The CF Bedford Updates

Updates

This page will allow you to follow the smaller updates not mentioned in the sections as well as which pages have been updated and when.
I should have made this page in the beginning but I never believed the custom Bedford van build up would get so many interested in it.

 October 29th 2008

The front spoiler finally got finished, were going to put spot lights in it but need to get it on the ground to see what it's going to look like at ground level instead of being stuck up in the air. Have remounted the engine and trans (lowered as lowered the diff to lift up the back slightly) problem now is I need to get some other headers as the ones I have are now to long, have added some brake lines and things also. I have also painted the standard CF Bedford van, painted it an off white (is a GM colour). Have a crests diff to put in it but will get it going first, have most of the wiring sorted out and most of the van put back together.
The custom van, I hope to get the rest of underneath finished so can get it back on the ground and work on the inner and upper stuff. Body wise it's just the outer flares and bonnet fixing that needs done before the filing starts.

 September 9th 2008

Well finally I've done some more work on the beast. Have redone the front flares because I upgraded to 14x8 on the front, have also moulded in the front spoiler but am in the err umm do I like it, do I not? ... about the spoiler so am going to come back to it. Am working on finishing the complete front (photos soon), that includes finishing the grill surround, the front spoiler, bonnet and front flares.
I've also finished all the body work on the standard CF Bedford, just the motor to finish wiring up and a paint job. I placed a picture of all the rust that I had cut out from that van on the BUGA (Bedford Users Group Australia) website.

 March 5th 2008

I can't believe it's March 2008 already, it's like only last week I was working on the van.
Sadly I have no updates to mention, not even on the standard van.
I guess this update is just to let you know I have not disappeared. I get a few emails from time to time asking for updates and things, thanks for them, it inspires me to get back into it - just have to find the time.
I am going to have to put both vans on top of the list very soon, I know I keep saying next update ... but this time ... The plan is to finish the standard CF (only rear quarters and repower to do) with paint then drag the custom van back to the single garage and get it finished.

 November 18th 2007

It seems like it was only a couple of weeks since the last update, rather than months.
Since the last update I have remounted the jaguar independant rear end, I removed the cage and lifted the van 20mm, which means I also have to remount the engine and transmission to suit.

I have also been playing around with the front spoiler but I am not really happy with any ideas I've had yet. It's sort of like you get an idea in your head, you try it but it doesn't look right so you try something else then end up trying to get too fancy so start again, remembering simple is often better.

Hopefully the next update wont be to far away and I'll have some good news for a change.

 September 2nd 2007

Sadly no updates on the van as I have been working on the standard van and riding my motorbike. I've just about finished the standard CF but guess what I am waiting on ... yep parts, I found some new lower rear panels but the guy is real slow in getting them to me.
Here is the standard van

The whole van has been stripped to metal (paint was crazy cracked), all the rust cut out, and the inside and door jams have been painted (white), just have the lower rear panels to do. This van is now running a Nissan diesel LD28 with 5 speed gearbox. This van is just going to be white, but I may add some ghost flames (flames done in just a pearl) cause flames are cool ;) I have a set of trident mags for it (14x7) and thats about it. I hope to get some photos soon of this van beside the custom van

The van is jacked up in the front in this photo as I was working on the gearbox mount at the time.

Hopefully the next update will be on the custom van, I've decided to remount the jag diff, the transmission mount and maybe even bring the engine back a fraction - remove one of the universals from the "driveshaft".

 July 27th 2007

No updates as I have been rebuilding the standard SWB CF Bedford I got for a daily driver It's nearly done, just have 3 doors to rebuild then can paint it and drive it.
I hope to start work again on this van soon and hopefully get it in primer before long, and if these damn engine parts ever turn up can start driving it so as to test it all out before painting in case I need to change anything.

 July 3rd 2007

Well today the van was moved again. I'll included a photo of the front soon as thats about the only big difference since the last lot of photos. The inside has a few changes (handbrake and shifter fitted) but isn't really photo worthy.

 June 25th 2007

Looking at the months gone by (further down this page), I noticed this time last year I was waiting for those bits I had won on ebay, well it's a year later and guess what ... yep, am still waiting. I was promised they were finally sent (the rest of the stuff) but seems once again I have been let down.
This last month I have been working only on my new (standard) van, has become a mini restoration with a slight modifaction. Yeah I know I said no mods but a side door and pillar came along so had to fit it, have also updated the tired old 2.3 Bedford motor for a Nissan LD28 diesel engine. I'm even painting it the original dirty white colour (the van not the motor).
On a custom van note, I was given a dead line to get my van out of my brothers place, and it is fast approaching, so in the next few days (waiting for a fine day) will be moving it to my neighbours workshop where hopefully can finish it off. The weird thing is, this will be the third place it's been (well fourth as I started it at home in a single garage), its getting closer to home each time, will be 5 mins away once moved instead of 12 minutes away.

 May 20th 2007

I've updated a few of the content pages, most just fixing spelling mistakes but a couple of pages as I have changed things slightly.
This month I've done a bit on the bonnet, I've extended the front edge down to the grill so as to avoid another body line gap. I'm confused as to how to hinge the bonnet, the choices are on the side, split in half and hinge on ends, straight up or even just standard.
I have to take a couple of weeks off as my brother (who's place the van is at) is storing some household stuff for a friend so can't work on it. This isn't to bad as my car died and was left with just the motorbike which isn't always ideal when carting stuff around, so I brought a run around - a CF Bedford van. The van had a seized motor and gearbox had no second gear, also had leaky left rear brakes, anyways the gearbox was repaired, motor freed up without pulling it apart, the brakes replaced and now just have to vin it. Someone had spent some money on this van before as it had a new clutch and new front brake cylinders. The down side to this van is it has no side door. This van WILL remain standard, it will NOT be modified in anyway.
I'll probably just keep this new van until I get this van finished, would be good to take some photos beside a original van, am looking forward to towing it - should look good, will get some photos for sure.

 April 23rd 2007

I have been working on the front of the van, mainly the spoiler and mounting the radiator, transmission cooler etc.
The front spoiler just isn't happening the way I want it to, translated meaning my mind is blank and it's not "just happening", am having to think about it. What will probably happen is I'll do the front spoiler then not like it and change it - can't be a bad thing ;)

 April 11th 2007

Another up and down month but at least got some work done.
The good news: The drivers door and right front guard (fender) are finished, and the guard was the last of the rusty bits. Oops I tell a lie, the bonnet has a couple of rust spots in it.
The bad news: My car died and the part isn't available so only have my motorbike to get around in, doesn't make it easy when I need to get some steel, glass etc so brought another CF Bedford van but has stuffed gearbox and motor was seized due to sitting so hopefully have that fixed very soon and can go get some bits to finish the van off.
More bad news: The engine parts I am waiting on my USA still have not been sent, grr, to say I am pissed off about it is an understatement but what can you do. I'll keep at them and hopefully they will be sent soon (has only been a year).
Am on the home stretch now, just the front (grill, bonnet, front spoiler and outer flares) to go then go over it all and straighten it up then a coat of paint, or at least primer.

 March 23rd 2007

I finally got the window and have put on the drivers door skin and done the right front guard.
Looking over the van I only have the bonnet, grill, front spoiler, flares (outer) and maybe the front sunroof to go, then the big file up and skim.
The biggest thing slowing me up at the moment is where the van is, or rather where it should be. At the moment it's at my brothers but it should of been gone from there as he is/was going to be doing some alterations on his house but now that is possibly on hold.
Daylight savings, so gets dark early now, but I hope to get the front finished in a few weeks and then move the van so I can finish off the outside and get it in primer. The inside still needs the floor around the engine done and the dash but am hoping the parts I won on ebay will turn up when they should (around Easter).

 February 7th 2007

Another month and sadly nothing much to update. Am still waiting on the windows.
I've been playing around with the shifter, hand brake and section between the front seats. Have also played around with the steering column (fitted the boss kit and steering wheel) but only because I haven't got any parts to carry on with. I finished the handbrake after getting a cable made to go from the Toyota lever to the Jag cable, need to clean up underneath a bit more and actually test it but is more or less done.
The swap meet wasn't to great, got a couple of pulleys but not much else. A couple more are coming up soon but hopefully my parts will arrive and I can get this van finished.

 January 8th 2007

I was hoping to get the door glass by Xmas but that didn't happen, I was hoping to get the engine parts by Xmas, that didn't happen. I was hoping to get a lot of things done over the Xmas break, but guess what ... that didn't happen.
I managed to mount the shifter, ended up using an original CF one but will change the top. Have also mounted the handbrake but no one was open over the holidays so hope this week I can get the cables etc for them.
I got some electric window regulators for the bonnet (is going to go upwards) but I don't think they will work as they are plastic, so will have to make something.
Kumeu swap meet is coming up (20-21st Jan) so maybe I'll get lucky and find some parts.

 December 12th 2006

I finally got the ball joints and put the front suspension back together. I also managed to find some front mags although not the ideal size I wanted, am sick of trying to find them at a reasonable price so just opted for 14x7 for the front.
The left front inner flare has been done and the front spoiler frame tack welded on. I need to let the front suspension settle again so can get the ride height but I think I'm going to turn the van around again and do the inner flares on the drivers side, and hope I get the door glass back soon so can do the drivers door.
Really there isn't much to do, on the outside it's the flares, spoiler, grill and bonnet, but the inside is the engine area, cover, interior, dash and stuff - everything needing parts.
I've changed the 'latest page' (last number on the navigation) to include photos of the stages, there are big gaps but shows the differences and how far I've come - scary really.

 November 21st 2006

Added some stuff to the front doors and the flares pages. No other work done yet.

 November 14th 2006

This last month has really flown past, seems like just yesterday I made the previous update.
I finally got the door glass the other day (after having to send it back to smooth it up some), tried it, worked well so put on the door skin. The van is looking a lot more complete now with a real door on the van. I have only did the one side (passenger side) as I had to give the glass back again so they could make another one and toughen it.
I have also done the rear inner flare (wheel tub outer) on the passenger side - sorry no pics of either yet. The flare could be done now but I am going to wait and do all the flares at the same time, hate the thought of having different shaped flares.
Oh and I also redid the side door gas stays- turned them around so they actually push the door up instead of down.
I have a couple of small things to plod along with but still need parts, also need some door mirrors now (or make some housings). Would like to get the ball joints next so can put the front suspension back together and get the front flares and front spoiler mocked up.
I need to win lotto (don't we all)

 October 25th 2006

Haven't done much work on the van lately. Am still waiting on parts.
Last update I mentioned I finally found the XC grill I was after, well ... after all that waiting and hunting I might not be using it, I can't find any decent headlights (they all rust) and getting them re silvered is going to cost $300. The thing I have to weigh up is if I want to risk having to go through this all over again if they ever got broken from a stone or whatever, or rusts out again. It might be easier to use some japper lights and just make up a custom grill.
I just had a call saying my front door glass is done, so will pick that up tonight, it is going to fit (positive thinking).
I have started doing the flares and front spoiler but am waiting on my lower ball joints so can sort out the front mags and ride height, fingers crossed one of the sets of mags I have for the front will be a good offset, they will be! (more positive thinking).
Kumeu car show is fast approaching (Jan 07) and I would love to drive the van there but have to remain realistic as I have some more parts coming from USA (to replace the ones that went missing) but they wont get here until just before Xmas and with Xmas mail usually slow could be a bit later.
I've updated the flares page and added the front spoiler page - both unfinished.

 September 12st 2006

Finally I went and did some work on the van, not much, but enough for an update.
I mentioned a few updates ago that I found a XC Fairmont grill, well I finally put it in, even though I still haven't got my door glass back yet. The grill page has been updated.
My front suspension is out and will be installing new bushes and ball joints, non of that urethane crap, original CF rubber bushes.
The bulk lot of CF stuff has been listed on a NZ auction site, the listing is for seven days and finishes tomorrow at 8pm (ish), lots of views but no bids yet. Who ever buys it, will easily make their money back if they sold it off again separately.

 September 5th 2006

I've included a couple of pictures of some of the CF Bedford stuff that will be up for sale very soon. The pictures don't do it justice but there are ten pallets so far and that's not the drums, front ends, diffs, gearboxes, mtr parts, steering racks etc.
[edit] The Bedford stuff has been sold - pictures removed.
Is hard to make out whats what in the picture, but the box at the back for example (with number 12 on the front of it) is full of dashboards and wiper mtrs. I've lettered each pallet but is hard to make out as the images have been sized to fit here.
This is just to give a rough idea of whats coming. I will listing each pallets contents on the auction listing.
Auction date will be around the 16th of this month if all goes to plan.

 August 12th 2006

There hasn't been anything done to the van of late because I've been rebuilding my garage (was rotten) then hurt my knee, been living on pain killers but it is on the mend.
I've finally got a XC Ford Fairmont grill but am not able to put it in until I get the door skins and front guards on - am waiting on the door glass again.

 July 20th 2006

Still no updates - still waiting on parts, I got some but not the ones I need.
I have redone the back doors door latch (inner), figured the dinky japper thing I was using wouldn't hold up to the solenoid so designed and made up something using the inner handle of a japper van (think it was a Mazda), then decided not to have the solenoid as the rear door is kind of spring loaded (way I set the gas rams up) and would hate the door to open up on something or someone so rear door is manual only now (from inside). I have allowed the option to mount the solenoid again if I choose to at a later date. See, I need some parts so I can get it finished instead of redoing bits.
I have also had several emails (even though I don't make it easy for you guys to contact me lol) asking for some guides, so I have decided to do the two most requested - A how to chop a CF Bedford and a buyers guide (what to watch out for body wise mainly), although I'm not to sure how great the second will be as I've only had two vans with the original motors in, have always repowered them. I was asked to do a repowering guide but there is already one on the web thanks to Garry at VANZ, his guide How to Re-Power your CF Bedford takes you through what was involved in fitting a 350 Chev V8, 350 Turbo transmission and 9" Ford diff into his 1980 CF Bedford LWB van. He also has another good guide on Rear Flared Guards, Rear Door Removal and Rear Bumpers into his 1980 CF Bedford LWB Van, can be found here. And I understand the Vanz website will have some more how-to's in the near future.

Also there will be a heap of CF Bedford parts listed on trademe soon, I am to sell them on behalf of the owner, we are talking about mostly mechanical bits - motors, gearboxes (no zf's they are being sold separately), lights, badges, hinges, suspension, everything Bedford, there are a couple of mark 2 bonnets and some back doors, there are holden discs and stuff for disc brakes, some holden mtrs (although these could be sold to scrap), some falcon diffs (used for CF conversions), windows ... way to much to list, just think everything that can be unbolted from a CF, including front and rear suspension off all CF types, LWB, SWB, ambo, pickup ... This will be once in a life time sale, all goes as one, wont be sold separately (If I had the space I'd buy it all and sell it off). There is a truck load of parts, so I'll mention in here with more details of what and some photos of it all and details of when etc.

 June 21st 2006

No real updates, been waiting on parts I won on ebay, but as luck would have it, they seem to have disappeared. They were sent from a friend, but they haven't arrived in New Zealand yet and US postal service is having a problem tracking them (they were insured). It's been nine weeks, was told four - six. The parts include headers, carb, dizzy, water pump and rocker covers (short ones) which I need so can finish off the floor and interior sections, including seats, dash and exhausts among others.
Am still playing around with the side windows, have changed the design a couple of times, until I can get one that works 100% all of the time I am just plating with a wooden template.
One of the front stubs was bent, managed to get another one from Murray at McQuoid Auto Engineering (he does the Bedford conversions etc) but am now having trouble getting bearings to suit. The old one had the stub machined which is a no-no.
Have also been playing with the handbrake and shifter, though I can't mount them properly until at least the water pump and pulley arrives so I know how high to make the section between the seats.

 June 6th 2006 (666)

Well today is the 6th day of the 6th month of 06 - 666 if your superstitious.
The only reason I bring this up is that I was taking some updated pictures of the tail lights and an image appeared in the picture, no it's not Elvis, jesus or even the virgin mary, it's half a skull. Maybe it's my helper (can blame them for the mistakes) or maybe it's my time.

Really it's just the angle of the dangle, right light (no flash), right dent/recess causing it to appear like a half skull, thoughts I'd share it with you anyways. A close up --->

 June 1st 2006

Well the door glass was a flop, one of the holes was half a hole out but the window tilted slightly at a half raise so am going to redesign the window joiner part, something between Bedford and Mazda (what the electric window is out of).
I've redone the tail lights, not 100% finished at time of this entry but photos and text added to this point. Am I happy with them? To be honest am not sure, am still thinking round tail lights might suit it better.
Other bits I've been working on are just tiny bits, things like mounting number plate lights, securing brake lines, sealing the floor ...
If updates are mentioned here but you go to the page and they aren't changed, press F5 on your keyboard to refresh the page, hitting refresh wont be enough if the page has been cached.

[ Older entries removed ]

 

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