I'll go ahead and weld then. Definitely take your point about making sure engine lid fits and working back from there
Kind of how I've been working all along, like when I clamped on the long sill and made sure all the pillars and strengtheners fitted to it before welding.

Whilst waiting for some parts for the rear, I decided to have another attempt at the front. I've used one of the less popular panels that go above the headlights, but I've found it to be a really good fit:





















Turned out really well, until I attached it at the bottom. I have since unpicked it and now need to decide if I'm going to have another go at that or leave it to a pro. Also the although the panel is a good fit, the swage on the right is a very slightly different profile to the original, and will need some filling. But the lap weld across the middle and the dressing over at the sides I'm really happy with.

Been busy turning this:



into this:



My local Wilko has sold out of wire brushes for drills. Apparently some idiot has been in everyday and has been buying them up as fast as they can restock.

And this...



...into this:

My specially fabricated part for the rear arrived (Thanks Rick at Schofields) so fitted that:

Some nice work going on there Paul

Cheers Rusty!

Just thought I'd let you know I'm still here!

During my hiatus from work, I got a lot done, but not as much as I hoped. I'm probably not going to get another chance to take that much time off for a couple of years, and with my working speed, just doing the odd evening and weekend, the reality is it won't get done this century. Therefore, I have called in the services of a pro, namely Paul at Radical campers. I've done about three quarters of the body work, and I was always going to get a pro to do the running gear and paint.

So I'm not really disappointed. It's still got a lot of my work in it and I'm going to have a stab at the interior too. A real man is as handy with a sewing machine as he is with a mig welder

So they've been fixing the dents around the windows:



And fitting the cargo door side sills:

The sad day has come to admit to myself this is never going to get finished:

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=118689

I had a lot of fun working on him but a combination of work commitments, changes in life circumstances and being messed around by mechanics mean this is no longer realistic.

A few pics of Franklin as he is today.

Quick update on Franklin. The garage we had the van in let us down badly....poor quality work. Luckily we weren't in too deep financially before we pulled him out 10 months ago.

On a more positive note, hes been tucked up in Bristol for the last 10 months and Franklins slot has just come up.....so at long last the van will be getting some quality bodywork and painting....as long as my wallet can hold out. The long term plan is to rebuild myself (with the exception of the engine and gearbox)...although this may well change.Will post some pics soon, or a link to his album.

Would you like us to use this thread ?

Guess we are!

Whole lot of cutting and repairs to do to this bus, anyway it’s blasted and going into colour coded primer.

Looking fab

Body in primer