My double door resto-mod project....

[Chgrec]

I finished up the drivers seat last night. It was a bit of a pain since my seats came just as frames with no pads or materials to use as a pattern. My first attempt didn't come out like I expected. The upper cover side panels were too narrow causing the rear seam to wrap around the side. So I took that side & top panel off and remade them. I used a photo of original seat covers to try and keep the seams in the same place.

Bus Seats 3.jpg

I do still have some shrinking of the leather to tighten it up some as well as a light heat on the piping to straighten it out some but overall I am pretty happy with them. Nice leather and modern seat heaters will be nice in the winters. I plan to have the controls hidden on a fold away panel under the dash so they wont be seen when not in use..

[Chgrec]

Finished up the passenger seat and everything but the straightening of the piping on the front seats last night. Overall I am pretty happy with how they came out.

passenger seats.jpg

front seats.jpg

Heat shrinking the leather works out so nice and can give you a really tight fit even if your sewing skills are little amateur like mine.

heat shrink 1.jpg

heat shrink 2.jpg

I will do a rear seat (maybe 2) as well but those frames need a lot more repairs, welding, etc and I haven't ordered the rear seat pad replacements yet. So for now it's on to the rear tonneau cover while I have the sewing machine out. That will give me protection for the rear area though I plan to also try and make a modified single cab tilt as well but keeping it cab top high like busware folks do. That will be later, after the rest of the bus is done.

[Chip Birks]

Nice work!

[Chgrec]

Thanks! This is the really fun part of the process (and expensive). I got some door seals and other bits like new reproduction elephant mirrors so that was fun to put those on.

I was also able to get the tonneau pretty much done. I used top grommets from the thing shop (seem to be the same as a single cab tilt grommet) and some leather belting as the tie down. I do still need to sew most of those on however. Overall I think it came out pretty good and I really like the look but I am not really all that happy with some of it.

tonneau1.jpg

The color is too white and seems to clash with the bus' pale blue white so I ordered a variety of other color samples and I'll get my artist wife to pick one...she is sooooo much better at that than I. I am also not going to use the metal grommets on the next one I make. They are a little to stiff and i am afraid they will scratch the paint. So I think I'll just make cloth or leather grommets instead.....

Fun to try new things either way....(I do need more practice on sewing straight lines!)

[Jadewombat]

I saw this yesterday, maybe some wood bows over the bed?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9UPihp04xY

[Chgrec]

That's pretty cool though I haven't done much woodworking. My plan is to make a bow like I have on my jeep tonneau (https://www.quadratec.com/products/1102 ... id=1&pid=1) with it spanning across the bus just in front of the rear seat. The front edge will be propped by the slightly modified drink holder panel....Or at least that is the goal, if I can actually pull it off...

I plan to make a set of hoops & structure to replicate the single cab hoops with a cover but that will come later, after the bus is done & drive-able. We did also select the new color for the rear cover that arrived over the weekend so I'll work on that tonight & post photos once I get it done.

[reuben27]

Coming along nicely. Great work though.

[Chgrec]

Thanks...its only taken 2 1/2 years so far! Here are a couple of shots of the new rear cover.

tan tonneau1.jpg

We went with a khaki waterproof cotton for the rear cover (tonneau) and I used leather for the grommet holes instead of metal ones.

tan tonneau2.jpg

The plan is to also use a tonneau prop bow that runs from side to side just behind the rear cargo doors. The front edge will be propped by the body panel on the wall separating the cabin from the rear section, that will allow water to roll off an not puddle up and should also tighten up the material. The prop will also be removable when the tonneau is removed....

Much happier with this coloring.

[Chgrec]

Been working on the window frames while I am waiting for my reproduction vinyl to arrive. Once it shows up I'll start on the interior panels since they have such an impact on making the bus look closer to done. I am going with the como green & phosphor plaid even though as a panel it had solid grey originally.

The window frames were pretty crusty so a good cleaning & repaint was required as well as some replacement parts like the rubber seals & the vent windows (the posts are gone on mine & one is missing glass). I was fortunate to have all the door glass except for 1 stationary piece so I could do one while I wait for my missing one. Nothing was assembled when I got the bus so I had no idea how it went back together but there were lots of photos to reference. I do have to pull it out again anyways when I remove the door panel blanks to upholster them & to add the vent windows as well as the dreaded vent window seal to install.

Psgr door window.jpg

Lots of fun stuff happening right now!

[reuben27]

Impressive progress. Great work.

[Chgrec]

Thanks! So much fun to do. My reproduction plaid fabric arrived so I was able to start covering interior panels. I used an eBay marine vinyl for the solid color since it was $6 per yard vs $47 for reproduction como (solid) green. I also wanted a slightly darker green to go better with my grey green leather on my seats since that's what my wife said to do...(shes an artist)

driver door panel.jpg

You can also see the solid green wraps on the front end reinforcement steel so it blends better with the modified front kick panels. I also used the same green for the tray as well. I only put the door panels on with a few screws since I still need to finish out the window frames after my replacement wing windows arrive next week.

front inside.jpg

After I finish the front kick panels, I'll start on the cargo panels while I save up my dough and sell some spare parts to pay for the engine rebuild....

[doc]

Super nice.

[Jadewombat]

Thanks...its only taken 2 1/2 years so far!

3D Magic Mike's Datsun truck is already in year 3, Project Binky is in year six, and the last time my bus was road legal was 2010 (although I drive it around the neighborhood sometimes).

Keep it up! Impatience means cutting corners usually.

[Chgrec]

No worries of that...One thing learned a long time ago is that you must be willing to do it again if it isn't right. And for me, the work is the fun part.

I made a set of modified front kick panels. I had to work around the reinforcement structure so I figured I'd wrap those with material and then use 2 panels per side vs the normal one.

1st try kick panel.jpg

I didn't really like the look so I remade them as a single panel on each side. It required leaving a small section without fiberboard so the material can just stretch across the upright posts. Still need some tweaking but overall I like the look better.

front kick panel.jpg

I was also able to get all the panel boards cut out for the cargo doors and I got one covered. I still need to adjust the chrome strips a little & add a lot more screws but I like the look a lot.....cant wait to do the rest and the wall panels!

cargo door.jpg

[Chip Birks]

That looks great!