BUGA Community
General Category => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Maverick on September 07, 2013, 11:17:51 PM
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What a treat to find something like this group only a couple of days after buying a project Bedford! I'm a novice and this is my first car project having done a couple of ski boats and an old yacht a few years ago. I've always dreamed to own a "cool van" and a "snazzy VW soft top beetle" and a "Shelby Cobra". So here I go on the beginning of this journey with my 'Cool Van" over the coming weeks I'd love to chat and get to know the experience that I have no doubt abounds in this group. Any conversation is welcomed and getting my plan together for what to tackle is where I begin, I think? Cheers to all and thanks to joining me up. :D
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Welcome abourd Maverick, you have certainly come to the right place. There is a wealth of Bedford related information to be found on this forum. This together with the combined knowledge and enthusiasm of your fellow BUGAs makes for a very happy place. Tell us a little more about your van and what your end goal is and we can point you in the right direction....... and photos are always greatly appreciated. Cheers Gordon
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Thx Gordon. I'll do some pics tomoz and list the features of this project. Cheers
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Welcome Maverick, this is the site to be on for anything relating to bedfords, you will get lots of help from every one, best group of people.
Cheers
Graham
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I remember when I started my custom van, I had a plan, a 4 week plan ... many years later and I'm still going - without a plan lol
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G/day maverick, welcome aboard, lots of great info and beddy folk here, thats 4 sure.:)
lol, :D, that would make a great name for the van Busy,
(Withoutaplan)
Its lookin bloody good for not havin a plan.
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Know that feeling BusyKiwi
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You've joined the global craziness! ;) welcome aboard Maverick
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Thanks for the welcomes to you all, yep I'm excited to be starting down this path and have dreams of what might be my 'cool ride'. Maybe I've seen to many programs of "Pimp My Ride" :P
I have some respect for the reality that it's a balance of time - resources - money but the dream is strong for now 8)
Here is some pics at the beginning of this project, and the big ??? where to from here?
I'm hoping for a:- comfortable ride, sweet looking machine, for now it doesn't need big horsepower (hope that doesn't offend to many) but a bit of traveling power and economy if possible.
I'm wanting it for two different applications:- daily driving fitted with a slide in module of several handle-able shelving units to carry tools and stuff for my renovation maintenance business; and with that stuff removed a cool van to travel up the road on weekend trips to see the country side and/or visit relatives etc.... we know that the land of Oz has miles between places.
So with that part of the dream exposed I'll be more than happy with any suggestions and guidance from the BUGA family :)
here is the first lot of pics
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other than the front guard it looks like a really good start for the project!
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Yes Sammy, it's fairly solid. Haven't gone over it with a looking glass yet but the only rust seems to be what I see as just beginning in the gutters and that is mostly surface looking rust I think.
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Sweet van, looks a good base to start from :)
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Good choice for your first restoration, Maverick as options are only limited by your ideas.
Hope you know how to mig weld, cos once you start, you and your mig will be best friends for a while. ??? :o
You will know what I mean once you check out the "surface rust"
In fantasy land, I would have a V8 commodore EFI motor & 4 speed auto, 3.5:1 diff, upgraded brakes and standard wheels.
It would look stock, but go like hell. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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howdy erics8 - thanks; and rumax cheers, am ok with most weld techniques but the light sheet metal will keep me on my toes! and yeh like the engine config you suggest but need to look at the whole project and see if that's in the budget from the beginning.
this link is to my gallery that shows the van inside and out, boy howdy I'll be happy when it looks different :)
http://www.buga.com.au/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=8&g2_itemId=46701 (http://www.buga.com.au/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=8&g2_itemId=46701)
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hey Welcome Maverick!
yeah :D another slider....great for summer...but brrrrrr in winter LOL
anyway have fun and enjoy ur beddy 8)
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Welcome Maverick.
Yep looks like a pretty good start to your project :)
Warren
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Thanks for the welcoming comments again , I love this site for what it offers to all Beddy lovers.
For me to start some little jobs and work out the running gear set up i have 3 queries I'd like to put forward for advice and welcome suggestions or comments.
1. getting the front right guard that is reasonably dented back into shape, what is usually the better way to go? panel beating repairs (I have done some but not this level of repair) or find a donor part to cut and replace. If the cut and replace is the result that will require me just to start shopping on line etc as I guess there is no equivalent of rare spares for us?
2. items like door rubbers/seals is there a supplier in Oz for these sort of items or importing from somewhere or an after market option that is know to work well?
3. the biggie, what experiences are there with the 173 engine and 3 speed manual - this project isn't good enough to be on the road for me to find out yet. Is it thought of as a good enough machine? or If i'm after best power and dive line combinations without the need for engineering certification what is some of the better options?
I have read some articles in the technical section and haven't quiet worked out what I'd like to do
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The dent needs to be pulled out the same way it went in, even if you replace the guard you still want to knock it out first to help stop stretching. Work from the arch first, weld a tag on the edge and with a slide hammer (or chain and wheel rim or whatever) work your way along the arch until it's back to where it should be, don't worry about the top dents (if they don't pop out doing the guard) until after.
If you knock out the top dents first you could actually make it harder for the arch to come out.
If you don't have a slide hammer or welder, use a hunk of steel (round the corners and edge so as to not cut the steel) or lump of wood and try knock out from the hole in the inner guard, remember to knock the arch out first.
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BusyKiwi is right about the bodywork.
Rubber kits are available from rare spares- but others do them as well- my kit is just over $600, but includes a new $120 steering coupling.
Engine... personally, I think it's all about the gearing as CF's are too low- look at your diff/tyre combination. 202's are a dime a dozen and would be my first choice if the engine needs changing. And I deliberately say if..... I'm not sure re your states engineering rules, but by keeping it (relatively) standard, you will have less hassles and a red 6 will bolt straight in. Blues & blacks need changes to the engine cover and a slight floor cut, as the inlet manifold is wider. Gearboxes 3/4/5 speed manual or auto 3/4 speed are all options that have been done before.
I have a 186/trimatic & 3.5 diff. That gives me 2700 RPM @ 100K… and I think that is high, but better than the 3600 with the old (4.454) diff. If I could get away with it, I would put a 4 speed auto commodore box, but that mod won’t give me historic rego.
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I remember when I started my custom van, I had a plan, a 4 week plan ... many years later and I'm still going - without a plan lol
LMFAO.......Yep...... I should have grabbed a $1 off of everyone who has said "finished that van yet?"......I'd be sitting pretty now!!! .. BUGA.
Twas the Christmas of '98'........"just want to fix that rear door seal, and give it a quick lick of paint to seal it before we take off" (around Australia)... DOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!
Welcome aboard Maverick, all the info and help you need is right here bud, all the best and enjoy the ride mate, it's a Doozy! You'll have a blast / cry /cry /cry blast !!
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Hey, Dano... Don't frighten him (her) away...... just book em....
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Thanks for the welcoming comments again , I love this site for what it offers to all Beddy lovers.
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3. the biggie, what experiences are there with the 173 engine and 3 speed manual - this project isn't good enough to be on the road for me to find out yet. Is it thought of as a good enough machine? or If i'm after best power and dive line combinations without the need for engineering certification what is some of the better options?
I have read some articles in the technical section and haven't quiet worked out what I'd like to do
It all depends on your driving style - Sterling Moss or Driving Miss Daisy :)
I have 2 beddies, one with a 202 on gas and aussie 4 speed, and the camper with 173 on petrol & trimatic, the camper is a bit more sluggish than the manual Van but then its got a bit more weight with all the internal fit out, both are good a legal speeds, the manual is a bit more snappier.
I would suggest that a later model 202 and either a 4 speed or auto would be a good combo, all will bolt in without modification or the need for engineering, diff ratio is also important to get decent cruising speed.
Simplest for you would be a late model 202 and a four speed with a 2.78 or 3.08 diff, as you won't have to stuff around with an auto radiator, plumbing and shifter - but then again that's not to hard if you do want to go the auto route.
You could just leave the current combo in, drive it when its on the road and see if you like it, see if you are happy with it and save some money. If you find you don't like it you can always swap out the engine and trans later, only takes half a day.
Warren
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BusyKiwi - you beauty, i'll give that a go. after reading your post it sort of dawned on me (being a bit of a tight arse at times) that I can give it a go to save it, not sure how good that front lower stone guard will reshape - it's fairly crumpled but..... try I will, and if it doesn't work out that well I can look for parts and then do a cut and replace type effort. Have over the years ended up with gear from my dad and am reasonably well kitted for any job, so that part of the journey can begin soon :D
rumax - i'll look into what needs replacing and use your tips of where to source, I've not looked but guess you have a listing somewhere? let me know when you read this pls, and as you and Warren have mentioned I will get it running with the 173 and 3 spd box to see what shape it's actually in. It is starting up but awfully crook, not in the engine I don't think, but more fuel or spark. Id did drive up the trailer ramps but with bit of boot and need to slip the clutch. :P
Warren - good onya for the words as you have two setups yourself, yep I'll get this running first to feel it out. As in my intro I am planning/dreaming to have the back set up for slide in modules - 1 as tool and equip for my building-renovation needs and 2 as a cruising/road trip and basic sleep fit out. That may see me want a bit more eng go from a 202 and 4/5 spd box.
Is the diff just a standard banjo like in hq's etc??? - I think I can put my hands on one, a 3.35 for $150 (I think that's what it is)
Dano - I get your point I reckon - from all the stories of project cars I've heard about, not just BUGA, is the same background of time and money. It seems if you have more money you need less time or as as normal and me included - with less money you need more time ;)
trivia BTW just so's ya gets to know me that little more - Rene' with only one "e" at the end and should have a little accent or acute ' above the last "e" is the french for the letter "a" and used for dudes; girls are normally spelt Renee or Renea. But glad you cover your bases and not guessed me as a girl ;D
thanks to all, this is a great place and support network for beddy lovers with the same interest - well done to everyone on board and look forward to the day I know enough to share as well, that'll be cool 8)