There is nothing like swimming my way out of the deep end.
I needed a van to move everything about for racing.
with no money and an overy optimistic view of man maths I trawled the interwebs for a van.
I was looking for Sprinters, Crafters , but the prices were mad for anything driving. then on to the rest of the field, Transits, transporters, masters, trafic, movano, even, lord forgive me LDV maxus.
As each van passed across the screen I grew weary from the optimistic owners selling a van that starts and stalls but 'can be driven home fine' to the non runners which need '20 pound to pass the MoT' but hadn't time.
As the first job for the van drew near the heighten sense of defeat at booking a hire van took hold and with willingness of naive youth an offer was made for a Mk6 Transit, LWB Med roof that was only 125miles away.
We set off to view it and as we drove the sky grew dark and the clouds closed in, reducing the dismal daylight to a darkness of a deep winter, when every ray of light was needed due to being without an inspection lamp. The clouds also decided to let go of their lot meaning the viewing was in the dark and rain, along way from home.
How bad could it be.
the seller said his son was using as storage for the last year and hadn't driven it. but it started first time.
an inspection turned up some slight corrosion on the rear sills but that was manageable. The chassis rails looked solid. The MoT history had only a mention of 'General corrosion' noted a few previous as an advisory.
A turn up for the books this van was a RWD beasty, a saving grace.
So 460 punds later I drove it off the driveway and headed for the M6 home.
Well lads, its like waking up the morning after a night night where you pulled a 9/10 and woke up to find a dodgy looking 3/10 beside you.
This poor transit was worn out, everything is need of some TLC.
Well I didnt want to spend any money until I was sure this van was a decent runner, a trip to manchester on the weekend after purchase went well. The van drove well, got up to speed eventually and ate up the miles.
All is well. I got on to Carparts4less and got a full service set, oil, filters, discs and pads.
4 new tyres as the single tyre I had inspected on the night of purchase was the only new one on the thing and the ther 3 were shot. now I have 5 good tyres, just need to get the spare fitted.
I aired the van out to rid it of the musty smell in the back.
So on closer inspection the list of rust eaten areas increased significantly , with an MoT due end of April, this is now a project with a timeline of little grace.
Out came the plylining this week, it was rotten, hence the musty smell. back to metal in the back with a clear view of where to tackle.
Pictures to come once i find a new hosting place, its ages since i used photobucket.
Lots of work happening this weekend to sort the rust.