Newbie Question thread: '78 bay exec

[brucet]

Good news. Bus is booked in for its re spray on Monday. 3 to 4 weeks until I get it back so will give me some time to source all the parts I need.

[brucet]

PS. Sean we have made the decision to keep the trim. Thank you for the advice.

[brucet]

Is there a website where i can check the colour options for the SA buses? I dont want to change any of the colours but I would like to know for instance small details like, what colour where the rims (white or silver), what colour were the VW badges on the front etc etc.

Thank you

[fig]

No info available on any of those questions. Thank you VWSA for so carefully preserving your archive ...

[brucet]

Thank you fig.

[brucet]

Stripped the bus (mostly) and dropped it off for its paintwork.
Need to find all the window rubbers now. Pro Auto rubber are getting stock next week but im not exactly sure which rubbers they supply yet. Who else can i try? (Need all of them)

Thank you

[brucet]

Work is well on its way.

[fig]

Some Pro Auto rubbers are OK, but most not up to OE standard. If you're still looking for a jack, maybe this guy still has something: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=35331&p=311453

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

I'M GUESSING IT'S PART OF THE LOT SEAN JUST SCOOPED!

[brucet]

Missed them. Thank you for the thought anyway fig

[jolas]

Rear tail lights, try Rui (calooker), or Flat Four Racing in Cape Town. Vintage Kombi in PE might also have. Some of the repro options look acceptable for the price, but fade if exposed to constant sunlight. Best would be NOS Hella lenses or even good second hand ones.

The Pro Auto rubber has worked for many bus owners. The front door rubbers/seals however were'nt great and resulted in the doors not lining up nicely and needing to be slammed closed.

I have had good results with Wolfburg West seals, really good quality and fit.

WRT dropping the bus, I would agree, rather drive at the stock height for a while, do a few road trips including off the beaten track gravel and coastal roads. You will be restricted with a lowered bus in doing many things - Afrika Burn would be a definite no no - lol !

My best times and adventure in a bus have been very far from a tarred road surface

Keep the pics coming !

[acpaterson]

Bruce, Charldvw answered your question saying he has a jack. See the thread below.

https://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=35331

[brucet]

Thank you Jolas. You are the fourth person to tell me that about the Pro Auto Rubbers, so I think i will give them a go for all the window rubbers. The doors, sliding door and rear doors I will either import or source specifically made rubbers.
I hear you about lowering and the negative effects. We are into our Overland travel and are kitted out for that. Our holidays are mostly spent in the bush far off the beaten track, away from commercial campsites mostly in Bots, Zim, Nam and Moz. So I doubt very much I will be using the Kombi for any off tar type trips unless for a short distance. (but who knows) I think even for Afrika Burn I would go in the Landy with camping equipment or the companion trailer. (yes yes i know im a softy but I like to sleep comfortably and have a warm shower)
TBH i dont think we will do very long trips in the bus unless its to a KKK type event or Vdub festival of some sort, but again things may change. I do have a lot of things to get fixed and replaced before even considering lowering the bus, which is yet to be named.


Here is another pic of the progress. Rust is being treated and repaired as they go along so it seems to be taking ages but perhaps im just impatient

[brucet]

More pictures
Rust is slowly being repaired and removed



Almost half way around

[Tony Z]

looks like some good and rapid progress