[DJW]

Wait ‘till you start looking for replacement/new  vans, you’ll need to sit down!

[dd]

Could you work Saturday when Dan Van should be available? I would find it hard to be bothered enough to use backpack and barrels.

wash your mouth out with soap! 
Darran

I actually prefer having a day off in the week. If you want to go anywhere places are busier on Saturday.

[AuRavelling79]

Wait ‘till you start looking for replacement/new  vans, you’ll need to sit down!

The plan is to repair my old van.

[AuRavelling79]

It's resolved in that the claim is agreed and I have been paid.

Makes sense.

I hope you got reimbursed properly for your prang and subsequent consequences.

The van claim has been settled. Uninsured losses claim has to be agreed with the other insurer. But as there were no injuries it is only a few hundred quid.

[Smudger]

What's your van - is it the Hyundai or am I confusing you with someone else?

Darran

[AuRavelling79]

What's your van - is it the Hyundai or am I confusing you with someone else?

Darran

Yes. Hyundai iload Comfort 3 seater.

[Smudger]

👍

Hope the rebuild goes well

Darran

[dd]

Hyundai iload is a good van. They seem a little thirsty (compared to my dispatch anyway) but I think they are well made. Shame they don't still make them.

[AuRavelling79]

Hyundai iload is a good van. They seem a little thirsty (compared to my dispatch anyway) but I think they are well made. Shame they don't still make them.

Yes it's a 2.5 diesel - only 116bhp but loads of torque - and I get about 30 mpg when I am using it for work. 35 on a longer run at normal speeds.

The slight down side is that they share hinges and side door handles with i800's and so aren't heavy duty and a bit tired after ten years.

I like the cam chain instead of cambelt.

I use a hook and eye on the barn doors at the back as the hinges aren't stiff enough when open to stop a door closing if a bit breezy.

[DJW]

Hook and eye ……. wasn’t that a sitcom comedy?

[AuRavelling79]

The bodywork guy has turned up and tells me the wings and bonnet are repairable/bendable/moveable.

Headlight fitted, slam panel fitted as is bumper bar.

Waiting for grille and cosmetic bumper to arrive.

[AuRavelling79]

Well, the main and aircon radiators are fitted and the new fans. Can't get the Aircon one recharged yet but the main one seems ok with coolant added.

Fitted a new water pump and auxiliary belt as  the front was off.

Temperature gauge doesn't hit 90 degrees on idle so can't check if the new fans kick in yet.

The replacement headlight is in and working.

The front cosmetic bumper and grille didn't arrive from Yorkshire. Some nonsense about the carrier (Evri) saying it was too big so refund agreed.

But luckily there was one off an i800 people carrier in Lydney so I collected it this afternoon and it is temporarily fitted to allow us to align the wings, bonnet etc.

Looking hopeful as the bodywork guy can spray it white in a couple of weeks but hopefully ready to MOT by the end of next week.

Fingers crossed.

[AuRavelling79]

Well, the main and aircon radiators are fitted and the new fans. Can't get the Aircon one recharged yet but the main one seems ok with coolant added.

Fitted a new water pump and auxiliary belt as  the front was off.

Temperature gauge doesn't hit 90 degrees on idle so can't check if the new fans kick in yet.

The replacement headlight is in and working.

The front cosmetic bumper and grille didn't arrive from Yorkshire. Some nonsense about the carrier (Evri) saying it was too big so refund agreed.

But luckily there was one off an i800 people carrier in Lydney so I collected it this afternoon and it is temporarily fitted to allow us to align the wings, bonnet etc.

Looking hopeful as the bodywork guy can spray it white in a couple of weeks but hopefully ready to MOT by the end of next week.

Fingers crossed.

Well. A bit longer than anticipated by a week and four days.

I decided to re-do the back - as in removing, repainting and replacing tank frame, rotten plywood floor (covered in rubber), kurusting any surface rust, priming, Protectakote UVR and putting in trays to catch water.

Original 650L tank and pumps re-used. Pumps re-sited.

New plywood top and re used insulation.

Passed MOT today. So insurance valid again.

Back to work with it tomorrow...

Aircon to be recharged next week.

[AuRavelling79]

Don't ever make your main source of work a backpack, a trolley, a trailer or a car.

Having the van back is utter bliss in comparison!

[Spruce]

I know this is an after thought, but have you taken photos of the repair stages. It's always helpful to have this for when you decide to sell the van in the future.

[matthewprice]

Doing just one or two houses with backpack is enough for me to agree with you lol

[AuRavelling79]

I know this is an after thought, but have you taken photos of the repair stages. It's always helpful to have this for when you decide to sell the van in the future.

Yes.

I don't intend selling it this side of retirement so if that is finally 3 - 6 years away it won't have much value left being 15/18 years old and probably north of 100K.

[AuRavelling79]

Aircon recharged yesterday just in time for the week's heatwave that is summer 2023! All finished.