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General Category => Members Rides => Topic started by: hammondo on July 14, 2012, 11:58:23 PM

Title: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on July 14, 2012, 11:58:23 PM
 :)

so, in a magical moment of clarity, I discovered the genius of restoring a bedford van to use as a daily work van/promotional vehicle for my business, and my business is fish. More specifically we do commercial aquariums.

but thats boring, so back to the van.

bought this about 6 weeks ago:

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0022.jpg)

I immediately began stripping the car down and sorting out the rust spots that had come through.
the floor in the back was in pretty good shape, but there was some plating required in the front section caused by water leaks in the roof/gutter, in the end though the floor came up good and is coated in POR15:

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0013-1.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0014.jpg)

the body needed some straightening, but she's come up pretty good. main shell now primed and guide coated, in a few more days I can start rubbing it back:

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0006-1.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0004.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0009-1.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0008-1.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0007-1.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0011-1.jpg)


Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: Marishka on July 15, 2012, 12:01:32 AM
lookin good,
what colour you going to paint it?
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on July 15, 2012, 12:11:23 AM
lookin good,
what colour you going to paint it?

thanks mate, is going to be metallic silver. the signage is in blue/black, oh and I'm considering doing a white roof.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on July 15, 2012, 12:20:53 AM
you've probably noticed the subtle changes I've made to the body, seams on the front quarters are welded up, front gutter removed, and rear bumper recessed into rear lower quarters. all of this is due to the worst rust areas. the beaver panel was shot, and the design of the water drainage in the front was pretty average so I think sealing it up will prevent future problems.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on July 15, 2012, 12:29:30 AM
I'm modifying a dash out of a CJ chrysler to fit in.

at this stage its a bit rough, but will take a guage cluster I have from a UC (sports dash), as well as air con vents etc.

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0012-1.jpg)
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: Rogue Trooper on July 15, 2012, 06:38:38 AM
you've probably noticed the subtle changes I've made to the body, seams on the front quarters are welded up, front gutter removed, and rear bumper recessed into rear lower quarters. all of this is due to the worst rust areas. the beaver panel was shot, and the design of the water drainage in the front was pretty average so I think sealing it up will prevent future problems.

The front gutter is gone so you've done the hard work there. I had that done to mine many years ago as well but rather than leaving the gutter finishing at the top I had them continued down each side of the widscreen. Best thing I ever did. Stops water blown from the windscreen from seeping in around the top of the doors when you're driving.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: SkippyThBushKangeroo on July 16, 2012, 11:05:22 AM
I'm modifying a dash out of a CJ chrysler to fit in.

im preetty sure my dash is of that era n mode too hammo, it fits very snugly and i can pull the whole assembly out with only 3 screws to undo, notice that whoever fitted it also included the guage assembly in the bottom metal piece below the speedo this give you some idea of what it will look like.....  ;)
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on July 16, 2012, 08:24:39 PM
yeah the valiant dash is a pretty easy swap, I didn't have any spare guages. the VH guages look good in yours though.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on July 16, 2012, 08:32:46 PM
the motor was reco'd about 6 years ago and still has 135 compression, so I gave it new welch plugs/gaskets and a fresh coat of red paint.

after stuffing around with the holley manifold and extractors for an hour, I decided to ditch them and stick with the stock manifolds. Runs on gas anyway and was never meant to be a speedy car.

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0002_renamed_32749.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0001_renamed_14444.jpg)
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on August 09, 2012, 08:30:36 AM
 :)

quick update:
body work finished and off to spray booth:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0001_renamed_1986.jpg)

back to the shed all in 2-pack silver:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0004_renamed_29193.jpg)

new wheels:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0006_renamed_10229.jpg)

roof mods turned out good:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0005_renamed_10168.jpg)

dynamat cabin:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0003_renamed_13103.jpg)

suzuki wiper motor adapted on:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0002_renamed_1010.jpg)

getting close now
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: mezzmo on August 09, 2012, 08:41:00 AM
Loooooove what you did with the front guard seams and front gutter......i am absolutely and unashamedly going to copy those ideas hammondo it looks brilliant. now if you can show mw a sneak peak at the rear!!!!!!!

Great job mate, well done

Mezzmo
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: SkippyThBushKangeroo on August 14, 2012, 06:54:04 PM
yes!!!  all is mightly sexy there hammo   ;D  ;D  ;)
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: BlackBedford on August 15, 2012, 01:36:10 AM
:)

suzuki wiper motor adapted on:


A couple of questions...
Which Suzuki was it off?
Any reason you chose that?

Regards
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: Marishka on August 15, 2012, 12:35:54 PM
also = is it 2 speed with intermittant ?
and is the intermittant if fitted adjustable timing?
 regards marty
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: BusyKiwi on August 15, 2012, 04:59:21 PM
Just about any late model wiper motor will fit, in my 2 vans I have one with a toyota one and the other a commodore, both have intermit, low and high
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: cfjeff on August 16, 2012, 05:07:08 PM
I adapted commodore wiper dwell unit to my bedford wiper motor, works well.

Cheers Jeff
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on August 17, 2012, 06:36:52 PM
:)

suzuki wiper motor adapted on:


A couple of questions...
Which Suzuki was it off?
Any reason you chose that?

Regards

actually it was from a holden, some kind of small hatchback, fairly recent model.

it was in the metal scrap bin at work so I raided the wiper motor. was very easy to adapt on, will try find out what model it is.

only chose it because it was there!
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on August 17, 2012, 06:38:51 PM
also = is it 2 speed with intermittant ?
and is the intermittant if fitted adjustable timing?
 regards marty

it just has two speed that I could get working without the control electronics. But I am installing one of those hella wiper delay units for adjustable intermittency.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on August 17, 2012, 06:41:50 PM
actually on that, I have been trying to find a wiper switch with 3 on positions so I can have an intermittant on a separate switch position.

haven't been able to find an aftermarket one with off/on/on/on.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: BusyKiwi on August 17, 2012, 07:54:52 PM
The only problem with the later model wiper motor is the speed, the old bedford only has slow and slower, the late model has fast and 'omg the wipers are going to fall apart fast'
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on August 19, 2012, 04:46:39 PM
:)

suzuki wiper motor adapted on:


A couple of questions...
Which Suzuki was it off?
Any reason you chose that?

Regards

Had a look at the car, bit hard to tell as its been crushed now. but I think it was a Barina, would have been a recent one, maybe 2009ish or later. Will try find out next time I see the guy.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: BlackBedford on August 19, 2012, 11:50:26 PM
G'day

I just bought a Baleno to strip out so I will have a look at it.
I also just got a new Range Rover blinker switch and a matching wiper switch. It should look very good on the CF.

(http://www.lrseries.com/resources/user/0bfb01cc4c1c79e6318f14fc1796c923a88239b4/PRC4608-WIPER-SWITCH.jpg)
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: ben on August 20, 2012, 08:28:01 AM
i make fibreglass ones if thats of any help.

ben
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on August 21, 2012, 10:17:55 PM
i make fibreglass ones if thats of any help.

ben

which bit do you make Ben?

actually do you do roof consoles?
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: ben on August 22, 2012, 01:56:51 AM
i make side cargo doors in full fibreglass. i posted it in the correct section. somehow its ended up here.

shane j can you please sus this out?

yes i make roof consols. please refer to my for bits for sale in for sale section.

cheers
ben
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: ShaneJ on August 22, 2012, 06:49:34 PM
Sorry Ben, I moved the wanted ad to the wanted section and forgot to move your response with it.

Sorry mate.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: ben on August 22, 2012, 06:51:31 PM
no sweat:)
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on August 31, 2012, 10:24:18 PM
Nearly there now, should be mobile within a week.

dash finished and in:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0022-1.jpg)
guage cluster is UC torana sports dash

air conditioning:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0019.jpg)

you need external transmission cooler to fit air con compressor:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0020.jpg)

you also need to use electric fans as the additional pulley fouls the fan. Mine bedford has a wider than normal radiator so I can fit 2x10" fans one on each side of the waterpump pulley.

this is the factory HZ style aircon bracket for sanden compressor:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/SANY0021.jpg)

work perfectly in a bedford.

the only condensor i could get is the stand-alone one with the built in electric fan.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on November 12, 2012, 09:31:50 PM
I've sufffered a crushing blow with this project.

After spending over ten grand and replacing everything and restoring the body, the last thing I had to do, THE VERY LAST THING, was to pull out the starter motor and tend to a weeping welch plug behind it.

except it wasn't a welch plug, it was a crack in the block about 25cm long.

I allowed myself to have the Sh.....ts for a short time then remembered that I had a 5L injected statesman (1990 model) which has no useful purpose except to be a donor car to my bedford. So its all coming apart again.

starting tomorrow  :'(
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: Dano on November 12, 2012, 11:34:19 PM
one word....BUGA!

sorry to hear that mate, chin up, keep up the good work... you'll love the v8 ... I guarantee it!

Dano
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: Rogue Trooper on November 13, 2012, 03:30:30 AM
Why don't you just get another second-hand block? You should be able to pick one of those up for next to nothing. Also if the crack is just in the water jacket it can sometimes be repaired. You just have the hassle of pulling the engine out and putting it back in unless you want to spend the better part of another 10 grand fitting the 5L and all the certification around that.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: ben on November 13, 2012, 07:29:20 AM
far out sorry to hear that.. ben
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on November 13, 2012, 11:50:16 PM
Why don't you just get another second-hand block? You should be able to pick one of those up for next to nothing. Also if the crack is just in the water jacket it can sometimes be repaired. You just have the hassle of pulling the engine out and putting it back in unless you want to spend the better part of another 10 grand fitting the 5L and all the certification around that.

yes you are right, if I was sensible and rational

I think the V8 conversion will cost about 2 grand, considering I already have the donor car. I spoke to my usual engineer who certified my truck and hot rod and there's not too much additional work around the v8 fitment. seeing as I already have vented discs I only need to add collapsable column.

I'm always up for a challenge.

plus the extra grunt will make it all worth while.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on November 24, 2012, 09:05:50 AM
well its in  :)

now I just have to sort out the injection/computer wiring.

for future reference for other people, if you move the front engine mount post back 120mm and swap from side to side, the T700 will bolt on to the original crossmember in its original location. leaves ample room at the front for radiator/aircon condensor, and the original VN aircon compressor just clears the steering rack.

will try get some pics later.

Greg
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: ben on November 25, 2012, 01:57:15 AM
what do you mean swap them side to side? isthis face them back instead of forward?

ben
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on November 25, 2012, 12:03:39 PM
what do you mean swap them side to side? isthis face them back instead of forward?

ben

I cut them off about 1 inck off the crossmember (above rack mounts) by swapping them side to side it shifted them backwards, with some further modification and re-enforcement they are 120mm back from where they originally were.

this suits the factory engine mounts on the injected 5L. an older 308 might be different.

Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on January 23, 2013, 09:10:06 PM
its in, it works, its engineer approved, the aircon works a treat, it goes really really well

for anyone considering an injected 5L conversion, go for it!

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/IMG_8095_zpsb85aa894.jpg)

had to put in collapsible column, for future reference a VN style column is really easy

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/IMG_8094_zpse386d5ab.jpg)

I love how it looks, I love this car:

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Effortless_Aq/IMG_8093_zps11138d10.jpg)
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: Marishka on January 23, 2013, 09:19:07 PM
looks great Greg,
 was cool meeting u n mick  today,
thanx  for the cup of coffee. anytime your over my way drop in.
 cheers marty
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: hammondo on January 23, 2013, 09:26:06 PM
Cheers Marty, Chris is going to call you about the parts he needs this week sometime, ok to give him your number?

His username here is ivebinbit

looks like that 23 window split screen is not going to be fixed  :-\

G.
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: Marishka on January 23, 2013, 09:46:00 PM
yeah its cool 2 give chris my number,

wow i cant believe the split screens not going to be fixed,  :'( are they going to sell it at all?

i sent my girlfriend the pictures of your dodge hotrod tonight, she loved it, its awsome i like it 2.
she said it reminds her of the munsters ratrod. :), we want to buy one if we can find a good one,


cheers marty
Title: Re: bedford fish van resto
Post by: wendyh on January 23, 2013, 11:01:13 PM
Kool
another amazing bedford happening  8)
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