just joined
Hello all, i'm Chris, and in the process of restoring a recent G wagon Purchase. Hope to find some info on here, from you guys and gals and will post some pics of the progress :D
Welcome Goodluck with your project
The stripping down process
That does not look at all bad!
Good luck and keep us posted!
thats well stripped - are you doing a colour change - just wondering seeing as the interior is out
welcome to the gwoa. looks like a detailed project there...
good luck :wink:
croeso a hawddamor
I will post some more pics soon, but thanks for all the good will wishes. Yes I am doing a colour change, this G Wagon is going to be having the works done, all bad panels changed not just patched, chassis redone, reupholstered and all the rubbers etc. A long project but should be worth it in the end.
Hi welcome to GWOA please read your PM..
more to follow, as you can see this is a big restoration
the last few for now, will keep you all informed
Hi WHEW there is an 87 230ge here being reduced to parts with far less decay than these pics...and it was bought for GBP 600...I have a 1988 SWB 300GD for sale that needs 3 brake pipes and a steering damper for less than GBP 2000... if the engineering decay is anything like the body your pocket will be in "long reach mode" to find any change out of GBP 4000.and look what there is in the market for that sort of money!!!! even the odd SWB 463 petrol without looking too far....
Hi, the overall engineering of this G wagon is sound, engine low miles at 83K, all mechanicals are good, just the body and a bit on the chassis that is headache material.
Its a project to keep some of the workforce busy for a while, I have the funds to renovate this to a very high standard and to get it back to its former glory, and also the workshop facilities to manufacture various bits and bobs, such as the noise dampening straps under the bonnet etc. we are an hydraulic engineering company and so can make any pipework and hoses for the project, its all go at the moment on it, doing some patching to the floor areas as we dont want to change these. The front and rear wings, and back end light cluster panels are currently waiting delivery.
The glass is going to be removed and the rubbers removed and replaced, this will allow us access to these hidden areas that may need attention. We need two new mirrors and some internal clocks replacing. We are also having the seating re-upholstered in leather, the carpets cleaned and dyed and these will be done after the inside has been sprayed and rust proofed.
so your quote about deep pockets is very true:-)
slowly getting there
All servicable parts are being sand blasted and repainted, we are not sure about the wheels at this stage, may buy some alloys to finish it off a little later on. Seats and internal trim being re-upholstered as we speak, in two tone grey leather and orange piping and going to get a complete interior carpet, some new window rubbers etc. Dashboard parts and steering wheel will come later and if any of you have anything you would like to donate or sell at a reasonable price ref the likes of internal clocks, steering wheel etc please get in touch.
Very impressive Chris
cheers
M
Thanks Marcus, as we get nearer to the end I will post some more pics, we are not going to finish the body ourselves as all this work that as gone into it we dont feel confident enough to add the paint, so we are having it done by the pro's.
This will be like a new one when finished
Chris
fantastic work there chris.
recent members here have shown a great passion for restoring these remarkable machines to their former glory :wink:
well done to you and all.
rgds hus55.
Looking like an "in depth" rebuild...an observation.... springs!! many years ago I was told to always fit coil springs with the lower "tails" resting on the saddle towards the diff..the reasoning was that the forces of compression/distortion are transmitted from the wheel inboard and the continuous ring of the bottom coil has greater durability than the "tail" ....
Good luck Chris, you seem to have it all in hand, i also just joined just over a week ago. I brought a 1991 LWB 463 and i thought i had a headache with having to purchase some parts, but listening to you and how positive you are makes my project to get my G perfect a lot easier. Rgds LEO
I did a similar project 2 years ago and it was very satisfying. Don't let anyone tell you that you wouldn't get your money back, I just sold mine for £10k, but obviously that was not the reason for doing the job.
I would however want to give you one MAJOR tip. If stripped like this the body seams can be a problem. I mean the seams along the sides and under the windscreen. I did my project in South Africa and used one of the top body repair centres in the country (he is the official shop for factory damaged VW's over there) Even they couldn't get it right first time.
Water goes into the seam and the only way to get it out is to bake the car before the primer. I only had 2 small spots appearing, but it took them 3 times before they got it right, and that is frustrating to say the least.
I have a few other tips like use stainless screws to refit your rubber strips. They don't come into contact with the body metal, but if the screws start rusting....
Good luck
Some great tips there guys, thanks
Some thing I just learned the hard way. When you have (or had) the left rear quarter panel off, you should replace all the reinforcing parts that carry the back door hinges, particularly given the rot evident in your car. See parts here:
Specifically parts 11, 32, 53 and 59. They carry the weight of the door and spare wheel.
I will never strip the rear end of a G again without replacing those parts. To add insult to injury, I only figured it out after the car was painted and finished.
Hope this is helpful (and timely).
Eddie.
cheers for that Mr Needamerc
Another worthwhile thought. When you've finished spending all the money, spend a little bit more. Fit wheel-arch liners! A must. I can't understand why MB did not fit them, but they stop all the muck and salt lodging where it rots the body panels. They are available for less than Stg 350 plus fitting.
Did you see this link from Mick the Digger?
A 1979 W460 being rebuilt for a German TV show. Very good (if you understand German).
http://www.w463.de/orc-280ge.htm#
They fitted liners.
Eddie.
I also fitted liners, but please note that you will need to modify the 463 liners a bit to fit a 460. I fixed mine with selfdrilling screws at the end.
How is this baby coming on?
hay man nice g how are you getting on with it
Hi guys, just put it on hold for a couple of weeks to get Xmas out of the way......
This build looks great mate. keep up the good work!
cheers, will do
Hi all
I'm a member of the MB club and own 2 classic Mercs a 450SL (1979) and my pride and joy a 280CE (1973), which nearly cost a devorce!
I'm looking into buying a G-Wagon for my fishing exploits/dog training and joining you guys was a no brainer for every thing that a forum brings.
I'm sure I'll be posting soon no doubt.
Dean
Hi chris best of luck for your project :oops: :D
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thanks