My Beddy and Me:)

[Kirk]

Hi Everybody (in the Dr from the Simpsons voice),

Well its my night off, and ive had alot to drink, so im in a good mood:) Thought i might share the journy of my bedford and I, thus far. (leaving as much negative stuff out as possible and focus on the positive)

Anyhow, i got my beddy back about a week ago, and after a few hiccups getting it on the trailor, i brought it to Brakes + in Highpoint, they were happy to go over it and let me know the damage on doing the brakes and replacing the front end susp (bushes tie-rod thingys and ball joints and thingys:) as it was at this point being held together by a split pin (i kid you NOT)...

By friday i got a call (thus dropped off tuesday maybe) and the quote to do the brakes (only brakes) from front to back (master + lines and drums etc) $3000. Now as previously seen everyone is sure im getting ripped off....and well that is great but noone gave me a place who could do it for the price many told me it could be done for, BUT special mention to Benny who being a lover of the Beddy and this site especially, saw what id been thru and offered me half price to do it (P.S. benny ive gone with the Brakes guys, just cant take the chance of going thru it all again). also i think Marty said he had some parts...thanks.

BUT noone has a business whoom you can take a Brake master cylinder to and get it rebuilt for under $300?? NOONE...so they gave me the price of $699(ish) which hurts, BUT they have explained that its a COMPLETE rebuild, including springs (apparently there are springs in there) and even re-tapering the outlets....so not just re-lining the inside...everything except casing (and 1 other thingy) is being replaced.

I also got a rough estimate on doing the front end, which is about the $800 mark, which involves fitting the parts Craig (Hammers) gave and is going to give to me, as well as taking the wishbone thingy off blasting it, and painting it (ohhh my brakes have been painted also)...now im sure this is a high price...but considering to get it to this point, thru other means has cost me close to $2k anyhow, not to mention the stress, and depression) the fact that i can actually go to court should there LEGAL warranty not hold up, and that they have done most of the work is worth the extra $1k-$2k...personally.

Anyhow, this bedford van..is now on its way to being a show van, as due to circumstances, the investment looks to be more than id planned.....

The point of this story isnt about money or mechanics....its about the fact that i am proud...to be part of a "community" that is keeping alive a dream vehicle, that today....almost NOONE knows exists...

within 3 days of my van being on stilts in the front window, they had 2 other owners come for there brakes, and a 3rd truck (bedford) owner organise his too...all within 3 days. Now thats just for repairs, on brakes, in a western suburb of melb??? I am so exited for the day that my van starts rolling around on the streets, fully customised, painted, and fitted out (Pimp my ride style). Just imagine, the interest it will recieve, this shiny black, chromed, luxury vehicle...with style and sound that the youth envy....sure it wont have a V8 for many years (i made the choice...drum @ half the wear time) over disc at better stopping)...so no V8 until Lotto:(.....But who wants to go fast in a beddy anyway? no pint...these babies are about styl;e, power, and shere intimidation...so when it pulls up with its meaty chrome grill and thick body, and sound that makes the earth shake...I do believe...it will in some small part, change someones life:), Just like a $6k beddy changed mine 17yrs ago:)

I hope you are all along for the ride, and this thing of ours...becomes something great:)

Kirk...owner of "Playtime".

Edit: Please forgive spelling...most of my keys are balnk, and im a point typer...also there is no light in this room...lol...)

I missed a few things...1/ the cost for the complete brakes thing is now $2200...which ive paid half off now. 2/ ALOT of people have pointed out the need to learn/do things youself...and i appreciate this advice, however at this point in my life its just not available to me....BUT i should point out that i DO intend to do my NEXT beddy completely BY MYSELF...and YES there will be a next beddy. I currently have plans to do a whole bunch up, mostly as mobile businesses for my company (which im building at the moment)...I have a vision of about 5 different vans, long, and short, rolling around australia. so yes...i do plan to get my hands dirty, but i cant afford the time with this one, its already taken 9mnths longer than anticipated:(  The Love i have for my van...is more than i did for my beautifull girlfriend (she came second...ooops) its a sickening love...and sometimes im sure my van tests me...but i cant imagine my life without my beddy sitting in my garage...rusted, or unroadworthy, doesnt matter....its my baby...and Gosh Darn It...it WILL LOVE ME BACK hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Ok done:)

[John Abbott]

Good on ya Kirk....!! keep the passion going dude. It really doesnt matter if you have to pay a mechanic to get some mechanical things done on your van,because you will enjoy getting your van on the road quicker than most of us who have to wait till time allows or most importantly,money. So go for it buddy and drop a few photos in as well for us all...cheers,,johnno

[ben]

kirk im very happy for you. i didnt have time really but i would make time if it came to that.. all the best!

cheers
ben

[silverado]

Great stuff Kirk
Dont feel bad about the pay to play situation dude, most of the coolest rides and hottest vans etc you see in the USA are built for their owners by professional shops.
Most americans cant fit a stereo let alone overhaul there brakes, there are of course many exceptions to this this, but back yard rod and custom building is something of a tradition and an art in Ausi and NZ.

So when you got to the point of doing it yourself now or later you will feel all the better for it.
In the mean time, you have the most important thing of all "the passion"

Keep the faith brother Beddowyn

Rusty 

[mezzmo]

Sounds like its becoming quite an investment Kirk, that being the case - it doesn't matter who what where or how you get the work done - if your keeping it and its just as you want - the rest is irrelevant. I dont have a mechanical nerve ending in my entire body and always have my cars worked on by the proffessionals (excluding my beddie which is purely a hobby) I have always lived by the rule that i will go to work and do what i do best, to earn the money to pay someone else to do what they do best!!

I wish you the best of luck with the build Kirk and as you already know - there's a tonne of great people with top advice at your finger tips if you need it.

Cheers - Mezz