77 bus transporter restration

[akitsuji]

This bus is a 7 passenger bus, automatic, with a 2.0L FI engine.


Since 1992 until 2008 the bus was sitting in my back yard . Even after being ignored for 16 years, the bus survived quite well.


Body work- Sand blasting on the roof gutter area


Rear right corner was hit before I purchased in 1991. The corner panel was repaired and battery pan was installed.


Rusty area was sanded and POR15 was applied.


Original floor pan had 3 or 4 rust holes which I patched.


I used scaffolding to sand blast the roof gutter area and to apply POR 15.


Lots of vacuuming was needed to pick up all the sand.


Front doors were removed for repair this Aug


Front seats were removed for repair. Front dash board was repaired early 2008.


Head liner and interior vinyl covers were removed. new headliner was ordered.


Soon after this photo was taken, the sound deadening and insulation material were installed. This was the most expensive material for this project so far.






Original roof insulation was removed and new sound deadening and insulation were applied.




Thanks for looking. My goal is to complete the project in Oct this year.

[Dustin]

Glad to finally see some pics Aki,

It looks like a pretty good project and I can't wait to see it on the road.

[bren]

Bus looks amazingly solid for sitting so long. Very nice work Aki. I look forward to seeing it.

[Southpaw]

Aki , I would like to help on your headliner so I can see it done .

Keep up the good work .

[johnw]

WOW! Thats look wonderful.


John in Plainwell

[akitsuji]

Driving around my back yard.


Front and Roof view. Secondskin sound deadening and insulation with alum foil backing were installed in Aug. Sound proofing works very well.

Side wall and rear view.

Yesterday I received the headliner. When I'm ready to install it, I'll let you know. I'll need your help.
I start to paint primer on doors. Hopefully I can finish all primer in a few days.

[akitsuji]

The following is my Bus's M-code information. It is very interesting.


ytsuji wrote:
I just found the M-code plate on the left side of heater tube.
It says
72 030 035
E6R177 D01 227 246
38 5 7212 UU 2218 63

There are several stickers on the left hand door post.
One sticker says that manufactured by Volkswargenwerk AG 09/76
#2272030035# Type multipurpose passeger viehcle
Second sticker indicate; Marinogelb L20A Pastel?(white) L90D
Third sticker says Karte card Garte 248 with two small square logos.
There is a stamped numbers inside of engine bay - 2272030035

I'd appreciate your help.


1st line digits with the '22' of 2218 in the 3rd line, create your unique VIN
as stamped inside the engine bay: 227 2 030 035. Built more or less at the end of September 1976. Note that, due to date production after July, it's already a model year 1977 --> confirmed by '7' in the third position. 30035th of m.y. 1977 (all models) because the serialization is in common with all the others.

2nd line
E6R177 - Colours and seats code as printed in the sell brochure. E6 lower part marino yellow (chrome yellow for US market, see 77 brochure here www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/77stationwagon_campmobile/back.jpg) R1 upper part pastel white. 77 stands for seats in leatherette color Canyon Brown (see brochure too).
optionals:
D01 one 'macro code' to describe more than one, that means
012 - Exhaust emission controll installation and speedometer in miles instead of km
067 - 12V 54Ah battery instead of the standard 12V 45Ah
102 - Rear-window heating
508 - Ventilation windows in sliding doors and in all windows opposite sliding door in the passenger compartment
227 detachable headrest for all seats in cabin
246 Windscreen free from import duty for USA

3rd line

38 5 Planned production date: 38th week, 5th day of 1976 --> Friday 17th September 1976 (Note I underline 'planned' : It could be differ by some days ...only VW Birth Certificate will tell you the real P. date: taken from microfiche databases)
7212 212nd of the daily production (it always start with 7 or sometimes with 8, some kind of suffix)
UU Port of Entry --> USA, Los Angeles for Honolulu
2218 - Type 22 Microbus and Microbus L (your should be L due to double painting), 1 LHD sliding door right, 8 seven seater, seat arrangement 2-2-3
63 - 6 Typ4 engine - fuel injection ; 3 Automatic trasmission, 3-speed

[akitsuji]

Ready for action


Roof area using scaffolding


Whole car was primed on Sept 13. It took one qt of primer for all doors' exterior and one qt of primer for exterior body.



I purchased a headliner from Bus Depot. I opened the box and checked the liner. Liner was one panel too short, approx 16". I need to send it back. I guess that Bus Depot does not have their quality inspection process.

[Dustin]

Moving along nicely

[akitsuji]

I started sanding the primer on the doors today. By next Friday I must complete sanding on the entire body. Next Saturday, a friend of mine will paint the exterior at my garage. I need to clean my garage and drape plastic sheets to make a temporary paint booth in a few days.
Today I bought sealer, paint and sanding blocks etc. After I painted interior as a trial yesterday , I realized that I need to call my friend for his help to paint exterior. Interior part will be covered vinyl sheets, interior panels, headliner or floor mats, so that nobody can see my paint job fortunately. It is not bad but not the best. Every steps so far I came through are not so easy. I appreciate those professionals.

About the headliner- Busdepot contacted the maker and they agreed to remake a new one with correct size and color.
Busdepot's catalog calls for white, but according to the maker, I need to specify as Bright white to get a white color headliner. Otherwise you'll get a gray. Be careful when you buy a headliner!!

[akitsuji]

Last week Sept 26, a friend of mine and I painted the top half with Pearl White. Today Oct 3rd, we painted the bottom half with Yellow. The temperature was slightly cool, so I heated my temp. paint booth with an elec heater and a kerosene heater.
Masking paper and tapes were removed soon after finishing paint.
Next step is installation of the interior vinyl covering then installation of the headliner. Finally I received the correct headliner.

[bren]

Looking Good Aki!
Glen is going to have some competition.

[akitsuji]

I purchased a set of z-bed brackets by z-products so that I can convert the original rear bench seat to a fold down bed. We'd like to add three things to the original bus are;
1. Z-bed (need to install)
2. Rear hatch tent (still looking)
3. Full length roof top rack with wood slots (the vendor from Florida)

Then we'd like to travel (camp), like along Route 66.

[johnw]

;D WOW!! Looks wonderful!!

John W.

[Dustin]

Looking great Aki! I cant wait to see it in person