I own a 1996 (N Reg) Ford Transit with a mid 1980's -to- early 1990's 2.5 diesel engine with a Lucas CAV Pump.
First off a little history.
My van was owned by my former employer who bought it from a commercial repair garage who sold on vehicles for finance firms and customers.
My employer bought her in 2001 from a garage in Glasgow, she is a heavy one.. 6 stud wheels mid length and mid height and she is painted in a lovely Mid Brunswick Green.
I first started driving her on private property in 2002 and gained her as my day to day work vehicle from april 2004, initially she was used as a breakdown vehicle to take parts or tyres to trucks that had broken down or developed a fault, later she was used with myself to collect parts from motor factors and to collect small loads of goods that did not warrent sending one of the artics.
I used her daily had her serviced at a local garage as my employer took nothing to do with her.
I took her over as my own in april 2006, unfortunitly not before the engine was replaced with one from an earlier model.
Since i have owned her, she has had the front suspension springs replaced, a wheel baring fitted and both are to be replaced in april. she has had a new or rather refurbished Lucas CAV fuel pump that i traveled from glasgow to kent to collect.
iv got a raft of spares stored for when i get a chance in the spring to properly repair her exterior.
I had planned to replace her engine but the the guy who fitted the new fuel pump to her said the compression was amazing , he is a close friend so i believe him... plus she doesnt half fly along the motorway... so im not bothering about her engine for the short -to - medium term
I currently am working on her interior and have cleaned the front drivers seat and bench seat... given that they are pretty worn id like to replace the drivers seat long term however in the mid term i have a set of leather look seat covers that came frm my old car.
i have fitted a cup holder that i "aquired" from an auction, i have a rear load compartment light that has will be fitted as my van has never had a rear light, i also have a few third party LED lights that will be fitted in the fullnes of time.
Iv recently completed paintin gthe interior panels in white, and this will be sanded down and re aplied to provide good illumination/reflection with the other lights,
the floor in the rear has been carperted with some stuff left over from the house.
i have also fitted a Ford Radio from a 2001 model transit (2000 Traffic IIRC)
Spares:
I currently have the following stored for fitting in the spring-
# Brand New Ford Exhaust system (i bought it off ebay for £0.99- yes honestly)
# brand new front bumper
# Brand new rear side vents
# Side loading door (requires some treatment along its lower edge)
# Drivers side door mirror
i have other stuff but i cant remember what stuff i have without checking.
I also have a sink that will be fitted , as i use the van for going to music festivals or other events that require a night or 2 away from home.
The bed i have in the back, i built using old pallets that i sanded and filled in the gaps, painted and boarded off the edges,
Plans:
# i need to replace the drivers mirror and i may also decide to replace the door (not sure yet).
# replace the front passenger side quarterpanel,
# Repair/replace the rear wheel arches
# Repair/replace rear doors
# Fit Replacment side loading door
# Fit New front bumper
# Respary or buff up her paint work, some parts will need painted before i fit them
# re-connect the drivers side door speaker
# buy and fit new/replacement bonnet
