Coachmen Leprechaun

The restoration

 
 
 
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 14.07.2016  ·  #281
Looking great keep up the hard work and cider drinking
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 14.07.2016  ·  #282
:fgrin: :up: The Talent and Passion!
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 15.07.2016  ·  #283
awwwh wow! thanks for the update!! glued to every word as with the previous 'few' pages... :) good luck with the next steps!
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 18.07.2016  ·  #284
Well done mate, coming together nicely, missed these posts. :)
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 18.07.2016  ·  #285
Fantastic stuff Kevin. Like the others had missed the updates but great to see that it's still progressing.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #286
Thanks to all for the kind words of encouragement!

Latest update is, well... I'm still plugging away slowly but surely.

Unfortunately, in the last couple of months, I had another health setback, so the camper got put on hold AGAIN!

But in recent week's I've been backat it and making a bit of progress...

Not a huge amount done, but a few pics to share none the less:

I really like this photo:


Cockpit now wearing three coats of 2K primer and has received another three coats of colour since this pic was taken.


Pulling the passenger side wing into place by a smidge just before welding it:



Wings now welded into place and all panel gaps are as good as I'll get them.


Spotwelding along the wheel arches:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #287
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #288
I managed to f**k up a little. Still don't know how, but I managed to get the lower positions wrong on both wings. Despite numberous re-fits, using clico rivets and measuring a load of times...
The darn things fitted perfectly before I welded them into place and I made sure not to overheat the panels!!?!!?
Anyway...
The lower leading edge of both wings were now sitting proud by about 10mm on each side, the result of which was the Chrome headlight bezels no longer fitted correctly. I could not believe this when I realised what I did.

After a lot of pondering, I figured the best way forward was NOT to remove the wings. They were now welded and glued into place and were not going to come off without a fight. So I decided to reshape the chromed plastic bezels instead. A scary task considering the time & effort it took to find these used ones!

I used the old crappy bezels for practise, and figured out the best way to do the deed. Some lead sheeting to make up a heat shield, and my hot air gun on set on medium heat...
Very nerve wracking, but there's someone up there looking after me as they turned out OK.

All that's needed now is to fill the inner gaps with seam sealer.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #289
Quote by the fat controller

now I know where all the vice grips I have lost over the years have gone :lol:


lol.

Didn't realise I had so many until I went searching for em! :lol:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #290
Looks good, Kevin. :up:
Now how is the bezel lining up with the Lamp?
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #291
Quote by CHAUSSON

Looks good, Kevin. :up:
Now how is the bezel lining up with the Lamp?


Lamp fits ok. There's plenty of room for adjustment there. I have no probs spending as much time as needed to get everything aligned. Nothing worse than seeing a rebuild that doesn't look quite right.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #292
Look great, happy to see you back at it.



P.S. Sitting on Cobh Aire in the pissing rain, I just went back and made all your posts in this topic important (red) makes for easier reading for those starting from the begining.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #293
Quote by Blag

Quote by CHAUSSON

Looks good, Kevin. :up:
Now how is the bezel lining up with the Lamp?


Lamp fits ok. There's plenty of room for adjustment there. I have no probs spending as much time as needed to get everything aligned. Nothing worse than seeing a rebuild that doesn't look quite right.


You are your own worst critic Kevin, I do know where you are coming from though, I would spot those little things alright but most wouldn't. Keep up the good work, you are playing a blinder :up:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #294
Quote by CHAUSSON

I would spot those little things alright but most wouldn't.


That settles it then, you're not allowed inspect the camper when we finally meet!

You'd find all my bloody mistakes :lol: :lol:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #295
Quote by Douzeper

P.S. Sitting on Cobh Aire in the pissing rain...


Miserable oul day for Cobh Ally. It's pity the weather is manky while you're there. It's a nice spot for exploring.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #296
Glad to hear your well Kevin ,keep up the good work . :up:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #297
Quote by Blag

Quote by CHAUSSON

I would spot those little things alright but most wouldn't.


That settles it then, you're not allowed inspect the camper when we finally meet!

You'd find all my bloody mistakes :lol: :lol:


I could be convinced to keep my mouth shut :D
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 21.09.2016  ·  #298
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the updates. Great to see you back at it and I hope you're back to full health.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 22.09.2016  ·  #299
Great to see this back again keep up the good work and an eye on the health keep the pics coming
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 23.09.2016  ·  #300
A photo taken of my dad, when he was restoring his first camper (ford transit) taken sometime in the early 90's.


He was friends with the stable manager in the old pairc ui Caoimh buildings in Cork, so we did the restoration there. Yes we liked VW golf's at the time too... ;-) The silver one was mine.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 23.09.2016  ·  #301
Headed to the painter:


Post paint inspection:


In use:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 23.09.2016  ·  #302
Looks the business......complete with umbrella as well
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 23.09.2016  ·  #303
That would be worth something now.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 24.09.2016  ·  #304
Used to go on easter stew picnics in one of the only it was a van, not a campervan.
Happy memories
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 27.09.2016  ·  #305
Sanding & priming the fiddly bits - (from front to back) Lower valance, windscreen scuttle, doors, Ceiling support trim, door cards, (and over to the right) brake booster/master cylinder unit and door hinges - sanded and primed with 2K:


Inner cab painted with topcoat and ready to fit the Dynamat soundproofing:


Weather is turning colder (<15c) and I was getting tired of ferrying my paints in and out of the hot press in the house. So I made up a warming table so I could keep everything close by. Handy for keeping my cuppa tea warm also! :lol:

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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 28.09.2016  ·  #306
Looks so good inside can't wait to see it finished
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 28.09.2016  ·  #307
Wish I had the ability to attempt that kind of restoration!!
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 28.09.2016  ·  #308
Quote by hillton9

can't wait to see it finished


Blag is feeling like that as well id say :lol: :lol:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 28.09.2016  ·  #309
Keep up the great work Kevin. :up: :up: :up:
Blag
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 28.09.2016  ·  #310
Quote by mad max

Quote by hillton9

can't wait to see it finished


Blag is feeling like that as well id say :lol: :lol:


I was only thinking about that today. Once it's finished, I am pretty sure I'll miss the routine! I guess being an old camper there will be plenty of maintenance to be done, but I kinda like the satisfaction of being in the middle of a big project. Therapy in the workshop.

Might have to get another project on the go when the Coachmen is done... :lol:


I did a bit more this afternoon, making templates for the dynamat. This soundproofing stuff is a bit expensive so I dont want to make a hack job of it. Templates will allow me to make best use of the material.



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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 28.09.2016  ·  #311
Looking better day by day :up:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 29.09.2016  ·  #312
Truly humbled by your amazing work ethic. Best of luck as you progress.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 29.09.2016  ·  #313
I placed an order with a UK based tyre supplier yesterday. For two 16 inch "universal" dually wheels. These will come fitted with 215/85x16 Galaxy Explorer tyres.

I'll order four more wheels/tyres for the back axle when funds allow.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 29.09.2016  ·  #314
Might have to get another project on the go when the Coachmen is done...



You can come and paint my house if your bored ,I will wait until your finished the van :D :D

Keep up the good work :up:
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 29.09.2016  ·  #315
Quote by eirebus

Might have to get another project on the go when the Coachmen is done...



You can come and paint my house if your bored ,I will wait until your finished the van :D :D

Keep up the good work :up:


I have that BJ40 if you are at a loose end :D
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 29.09.2016  ·  #316
Quote by CHAUSSON

Quote by eirebus

Might have to get another project on the go when the Coachmen is done...



You can come and paint my house if your bored ,I will wait until your finished the van :D :D

Keep up the good work :up:


I have that BJ40 if you are at a loose end :D


I watched Jay Leno car show last night, they showed 3 vehicles and asked which would be the the best investment over the last 5 years. One was the last of the big chevy caprice station wagons, which had no increase in value, one a Citreon DS from 1972 which increased by about a third if I remembered correctly and the other a Toyota jeep although it may have been a FJ. The toyota doubled in value and was by far the best investment so get her sorted Pat.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 30.09.2016  ·  #317
And when you begin the restoration pat, be sure to start a thread on it. I'd love to follow it!
Love those old Toyota 4x4's.
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 30.09.2016  ·  #318
Quote by Blag

And when you begin the restoration pat, be sure to start a thread on it. I'd love to follow it!
Love those old Toyota 4x4's.


:up:
I am going through restoration myself at the moment, maybe I should have done a blog on that, Kevin. :D
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 30.09.2016  ·  #319
Quote by CHAUSSON
I am going through restoration myself at the moment, maybe I should have done a blog on that, Kevin. :D


If it involves doctors, then probably not! :lol: I've had enough of that myself over the last couple of months also! Sucks to be getting old(er)...
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Re: Coachmen Leprechaun

 ·  Posted: 30.09.2016  ·  #320
Fast 3 day delivery .

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