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	Bedford CF-UK Message Board > CF Blog Spot > The resto begins

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Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	Hello! Work has resumed after winter and I'll post some more pics soon. However, just a quick tale that proves not everything is more work than you imagine. You may see from posts above I had an issue with the headlights. Basically they worked back to front. (Main beam on when in dipped position). I have put this off for a long time, simply because I had fitted a new light switch, which I knew was wired correctly (diagram supplied by Phil), so assumed the problem lay in the miriad of scotch blocks and long since redundant wires from various items and lights that have been fitted and removed over the years. Clearly a wire needed swapping, but where to start!!! Today I took the fuse box off, saw that one the n/s headlights wires was on the o/s fuse, swapped the wires over and HA HA!! it all works as it should. Five mins effort. Now why can't everything be that simple? ----------------------
Sun 03 Apr 2011 @ 20:23
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	I have decided the time has come to have a list to work to, so it is MoT tomorrow. The things like the tie bar bushes and a couple of lower shock absorber bushes look very tired and I just want to know what has to be done now to be road legal, as sourcing such things seems expensive, when up on a ramp there may be something even more expensive that needs doing, and I might be wasting money on things that can wait. If you follow me. A lot of work has been done, so we shall see what happens. I did drive it up and down our close today and it felt really good, perky even. Also got it insured for the first time @ £137 fully comp. So have to get it on the road now!! ----------------------
Fri 22 Apr 2011 @ 19:52
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	Well it passed. Just. The brakes were all at minimum levels to get through, and near side lights and headlights were deemed dim, but then compared to current eurobarges I don't doubt it. It drove well there and back but we did have two hiccups. One is that having passed the test, it then failed to start to get off the ramp. This was the feul vaporising. It is 29 degrees here today and the engine was idling for about 20 mins. It was left for about 5 and then would not go. Feeling the heat with the bonnet shut and the engine cover on it is not hard to see how modern thin fuel would vanish! So I will have to look into that. Then the GM 3 speed inhibitor switch fell to bits. So it will now start in all gears. Dodgy. If any one has a spare switch they are willing to sell please let me know. So now some work to increase reliability and do some inprovements to the interior fittiings. Then tax it and away for a trial run in perhaps 4 -5 weeks time. I will add some pics tomorrrow as I know we all like them here!! Cheers and let me know if you have a switch. Thanks. ----------------------
Sat 23 Apr 2011 @ 16:06
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	Ready to set off on the maiden voyage!! It has been a long time coming (as all these things usually are) but we had our first trip away. Only 50 miles down to Hayling Island mind but didn't want to tempt fate. Ready to eat after a trouble free (nearly) journey. The meat has yet to be added to the plates!! Here she is looking well out of place if you could see the Winnebago types surrounding us!! So now we just have a hot starting issue and then it is cosmetics. It will be a blue and white colour scheme on the outside, then darker blue on the inside for the cushions and carpet etc. But first we must use her and get some fun out of this re-born beast before winter. I will update on the adventures and whatever problems may occur!! ----------------------
Mon 04 Jul 2011 @ 21:17
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	Had out first attempt at wild camping this weekend! We bought a drive away awning last week and wanted to get in as much practice as possible before we go on an 11 day tour in August. Good job really as a number of practical issues arose. not least the double bed that collapses each time you get in it. The end result being we slept in the awning and the dogs slept in the van! Not really how it is supposed to work.On the plus side the hot starting issues has been solved with a new coil and I got hold of some Dzus fasteners to hold the engine cover on. Last week my wife had to travel with her foot on the cover as it attempted to eject itself at speeds above 40mph. Next on the list is a toilet slightly more sophisticated than a bucket and of course fix the bed. I plan to fit a lesuire battery and split charge system before we go away also. I really want to paint it as well, we don't half get some funny looks driving around, but I don't think I can do that before August. Still, we are all proud of getting what was in effect a vehicle left for scrap back on the road, and used. I'm just not sure the greater public get it!! ----------------------
Sun 10 Jul 2011 @ 18:07
bluebedouin Global Moderator Posts : 2444 Location : Northampton,England. Status : Offline	beast296 wrote: ... I'm just not sure the greater public get it!! I reckon one of the criteria for being a Beddy owner is that you don't give a sh*t what other people think! ;D ----------------------
Sun 10 Jul 2011 @ 19:13
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	;] to that. Your van looks lovely and congrats on your first trips ----------------------
Sun 10 Jul 2011 @ 19:39
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	Well, with some very kind help from Rae, the spare wheel is on the front. Now I know a lot of people did not think this a good look, but consider: Better weight distribution Frontal impact protection Ease of access (ever had a rear puncture on a less than flat surface and couldn't get the room to lower the rear mounted spare underneath?) No, nor have I but it could happen! Also, with our van currently looks are not really relevant. We did 170 miles including 20 mins in a jam on the A27 in 26 degrees and no sign of overheating.So, is it good, or am I deluding myself? I really would welcome opinion, good or bad. (Keep in mind the van will be blue with a white stripe and white wheels) ----------------------
Sun 31 Jul 2011 @ 18:38
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	Looking good Paul; chrome bumpers made a big difference. It will be interesting to see it in it's new colours. Rae & Ann ----------------------
Sun 31 Jul 2011 @ 22:15
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	Hi all. Well, we have had our first holiday in the CF. We had three weekends away in the last month or so, and did about 250 miles. But this was the first real test I guess. From here in Surrey, down to the New Forest, then along to Dorset south coast, then up to Devon north coast. Total of about 750 miles. Now bear in the mind that when we got 'Tilda' last year she was in a poor way and not been used for sometime. So although I have got her structually solid and mechanically ok, the inside and outside (bar new panels) are as found. We planned to stay at Caravan Club sites, and were ready for some perhaps disapproving looks or comments. But, you know what? All we got were compliments (to our face anyway!) She is firmly established as part of the family now. So, what happened? Well, one breakdown of sorts (condensor failure) which I happily changed while the wife and kids were sufing (i don't surf, I tend to sink a lot). Also had a close shave when petrol stations were out of fuel and we got VERY close to running out. Picked up some crud in the fuel line which needed blowing through. Other than that the main issue was....fuel consumption. It cost a lot. We all moan when petrol goes up. When it hit 50p a gallon. When it hit £1 a gallon. When it hit £1 a litre. But now it really does make you sit up and take notice. We got around 19mpg on average. On a 2.3 auto, fully loaded and going up a fair few hills that isn't bad? But boy did we get through some dosh, more than the cost of the actual camp sites. I have to say it is worth it though. With the awning on the back there was room for four of us and two dogs (comfy, but room). I have plans to increase the sleeping capacity inside (the kids slept in the awning) so we can all fit in at night. Before we left I fitted a split charge and a second battery which took a worry off my mind and that works well. Also splashed out on a loo which on one site with no 'facilities' was a most useful addition. So things to do: I converted the bench seats to fold into two forward facing seats with lap belts. One broke (on the last night! Phew!) so they need repair. I have another Weber to fit with a fuel cut off solenoid as although it always started, it still doesn't like starting after idling for any thing over a minute (i.e. queing for petrol then queing to pay) By the time you get back out she is a bit reluctant, shall we say. Other than that it is get back out while the summer (HAH!) is still here. Then new paint and interior for next year. Pics below. Thank you so much for all the help and advice on here, the best forum on the Web. And the best people. Without the assistance of many of you, Phil and Rae in particular, this would have been a lot harder. Dorset. Before the rain! Devon North Coast site. On the surfers strip at Woolacombe. Got a lot of 'respect' here from the wetsuited blonde people. Excuse son No.1 being stupid at the window. 'Tilda' at bedtime. The end of our first adventure ----------------------
Sat 27 Aug 2011 @ 22:41
Anon Deleted Posts : Location : Status : Offline	;] ----------------------
Sun 28 Aug 2011 @ 09:45
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