Heidi the Twin Slider Project (1975).

What was the original setup of your bus? I see its not originally a twin slider panel van like mine..was it originally a mini bus ?

 

I’m planning on putting our propex in the space under the drivers seat where the brake fluid reservoir is. A few people have done this. It involves chopping a bit of the metal work out but looks like a neat approach to me.


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On the V5 states a minibus and the codes say it was twin slider from factory as far as I can make out. I like it but I need to decide how far across one of the doors I'm going to come with cabinets whilst still being able to use the door as I like the idea of having both open when parked if the sun ever shines again.

Interesting, so does it end up underneath the cab floor then? I'm also planning on putting the spare wheel in the space between the two front seats so wonder if there would be enough space left. Does sound like a handy way to tuck it away though.

 

No it's in that cavity with the brake reservoir. I know @Kruger and @nobbly have both done it.

 

No room for a spare wheel and a Propex in the front I’m afraid

On a walkthrough it is a super neat solution, luckily my crossover has the fluid reservoir under the dash


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Fuel tank just about squared up. Need to cut some fuel hose for the breather and order some new wider bore tubing to the filler as the old stuff was perished.



Managed to Salvage the old horse hair strap protectors so adhesive sprayed them back on.

 

Onto the Rock 'n' Roll bed frame and started to strip down the old bunk beds. Unsure whether to powdercoat or paint them yet. Ideally would like them powdercoated for longevity but it's more $$$ and I already have paint I could use.

RnR Bed frame sanded back:



Spread the bunks out, its a shame the material is badly ripped on one of the bunks as they are otherwise in pretty good condition. Wasn't sure how to remove the long poles from the end folding frames but luckily I discovered the rivets were the key holding it all together, so drilled them out with a 5mm bit. Managed to salvage all the little plastic bits too!







Has anyone got a website/shop that they have sourced new canvas material for these bunks from. I'm kind of against just buying ready made ones as they are V expensive. We own a sewing machine and it doesn't look that difficult, just a case of finding the right fabric.

TIA, Jonny

 

First update in a long time. Lots happened so I'm re-tracing a few steps.

Whilst the bodyshop are doing the major bodywork stuff I've been prepping the pop-top for paint. Once it, and all it's associated metalwork was removed and home it was pretty obvious there was A LOT to do. Luckily the fibre glass top is actually in really good condition under the grime.

Before



After a wash down



First pass with the sander

 

All the frame work, bunk beds and rock and roll bed were packaged up and sent to the powder coaters..



Except the main frame because it wouldn't fit in the powder coating box



Treated the interior bit of the pop-top to some fresh paint. Not all of it is there but you get the idea!

 

Bumpers and wheels got a lick of paint on from the body shop. Apologies for rubbish photos of these, I couldn't find space to lie them all out prettily. Also they were being stored in another bus, not mine, that day for some reason.

 

Final thing for tonight. The bus had no engine or box in when I bought it. I have since acquired two of these, one pictured below; one was free from a friend, the other was £50 (which I thought was worth it for parts alone considering it's complete). Anyone have any experience with EA81 Subaru engines in their buses? Please shout up if you do...Thanks!



I've actually done quite a lot of work to the engine since these pictures but I need to sort the pictures out.

 

No experience but the EA engine spec indicates it has similar bhp/torque to a 1800/2.0l VW type 4. It should be fine but don’t expect EJ performance.

 

Ye thats roughly what I'd expected, I'm not chasing power just after something sturdy and reliable without have to spend megabucks on a decent recon Aircooled engine. I've managed to source all the necessary conversion parts I think. I'm planning on putting a list of the bits I've gathered on here to see if I'm missing anything major or made any glaringly obvious mistakes! Ha

 

Engine update: A few before and afters. Started out with a pretty grotty 1800cc EA81 essentially complete engine. Running when removed but misfiring, suspected to be the distributor.

After stripping most of the ancillaries:


Heads off:


After much cleaning & heads back on:


Painted the sump:


Some hoses, oil filler, dizzy bracket and dipstick back on:


Intake manifold & alternator brackets:




**sorry about the slippers**

 

Sent both distributors off to H&H Ignition Solutions to fettle and potentially make 1 good one from 2.

Before:


After:


Pretty happy with their service, really friendly and good to deal with. Hope it works..

 

I used H&H Ignition Solutions, very good service and local for me.
Excellent restro keep the photos coming

 

Safety slippers?

 

Paint for the rocker covers.






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Also slightly historical pictures but gearbox in with rebuilt driveshafts and rear hubs all done at home then fitted at the shop.



When we were choosing the colour we weren’t sure if we would like it or not so trialled it in the engine bay with a sample pot. Will get painted again more thoroughly but helped us make our decision.




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looking good