug and Tracy. |
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 10, 2012 18:39:36 GMT 10
Not messin around are you Doug? at this rate you'll have the resto done before you leave and nothin to do when you get back home.
|
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 10, 2012 18:42:09 GMT 10
Derk ... I'll show you the list at Cowra ;D ;D  I am happy with the progress though, just need to find a sheet metal workshop that can do a basic rolled panel  Cheers Doug |
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 10, 2012 18:47:23 GMT 10
May want to look at a few of them places that make airconditioning ducts, they shouldn't have to much trouble rolling sheets.
|
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 10, 2012 19:27:23 GMT 10
Yep thanks Derk will do a ring around in the morning...
|
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 11, 2012 17:33:05 GMT 10
Another day at it today with some good progress made .. Started off by fitting the new section I made yesterday, all went well and fits quite well.   Then over to the other side, interestingly enough this side looked the worst before it was pulled apart but actually had the least rot, just this and a bit above the window.  A little bit more chassis work required, this is where the stuffed bolt was and there was a bit of rot in the end of the bearer, also the bolts holding the floor to the chassis had rusted away leaving the floor flapping in the breeze    Fixed it in much the same way as at the back, with a support piece placed in the back and bolted right through (will be in two places when the front bolt is replaced).   Made and fitted the replacement section, all going well now there's nothing like visual progress to keep the enthusiasm up!   Although the front frame didn't look too bad, it actually had rot in every piece at one end or the other, so I just made up a whole new frame.   Trial fitted, will need a little work but all good. First job up for tomorrow.  Finished up today with some progress that can be seen!  Hopefully, tomorrow will be final fit up of the front frame, make up some hoops for the bottom section, and make the new window frame. Loving this stuff! Cheers Doug and Tracy |
|
|
|
Post by seeshell on Apr 11, 2012 17:41:07 GMT 10
My god Doug! You're a man possessed! If I were Tracy I'd go to work too - just for a rest.  Legen...wait for it....dary! Seeshell |
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 12, 2012 18:06:01 GMT 10
Thanks Carly its good to get encouragement, we have been at it pretty solid for a week tomorrow, and there is still some way to go, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I don't think its a train... Got into installing the new frame today, quite fiddly and time consuming to line everything up ... First job was to replace a broken and rotted support for the seat, and do some preliminary work for the "custom" hidden wiring ;D   They say its darkest before the dawn .... I think dawn is coming!!  Couple of hours later, all installed and lined up. I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out why the van was wider than my frame initially - I was confident that I had measured correctly but there was a persistent 6mm gap at the seats. Turns out I was a little too vigorous putting in the support bracing for the roof, I had actually pushed the seats down and spread them!! Backed off the pressure, a few taps with the rubber mallet and all good  Time to tackle what hopefully is the last of the rot in the bond-wood (I am hoping the top under the roof is good - looks OK from the inside ...    The little bit of trim that goes under the window swallowed up a heap of time  two angle cuts on thin ply, weird angled nails, I found a few words I haven't used in a while by the end of it, but its there and looks OK.  Made a start on the window header, should be able to have the window frame re-installed tomorrow with a bit of luck!  Finished up the day looking much the same as yesterday (been here before!), but there is a big difference now; there are no clamps holding it in place!  Fortunately the re-enforcements arrived today, time for a sample I reckon  Cheers Doug |
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Apr 12, 2012 19:48:25 GMT 10
Hi Doug & Tracy,
You're braver than me taking that on just before a big trip.
BUT you have got it just about beat now, & congratulations on your very big effort, & job well done.
Might even have a close look over a drink at Cowra.
Its all downhill from Queensland they tell me, so you can take it easy on the way down
JBJ
|
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 12, 2012 22:40:03 GMT 10
At this rate Doug you may just have a day or two left to get the Ute together, Ouch! I felt that  |
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 13, 2012 19:44:32 GMT 10
Thanks Dennis its been a big week! I feel we are on the home stretch. Yep Derk should get the ute back a couple of days before we go, so no sweat getting it back on the road ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D It was always a bit of a tight call, but it will give me something to do when I get back aye Not that much done to look at today, finished off the window frame but can't install it yet as the tin work isn't done Monday they reckon!     Trial fit has gone well, and I have made up new trim pieces as most of them were gone. Looking forward to putting it all in properly so I can close off the roof. Fortunately, waiting on the tin work won't slow us up, as we will still be able to put the ply back on the front, and get everything prepped up for paint over the weekend. Have already rough sanded all but one of the patches, will just need a smear of bog over the top to smooth them all out. Big weekend planned! Cheers Doug and Tracy. |
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 15, 2012 18:02:57 GMT 10
|
|
Jellybean
Full Member
Any weekend away is a good weekend!!!
Posts: 392
|
Post by Jellybean on Apr 15, 2012 18:14:35 GMT 10
Looking good guys.
It will probably still smell like new paint when you park at Cowra !!!
|
|
|
|
Post by bobandjacqui on Apr 15, 2012 18:42:14 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Apr 15, 2012 20:10:21 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 15, 2012 22:00:25 GMT 10
[Just a minor point though, Doug... I notice your posts are all about we...we...we...did this, did that, but so far I've only seen Tracy slogging her guts out! ;D ;D ]cheers, Al. Beat me to it Al, was thinking the same as I read throught the post |
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 16, 2012 18:08:43 GMT 10
John / Dianne the paint might still be wet when we leave!! It should blow dry all right Thanks Bob and Jacqui the guts of it is done now, I have 4 more days to paint it and reattach all the fittings before the weekend - we want to take it on a shake down run so we are aiming to have it finished by then.  Thanks Al and Derk, but I think you guys underestimate the stress and effort needed in properly supervising one's workers .... shhhhh, what she doesn't hear about won't hurt her (or me!!) ;D ;D ;D True to his word the sheet metal fabricator had the new panel done this morning, not quite the same but I could work with it OK. Fitted up with a bit of hassle but got there in the end ... Window frame back in, roof closed up!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D   That's it for all the main structural stuff, still have some trim work to do but all pretty small and simple. Pulled all the windows out and the other stuff attached to the walls, did some spot priming and sanding (just for something different) so is getting very close to paint. Plan for tomorrow is to finish trimming up, patch a couple more spots I've found before paint, and start painting!! Not normally a fan of painting but in this case I will be glad to start putting some colour on! Cheers Doug and Tracy. |
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 16, 2012 19:04:24 GMT 10
Thanks Al and Derk, but I think you guys underestimate the stress and effort needed in properly supervising one's workers .... I'm hearing ya Doug, been there done that As for colour, have we decided what we're going with? |
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 17, 2012 18:28:10 GMT 10
As for colour, have we decided what we're going with? Yep! Nothing much to show for a days work today, but all the final prep is done. So tomorrow its mask up and into it, hoping to get two coats on in the day. Cheers Doug and Tracy |
|
|
|
Post by oldbitsmadenew on Apr 19, 2012 22:30:54 GMT 10
Hi Doug
So this is your idea of doing a couple of things to the van before you go away.... the front of the van and the back of the van! Doing a great job, thanks for posting the updates.
|
|
|
|
Post by hilldweller on Apr 20, 2012 8:49:37 GMT 10
This is a great thread! Looking forward to the paint...
|
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Apr 20, 2012 17:56:57 GMT 10
Thanks for that but I'm afraid you will have to wait till after the "big reveal" at the Nationals to see the end product... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I am keeping a bit of a journal of progress each day so the story will be continued .... See you all at Cowra! |
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Apr 20, 2012 18:31:52 GMT 10
Hmmmmm a bit like my kitchen in "STU" hey |
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on May 12, 2012 18:38:31 GMT 10
Ok so now that the Nationals are done and dusted, I thought I’d post up the rest of the story of our van leading up to the trip … I ran a bit of a journal throughout to put up after the “big reveal” at the Nationals; see, I didn’t forget you! 18/4/12 …. 7 days till we leave! Paint day today, where at last some visual progress happens! Lucked it in, the forecast was for showers but got a nice clear warm day. Masked up:  First coat:  Second Coat:   Good days work, even got started on re-assembling the rear window but have found the winders will not hack it when it’s all together, so will need to get some new ones tomorrow. Tomorrow is re-assembly day, might get it all back together in a day but I’ve kind of allocated Friday as well so no stress! Cheers Doug and Tracy 19/4/12 Finally got the rear window reassembled! Only waiting for a new screen now (ordered two the same but the top one has square corners at the bottom as far as the screen goes, the bottom has rounded corners ….  Installed, along with the new rear lights  Did the red stripe (couple of coats) and a bit of patching up on the paint, as well as some tidying up of inside paint that I forgot to do yesterday.  Coming along nicely, but didn’t get as much done as I’d hoped. Big push tomorrow to get all the fiddly bits done on the outside at least! Cheers Doug and Tracy 20/4/12 Clearly I underestimated the amount of time needed to reattach everything! Went all day and still have lots to do, main part of the day was putting in the front window, the new Perspex corner windows were sort of a fit, it was a struggle to make them work …. Needless to say, there won’t be any recommendations forthcoming on the business that did them! Not only were the windows distorted from the bending process, but he took over a week to do them! If it wasn’t so close to going away I would not have accepted them. Anyway, all installed now:  The rest of the day was spent doing fiddly things like sorting a number plate light, and have made a start with the J mould … I guess the time goes when you are replacing this type of stuff with new rather than just screwing the old stuff back on. Fortunately, I do have a few days up my sleeve and Tracy will be able to help out over the weekend … tomorrows another day! 21/4/12 The big push is on to get everything sorted for the Nationals trip, the colours are all on, the bits and pieces are pretty much all on too …  Tracy was at it again … she was cleaning the windows and I hear a little crack, followed by “sh$#” so I guessed I had a bit more to do on Monday!  Starting to come together now, only the trim and a few odds and sods tomorrow ….. yeehaa!!  22/4/12 Actually had to break out the lights and work past dusk today, the trim took much longer than expected, and Tracy got into a couple of extras as well …   Some new floor coverings:  And took off the black and white checks off the table and found the Laminex in pretty good condition, bonus!  23/4/12 Just a couple of fiddly bits and pieces still kept me busy all day. Serviced the car, fitted the brake controller, sorted the broken window, got a new spare organised for the van, taped down the vinyl. Tomorrow should be pretty easy (I hope) just got to hang some curtains, get the fridge on and filled, make the bed, clean the car and pack the toolkit. See you all at Cowra!! |
|
|
|
Post by seeshell on May 12, 2012 19:05:18 GMT 10
Hi Doug and Tracy Great log - and nice of you to think of us that missed the reveal! I'm still in awe of what you got done in such a short time - with the help of your lovely "young bloke".  I like the stripes - they look really good. And how lucky are you with that formica - all in all, a really top job, and a pleasure to watch. A credit to you both! Seeshell |
|
