mk2 camper

[irishtransit]

hi there.i have the chance to buy a mk2 swb camper but i'm told it needs the front crossmember welding/replacing.i've seen a pic and it's quite rotten.is this a big/expensive job?
cheers john

[Luke]

front crossmember is an easy job for any experianced welder

its basically a square box if its bad cut the whole lot out and make a new one from some sheet, and it might be worth tacking or clamping a metal bar across the chassis rails to keep it all in line once the crossmembers cut out then remove the bar once the new one is welded in as the crossmember is structural

[irishtransit]

cheers for that.i don't/can't weld so it shouldn't be a big job for someone who can

[Luke]

you might even be able to get the complete panel off the shelf not sure tho

it's a lot easier than a mk5 rear cross member - which ive got to do

[irishtransit]

only trouble is i'm over in ireland and old motors don't really exist over here.never owned a van before and last time i drove a mk2 was about 20 year ago
i'll see whether the other half thinks it's worth getting

[imustloverust]

Replaced my own cross member but had to make one up by bending some 1.6mm sheet steel around two 45mm timber joists nailed together. Took most of a day but got there in the end. Then spot welded the front panel on after. Sheet of steel cost me 60 euros while welder cost me 160 euros. Taught myself to weld in the meantime. Priceless!
Good idea to brace the chassis rails. Perhaps i should have although the springs slid back in to the hangers with no problem. Probably just lucky!

[irishtransit]

cheers for that.i'm big into cortina's and beetle so i'm sure on the ford sight i should be able to find someone local that won't rip me off especially as now i know the material doesn't cost much.