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Cut a small access panel in the top of my doghouse cover to be able to check/fill the oil without removing the cover. This is all covered by the center console.
Started on making the panel that will cover up the original hinges on the A-pillar. Also made the small recessed box for the door wiring contacts that will be located between the upper and lower hinges.
Started on shortening the door/deleting the step as well as making a new turn signal corner. I began with making a template of the curvature of the door where I am cutting it off. This will ensure that the delete panel I make matches the original curve. A little shrinking gets it there. I made a custom turn signal corner 10 years ago that matches the drivers side but since my skills have improved quite a bit since then I just couldn’t use it. So I am making another one that is the same exact thing but nicer fabrication.
More work on the passenger turn signal corner. Got the return welded on at the door edge and the grille opening. Got the rest of the pieces ready for the recessed area and the driving light hole. Once the corner and the step delete panel are welded in I can finish the door gaps on the bottom 6” of the door.
Keep it up.. It's going to be a great source of pride once you're done. Too bad all your handiwork is going to be covered by paint and most people won't be able to imagine the amount of work that went into making it look like there was no work at all.
Finished the turn signal corner. The plan is to have a more intricate/detailed piece that’s made out of fiberglass sit inside the recessed area. Also, just started laying out the rear diffuser. I am making a plug (basically a replica of the finished piece) that I can use to make a fiberglass mold from. Then I will make the finished piece from the mold. Extra steps yes, but I figured if I am going through all the work I might as well make a mold of it. Then I can always make another one if something happens. Since I am laying out the diffuser I had to decide on my exhaust tips. I was going back and forth between dual and quad tips. Decided to go with quad tips.
Started welding on the step delete and the parking light corner. Also fabbed up a mirror backup plate since many Econolines didn’t have one on the passenger side. I mimicked the factory one but welded a nut on the inside for the use of VW bus mirrors. I’m not too fond of the factory mirrors and they screw on with 3 screws.
Took the week off from work to dedicate some hours to the van. Working on finishing up the passenger door. Here is the door jamb cover plate and recessed contacts. Also working on the step delete and lower jamb. Need to put some bead rolls in the floor pan extension and then I can weld it all in.
Lower door jamb and step delete/floor extension all welded in. Ready for some primer and seam sealer. Also did a small body mod that has always bugged me on the Econolines. Think anyone will notice.
That is extremely subtle. I had to go back and forth several times. People who KNOW these vans will miss it. Nice work.
Attention to detail like that is the stuff I look for. Amazing work!
02-17-2022, 07:38 PM
