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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Apr 16, 2013 9:56:05 GMT
Took our old camper for MOT yesterday (runs out tomorrow). The sad news is the chassis is totally and absolutely b*gg*r*d, stuffed, a goner, due for the scrap yard in the sky Now at a total loss for what to do next. Is is worth taking the body off (it's in pretty good nick, 1988 Autosleeper Legend, all new gear inside, on a knackered ford transit chassis) and putting it on a newer chassis cab? Understand we need a coachbuilder for this, and is it worth it? How much does it cost? Is there anybody out there who could do this? Would it be better to trade it in against another camper? Oh bugha!
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Post by n brown on Apr 16, 2013 10:31:49 GMT
that is sad nwes mate,i have the same dilemma with my daughter's camper.how easy is it to get the body off,how much would it cost to swap and how much for a reasonable chassis cab,compared to what you can sell it for to offset another camper, or take off everything of use and self build with the bits. I know chassis cabs aren't as cheap as I hoped they might be
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Post by Firefox on Apr 16, 2013 10:43:20 GMT
Sorry to hear that I think it's worth getting a second opinion on the chassis, and worth asking a few local welders for quotes. Many MOT testers will say it is "knackered" because it is beyond the cost of normal economical repairs, but they are not taking the value of the vehicle to you into account. You can get an awful lot of welding done for the price it would cost to transfer the the body (+ the cost of a newer chassis). I'm guessing a decent new chassis £2000+ and the same again at least to transfer the body. Also to be considered is the stress and strains of moving an old body, the possibility of cracks or leaks etc. Your van is pristine inside - so nice - it would be such a shame to lose it!
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Post by n8rbos on Apr 16, 2013 11:03:18 GMT
I was going to suggest the same as vernon, where abouts are you? The easiest option would be to repair the existing chassis ( do transits have chassis? Or is it a purpose chassis?) regards removal, i would imagine it's along the lines of removing a tipper back or luton body, locating all mounting brackets and undoing, but the bigger job would be removing all thats attached to the body( to make it light to remove) then remove all from chassis then transplant to ( if your going this way a brand new galvanised chasis) a new chassis. Could you send piks? If it it is chassis is salvageable i would be happy o undertake the welding work then after mot underseal it for you. I live in wigan.
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Post by Firefox on Apr 16, 2013 11:08:25 GMT
She's not far from Durham
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Post by robmac on Apr 16, 2013 13:18:41 GMT
I think in your situation Marie, I would buy a panel van, use the cupboards, appliances etc. to fit it out (as Nigel suggested). Then I would maybe sell the old truck/empty box as spares or repair. If I remember rightly yours is a monocoque shell on the back? If so I'm sure somebody would buy it as a project.
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Post by passingplaces on Apr 16, 2013 15:47:43 GMT
Ouch.
Sounds awful. I'm useless on the mechanical side so can only offer sympathy, a beer or a lift.
Thankfully loads of much more knowledgeable people around so hopefully you will get sorted pdq.
Kevin
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Post by billieblue on Apr 16, 2013 17:11:45 GMT
Oh helll, Marie what a nightmare for you! Hope you get something sorted. It's such a lovely van......
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Post by tommy on Apr 16, 2013 19:21:33 GMT
I faced the same problem with my works 2001 ford transit van ...
All the suspension mounting points were shot as were the sills at the front and when they showed me i couldnt believe how bad it was. non too keen on the old fords now !
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Post by landydriver on Apr 16, 2013 19:33:38 GMT
old old fords last longer than new old fords....does that make sense They dont make 'em like the used to. Better to look at some of the back street boys for cheaper welding, get a price before you decide.
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Post by daisymini on Apr 16, 2013 20:10:30 GMT
This is really bad news ..!! I know how much you love your little van..I hope you can get it sorted!
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Apr 16, 2013 20:51:25 GMT
We're off down to Yorkshire first thing tomorrow, one of the old school wildcamping members has offered to help. He's seen Neil's photos of the underside and is 90% certain it's fixable. He's got 50 years of mechanics and welding behind him (since age 14!) and has worked with ford transits big time. Fingers crossed folks - although I'm still assuming the worst!
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Post by n8rbos on Apr 16, 2013 22:53:37 GMT
Its like everything in life it's always worse if your not in the know hope all goes well ( which it will)
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Post by Firefox on Apr 16, 2013 23:04:58 GMT
Hope it goes well. They can usually be fixed, even if it means cutting out whole chassis sections replacing from a donor vehicle. Swapping section will be cheaper than swapping your body over, LOL.
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Post by lotusanne on Apr 17, 2013 21:55:35 GMT
Any news Marie? You must be gutted, hope you can find a way to keep it, its so lovely
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Post by wildman on Apr 18, 2013 9:36:05 GMT
Having had a Mk1 transit, I know what problems rust will cause and to fix a lot of them will mean the body may have to be lifted off or at least raised to enable welding on top of the chassis. My old bus 1971 is still on the road, the guy who bought it was a welder. So don't give up hope anything can be rebuilt as said tis just a matter of cost. As to part exchange I doubt a dealer would be interested. However it may sell as a project van on eBay who knows. The body should not be difficault to remove and several people could probably lift it off once unbolted. See how you get on with the welding first.
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Apr 18, 2013 13:46:53 GMT
Took it down to Yorkshire yesterday. Looks like it's sortable. With any luck will get 2 or 3 more years out of the old bucket. Thinking of calling it Maggie rofl
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Post by Firefox on Apr 18, 2013 14:20:09 GMT
Brilliant news! What did I say - they can usually be fixed Old Campers Never Die.... they just cost more to keep on the road
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