Gutting out the inside

We've spent a couple of nights working on the van and we're amazed by the progress.

Firstly we got the headlights off the front and also the tow bar off the back of the van.

Next on our attack list was the other side window. This was a lot easier than the other one as it had metal frame to it as the window opened. We also learned from the first one how to remove it.

We also removed the front seats which was very easy.

Stevie had problems getting one of the bumper brackets off as it had rusted through the panel of the van. After a lot of WD40, wire brushing and angle grinding he eventually got it off.

Our next task was to remove the interior cupboards and the back seat. Getting the seat out was very easy and only took a few minutes.

Next on the list was the cupboard above the bed, again it was very easy to remove.


The big cupboard which included the wardrobe. This was harder to remove due to some of the screws being tricky to find.

That just left the long cupboard which has the sink and cooker in it. Surprisingly there were hardly any screws securing this to the van. when we came to take it out it was very heavy, some grunting and groaning we soon got it out.

We were amazed by how much space there was in the van once everythng was removed.

Doors and bumpers

So after a long day on Saturday, we had a lie in on Sunday then headed up to the workshop.  We had to go via B&Q as we needed a 13mm spanner.  That was easier said than done, we went to the nearest B&Q and found empty spaces, so off we head to Wickes which was nearby, nothing there either.  So back in the car and off to a bigger B&Q, thankfully success there so then it was off to the workshop.

Our plan for the day was to take the rest of the doors and the bumpers off.  Stevie then said let's try and get the window out, so we tried to get that out from the side panel.  After a long time and lots of soapy water, we managed to get it out.

After a cuppa we then tackled the front doors.  It was easier than we had expected given the hassle we'd had with the other door.  The only surprise was the weight of them, not a one person job carrying them about.  

The next task was to remove the bumpers, this was where we needed the 13mm spanner for.  Some of the bolts were so rusty that they snapped, so now we need to find replacement bolts.

While Stevie took off the bumpers Bunchie took off the back lights, indicators and the front grill panels.  

Once that was finished we called it a day and went home having done a good job.

Getting started

Hurray the weekend arrived and we've finally got our lease and keys for the workshop.

Now the fun begins and we've loaded up the van with tools and equipment to get us started.  The workshop was a bit dusty so our first task was to clean it out.  Stevie started sweeping the workshop while Bunchie nipped off to B&Q to get another pressure washer as the one we brought from home didn't have a lance with it.

While Bunchie was away Stevie started washing the van as he'd finished sweeping.  The van had been left under some trees and was covered in moss from that.  Using the hose he went over the van first giving it a good scrub.  When Bunchie returned she was amazed to see a clean roof on the van and helped finish that off.

Stevie also removed the panel off the sliding door runner and ventilators off the back.

Once the van was finished, we put the power washer together and we started power washing the workshop.  We even washed the walls down, it was amazing the dirt that came off the workshop.

With that finished we left the workshop to dry out and went over the van with the power washer.  As we power washed the van we were amazed to see that it not only removed the dirt but also some of the rust and flakey paint.  It also proved effective at removing the stickers from the back.

Doing this did however leave the glue on the paintwork ;)

After a well deserved cuppa (yes we did remember the kettle, tea bags and milk) while everything dried out we worked out what we were gonna do next.  Let's take the side door off Stevie suggested, up for a challenge Bunchie agreed.

Stevie then got in the van to reverse into the workshop.  Slight problem as he'd removed the wing mirrors while Bunchie was away.  Guess who had to guide him into the workshop without causing any damage to the van.

So onto the task of removing the side door.  Well that was not as easy as we'd thought.  We removed the catch then the bottom runner and thought that getting it off the runner would be easy, there must be a gap for the runner to get out.  Well that was wrong.  Add to it that the door was heavy, we were getting tired and that we could not just figure it out.

We tried unscrewing the bolt that held the roller but that did not work.  Bunchie wondered if we could get it off the far end so we tried that and failed.  A lot of head scratching and thinking took place, eventually we worked out that it could come off the start of the runner with a bit of manipulation.  Finally we got the door off.

We put it on some cardboard against the wall and left for the evening.

Workshop

Well we've identified a workshop and are waiting for the lease to be sorted out for it.  It's about half an hour from home and has electricity, light and water.  It looks like it has enough space for us to be able to take the doors off the van and work on the with plenty of space to walk round and do other things.

Hopefully we'll have the lease this week and can start work this weekend.

We're both excited about this can just want to get started on it.