transit questions

[thedx]

Hello everyone, newbie here.

I have a 1998 (R) Transit 190D LWB Diesel luton.

Its due its MOT and i am trying to find out the following:

1. what tyres would it take and where could i get a cheap pair? ( Uxbridge area) - does anyone have any recommendations?
2. I need wiper blades for it too - where would i get this from? is halfords a good bet?
3. i need a class testing station near to slough or uxbridge that isnt going to rip me off ( im a girl, and have been ripped off before )
4. i also want the chassis cab sprayed to match the color of the body. Any recommendations and also ideas of cost *very* welcome!

No advisories on the last 2 MOT's but does make a noise when it gets above 40, and its not exactly quick either ( 60MPH max ) but im not a speed freak so doesnt really matter i guess.

[GBBiker]

You will need commercial tyres. I'm guessing yours will be the same as mine - 195R15. I use Hankook tyres, about £60 a piece fitted (can't remember the exact figure.

I wouldn't bother with Halfrauds except as a very last resort.

Any motor factors will stock suitable wiper blades, even Ford themselves aren't that expensive.

Can't help you with an MOT station in your area I'm afraid.

What colour are you trying to match and what colour is on the cab now? You could save money by coach painting the cab yourself if you are not too worried about a perfect finish and have the confidence to give it a go. Otherwise, I would guess at around the £300-£400 mark for a bodywork garage to do the job.

[thedx]

Hi

thanks for your reply.

Yes theyre 15" tyres. ill see if i can google a commercial tyre place in my area. im hoping to only need one.

the body is currently Red, came off an E reg that chassis has rotted through. So ford red would be fine. I had wondered about painting it myself as im not that bothered about finish as the body has a few dings in it anyway, but i lack any kind of experience or anywhere to keep it under cover while it dries so probably left to the professionals (owch!)

[madmark_50484]

I wouldn't say that I'm no expert get some aerosals and give it a go I think the main thing is the prep work Im sure someone wil explain that too you

[thedx]

just got quoted £460 for the bodywork, not including struts so perhaps i should look into this after all!

[madmark_50484]

Nice to see more people with lutons on 60mph max is about right thats what mine does.

Spraying isn't too difficult I have got to do my new wings (my old ones are rust and air)

[thedx]

well i just found a part worn tyre for 20 quid so hopefully get that on tomorrow morning.

I would be interested in hearing how difficult/easy it would be to paint it with aerosols? and what kind of finish you would get?

Rust wise i have the usual bubbling around the wheel arches, and 2 small spots on each door.

what kind of prep would i need to do? also how long would it take to dry?

[madmark_50484]

How long have you had it my wheel arches looked alright but when I come to tidy them up I started sanding back and realised the bottoms were 90% filler instead of refilling them I got some new wings worth a check

I am not an expert on spraying someone here will be able to explain what needs doing as I don't know everytime I do things like this I have someone who knows show me which is good.

[AlanN]

Im not sure I would want to paint a cab with cans!!! the paint is very thin and would'nt last, besides the cost!!! It would be worth searching rustoleum on here, which you can roll and brush on and once set can be wet flatted and polished

[thedx]

@madmark - ive had it since august ( i think! ) i was in a real spot of bother when i realised my E chassis was beyond economic repair and i rely on my transit quite a bit, so i did some ringing around, found an R chassis with 96k miles for £1500 and got my body bolted back on.
Chassis-wise theres no rust. cab-wiseI havent really looked at the arches that much to be fair, but i was told they would pass. i think the rust on the doors would be more bothersome when it comes to painting, as i assume i might have to sand the rust off beforehand.

@alan - thanks so much. i will look that up now - do you know what the finish/drying time is like though? or is there someone i could take it to to do it for me?

[AlanN]

http://www.rustoleum.co.uk/products/metal-paint
Ive not used it before, but I have seen the finished results and depending in the amout of effort you put in, it will come up brilliantly...

[Avandriver]

Have a look here for painting

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/daveslandyan ... _guide.htm

I know it is a Land Rover but panels is panels .

I have had quite a lot of success using ordinary exterior gloss paint thinned with normal white spirit





I know it is not a van but paint is paint


Steve




Steve

[thedx]

@avandriver impressive but unfortunately beyond my scope.

im going to haveto rethink this and probably get a spray after all. i dont have the facilities to repaint myself. :

[MinorMatt]

Dont go to halfords for anything they are reeaaaaallly expensive!

Wiper blades for my dads car (Saab 9000) are about £17 from halfords, or £4.50 from my local motor factor (for a pair of champion ones). I dont know any in Uxbridge, but there is an LMS in Harrow (On the same road as South Harrow Tube about 200 yards towards Northolt) but im sure there are some in Uxbridge too!

There is a van sales place in Hanwell opposite the viaduct pub (next to the hospital) which someone I know in the area rates highly. Im not sure if they do class 7 MoTs though