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Old 05-07-2020, 06:01 PM   #21
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new Hardware

Also made some new hardware with the help of a friend. Larger than what gooseberry is building. Had to slightly enlarge the holes in the top but feel really good about how beefy they turned out! Recessed with locknuts inside. Pics to come.


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Old 05-07-2020, 06:27 PM   #22
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Will there be more to your suspension, or is the Weldtec kit it? I was kinda hoping that by "long travel" you meant 4" over fabricated beams, 2.5" coilovers, 3.0" bypasses, 2.5" hydro bumps, and crossover steering. You know, something in the 20" travel range. A boy can dream.
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Old 05-07-2020, 06:44 PM   #23
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Will there be more to your suspension, or is the Weldtec kit it? I was kinda hoping that by "long travel" you meant 4" over fabricated beams, 2.5" coilovers, 3.0" bypasses, 2.5" hydro bumps, and crossover steering. You know, something in the 20" travel range. A boy can dream.
Wow, I'd love to see all that hardware under a van, but I have to wonder where it would all go? A 3" bypass is going to be huge. Oh well, I'm dreaming too I guess
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Old 05-08-2020, 07:31 AM   #24
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Wow! Nice work so far. I just saw this thread for the first time. I like that handsome older E-series. My first was a two-tone 92 as well, albeit with a thirsty 460. I like the old turbine hubcaps. They are getting harder to find. If you keep em be careful with them.

Not sure if you found any of my older builds but I've done all of this a few times. SMB's are, as you noted, not exactly primo engineering under the upholstery but they do work well, to the point where they really haven't changed anything in 40 years. You are discovering all of the stuff that needs upgrading.

For your upper cabinets/cubbies, I like the long open ones but I don't know that they are good for much storage. Still, the more places to stuff crap the better.

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Old 05-08-2020, 01:09 PM   #25
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Good luck, finally working on BattleVan again, i have the Weldtec 6"lift and fox 2.0 with there custom leafs outback. It's comfortable on washboard at 30-40 mph, but whoops are a slow way down afair.

I am light with not much of an interior build either. Although it is getting heavier as i build up the inside.
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Old 05-11-2020, 03:57 PM   #26
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Awesome, I will check your project out!

Anyone know a good source for shock cord? I'd like to try to find something that blends with the color of the canvas top so you don't see it like you do with the SMB factory stuff?

Let me know!
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Old 05-11-2020, 04:20 PM   #27
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Lots of sellers on Ebay and Amazon. You can get any length, any size, any color nowadays pretty cheap.

I've always redone SMB tops with black and I have enough used white/black (OEM SMB) to make bungee cords for the rest of my life.
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Old 05-11-2020, 06:25 PM   #28
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Nice to see one being saved from the graveyard. This will be a good lesson if you end up moving on to another one. As far as VW concerned these are nothing like them. Just the weight & drivetrain are a night and day comparison.
As far as using the term freely: long travel...I would consider a full custom set up. Weld Tec makes a great product but the over the counter stuff is as they say Grocery Getter. I would talk to them if you are serious about LONG Travel. I know they can really hook you up in the 2wd department. You may want to consider the F250 independent 4x4 housings. They can be made bulletproof. Just know it will not do what pre-runners are capable of and you will have a harder time getting unstuck than in a VW so now is the time to consider 4x4.if your serious about Baja. Been there done that. Split my reinforced I beams, Taco welded to get home!
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Old 05-11-2020, 06:52 PM   #29
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Awesome, I will check your project out!

Anyone know a good source for shock cord? I'd like to try to find something that blends with the color of the canvas top so you don't see it like you do with the SMB factory stuff?

Let me know!

https://sgtknots.com/


Veteran and family owned company. You can also find them on Amazon.


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Old 05-11-2020, 10:45 PM   #30
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Tweed Headliner

With all of the top apart I decided to bust out the headliner and cloth stuff. I even had a chance to get my wife’s sewing machine out and remind myself how to do some basic sewing which was really fun. Decided on a light gray tweed that goes really well and i’ve used it before in another build. The fabric is burly and holds up well to regular use. I get it from Sewfine.


Here is what the contrast and new fabric will look like once it is on. The plan is to glue and staple right over the existing stuff to maintain the the thickness.



Test fit!

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