Sheila & Gary’s long-term project, a 1988 RHD VW Syncro caravel, (camper conversion).
Having originally fitted the truck mirrors it’s been our intention for a long time to fit additional wide-angle mirrors, we are hoping long term to find a suitable single/combined unit but until one is available we have fitted separate mirrors.
For more information & any updates.
See Wing mirrors. in the reviews section.
Modifying our hydraulic press.
Having started work on our MK2 collapsible fire pit (artist impression above) to replace the MK1 version made some time ago. Our intention is to store the collapsible version in the front bash plate (work on which continues), keeping the weight low and any mess out of the van, as much as possible.
However, completing the MK2 fire pit requires bending 3mm sheet steel, so to achieve this we have bought a heavy-duty sheet metal bender.
Unfortunately, the bender required to bend the metal for the fire pit is wider than the hydraulic press we have, so we now need to modify the hydraulic press to fit the bender.
For more information & any updates.
See hydraulic press modification in the Custom (homemade) tools. section.
Another job of the to-do list.
When we fitted larger wheels on the van, we knew in addition to extending the wheel arches we would also need to increase the clearance between the sliding door and the rear wheel. This has now been done thanks mostly to Doug @ Dougs VW Werks as although I was happy to extend the runner I am still a bit reluctant to start cutting the van.
The original side door runner.
For more information & any updates.
See Extend side door runner, in the reviews section.
All the parts are now back with Doug and the task of rebuilding the Beast has begun.
More work whilst the van is at Doug’s, as the van is out of action for some time and most of the parts underneath have been removed, it seemed a good opportunity to get all the removable parts galvanized.
The parts before being galvanized.
While the gearbox is out and the van is at Doug’s I have made a couple of winching points to be welded on the front.
For more information & any updates.
See winching attachment points, in the reviews section.
Whilst the van is with Doug to get the gearbox removed (see link), the opportunity to get the removable parts under the van galvanized has arisen. However, this will mean the van is immobile and stuck on the ramp for some time, so to avoid this problem we have constructed a trolley for the van.
For more information & updates.
See Van Dolly, in the custom (homemade) tools section.
Really sorry to have not got there (again), did get halfway this time.
Continue reading “Syncropendance 2019.”
Two of the custom tools that are being constructed for jobs on the van.
We have been working on a couple of custom tools which we hope will be of aid to us when we finally start to make some of the items planned to add to the van (fuel tanks, pop-top roof, etc).
For more information & updates.
See Metal brake & Tool Stand, in the custom (homemade) tools section.
