vw t2 1974 restoration

Discussion in 'Restorations' started by Dean mitropoulos, Mar 13, 2021.

  1. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    This is the one I use, pictured next to a regular tie-rod size one. Here it's about £80 so $160 to you. Another of the "expensive to use once" type tools. Maybe you can hire/borrow one to change your boots or get the hub off so you can remove the arms and take them somewhere with a press.

    DSCF2648.jpg
     
  2. Removed the brakes. Two of the pistons were chipped. Should I re use them? Going to clean the calipers
     

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  3. will I be required to fit seatbelts or use seatbelts in a kombi. Back in 1974 in NSW, there were no requirements to wear a seatbelt. Like wise, i'm not required to fit a cat converter, ABS or fuel injectors as it never came with it as stock when made for Australia. I don't see a point in having to wear a seatbelt going around the block in it as I would be going slow and don't plan on having an accident or hitting something in a $80k kombi when restored.
     
  4. Hi Dean, seat belts became compulsory in NSW in 1971. Your Kombi came with seat belts. Patrick
     
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  5. Thanks Patrick. I did not realise. looks like they will be getting refurbished and cleaned as well then. I still prefer wearing a seat belt however I wanted to keep it all stock.
     
  6. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    At almost 50 years old, I'd treat yourself to some new ones!
     
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  7. How much will it cost to get the steering, suspension and breaks installed. Most of the mechanics of it. Does $1500 seem expensive for a full paint job in, out and below
     
  8. I don’t reckon you could do it with rattle cans for that price.

    Cost me $3,000 over ten years ago to get a blow over on my beetle.
     
  9. Sorry meant $15,000. Show finish
     
  10. As you guys know I’m doing a professional job with only the best of the best for everything. Parts and workmanship. Will cost a bom from getting all my quotes however reasonable. And I know what is good and original and what is not and have references for people
     
  11. The would be believable if ALL the body work was done first
     
  12. Yes my guy will get it with me perfect and all panels flat and level. So the panel beating and body work will be done perfect and to stock original standard.

    I would rather pay a panel beater to do the body work then a panel beater to fill it with bog.
     
    Barry76 likes this.
  13. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    I have to ask... are you trying to create a show-winner, 'trailer queen', for towing around all the VW meetings in your area?
    Or do you intend to go camping and actually use it? The two aren't completely mutually exclusive, but if you're nipping down to the supermarket for beer and sausages and someone dings it with a trolley, it does kind of affect how you react.
    At the start of this thread, you seemed to be restoring a very rusty kombi, learning as you go and getting new skills - now you seem to be paying thousands to other people and looking for show finish paint jobs.
    At the end of the day paint protects metal, and good paint hopefully protects metal for a decent number of years, so if you've got the dosh it's worth it.
    (ask @paulcalf , his paint job was top spec a ridiculous number of years ago and it still looks mint)
    15k aussie dollars is about £8K over here... it's enough, but not excessive if you are going for the full metal up, numerous top coats, show and shine.
    But until you've got a complete fully welded up shell....
     
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  14. I have done a lot of panel work to it (too much) and still have to pay a little for someone to finish some bits of, and panel beat it flat. I have asked around many paint places in Sydney area and they are all about $15,000. I have no other choice and either way I have to get it done and they all tell me it will be a professional finish as when it was new (is this not show finish?). I don't have to skills to paint. I want a good lasting paint job. what it the point of doing this restoration if I can even take it out to enjoy and only drive to VW meeting on a trailer. I don't have money to spend but I have to on the paint as this part of it is what I cannot do any part my self unlike all the other stages that I can do.

    I have not spend $1 on labour as of now. I will be spending money on paint, some panel work, steering and brakes.
     
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  15. Hi Dean, good to hear you are still working on it - do you have any more photos? Patrick
     
  16. not that nothing that is noticeable. Getting it towed over in March to finish the body work, line up a pillar and sills ect... the restores are a rip off. They charge 5 times the correct price and they do not do a better job. what do you think of the paint price. At least I know mine will be 100%
     
  17. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    I'd say show finish is better than factory. The factory paint job was good, but not a show finish.
    Mines far from that, but I did cut and polish the paint work which adds quite a lot more work (the baja on the other hand won't be getting such treatment if I'm only going to go and drive it into a hedge in a few months).
     
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  18. well I must have my terminology wrong. I want the paint job to be perfect in terms of the quality of it so it does not rust and the seams are all sealed up properly.
     
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  19. I see other cars advertised online and they are not in any better condition then mine running and even double price. I paid $20,000 however the seller wanted $30,000. I know I went a bit too far however most restores would off pulled it apart like that anyway just in stages and braced it better. Need to learn from my mistakes however I never thought it would off costed soo much to begin with otherwise I would not have bought it. Need to get it finished and I never give up at all.
     
  20. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    No worries, and apologies, mine was a genuine question and it wasn’t supposed to sound critical. You had suddenly started mentioning the word ‘perfect’ and ‘show finish’ etc, I was really just asking what you were aiming for. I didn’t realise you were so near completion with the main bodywork, good work.
     

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