Back in a transit

[bortaf]

I finaly picked the old thing up today and had a good look over it, some good some bad but here it is
My new SWB 100 GL





I think it has a Mk5 int or did Mk4s come with these seats as well (this is my first Mk4 beleive or not ) lots of Mk3 and a few Mk5s but never a 4 and TBH also only my 2nd SWB out of 20 odd Mk3/5s







Fixed the tail gate lock first off (seized lock) nice easy fix, some GT 85 followed by some grease
Then cleaned out all the crap the MOT centre has "stored" in it and hooverd it, a clean carpet and int helps keep the mojo i find



The started on the rust, well the battery trays anyhoo, this is what was left of both trays, i allso threw away the bungy cords that were acting as battery clamps



I hooverd 80% of them out the bay then unbolted what was left (basicly 2 side supports and 2 washers of rusty metal around the bolts), amazingly 7 bolts came out without a problem, only had to grind 1 off and me left this





Surpisingly solid under the dust that was the trays all ground back and treated and on to the bad bit

The drivers side front mount for the sunframe has snapped/rotted through and has been welded to the engine mount to (shore it up a bit) new subframe on the shopping list then





Drivers spring hanger/subframe mount has been done and pretty well, certainly better than i will do on the rest



Passenger side is ok (phew)



pump shot for those who would have asked



Need another heater control panel



Rear end is ok, rear hangers are fine but the fronts need doing (no pics of those till it's up in the air ), steps are ok or been done but the rear valence is shot (inner and outer) so need to get them and the trays brought and some sheet steel (lots of it) then get the axle and subframe off and start learning to weld

Fortunatly the engine and box are fine as is the axle, not sure what ratio it is (not checked yet) but it's a front loader (english) type B ratio L.
And that's it really, i'll update it as and when i get the cash to get parts and or time (yada yada yada)
this was ment to be a winter project but i do prefer working in the warm rather than freezing me balls off (no heating in the workshop except the odd bulb we huddle around)

[BigMonty]

Plenty to keep you busy there.
But I would swear that is a mk3 with a mk4 front end on it.

[bortaf]

It's a real bitsa, Mk5 doors and i think seats, and it's reg'd too early to be a Mk4 i think ? ETIS has it as a transit 86 so Mk3? (first reg'd march 30th 1990) ?
Are the subframes differant from Mk3 to 4 ?

[BigMonty]

Back axle is different I think, but we need one of the real transit anoracks to give you the low down
I just reckon you have the best of all worlds

[transit jono]

Rob,

It's a Mk3 GL minibus like mine. Rare thing now.

It looks like a Mk4/5 front end fitted and Tourneo seats and lots other bits.

Welcome to the Mk3 Massive.

[bortaf]

Thought it was sweet
still never owned a Mk4 in that case
8 spokes will be going on eventually, satin black body most likely, i did want to do it nato green to match the P100 but everyone tells me NO
In that case anyone got a Mk3 SWB front subframe

[Mr RVM]

Pretty sure the subframe for IFS is the same on Mk3,4 and 5's but you may not need the whole subframe as the arms that go from the main frame to the "front spring hangers" are a seperate part and can be removed/replaced without removing the main frame there's 2 small (8mm i think) torx bolts that fasten it to the main subframe accessable from underneath just where arm meets frame, they sometimes a bit of a bugger to get out I usually end up cutting the captive nuts off with a slitting disc and replace them with fresh nuts and bolts, there is a locating peg that makes sure you put it back where it should be so no worries about suspension or steering geometry being affected would save you a bit of cash and a bit of time and sweat too

PS obviously you need to get anti roll bar out of the way too...there's another pair of 8mm bolts that can be a tw@t to get out

[bortaf]

Sweet that is good news (appart from the 8mm bolts)
i'm off to stick up a wanted post for the bits i be needing

[AlanN]

MK3 GL Minibus, are you going to put the original front back on again?
Yes the rear axle is narrower, but this will allow you to fit wider wheels on the back.
The subframes do have different part numbers, between marques and the bolts are different sizes, also when I fitted a MK5 wishbone the wheel was a couple of centermeters further forward by the look of your photo, you need the spring bracket, which is bolted on seperately.
Ive just brought another mk3 subframe/bracket/suspension assembly for my van, which Im going to have blasted and powder coated, but it wont be until later this year, not sure if your in a hurry for it...

[bortaf]

TBh i was taking this as a winter project but i do miss driving a transit, so i cant really wait to get started I'll let you know what parts i can get for it in the meantime
I think i'll be keeping the Mk3 front Mk3 lights are pretty woefull IME so hope these will be better ? and i'd rather spend the cash on repairs at the mo
Glad it is a narrower axle cos i can bolt me wellers on , that does mean the P100 wil have to roll on standard steels so i might have to get a pair banded for the rear of that

[bortaf]

I'm breaking this now if anyone wants parts or £400 compleat.

[BROWNYS V6]

do you know what ratio the diff is ?
cheers.

[bortaf]

TBH no. i cant get to the build plate till i reasemble the front asus, i'll let you know
i did try an chassis number search but it dont come up

[BROWNYS V6]

ok cheers mate