My Red Caravelle

[campermark71]

I didn't really want to rip out the original seats and replace with a r n r bed because, being honest, I don't really like them and a lot say they are uncomfortable. I have a futon mattress and memory foam topper which is well comfy.

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[Greeny gtc]

I have a bongo seat and a futon mattress with an extension at the back that houses my cooker and storage. The mattress is made up of chopped up memory foam and is sooooo comfortable, even when you have 2 collies pegging you into a corner!

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[campermark71]

A bit more work today, its a job I have wanted to do for a while, the front headlining. Not a bad job and the only casualty was one A Pillar trim decided to split on removal so have glued for now but will need to do something else to it or replace in the future. I am also going to re-colour or cover the A Pillar trims so they match the headlining a bit more.

Question: I got the trims off enough to remove the headlining but couldn't seem to get either off fully so apart from the obvious screws which were removed is the rest just clips and a case of prising, pulling and praying for no breakages?

[S49]

There are the screws you removed, cant remember about clips but it kind of hooks in at the lower windscreen end.I'll check tomorrow as I think I have one in the shed. if so will photo for you Mark.

[campermark71]

There are the screws you removed, cant remember about clips but it kind of hooks in at the lower windscreen end.I'll check tomorrow as I think I have one in the shed. if so will photo for you Mark.

Thanks that would be very helpful.

[S49]

just the screws Mark and it hooks in at the bottom just outta sight where the dash meets the windscreen.

[S49]

Did you buy the front headlining with the vdub logo or cover yourself Mark? I have a similar bought effort on the one barn door from a firm in Telford off flea bay from memory.

[campermark71]

just the screws Mark and it hooks in at the bottom just outta sight where the dash meets the windscreen.

Thanks mate, at least I know where I am pushing and pulling now! lol Mine has some black clips on the edges as well which clip over the door seal.

[campermark71]

Did you buy the front headlining with the vdub logo or cover yourself Mark? I have a similar bought effort on the one barn door from a firm in Telford off flea bay from memory.

I bought the logo from Ebay, glued it to the original headlining (after stripping the old material and foam off) and carpeted over the top, it was a bit of a sod getting all of the lines of the Vdub badge to show but a Subway plastic knife was very useful for this (always keep them as very handy for pushing wire behind trim etc). I did originally put a wooden T4 logo there but that was too thin and wouldnt show through the carpet at all.

[campermark71]

Was checking over the van the other day, oil, water etc and noticed a bit of surface rust inside the air intake vent in the wing so I duly removed the air box and sprayed some trusty Aldi metal paint to sort it for now. That all went well and then I remembered that I needed to top the oil up slightly so I removed the cap and sod it I dropped the b****y thing and it went right down under the Alternator! I managed to touch it but couldnt see it or grab it so off with the undertray which is simple enough but then 2 of the bolts wouldnt tighten so I had to search around for 2 more! All because I am a butter fingers!

[campermark71]

Not done much to the van of late other than driving it, had a little tidy up of the bench behind the front seats and removed the stuff that I didnt need and organised the rest. Some of the stuff thats on the top now will go in the boot under the bed but couldnt get the boot open the other day - the joys of a tailgate and short driveway!

!

Next project is a pull out kitchen at the rear, simular to a slide pod but not paying their prices. May ask a local Campervan furniture specialist and see how much they charge as I think i may struggle but simularly I like designing and building stuff so might have a go!

I am determined to get the bodywork sorted over October/Nov time as its long overdue. A part of me says get a more straight van but this one is basically solid so unless I was really lucky I may regret it and its always better the devil you know etc so i think the best plan is to keep this one.

[campermark71]

Got the van back from the garage last night so well happy! Was awaiting parts so been a delay.

Brakes are now not squeaky - new rear calipers, one new carrier and a set of pads.

New alternator so no more grinding when first starting.

Biggest thing is that I can now select reverse without spraining my wrist! The whole gear change is now a lot slicker - wasn't the usual bushes, it was the cable underneath that had partially seized along with some of the other linkage bits so with all that freed off we now have a nice gear change!

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[campermark71]

Well haven't updated this for a while! I haven't been very active recently due to feeling a bit down in the dumps and constantly knackered. Been back to work twice in the last 6 months but now shielding again!
Anyway the van. Its not currently with me as its having an exterior refurb so when I get it back I will have the interior to do so that will keep me busy! Here's a few pics of the story so far, I wiil hopefully be back on again soon.
As you can see there was a lot of filler and laquer peel

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[campermark71]

And a few more pictures, new wheel arches and sills fitted.

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[campermark71]

Whilst it's been away I have been covering the door panels in 4 way stretch to tidy them up and rewired the USB and accessory sockets on my old toy box bench. I will now be able to access the fuse box from behind the handbrake which is better. The interior is in for a complete refurb when it returns.

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