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Custom CF Bedford Build - Part: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

The CF Bedford

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.

As you can see there is a big gap in updates, two reasons really, firstly I've been knocked down with the flu (second time this year) and secondly I'm still doing the standard CF.
The standard CF Bedford is nearly done, I've mounted the engine and transmission, the diff is just about finished (put the commodore centre in the bedford diff), have put the commodore gas tank in the bedford (needed electric fuel pump and return line so was just as easy to swap).
As this year is going faster than last I still hope to get the custom CF done by Easter.
I'm also selling my motorbike so will have more room in the garage and more time to work on the vans.

I've only been doing bits of body work over the last month or so, been a bit slack on it really.
I'm going to put this van on hold for a month or two so I can repower my standard CF Bedford van, is currently running 3.3 holden (straight six), am going to replace it with a 3.8 V6 out of a VN Commodore. This should give me way better fuel and driving efficiently.

Someone asked me why it's taken 5 years to build this van, I replied time I guess. Thinking about it later I guess the real reason is because I never had a plan, well I did, it was just to give it a roof chop and put a V8 in it, then it evolved into what it is today. I've just given my mind free running and I just go with it. If I had planned it like this I probably would of done things differently and would of taken way less time but doing it this way is kind of good as you don't really know whats going to happen next.
My advice to anyone out there building a custom van or hot rod, take your time, let it evolve, we are only restricted by our imaginations and the engineers doing the cert lol.

My leg has healed up but I still haven't had a chance to do any work on the van.
I've added a couple of new pics to page 23, they aren't the greatest but is a change.
March the 15th (give or take a day) marked the 5th year I've been building this van. I'm not going to make it six. Even though this year is going so fast again I'm going to go for gold.

I haven't been able to do any work on the van since the Hot Rod Show, have been laid up with an infected leg from what nobody knows.
The plan this month is to finish off the body, including the changing of the back and side doors (hinging instead of lifting). Once the van is in primer (2 pot epoxy) I'm going to work on the running gear and dash bits and get it ready for certification. I still have to get a windscreen done but hopefully it will all come together and be road worthy A.S.A.P

The forecast for tomorrow (Saturday) is for showers, I still don't have the windscreen so don't really want to take the risk of the weather folks being right.
Looks like I'll have to wait another year for the Kumeu hot rod show - what a piss off, oh well I'll still take the standard CF Bedford van up.
If anyone is going to the hot rod show, stop by the vans, or better yet bring your own, the van club will have a spot by the arena.

Here are the latest pictures of my Custom CF Bedford Van. Has been stripped down to bare metal again and is ready for etch primer. The bits of wood under the van is so the drive way doesn't get painted. It will still need a little bit of filler around the recessed welds, like the side windows, flares, spoiler, roof edge ... I have hammer and filed a lot of it. After the kumeu hot rod show I plan to do a few things to it, change a few bits I'm not happy with, which in turn will tie in with a theme I had an idea of.

Finally Christmas is over (yeah I'm scrooge). Going from a workshop to a small single garage has been hard, can't even open the side door (it lifts up - gullwing) I have been (and will be for a while), stripping off all the EA12, straightening the panels (amazing how it can gather dents from just sitting) and aligning all the doors etc, then spray etch, a little filler here and there, then primer. After that it's just wire up the engine a bit better (add an ignition), track down the glass guy, tightened a few bolts and should be all done for the Hot Rod Show - yay This picture is of my two Bedford vans, The custom and the standard CF.

Am on track for Kumeu, started it up for the first time last friday and today ran it for a bit. Have a few little things to fix - oil leak, trans leak and radiator (brand new) leak, oh and a brake fluid leak. Tomorrow I will have to tow it home instead of drive it because of the radiator but should have all the other leaks sorted. The engine sounds nice, and rocks the van well. I can't wait till I get it out for a drive.
Another update and photos soon.

This year has gone real fast.
Have been busy last few weeks, engine and trans is out, all underneath is preped up, just changing the exhaust mounts then will seal up and paint underneath. It wont be show room condition, mainly cause it's to hard to keep clean and polished. I intend to drive this van.
I have 3 weeks before Xmas so plan is to finish underneath and motor this week and next and the last two weeks for the dash and the bonnet.
The van wont be 100% finished but even without a dash I should still be able to get it to the hot rod show.

I must apologise, I did update this a couple of weeks ago but seems I didn't upload it, sorry.
Still no windscreen but is in the "being sorted" box. Last couple of weeks I've been adding door mirrors and wiring the doors and dash bits up (just the door bits in the dash). The dash itself I have had to step away from it, it just isn't flowing (idea wise) and I know if I force myself to think about it then I probably wont like it when it's finished and will need to be redone.
Basically from the front doors back is finished ready for some body work and primer, a couple of things like engine wiring and brake line clips but I hope to get all that done in the next couple of weeks.

Yesterday I finally finished the windscreen template so phoned up the glass place ... is going to cost four grand to get this screen made. I'm going to find another way, call me cheap but I can't see four grand and one little stone smash it away.
I've been working on the windscreen mostly since last update, tried wood - still flexed so ended up making a steel one 25x3mm flat doubled up around the edges to make the 6mm of the bedford screen.

Wow, I can't believe it's October already, what happened to September?
The front flares are done, the heaters windscreen vents is done (except the side window bits - need mirrors). Am having trouble getting the information I need on the gauges so the dash is on hold I guess you could say, I still need to wire up the dash section (steering column, heater etc) and front bit (headlights, air con etc).
I'm also working on the windscreen template so can get that made, biggest problem is the curves of the screen and getting the template to hold the shape.

Has been quite a productive couple of weeks, am only working on small parts like the pedals (using toyota hiace gas and windym brake pedals) but getting them mounted and usable is that little bit closer to being finished.
I'm also looking at the dash but am unsure what gauges to use, also have made the windscreen heater vents which was interesting as am using the Rav4 heater and air con.
The front flares are tacked on and just need to be fully welded then really the only outside bits are the mirrors, indicators in the front guards (or maybe in mirrors) and a bit more bonnet work but that's inside.
I have to decide whether to use a single 4 barrel holley carb or use twin 4 barrel tunnel ram (looks awesome but could be real noisey)
I've updated the photos on the engine page

I've got a few things done, mainly those mentioned in the last update; the rear flares, the rear wiring, the engine section and floors (except for diff head inspection cover) and stuff.
Just when your on a roll bloody murphy comes knocking (murphys law), I've been knocked out with the flu for 3 weeks now, am on anti botics but still have ear ache and no energy not to mention the other flu symptoms. I guess I just need to find a concrete pill so can harden up and get on with it.
I hope to put up some new photos soon and update some sections.

I have a few things on the go at the moment, mainly because I am being held up on a few things. The things are the flares, the wiring, the engine section (floor, exhaust, mtr ...), air con and bonnet. Once all thats done I think it's just the dash board to go.
I'm going to work on getting the van to the Kumeu Rod show (middle of Jan 2010), even if I have to trailer it there that's my mission. It wont be painted but hopefully cert'd and useable.
I'm actually starting to get a little excited, all this time and it's so close. I just wish my money tree would grow.

I got some time to work on the van so thought since I have the headers now I could finish the inside engine section (exhausts, floor ...).
I went to put the torque converter in the trans and found the oil pump had been broken. This transmission (turbo 350) was meant to of been recently reco'd when I brought it a couple of years ago. So thats off being rebuilt and the engine section on hold until I get it back.
So I started to finish off the flares, have tack welded both front and back on the passenger side and have the flares ready to go on the other side once I can get the van out.
The van is really starting to come together, everything is just about done (except dash, engine box and interior) and can see it being in primer in the not near future. I'll drive it home to do that.

The brake booster has been changed, now using a Toyota Vista, had to remount into the fire wall as it is only a 9.5 inch (I think).
Have been working on the bonnet also, as mentioned I wanted to go straight up, then sideways but because I've extended the bonnet it wouldn't work so now have the bonnet open forward - slides out then pivots. I'll do a page on it soon.
In the next few weeks I'm hoping to get all the front stuff done, air con (piped and complete), radiator overflow bottle, radiator pipes and hoses, wipers ... I've already done some of the stuff but need to either redo it, change it or do something else. Then either finish the body with the flares or start the dash and inside parts.
It's really not that far away (famous last words), it's mostly small things that need doing, lots of them.

I finally got the steering knuckles last week but have had a bit of a mission making it all fit. I wanted to use the CF Bedford steering column but with it all bolted up it was just to long as the steering angle is now of a car than a van. I've ended up using a Toyota steering column from Endless spares, who also supplied me with the others bits needed to make it all work.
I had already mounted the HQ booster - recessed into the firewall but now I have changed the steering column I have to move the booster over as the pedal bracket is in line with the column.
Next mission is the bonnet, I originally wanted it to go straight up on rams but for the cert I'd have to have a safety chain on it which would screw up the operating of it.
Sadly I didn't make it to the NZ van nationals, but it looks like I missed a great show. There are photos of the NZ van nats and OZ van nats on the BUGA website.

Today my new headers (3rd set) arrived, am still waiting for the steering knuckles but is all coming together slowly. Once I get the steering knuckles I'll be able to tow it home so can finish it off. I was going to attempt to drive it home but I plan on stripping the engine down so would be a waste of gaskets. I'd like to get it finished in primer and take it down to the van nationals in Lower Hutt over Easter but could be pushing it and my track record with this van will be more than likely next year. I might ride down to the nats this year.

I went and did some work on the custom van, nothing major but now am waiting on my steering knuckles so can move it.
The standard van needs a fuel tank sender unit (mk 2), I could drive it (have been driving it) without a fuel gauge but no one likes to run out of petrol.
Summer is over and winter is fast approaching so am not to worried about the standard van as I enjoy riding my motorbike around, just a beep to carry things on.
I've sold a few CF Bedford parts on the main NZ auction site and a few of you have made the connection between my user name and my webpage. I always get asked about new updates which is funny (to me - guess you had to be there moment). Some of you know, some don't but as NZ doesn't have a Bedford website as such a few Kiwi's use the Australian one - BUGA (Bedford user group of Australia). Great bunch, very helpful lot and a gallery to show we all like our beddies. Come check us out at www.buga.com.au. My username there is Busykiwi (that's not my username on the auction site).

Well is nearly the end of Feburary already and I haven't done anything on the custom Bedford van this year.

The standard van is more or less finished, had a bit of problem with the brakes and things but got it all sorted. I hope to be bringing the custom Bedford home in the next few weeks so can finish off the last bits of the body and get it ready for paint. I'm hoping to tow it back with the standard CF so can get some photos together.

I was hoping to have the van (both vans - standard trailering up the custom) up at the Kumeu Hot Rod show which is in the 3rd weekend of January, sadly I have left it a bit late for things like windscreen, steering knuckles and things.
The standard CF isn't finished also, I did away with the Nissan LD28 diesel engine because I found an Australian assembled CF Bedford with LPG. The van itself was rotten so I just took all the running gear and the dash of all things. It was a face lift model (81) so had the mk2 dash in it.
I welded in the new dash frame, repainted the bits that got damaged in the conversion and am now just waiting for the transmission (wasn't in the van), and the diff and drive shaft don't fit as this was a LWB with dual wheels. So now the standard CF has a 3.3 Holden 6 cly engine.

Recently I've working more on the standard CF van than my custom CF, but on the custom van I have been doing a lot of "unseen" things, like brake lines, fuel lines, shifter ...
The plan was to get the brakes and steering sorted and line tow it home so could finish the body over Xmas. With trying to make a living, working on both vans and the stresses of life it might be pushing it.


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.

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.

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.

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 independent 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.

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 that's 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".

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.

Well today the van was moved again. I'll included a photo of the front soon as that's 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.

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 modification. 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.

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.

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 ;)

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 --->

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.

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