Oklahoma Vw Cruisers

by **Snot Rod** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:57 pm

Well it has begun, I have been offically released from my home remodeling project and now the rebirth of Snot Rod begins.

Day I brought it home on a trailer

Nasty squirrel nest infested motor

Motor Rebuilt

Motor Install

2011 - Taking it apart

by **9 Fingers** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:08 pm

*****WOW***** I thought you where just going to redo the front suspension. I guess that was just one item on the to do list!

I'm going to have to get busy on the Tub now (well as soon as get some heat in my garage).

by **vdubjim** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:58 am

WOW!
that thing looks to have a sweet body!

by **Snot Rod** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:45 am

I was really pleased when I pulled out the windshield, since there was rust showing on the outside I was afraid it would be bad under the rubber, however there was a lot of surface rust there are no holes through the metal. It will clean up real nice. Currently working on the "spare tire" deformation on the nose. There are a few door dings to fix, rear quarter is bent behind the rear wheel due to a flat at sometime in its life. Plus it has been rear ended and there is some bondo below the engine lid. All in all it will be easy as there is no rust outs to deal with.

The drag link is trashed which was the root of my steering woes. Anybody rebuilt a front beam? or is there someone here in OKC that can do it? All the ball joint boots are split and I figure he ball joints are trashed as well. Looks like you need some special tools to pull and install new ball joints.

- Mike

by **vdubjim** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 2:35 pm

you need a press for the ball joints. Try Darrel or larry.

by **gimpy60** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:16 pm

never pressed a bus, but some bugs, will cost a case of bud light tho. bring the parts, we will do it....JP

by **Snot Rod** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:40 am

Gimpy60 - Once I get everything pulled and obtain the parts I will give you a shout. Your preferance bottles or cans?

by **Snot Rod** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 10:14 pm

Started working on the rear of the van, I knew there was some damage as I could see the bondo bubbling beneath the paint and there are few wrinkles in engine bay. PO just covered everything in bondo, got the worst of it out and I can hammer the majority of it out int the quarters where it will just take a skim coat of bondo to finish it out. However the piece below the engine lid will have to be cut out. I could not find this piece of as a replacement panel but it would be easy to fabricate. Anyone have access to a sheet metal brake? it will take a 48" brake (panel is 38" wide).

Also did a little work on the front end getting the spare tire dents out.

I was pleased after I took out the windshield as the rust is not to bad, at least it is not through the sheet metal. Should clean up real well.

by **vdubjim** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:28 am

Looking good!!!

I know the metal shop jerry parrot uses has a break, might ask him. i forget where that shop is.

by **9 Fingers** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 10:34 am

Any more progress? Just watched a movie called "Inkheart" your van was in it ( way better movie then "Little Miss Sunshine", Hahaha)

by **Snot Rod** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 10:01 pm

Acomplished a bit more, found the replacement panel for below the engine hatch, got that in and working on the rear corners. The front is "roughed in" and I should have these corners roughed in a day or so. Then I will go around and fix the door dings, stone chips and other minor defects getting it ready for primer and final sanding before paint.

Wife and I went to Quartz Mountain this weekend for a weekend celebration of the end of her treatments - WHOO HOO!. We needed a weekend of hiking, eating and general goofing off. Weather was great, perfect for climbing around on those hills down there. So no work on Snot Rod this weekend.

Later,

Mike

by **vdubjim** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:22 am

treatments??

That mean youll be ready for a club campout soon?

by **Snot Rod** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:33 pm

You bet we are ready for a campout! That is the whole intent of getting this thing fixed up.

by **Snot Rod** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:18 pm

Beams out!

Now to clean it up and assess what I need to replace......

by **vdubjim** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 12:40 am

do it all!
balljoints, tierods, drag link, calipers, bearings, seals

by **Snot Rod** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:40 am

I have already rebuilt the calipers as they were locked up when I got the bus, the drag link is wasted which was the root of my nearly 3/4 turn free play in the steering. Ball joint boots are torn so the ball joints will have to be replaced. The tie rods seem to be in good shape but I will likely replace them as well. Seals and bearings are to be replaced as well.

by **vdubjim** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:46 am

i did all that on mine, now i have to just do motor and drive it lol

by **9 Fingers** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:30 pm

Snot Rod did you resolve your ball joint problem?

by **Snot Rod** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:26 pm

Been concentrating on the "road side" cleaning the bottom and spraying undercoating, rebuilding the beam and back axle. Hit a bit of a snag with the ball joint replacement, found a couple of options locally for replacement, just have to go get it done.

Bottom was coated solid with about a 1/4 inch of red mud and chat road mixture, real nasty job. PO must have lived on a dirt road.

However I feel it was worth it - no more dirt falling in my face everytime I crawl under. Yea I know missed a few spots but after a hundred miles or so it won't matter!

Coated the wheel wells also.

Front beam and rear axle parts cleaned up and ready for new bearing and seal installation. Got new drag link, tie rods and steering dampener as well.

Doors are off and ready to finish up the body work for prime and paint.

by **Joe-405** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:00 pm

Looks awesome. And my motto is everyone wont wanna crawl under it with a magnifying glass anyways !!!

ITS YOURS DO WHAT YOU LIKE EVERYONE WILL FOLLOW, And if they dont ................well you know how that one ends.

by **vdubjim** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:42 am

WOW!!! Awesome!!

Any shop that has a BIG press can do the BJ.

I tried em myself but melted a balljoint LOL.

Some plae in cali had the arms for 200 all 4 with new joints in, so i did that.

by **9 Fingers** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:13 am

You made any progress lately, 'cause I sure as he!! haven't

by **Snot Rod** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:17 am

OK not much has happend as my prioritys were adjusted and I was working on the house again. However I managed to sneak out to the shop and at least have the outside in primer. Next step hopefully this weekend is to get the interior painted. My goal was to have this thing done by the Yukon show but as you can see that ain't happening . Now my goal is to have it ready for Eureka Springs.

by **vdubjim** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:55 am

Awesome!!
I need to try painting sometime. Got lots that need it

by **Joe-405** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 3:50 pm

Looks great.................... Looks like you have painted before in another lifetime also !

by **Snot Rod** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:03 pm

Fuzzy pictures 20 feet away makes any paint job look good. Have done a little over time, some OK some not so good. Took a body shop class a couple of years ago, then purchased some fairly deceint paint guns so we will see how it comes out when I squirt the colored stuff.

by **Joe-405** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:21 pm

Remember the golden rule of painting ?

The prep work is what makes a paint job look awesome ! And your on your way !

by **vwlimoguy** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:58 pm

I can smell the paint fumes just by looking at your pics

by **Snot Rod** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:06 pm

OK finally back on the project. Spent the last 4 weekends entertaining guests. Got the basecoat on today, clear coat tomorrow.

by **vdubjim** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:09 pm

awesome!

Mystery machine green!

by **Snot Rod** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:29 pm

Actually it is Snot Rod green! Otherwise known as Sassy Grass Green used on early 70's Mopars.

by **vdubjim** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:32 am

No panther pink?

by **Snot Rod** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:55 am

Nope and I already have one in Plum Crazy Purple.

by **vdubjim** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:26 am

oh ya, good point!

by **Joe-405** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:33 pm

vdubjim wrote:awesome!

Mystery machine green!

Scooby Dooby Doo.................................

Sweet color it will let people know you are there thats for sure.

by **Snot Rod** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:27 pm

Applied the clear today, all went very well with the exception that the 2nd coat of clear wrinkled in a couple of places. Hopefully I can color sand them out. Never had that happen before. As hot as it was today the 1st coat should have cured before I applied the 2nd. Maybe the 1st coat was a little heavy in those spots. Anyway I haven't squirted any paint in a couple of years so all in all I am pleased the way it came out. Now for a little sanding and buffing and time to put it back together.

by **yellow73** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:41 am

Wow looks great. Really makes me get the itch. I need to get back to my body work how do you work in this heat. Tough guy!

by **Snot Rod** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:38 pm

Actually the heat is not too bad, if I was in the house I would have to be doing domestic chores. However a window air conditioning unit is on my bucket list. I will wait until this heat breaks though as they are a high dollar commodity right now.

Should finish up the color sanding tonight, then the buffing begins. Ordered all the rubber seals for the windows and doors - whew that stuff is expensive! So the plan is to get it all buffed out and cleaned up so that when the rubber seals come in I can start the re-assembly process.

by **Snot Rod** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:56 pm

Getting a little closer, doors back on and glass installed with the exception of the windshield.

One more coat of paint on the top and it will be ready to install.

Then the interior work begins, recovered the seats and all the camper cushions.........

Maybe it will be ready before the snow flies............

by **vdubjim** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:33 pm

wow! skills!

by **yellow73** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 7:59 pm

Looooooks Greeeeat!
I will be happy to get my seal coat on by the snow flies.

by **Snot Rod** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:27 pm

My boys were here to lend a hand on getting the windshield and top installed many thanks to them......

Putting the new tent on was a chore, instructions said to allow 4 to 8 hours.....well it took me the better part of two days. I think having the top tie dyed caused it to shrink which was my major problem in getting it all to fit up. Top is as tight as a drum as you can play a tune on it. Pain in the arse but it is installed. Bumpers are on but I still need a decent rear bumper, it beat it out the best I could but it just ain't right. May have to cough up the change and purchase new ones.

Getting a bit excited to get this on the road.

by **gimpy60** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:53 am

that looks like a pair of jeans I wore in '69 :lol:

by **Snot Rod** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:22 pm

Its been a while since I posted an update. Been putting too many hours in at work and not spending the time on this project. Anyway making some progress on the interior, upper bed is back in, cab is 98% complete, rear seat in, refrigerator cabinet in. Now working on refinishing the stove cabinet, head buster cabinet and the clothes cabinet.

I also need to get the windows tinted before I put the clothes cabinet and head buster cabinet back in. Anyone got a good shop they can recommend? I usually have my vehicles (4 to date) tinted at Alta Mere as they have always done a good job. But they said they would not do the van.........I guess they do not want to do my Sky and Pathfinder either, so I am done with them. Would appreciate any recommendations.

by **vdubjim** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:42 pm

Looking good!

tint:
tiki-autoglass-vt42.html

by **Snot Rod** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:59 pm

Some of the latest pictures

by **vdubjim** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:28 pm

awesome!

by **Snot Rod** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:19 pm

Vdubjim - Recognize the location with the trees??

Hint: it is not SE Oklahoma!

by **vdubjim** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:34 pm

Noper. should I?

by **Snot Rod** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:51 pm

It is in your town.

by **vdubjim** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:11 am

there is a abandond driveway near I240 across from the giant church, that it?

by **Snot Rod** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 11:49 am

Near the skating arena..........

by **vdubjim** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:18 pm

nice!
Here is where i was thinking
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=choctaw, ... 12,,0,6.55

by **mandoclimber** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 8:39 am

Awesome job on the Westy!