Diary of an Ordinary Van

[Altransit]

Funny thing is that the 6000 (retro)fitted in my Smiley WILL play MP3 CD's, but I can't plug an ipod into it (unless I buy an expensive converter lead )

[Vee4]

Funny thing is that the 6000 (retro)fitted in my Smiley WILL play MP3 CD's

My 'Audio system Owner's handbook' implies that the 6000CD will play MP3 files. I did try various disc formats but without success. I also read on the internet that some other owners couldn't make theirs work either, and I believe everything I read on the internet. Perhaps there are firmware differences ...

[MR BigBeefy LDV Guru]

i have read this thread from the begining of it but until no i have tried tyo avoid posting as its a bit high brow for the likes of me

but i feel i need to ask a question

what the feck is going on with the rust issue

thank you

beefy

[Vee4]

What is going on with the rust issue?

Thanks, Beefy.

There hasn't been any recent progress with the rust issue. I've been busy working and the whole point of buying a new van was to be able to work without having to worry about the van, apart from routine maintenance. So far the Ordinary Van has been faultless but the rust issue is still the 'elephant in the room'.



My latest plan is to wait for the weather to improve, and for the next scheduled service (which should coincide) then clean and inspect the underside of the van. Cleaning underneath with the pressure washer during and after the road salt season is part of my plan for rust prevention. I'll bring up the issue again when the 'corrosion protection warranty' inspection is carried out.

[Vee4]

Genesis of an Ordinary Van - Number 2 in a Series of N*

As always it seems, busy being Ord'n'ry, workin' the whole day through ... There's a song there somewhere but here to be going on with is another in:

A series of occasional dips into the archives (or shoe boxes as they are more accurately known) showing some of the Ordinary Van's progenitors.

(2) The First Ford - family motoring 50's style



The ever-popular Ford Popular 103E - Britain's cheapest car!

Fondly remembered features:

• Equipped with a starting handle to get you going (and the car) on those cold mornings
• 3-speed gearbox
• 6-volt electrics with dynamo
• Lucas Trafficators - a smart slap on the door pillar required to retract them
• No water pump - coolant circulation by convection
• No air filter - air was so much cleaner in those days
• No heater - we were much hardier in those days
• Cable-operated brakes
• Windscreen wiper operated by inlet manifold vacuum - stopped working if you 'put your foot down' - perfect when overtaking on a rainy day
• Transverse semi-elliptic springs
• Any colour you like as long as it's grey

Enthusiasts' sites:

• http://www.103e.co.uk/
• http://www.fsoc.co.uk/index.html

* N is a positive integer, the value depending on how many worthwhile entries I can find.

[Vee4]

The key to success?



I finally found a few minutes to make a new entry, only to discover that the site was 'down'!

I have been rotating the use of my spare keys every two or three months, primarily to ensure that the batteries stay charged. So far, there have been no problems but I do wonder what will happen as the batteries age - rechargeable batteries don't last for ever. For example, when my TomTom was new (two years ago), it would operate for two hours on a full charge without using any of the power-saving features; now it will only operate for a few minutes.

Rechargeable key links:

• viewtopic.php?f=2&t=49329
• viewtopic.php?p=531581#p531581
• viewtopic.php?p=479349#p479349

[Vee4]

Lost and Found (2)

Did anyone lose this?



Found under the left rear brake disc (indentation and rust arrowed) of the Ordinary Van. I lost the left rear wheel and tyre some time between 0015 and 0650 this morning.

'Considerate thief' is an oxymoron but at least there was no damage to the van (as far as I can tell) and I was under way with the spare in 25 minutes.

More on this later, no doubt ...

[AndyG]

Reminds me why I don't feel it's worth ever buying a new van
That and when they use your van for brakes

[ake]

SCUM

[blue estate]

:twisted:
Reminds me why I don't feel it's worth ever buying a new van
That and when they use your van for brakes

one of my work mate's has had the n/s back corner nicely dented over sat night by some one with a lorry

[Vee4]

SCUM

Thanks for your commiserations!

Reminds me why I don't feel it's worth ever buying a new van

I know what you mean, but even your venerable Mk5 was new once.

one of my work mates has had the n/s back corner nicely dented over Sat night by someone with a lorry

That's the reason I always walk round the van before driving off - checking for collision damage, attempted break-ins, vandalism, theft of peripherals, etc. In this case, it certainly saved me, because as I approached from the front right of the van, I couldn't see the that the wheel was missing. If I had not looked round, once the hand brake was released and I applied power, the brake disc would have rolled off the wood block and the van would have ended up on the deck.

One thing I find annoying is that whenever I'm stopped by the Old Bill for not doing anything, I'm left wondering where they will be should I actually need them because MY property is under threat. I think the answer is now clear. Answers on a postcard please.

'Not doing anything' links:

viewtopic.php?p=475633#p475633
viewtopic.php?p=673087#p673087

While they were giving me a going over ... someone nicked their wing mirrors:


1:43 scale diecast model of the Ford Transit Mk1, in the livery of the Lancashire Police.
Image from http://www.diecast-cars.co.uk

[redcube]

Sorry to here about the wheel near where i live it mirrors that get nicked only on the mk6 and 7 though

[Vee4]

How does that fit in there?

There is something to be learnt from every incident. I wasn't planning to do this right now but since I had to do it anyway:

If you are faced with a jack that someone else took out, or you weren't paying attention when you took it out yourself ...

The empty Mk7 jack stowage compartment:



The wrench goes in first, socket to the left so that it wraps round the side of the footwell. Make sure you keep the strap in front of it:



Extension bar next with loop to the right:



Then the jack, fully closed, adaptor hinged down and winding eye to the right:



Close and tension the straps, clip cover in place - job done!

[Altransit]

Oooohh, I wish it stored that well in the MK5 , mine has to rattle about under the seat

[redcube]

Oooohh, I wish it stored that well in the MK5 , mine has to rattle about under the seat

Me to mine is left in the drive way much good there