bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Hey everyone, Better jump on the van wagon band and post a build thread about my mk2 van. Purchased from Alexandra, taken off the road to tidy it up and fix the rust. That was a couple of years ago, so ill play catch up with my posts to get it to the current state. Pretty standard apart from the 1600 and us800 mags. Mags and massive exhaust tip were the first to go This is how it sat before being taken of the road Plan is keep the 1600, panel up the windows and a few other bits 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Discuss here //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/43995-bmxnz11s-mk2-escort-van/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 First up, tidy the engine bay Strut towers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Heater bubble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Inner Guard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Since van guards are so hard to come by figured id kill some time and fix it myself 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Rebuilt the drivers floor and gearbox tunnel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 Did some more digging along the side of the van, revealed more rust around the sill. Passenger side wasnt as bad Had some damage infront of the rear wheel arch also this has been cut out and i have a new rust cut waiting. First time trying on my new wheels 13x7 rostyles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 While i had to repair the wheel arch i thought it would be a good chance to flare the rear. As the van folk will know, the van and estate guards have more of a flare on them then the sedan guards, and also more then the rear of the vans. Ive always wanted to match the rear with the front. Then BINGO, my parts van i acquired had a couple of spare very rusty and incomplete guards. So took to them with the grinder and now i have a good base to start moulding them to fit the rear. Pop in my reset leaf springs to raise the wheel closer to the flare to give me an idea The idea is nice and subtle. This way my wide rostyles or hotwires fit nicely under them. Thoughts? i like it Also while with grinder in hand i took to the side panels i will be welding in later on. Can still make out the old sign writing under the paint. "Strathmore Butchery. Please to meet you, meat to please you" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 Made this jig up tonight to help shape the arch onto the original. Trying to use the original profile as the arch is slightly different. Will help with bringing the under skin out to meet the new arch too This is as it sits to date 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 Started work on flaring out the under skin. Cut most the old lip off and flared it out to meet the new flare. Want to do it correctly and give myself as much clearance underneath as possible Tacked on the new flare and started to make the the panel behind the rear wheel to match it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 Also tacked up this panel to replace the old damaged part. Will fully weld up once the arch is finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Tacked the flare to the outside of the van to shape and mock up. This is where the ferris wheel jig proved magic. Not only did it provide me with the correct/ original circumference but i also welded tabs onto each point to limit how far the flare sticks out. At this point the under skin touches the flare and this will be welded up later. lots of cutty cutty and weldy weldy and i had a flare i was more or less happy with. Also made this piece up to complete the puzzle Cut the flare and van to suit and welded in place. A picture to prove its metal and not fibreglass/bog/wood/ Still more tweaking to get done before i prime etc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Couple more pictures after a lot of grinding. Seems to flow really well. Pulled the panels in nice and tight Back Front Fingers crossed i can replicate it on the passenger side But before that ill start work on the back and underside. Have some ideas pending i can do them without needing a cert... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 Was hoping to relocate the petrol tank to the side of the van and make use of the extra space underneath by making a bigger box from two petrol tanks, make it look factory and hopefully avoid making it look like a drop box. Would need a cert for this so I wont be doing it. Instead ive been sanding the sides and rear end of it back to bare metal, getting it ready to start the side panels. Who ever painted this must have painted diggers for a living, painted it very heavy. That plus having 100 layers of primer/paint/filler is making it a slow process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 Did the last of the rust repairs and metal work around the sill and arch. Taken back to glorious glorious metal and then for now just brush painted on 2k primer. Skim of neutech and it should tickle it up quite nicely Tomorrow ill start work on paneling up the windows 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Cut the old window surrounds out and managed to tack in the new panel. Taking it very slowly pressing a brass block on the back of the weld to prevent warping of the panel. I chose the panel where it stamps into the van as this was the strongest part. Pictures to prove the work as done Cut through the centre Panel from my parts van. Would not have gone through this process if i didnt have this panel available Old meet new 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmxnz11 Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 All tacked in place. Still have lots of shaping and sanding to get done on the flare This is where the old piece was cut and the new one tacked in. No warping as of yet 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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