ben-dover
Part of things
You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter...
Posts: 360
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Jun 12, 2017 16:00:31 GMT
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It's been a while since I last had a project on the go so I thought it would be a laugh to show you all the worst Transit in England! Okay, so maybe it's not exactly the worst, but surely, it must be close! The story starts last week, I was selling a Nissan Vanette (the newer style, not the older, cooler one) and I had a chap pop over to take a look. So, chatting away he mentioned he had a Transit that just failed the MOT, he had started a new job contract (he's a carpenter) and needed a van asap. Talking further he said he couldn't justify spending the £600 the garage wanted for the repairs and getting another van (mine had a new MOT) would be a more sensible option. To be honest taking a rotten old mk6 Transit in part exchange isn't something I would normally do, but, what changed that rule was the guy mentioning the engine size. During this conversation he stated how reliable it had been over the last 4 years, I then mentioned that the 2.0ltr mk6's had a good engine but rotted into the ground (to be expected really, what with being on the coast) He then replied "no mate, it's a 1996 2.5" Okay said I, "it's got loads of bit's on it, was a right head turner" At this point he had my interest! Now, I have a fondness for a 'smiley', so when he mentioned taking it in part exchange I said I would need a look first before agreeing (I have learned the hard way to never, EVER buy blind) so later that day I popped over to his place to take a look. What a sorry looking sight! It was absolutely filthy, had rust on every panel, dodgy stickers on the sides, horrid brown shag pile carpet in the back and more bodges than badger could ever handle. So, being the sensible chap I am, I took it in part-ex, giving far too much for it, it was getting dark, raining and I didn't even look at the fail sheet....  Pictures the morning after...       And yes, that above is the drivers seat mounted using a wood adapter  To be honest the first thing I did was throw it on eBay, but seeing it all upset on my drive has made me change my mind, plus it has a few nice bits attached! Now, this is never going to be a mint van, it's too far gone to be viable, but what can be done is a 'ten minute tart up' so I can get a years use out of it whilst having fun at the same time. I will keep ya'll updated as things progress. |
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Jun 12, 2017 16:05:48 GMT
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Now, this is never going to be a mint van, it's too far gone to be viable, but what can be done is a massive sheet steel bodykit and mid mount V8 so I can get a years use out of it whilst having fun at the same time. I will keep ya'll updated as things progress. |
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Jun 12, 2017 16:06:42 GMT
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As far as smileys go, that actually looks pretty clean to be fair, about ten years ago my grandads neighbour paid me 50 to make and sculpt new wheelarches out of filler  Good weekend with some polish would see it looking nice to be fair  |
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ben-dover
Part of things
You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter...
Posts: 360
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Jun 12, 2017 16:12:41 GMT
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The pic's make it look 10,000 times better than it is! The roof above the screen and back doors is completely shot (BIG holes) and the passenger side A post is made of filler  |
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ben-dover
Part of things
You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter...
Posts: 360
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Jun 12, 2017 16:13:20 GMT
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Now, this is never going to be a mint van, it's too far gone to be viable, but what can be done is a massive sheet steel bodykit and mid mount V8 so I can get a years use out of it whilst having fun at the same time. I will keep ya'll updated as things progress. Now then. Don't start giving me ideas! |
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Jun 12, 2017 16:19:37 GMT
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The pic's make it look 10,000 times better than it is! The roof above the screen and back doors is completely shot (BIG holes) and the passenger side A post is made of filler Sounds like you might as well chop it at the same time then, nice raked chop to go with the new arches. Gutter height zoomies on each side just infront of the rear wheels. At this stage the decision would need to be made as to if you want to go metal mesh 'screen' and satin brown paint or full on hotwheels and loads of flake. |
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Jun 12, 2017 16:21:22 GMT
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I vote flake!!!! |
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ben-dover
Part of things
You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter...
Posts: 360
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Jun 12, 2017 16:23:20 GMT
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Ffs! I was thinking army green tbh.
Besides I can't roof chop it, it's had a brand new screen fitted!
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Jun 12, 2017 17:36:10 GMT
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How bad is it underneath?
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Jun 12, 2017 17:46:36 GMT
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How bad is it underneath? Oooo, complete floorpan swap, I like your thinking. |
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Jun 12, 2017 17:47:41 GMT
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Ok, ill lay off the suggestions Looking forward to seeing it live again though, I like these. |
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ben-dover
Part of things
You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter...
Posts: 360
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Jun 12, 2017 18:51:13 GMT
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How bad is it underneath? It's like your grandma's blanket, patchy... |
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heathrobinson
Part of things
Broken everything
Posts: 848 
Club RR Member Number: 111
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Jun 12, 2017 22:51:01 GMT
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My mate had one of these that had a mystery knock at the front for ages. After poking at the various parts of the suspension repeatedly, we eventually found that it came from the two halves of the crossmember parting and coming together as you went over bumps. Because it had kind of torn in two. Still got through a fair few MOTs after (vaguely) fixing that though!
It was a really ropey but brilliant van, it got the living daylights thrashed out of it all the time, and loved it.
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ben-dover
Part of things
You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter...
Posts: 360
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Jun 13, 2017 15:35:55 GMT
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Okay, Now that my Volvo is heading off to Africa I'm in a position where I need to get the van done so I have a new work horse. So I managed to spend a bit of time on this today which consisted of me cleaning the dash and listing what needs to be done!  Now it looks a lot better! I also had a dig through all the curse word in the back and found some goodies!  So that's a screen visor, chrome step covers and a rather cool (see what I did there?) 12v dash top fan! I had a closer look at the wheels and adapters, Mercedes split rim style 17" alloys. The brake dust is at least 4 mm thick in places! Time to dig out the brick acid...  Now then, one problem I discovered is that you can't open the sliding door fully because of said wheels and adapters...  So I'm going to look into extending the lower slider so it clears (I believe this has been done on VW's?) or maybe finding alternative wheels, Granada Cosworth Wheels maybe? Right, so here is a small taster of the huge list of things needing to be done: Rip out the horrid carpet and burn it in some sort of ceremony to the hippy/stoner gods. Lift the ply flooring and take a look at the inner arches (flagged as an MOT issue) Have a real dig to see what needs welding/repairs for the MOT. Sort out the front seats! I like the BMW seats but whoever fitted them needs shooting! The drivers one has a wood baton as a mount, the passenger's on the other hand has been mounted on a welded frame (great, you'd think) but this frame has just been bolted through the floor using 6mm bolts, two of which have started to pull out as there's no reinforcement! Oh, and to make matters worse the seat belt buckles are part of the seats... I plan on carrying my kid's about so this issue is a priority. Remove the rear seat and other mounts as again, these have been fitted by someone with a death wish! I plan on keeping the rear bench but mount it in a forward position (properly...) so my family can come along for the ride. So that's a bit done today. I'm collecting a camper van tomorrow so progress may be a bit slow over the next few days. See ya'll. |
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dikkehemaworst
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,574
Club RR Member Number: 16
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Jun 13, 2017 17:09:55 GMT
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I vote flake!!!! +1 ! Whoop whoop !! |
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Jun 13, 2017 17:56:56 GMT
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she is a bit ripe...but I can see the potential. one thing bugging me though , the logo , for the life of me I cant think what its off? |
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating
'80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip
'97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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ben-dover
Part of things
You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter...
Posts: 360
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Jun 13, 2017 19:00:48 GMT
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I'm trying to work it out myself. Something to do with gaming???
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Jun 13, 2017 19:09:40 GMT
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a 90's group keeps buzzing round in my head...but it keep getting stifled by all the other rubbish in there!!!
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating
'80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip
'97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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ben-dover
Part of things
You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter...
Posts: 360
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Jun 13, 2017 20:43:37 GMT
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a 90's group keeps buzzing round in my head...but it keep getting stifled by all the other rubbish in there!!! Massive attack? |
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Jun 14, 2017 20:05:46 GMT
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Seen your post on one of the FB transit groups last night.. And thought that it was definitely worth saving.. 😉. Looks sweet on them rims to.. Booked maked this one. One thing it definitely needs is a drop in hight.. 😊 get it "Stanced" buddy 👍
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