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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 7, 2011 11:53:52 GMT 10
Hi everyone, we purchase this van on Saturday, which since then we have found a couple of posts regarding it from a year or so ago when it was first looked at being sold. loading her up  we made it home, it was a long slow trip  The guy we bought it off did not really do much with it except pull it apart. We have never restored a van before, but we are looking forward to the experience and cant wait to get stuck into it. Does anyone know what the age and brand of he van is, from what can gather it is a 1960's Harris van, is this correct. I have a couple of questions for now, but i know i will have hundreds to come. And what is this thing in floor at the rear, what was it used for?  I look forward to enjoying this site, can cant wait to start progressing on the van. Cheers, James and Belinda well we got the floor out, witout having to remove the wardrobe or kitchen (so far) speaking to someone at MR ply and wood, he mentioned something about the thickness of the floor having to be 17mm because of the distance between beams on the chassis. The floor that was in there was 12mm, which i would like to do so I can fit back underneath the kitchen and wardrobe. Can i do this or, does it have to be 17mm. I can use 17mm and route out the sections for these, or just do 12mm board? well, we have finished painting the chassis, and new floor is in. Without trying to pull the whole van down, we were able to pull part of the wall framing down, to start the rebuild of the framework. Still very nervous about what we are doing, but I think in the end it will all be ok. As you can see in the photos, the framework is pretty rotted, but we will be replacing the whole lot, the worst bits are yet to come. All framework at each end under the roof is rotted, as well as the ends, which is pretty obvious in the photos.  Anyway, as stated, it is a long preocess but we will get there. |
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 15, 2011 20:44:20 GMT 10
Hi all, Here are som updates on the progress of our project. floor is in  i have strated to replace some of the framing  pulled roof sheets off today. Cross braces look ok, but the top rail on both sides need replacing. impressed that it fits under our back patio  checked all the 240V power last week and still all working fine.  will post more as we get along a bit further. |
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Post by retro64 on Oct 15, 2011 21:39:17 GMT 10
Hi jamesandbel,
Congratulations on the purchase of your lovely Harris.
We much appreciate the photos posted keeping us informed of your progress. Is this your first Vintage Van?
Looks like alot of carpentry is taking place, setting a cracking pace for the rest of your resto. Did you end up with a 12mm floor or did you go for the 17mm thus having to change cupboard heights?
Anyway, hope it all runs smoothly for you,
cheers retro64
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 15, 2011 21:47:27 GMT 10
HI Retro,
Yes this is our first van, and I have never done anything like this before, biggest thing I ever built was a cubby house.
Stuck with the 12mm flooring, which works fine, it has been sealed and I dont thinkwe should have any problems with it.
we are enjoying the process, but living in cessnock the small hardware stores don't stock alot of material, which can make things a little bit frustrating.
I will keep updating as we go along.
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Post by Franklin1 on Oct 15, 2011 22:16:04 GMT 10
G'day jamesandbel, Some of your Photobucket links in your first post have crashed, so when you get some spare time (ha ha ha, who has "spare time" with a caravan restoration?!), can you re-do the links so your photos show again, please? The job is coming along very nicely, and certainly faster than I thought this van would take. Good on you for having a go!  I don't know what your plans are for wiring, but I'd like to make a couple of suggestions: 1. You could upgrade the wiring to the latest Standard 2.5mm wiring for the power points. You'll never get a better chance than having the van stripped down like it is. You can buy the multi-stranded wiring off the spool at Bunnings for $2.10 a metre. You wouldn't need more than about 15 metres to do the whole van, so for $30 you'd know it was up-to-date. 2. For the 12V exterior lights (clearance; stop/tail/indicators), I would recommend you run a dedicated earth lead to each of the lights if there isn't one there already. Manufacturers usually relied on the aluminium cladding to provide the earth, but that isn't always effective. You just need to make sure the earth lead is earthed to clean metal on the chassis somewhere. And again, you won't get a better chance to do it than now. Keep up the good work you're doing. I'm impressed so far!   cheers, Al. |
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 15, 2011 22:53:27 GMT 10
Hi Al,
thanks for the reply and the wiring info, might do the 240V with new 2.5mm throuhgout.
12v have to re do whole thing.
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 23, 2011 20:47:58 GMT 10
hi all, got stuck into it a bit more this weekend. Virtually finished framing on one side of the van. Also put some of the cladding back on to make sure everything lined up, it all seems to be going well so far. a couple of pics from the weekend.    also fitted rear side window and all looking good, need to fix the windows up but just wanted to see if everything is in line. |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 24, 2011 15:01:56 GMT 10
You're making great progress there guys! Are you going to add some insulation while you are able? Might be worth considering. Keep on keeping on ;D
Ray
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Post by cobber on Oct 24, 2011 15:34:50 GMT 10
G'day James 'n Bel,
I have to go and see the blokes at Fulchers soon... do you mind if I take some of these photos to show them what you are doing with their old van, they will be chuffed I reckon.
Cobber.
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Post by hilldweller on Oct 24, 2011 16:57:16 GMT 10
Wow you're racing ahead. It's a cool shape too. Looking forward to more photos |
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 24, 2011 20:25:15 GMT 10
hi ray,
yes we are going to add insulation to the walls before the lining goes on. I will be removing the cladding for painting, but just want to put it on so i can ensure everything is lining up.
Hi Cobber,
I have been in contact with fulchers and sent them some photos, but have had no response. I am trying to get some photos from them from when they had it on top of the container for advertising, but once again have had no response.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 24, 2011 22:00:08 GMT 10
G'day Jamesandbel, Niiiiiice work! You've certainly achieved a lot in a short time. Congratulations. Any of us who wondered if you knew what you'd got yourself into when you purchased the van will have had to revise our opinions pretty quickly!  Not saying I was of that opinion, mind you...  You obviously do have the necessary skills and wherewithal. Keep up the good work - the rest of us are enjoying watching. Better than TV anytime! ;D ;D ;D In admiration, Don Ricardo |
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 28, 2011 22:12:03 GMT 10
ok, so i finished framing one side of the van, and as stated, put the cladding back on just to make sure everything i lining up, and all looking ok.    now time to attack the other side  see how we go. once i have finished this side, will put cladding back on and make sure all is lining up. then take it from there. |
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Post by seeshell on Oct 29, 2011 7:43:24 GMT 10
Hi jamesandbel I just had to write and congratulate you - what a fantastic job you are doing with the old 'Fulchers' van. Very nice framing, and a cracking pace! And it certainly goes to show what can be done with a little know how and a lot of effort! Please keep the pictures coming - it's very inspirational - I can't wait to see how the inside goes as well! She's turning out great. Cheers Seeshell |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 29, 2011 12:00:28 GMT 10
Coming along nicely now. Love seeing such keen workers ;D ;D I notice that the upper framing of the front section (with the g-clamps on it) looks to be a bit short and not quite following the curve of the aluminium. Will that come down further when you add the lower bits of framing and will it be long enough? I'm sure you've worked it out already!! Hope neilncheryl are watching this  (hint hint) Cheers Ray |
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 29, 2011 16:55:09 GMT 10
hi Ray, yes worked it out already, it will come down to match the curve of the cladding, but will have to put some ply ends to the shape of the cladding above the window, as this is the longest timber i could get and missed by that much as they say. similar to this  ripped off the other wall today. ( great template) we also found an unopened kraft cheddar box with cheese still in it with used by date of November 1985    more photos when framing on this side is complete, hopefully next couple of days. |
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 29, 2011 22:36:29 GMT 10
2nd wall frame built, just needs to be glued and screwed, then mounted. the angled piece on the bottom i will do the same as the other side, and finish once mounted.  all in a nights work, says the wife |
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Post by jamesandbel on Oct 31, 2011 8:10:56 GMT 10
and framework is on Still need to tidy up a few things before i start putting cladding back on. but looking good so far.  |
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Post by jamesandbel on Nov 11, 2011 13:30:09 GMT 10
well, cladding now temporarily back on van for now, eveything lining up not to bad. Made a few small errors, but nothing that cant be fixed. Next stage is to look at rebuilding the ends of the van, will see how we go. As this was completely gone when we purchased the van, have nothing to use for templates. But I will work it out and am sure it will be fine.   |
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Post by jamesandbel on Nov 19, 2011 21:47:43 GMT 10
hi all, Well, I started on the ends today, had some issues bending the timber and ended up making curved end out of ply. Same with the top ends as well. Tried to bend the mernati and it snapped, even usine 8mm thick. Was going to use this and laminate 2 pieces together. Ply worked out fine and strong enough, will run braces between the to sides. More work to come , just a quick update.   |
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Post by jamesandbel on Nov 20, 2011 19:45:48 GMT 10
did some sanding today, made a great difference to the appearance of the van. doing some of the smaller jobs whilst waiting on getting more timbr to rebuild ends.  |
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Post by jamesandbel on Nov 26, 2011 22:23:37 GMT 10
Hi All, we started on the ends today, and added a couple of the old windows to make sure everything is fitting fine. All seems to be lining up and coming together. see how the other end goes.  |
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Post by jamesandbel on Dec 11, 2011 21:39:56 GMT 10
Hi All, I have been pretty busy for a couple of weeks and have not touched van, but got stuck into other end tonight. a few small things not linig up but nothinf major, and only out by about 10mm so nothing major to fix. As i have said before, have never done anything like this before, plus we had no templates or anything for the ends, but coming along ok. once all cladding is on to make sure all is lining up ok, it will all come back off to continut with the inside, so we will see what happens but at the moment, here are a couple of photos of tonights work. got a quote the other day off one of my customers to re-do windows, got a quote of $30 per window, not including fames, just re-doing perspex or whatever it is, the stuff he quoted id tinted and has 30 year guarentee against cracking etc.   more photos coming as more progress happens. Cheers james and Bel |
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Post by cruisindoug on Dec 12, 2011 8:03:36 GMT 10
James and Bel you are certainly steaming along with the rebuild, you have come along way already and its starting to take shape well.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Dec 12, 2011 13:10:23 GMT 10
Great progress guys, keep it up and you'll be mobile before you know it - and only 10mm out overall, that's a real credit to your patience, considering what you started with.
Just noticed that the roof is pretty close to the garage roof - hope you've got enough clearance to get it out again ;D ;D ;D I just got caught with that. Bought a second hand garage, walls were 2500mm, even on the company's website. What wasn't mentioned was the the front wall only had 2100mm clearance, because of the roller door framing. Have to have new truss made for the front, so a relatively easy fix.
Ray
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