Auto sleeper strip out

[landie50]

Hi
We have a rusty t4 trident auto sleeper which we think we want to restore. To save money we are thinking about removing the interior ourselves so that the welding can be carried out safely at the garage. Has anyone done this and give us any tips. We are stuck between spending a few grand on the van or upgrading but that's even more money.
Thanks for reading.

 

[Deleted member 775]

shouldent see any problem with stripping the van ,main thing is take plenty of reference pics for the replacement of the interior fittings and wireing .save any screws small fittings labled in bags or boxes this will aid reasembly . is the majority of the welding chassis related if so a total strip may not be needed but if replacement body panels or body repair sections will be needed the the units would need removing and the insulation removed reckon on having to replace any items that during the strip down may be unsutable for replacing or break though .one thing is advantagous a restoration of the rotten body parts and chassis welding will ensure you have a good van for many years and may also make the van more valuable for the future ,unlike the uncertanty of a potential rot box ill repaired you may buy if you decide to by another good vw vans are expensive and bad one can be too . if your doing the resto yourself take your time ,if your getting the work done by a pro do as much prep work as you can it will keep the labour cost down a fair bit . you may just find your prouder of your van when you have done than another one mabey wanting some work

 

[yorkslass]

Don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but, we had a type 2 which we stripped, so far so good. The problem arose when we began delving into the carcass. Sadly ours was too expensive to do, for us. A pity cos it was a Westphalia and would have been worth doing if you have the budget, go for it

 

[Rob H]

Auto sleeper strip out.

Hi
We have a rusty t4 trident auto sleeper which we think we want to restore. To save money we are thinking about removing the interior ourselves so that the welding can be carried out safely at the garage. Has anyone done this and give us any tips. We are stuck between spending a few grand on the van or upgrading but that's even more money.
Thanks for reading.

Tricky question, .. My opinion, Early T4's 1.9's 2.4's are a reliable simple vehicle, mechanical injection system, body built 'overstrength', later T4.1's were test bed for electronics going into T5, not so reliable, especially auto box issues, VW are scaling down parts support for items specific to the early T4, After market VW van specialists 'may', probably will, take up the mantle for remanufacturing, or scooping up currently hard to get, or impossible to get, parts from stocks in Europe. I'm running an old T4, 1995, 2.4 AAB non turbo engine, 220K, manual 5 speed, lovely old bus, owes me nothing, 32mpg steady 60mph, but when something big and expensive goes bang, am steeling myself for its trip to the tip. Suggest you consider, if running gear mileage is low for year, Buy a MIG welder and mask, teach yourself to weld / you tube / evening classes / experienced pal, this brings the price of restoration to, vehicle safety supports, panels, edge setter 'joggler' with hole punch, .. honestly lol, sheet metal, gas, welding wire, small clamps, safety sundries, your time and labour. the interior you've already got, is easy, Then its well economical, satisfying and can be done on a drive outside summer months.

Good luck with your deliberations.

Rob H.

 

[landie50]

Thanks for information

Hi
All good information, we love the van and we want really to keep it. I cut my teeth on Land Rover series 1`s so welding and old kit I still remember; its time!!
Good point about stripping out too much, I know that the area in front of NSR wheel is rusty when you push your hand up.
The layout is what we want and if we had the money we would not buy the new trident, to flash too much stuff for 55K or so.
We are off next weekend for a jaunt and off to Ireland in august, we will decide then.
Mick

 

[sasquatch]

One of my vans was an MI Xplorer and when I stripped it out the majority of the corrosion was when the rear wheel-arches met the body.