I just keep finding things to do………..

21-4-20.

Another week has gone by and the list of jobs to do is getting less and less, but there’s always that one job that starts out as a supposedly 5 minute fix that turns into a major repair.

I had a pair of side lights to fit into the rear bumper corners in place of the standard reflectors, easy enough, just drop some wiring down from the rear lights and clip in the new lights…

Oh if it were only that simple, on removing the corners of the bumper to route the wires I couldn’t help but notice how badly damaged one of them was, and the rear bumper itself looked very scruffy.

A quick search onE-bay found a complete new bumper assembly for a very reasonable price, the plastic trim on the side loading door could also do with replacing as it too was an embarrassment, with the parts duly ordered and with time on my hands it gave me the chance to fit the blinds for the rear doors.

I already had curtains fitted but due to the random shape of the Sprinter doors they weren’t quite up to the job, they were good quality black out curtains but you couldn’t quite get the edges to seal properly against the bodywork and you would often be woken by the early morning sun blasting through the tiniest of gaps and blinding you before your properly awake.

For a professional look most motorhomes use a 2 in 1 blind that has a built in fly screen and blackout blind set in a plastic case, although my rear windows don’t open the fly screens adds a bit more privacy on top of the tinted windows.

When I first bought the van it had ply panels on the solid rear doors, I had the windows fitted and so the top half of the ply got dumped at the back of the shed, it was these plywood panels that were going to be re-fitted with the blinds attached. They would need recovering with fabric as someone had been using them to lay on whilst fitting their towbar a few years back.

Unfortunately I have run out of the adhesive to finish the other side, so once again waiting on Postie to deliver supplies.

Another job to do was to swap out the old passenger seat base and swivel for new ones acquired from a company that specialises in supplying aftermarket seats and associated accessories to the HGV and PSV industry. They offer a seat base that is lowered by 70mm to allow for either a swivel to be fitted or a mechanical suspension seat and retain the original ride height for the occupant, as my current set up is on a normal seat base it sits about 50mm too high and you end up with dangly legs syndrome, its like being a 6 year old sat at the dining room table, legs swaying away never getting near the floor.

Whilst the seat was out it gave me the chance to tidy up all the wiring that is underneath it and move the fuse boxes to a place thats easily accessible without having to remove the seat itself. The base was also spray painted silver to match the rest of the van.

Last of the jobs was to fit the new bumper when it arrived, pretty simple task as its just 7 bolts and a few plastic clips. Plug in the new lights and clip in place. Job done, 15 minutes tops. So much better looking now.

Just a short one this week, but I’m sure there will be more to come.

One last thing, well done to Captain Bob for being such an inspiration to us all and raising such a huge amount for the NHS. Well done to everyone that is out there raising money or volunteering to help others in these dire times, you all deserve our respect and admiration.

Stay Home, Stay Safe.