MattBlackMinibus - Progress Report

[Gurj51ngh]

I done some serious research for the best possible material to use for my new box.

The best thing is birch ply! It has the best sound acoustic quality. But at £60.00+ a sheet for 25mm its not excatly cheap if you need loads. But once you ‘’hear’’ the difference between both you would just go for MDF as there is sod all difference if you’re going for SPL. There is a slight difference if your going for SQ but for SQ I have my home theatre system , van is suppose to rock the show lol .

I went for 25mm MDF as I had a pallet load.

Here is a sneak peak of my box.

[MattBlackMinibus]

At a sound off years ago there was a DynaMat rep.
He tapped a small sheet of 25mm MDF,
then pulled out a piece of 2 12mm sheets with dynamat sandwiched in between, and tapped that.
MY GOD, the difference was untrue.
I see the yanks are using double and triple layers of MDF for there boxes at the mo! Nutters.

[MattBlackMinibus]

Played with the system today.
Had a wiring problems, but got it sorted in the end.
Then blew a fuse but only on an earth so I'll bypass that
Gone over to active crossovers at last, sound difference is amazing,
and finally fitted some mid-bass, wahoo!

Now just got to put the interior back together for tomorrow (TransitMania 2010 )

[MattBlackMinibus]

Here is a sneak peak of my box.

Nice box Gurj

Do you think we'll get to hear the new system at some point?

[MattBlackMinibus]

New Sub Box...
My lash-up thin ply box is even flappier than I was expecting, but have since been given some 18mm MDF.
I'd like to make the new box double-walled, but the internal size would end up way too small in my available space,
so will just fit plenty of internal bracing instead.
I'll get some pictures of the build of the new box on here when I get round to starting it.

TransitMania 2010 Sound-Off ...
I found I had one sub not working on the Friday evening installation, but solved that problem eventually.
I lashed up the blown fuse on Saturday by cutting the top off and wedging a gold terminal connector into it
Sorted.
Ran the sound-off without any prior testing and got a 113 point something dB, I think
so right down on last year, but different meter, so assume mine was well out of calibration last year

Next problem ...
Sub amp kept cutting out on the way home due to major overheating.
It's running at 1ohm and in very restricted air space, so not at all surprising.
I have some cooling fans to install in the amp panel, which I should have fitted a long time ago,
but will definitely do that soon now!
Also I wired the subs bridged this week while I was trying to find the wiring problem,
so will change that back to 2 channel now so it's 2 ohms. It'll be easier on the amp.
The signal is mono'd at the sub xover anyway, and there's more than enough volume.

Generally ...
Been really enjoying the new and improve sound quality, but still want more kick from the midbass.
They're JL six inchers I've put in the new centre console, but I also have some Rockford 6's tucked away,
so plan to add those on the door bottoms now, by the footwell mounted mids.
Again, will post pics when I do them.

[MattBlackMinibus]

When I fitted my side-exit pipe, I found that the down-pipe was rotted before the flexi section,
so I cut it off and made a 'temporary' steel joining section (earlier in this thead), which leaks.

Well I managed to pick up a brand new exhaust down-pipe at Transit Mania this weekend,
so now I can fit the new down-pipe WITH flexi section and join it nicely to the side-pipe
(which already needs new rubber mounts sorting out cos it's vibrating like a good'n).

Looking at the exhaust manifold and bolts, I won't be having much fun removing the old down-pipe
and am NOT looking forward to the bolts snapping in the manifold .

Note to self -- keep drenching bolts with penetrating oil every day for the next couple of weeks.

[MattBlackMinibus]

Thank you AlanN for my new sunvisor

I was asking for ideas at North Weald meet, of what to do with the horrid bare section above my windscreen.

I said I didn't really want spots on a bar, and AlanN suggested a sun-visor.
I was concerned about the effect on fuel economy,
but was told some have a lip at the back to let air flow through to reduce the drag.

Alan got one this weekend but decided against fitting it to his Mk3,
and knowing I was into the idea offered it to me.

I already knew I'd take it, but we held it up to the van anyway and ... Oh Yes, I'm loving that
Nagging issue potentially solved. Now all I have to do is fit it.


I'm planning to weld the brackets to the visor mounts, then to the van.
When some scrote comes armed with a screwdriver and adjustable spanner,
he's gonna be dissapointed, and hopefully go home empty handed.

Cheers Al.

Also picked up a handy suggestion for wheel centre caps this weekend -
Go to kitchen/diy/pet stores or pound-land looking for 4 stainless food bowls and dog bowls Excellent.
(I will be trying the local 99p store first though just in case they can save me 4p )

[transitandy]

[quote="MattBlackMinibus"]Thank you AlanN for my new sunvisor

blimey that sunvisors doing a good tour thats four counties so far woodbridge suffolk, colchester essex, billing northamptonshire ,and now somewhere in cambridgeshire nice one paul looking forward to seeing it fitted and will pm that number over to you m8y

[RustWidow]

You're doing well mate, hope you get the visor fitted soon - I want one for Delilah - but I doubt I would get one to fit! ah well.... back to the drawing board on that..... watch out next year - I intend to do the interior over the winter and have been busy beavering away on planning it......

Keep up the good work Paul

[Muttley]

I know a bloke what makes em for mk2's Paul, if you give up with the MK3 one I can find a home for it

[MattBlackMinibus]

I know a bloke what makes em for mk2's Paul, if you give up with the MK3 one I can find a home for it

It's a kind offer Mutters, but the brackets will be welded to me van
just in case you were thinking of doing a sneaky one next time I see you

[Muttley]

I dont know what you mean

[MattBlackMinibus]

So anyway ...

I decided that it's about time I started getting the bodywork sorted on MattBlackMinibus,
so that it can be painted some time next year.
I want to change the back end/bumper somehow,
so I stayed late at work last week to remove my rear bumper in the workshop
... and this is what I found




which soon became these




But I had no time for repairing holes, so fixed them Nada style (for now)



Still not much the wiser quite what I'm gonna do with the back end yet.
I'll think of something

Here's what it looks like for now

[rover]

At least your rear crossmember appears to be in good nick

[MattBlackMinibus]

It's VERY good underneath our bus, but it's age is now beginning to catch up with it.
There's a few patches of underseal lifting here n there on the chassis rails and outriggers,
which will need sorting over time.
Rear spring hangers are still SOLID though surprisingly.

I'm going to completely strip out all the interior soon,
as there a bit of repair needed on the rear floor,
and I'd like to put tonnes of sound deadening in (roof flashing), especially in the cab area.

Lots of work ahead