1960 Split Window Resto/Rebuild

[splitthis]

Cab doors are fucked. Wait till you see what I have to work with, I’ll be doing some major Frankenstein stuff. I have 4 doors to make one good passenger door . And to think I laughed when people were asking $500 for doors that needed hinge work, probably should of jumped on back then. You’ve done a great job though, did you reinforce the hinge points? They’re super weak there, an extra plate on the inside is a good idea.

[VRSenator065]

Yea, they sure are fiddly, I actually only posted that to see if anyone on there was actually watching he he.

I am quickly learning 60 years of wear and tear can be pretty ordinary in places, with mine it pretty much seems everything from about 300mm from the bottom down is buggered. But slow and steady wins the race. I am just glad I got it for $500, so really I think I am way in front. And at least my labour is "free". I can't imagine the cost of paying someone to do this professionally would be, there is just so many hours of work in it.

[spl65t]

[quote="VRSenator065"]Yea, they sure are fiddly, I actually only posted that to see if anyone on there was actually watching he he.

Oh, we’re watching !! Keep Updates and pics coming
Linz

[VRSenator065]

Well, since you asked...
This side door hinges seemed a lot harder to separate so picked up some bright bar today to make up a more substantial puller. Suesy is out tonight so though I might have a play. Well 3 hours later and no dinner yet I finally got one separated without breaking it. This door WILL NOT BEAT ME! ha ha.

[rabidkombi]

Awesome work right there

[VRSenator065]

Kind of feel like that scene in the Castle, where he says, "look Darl, Dale dug a hole!!" Seems an awful lot of effort just to create a door, but still. Not quite finished, still need to weld the top and score a new top hinge, but just about there..

[VRSenator065]

Anyone had a play with this, very cool

http://www.kombi-nation.co.uk/

[VRSenator065]

Order placed direct with Creative Engineering for the door frames. Going to get them delivered to my rellys about an hour or so away from them in England. Then they are going to organise freight for me. Sort of thought if CE know the customer is "local" might have better chance of good delivery time

[Vinda76]

Coming along well
If it’s of any help I plagiarised your hinge pin tool and found it more effective if you remove the collars from the outside bolts and use those to push the pin out rather than the centre bolt. It give more control and a leverage effect
Gav

[VRSenator065]

Coming along well
If it’s of any help I plagiarised your hinge pin tool and found it more effective if you remove the collars from the outside bolts and use those to push the pin out rather than the centre bolt. It give more control and a leverage effect
Gav

Cheers mate.

Door number 2, I definitely feel like mys skills are improving. I def think welding is a bit like painting, its all in the preparation. Bottoms close to done, in two minds whether to just do enough to continue on with the front, or completely finish the door. I think my OCD will win out and I will finish the door!! Few pics for posterity

[VRSenator065]

Yep, nothing fun about doors, tbh they are a pita! Decided to have a go at fabricating a patch piece from scratch for the funky double rolled edge. Used a piece of ally bar I had and used it as a former, tuned out pretty good, but didn't get a pic of it in. Also welded in the patch piece for the skin. Not sure, tempted to actually by a full skin, as the bottom's got some rot, but might sit on that for a while. Did a very quick dummy fit and looks OK.

[Beatts]

More great work!
keep it up Gary you’ll be done in no time.

[VRSenator065]

Thanks mate!! Looks like with this virus situation I might end up with more shed time, so that's a positive!! The only problem is I have ordered those Creative door frames but I think it's getting very difficult to get stuff shipped out from the UK, so they might just be at my relative's place for a while. Also getting any replacement panels is going to be tough so it might be time to hone my fab skills and make parts. But theres lots to go on with, once these doors are done I can get stuck back into the front which I am looking forward too.

[VRSenator065]

Well, that's a fun and productive day. Started off for shits and giggles string lining the side of the bus, just to check what I was doing was lining up, and have to say it was pretty much spot on, which gave me some confidence. So then decided to pull it all apart and fully weld the lower front valance in, as it sits flat against the chassis rail ends so it sort of can only go in one position and it gave me a datum to work off. So got that fully welded in, actually took way longer than I expected as I had to do a repair to the end of the headlight support panel (whatever its called!) but that's how it rolls I guess. Then refitted the A-pillar using clamps and tek screws and a couple of minor tweaks and it sits spot on. Super happy. Measures to the centre the same at the existing pillar. So offered up the window frame and it clips around perfect. Did a bit of a happy dance. Think I might weld in this A-pillar now as again its starts to give me fixed references to work off. Few pics for posterity;

[rabidkombi]

Wow amazing work and dedication mate,inspirational