Info required ....

19-09-2008, 04:27 PM

Hello

We have a 71 Danbury conversion, needing a little work doing on her!!
We have put new doors on her, which are not the best of fits! - has anyone else tried to put replica parts on??
We are also thinking of changing her nose with another replica part giving us a chance to relign the hinges on the doors - any comments would be welcome.
Does anyone have any feedback of Johnson VW Specialist in Wymeswold to carry out some body work - or any other midlands located VW specialists.

Many Thanks

Smudge's Owner - Carl

rapidresto · 20-09-2008, 11:33 AM

Hello and welcome to VT.

When you say replica doors are they the new ones from heritage etc? These are not going to be brilliant fit as they are not really the correct doors for your van. You would actually be better off fitting rust free originals that are available from many importers etc.

The alignment of the doors can be done via the positioning of the hinges on the a pillar and it can be difficult to get this right, but plenty of trial and error should see you right in the end.

The other thing that wont help is if reproduction front arches have been fitted badly, or if cheap door seals are used. The cheap seals are a poor fit themselves and will cause problems with the doors closing.

Replacing the front panel wont help the door issues. With an early bay, the front panel is not available and only as a make up of a late panel. If the rust is not too bad, use repair sections on the original panel. The panel does not include the a pillars where the hinges are. If you replace the a pillars / complete front end from a donor van, then you have to be very very careful to align it properly and even the process of welding it can cause distortion and make the door alignment problem even worse!