How hard is it to deseam a van?

Post by **leyther8008** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:39 pm

Exactly what it says in the title.
Do it on minis all the time apart from the corners dosnt look to hard.

Post by **polo2k** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:25 pm

It drpends on the seam.
Ideally you would get the best longevity by welding where possible then leadfilling but if there are smaller seams then you might be able to get away with fibreglass renforced filler. if there is any flex then something will crack at some point down the line.
Ive seen a few cars with all the gaps removed (mainly modern VW`s) ive always wandered how gutted they would be if they needed to remove a bumper, or get to a bolt behind them.

Post by **Cam** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:56 pm

It's quite easy actually if you are proficient at welding/grinding. Do a short section at a time and it won't distort too much.

See here for a de-seamed van:

http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/RallyPics/ ... 04_045.JPG

and here for the roof structure:
http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Members_Ca ... 731_02.jpg

Post by **motherofgod** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:53 pm

I agree with cam, friend of mine did it just like that 8-10 inchs at a time

james

Post by **lukedauvergne** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:53 pm

just wondering if i was to take the gutters off my saloon will my car get flooded?

Post by **tortron** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:06 pm

you would want some good rubbers as water is more likely to flow down the door seams

Post by **lukedauvergne** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:38 pm

do u mean the draft excluders that go around the inside of the door?

Post by **FrankM83** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:42 pm

yes im sure he's meaning to those! I would also think if you remove the gutter on the car this will also make the doors stand outward from the roof by feww mms

Post by **jonathon** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:00 pm

Tried this on my demo traveller when the guttering needed to be replaced , in my opinion it looked a real mess and would allow water to flow (especially when on the move) right into the seal.

Post by **tortron** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:25 am

you could go for custom 1 piece frameless windows at the same time

Post by **lukedauvergne** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:36 pm

wow that sounds exciting but would the glass have to be custom made? i imagin this is expensive. and i have a 4 door to so that means changing the backs 2

is there any ready made replacments i could get from a scrapper?

Post by **tortron** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:34 pm

not sure what your laws are over there - but could you get away with using plexiglass or lexan?

the plus side is that you only need it to be cut from flat sheet