niko's 61 microbus

[kombi niko]

gotcha, I'll measure it up tomorrow morning for you

[kombi niko]

Finished off the last of the pillar repairs today, then went on to the front floor removal.



Floor section that was rusted was quite easy to remove, i used a chisel and hammer to remove the spots welds.



Did have a little damage which will need beating.

[kombi niko]

Chopped a little out of the front but that's as far as its going till I buy the front 3 panels


Went on to the roof repair next, marking out the area to be cut out first, cutting then unpicking the rusted out roof gutter and stiffener.


Note how much inner bracing I've done, looks like a v8 super car in there. It amazing how much the metal moves once you start cutting out the strength.


You can see heaps of rust in this section, I think the bus must have had two flat tyres on one side which made the bus drop lower and keep water trapped in the gutter.

[kombi niko]

A little more today, worked on the light buckets and the roof, heaps of trial fitting is needed before I go near a welder for the gutters and roof section. The buckets have small rust spots that have been cut out and welded up.

[bleiner]

It's certainly a big project you've got going there Niko, but your moving along nicely. Loving the pics!

[kombi niko]

oh yes, running out of time too, did a little bit more on the bus, worked on the above cargo door stiffener and the rear curved roof section now that was a bastard to fit and wasnt ever close. Think it got made on a friday!!





Mounted the door to make sure they lined up after all the welding of the gutters. These bus move heaps when you start cutting panels off them ,be warned!!






You can see this part doesnt not line up at all, not sure what autocraft are doing with this??? I had to cut it and reweld it.

[Greypow]

Lot Of work there Niko but your making great progress!

[kombi niko]

Cheers mate, yes there's a heap to go/ Well today was the last day I will spend on the bus till October as I'm off to the alps for work. Gotta pray for snow cause there's not much up there.
Not much done to day as I need to get a gutter stiffener made. Just a clean up of the corner section and the shed.

Did a quick line up of the rear panels just to make sure they are happy.

Last shot saying good bye to the bus as it sleeps for 3 months but at least it will have company next to the p76

[tar76]

Nice work mate, mine had the same sort of rust in the roof. Might see you in the Alps i'm heading there next month get that snow going

[kombi niko]

what mountain? I'm at fallscreek.

[kombi niko]

Since I lost all the progress pics from the first 3 pages I thought I would post a few rundown pics for peeps that have come to this build late.

I started with this,




plenty of rust



replaced the bulkhead panel


Windscreen frame repair

[tar76]

what mountain? I'm at fallscreek.

Heading to Thredbo

[kombi niko]

Have fun mate hopefully not too much rain. More snow next week

[kombi niko]

Just got this from vicroads Still plenty of combs out there too.

[tar76]

Have fun mate hopefully not too much rain. More snow next week

Opps my bad, should of said Perisher. Long time surfer first time snowboarder...fingers crossed for snow