I�m going to make a video of the left side when I do it this month.  I used the panel epoxy, it works well.  To weld I believe you have to do it from the other side.  The biggest issue, for me, was lining it up when putting it in.  You push here and it pops out there. Also, I did not think about the depth of the right part in terms of matching up with the sliding door. Since the door was off I was not thinking about it.   I got the skin from Bus Depot since they are 30 minutes away.  The fit was fine but the panel was a little thin and it actually bent it a little when I clamped it.   My 8 gallon compressor could not keep up with the air needed by the air shears so I used a sawzall. That worked better anyway and in some places I used a jig saw.  The job was a full day for me, from about 8 am to 3:30 PM. I need to do the left side now but it�s too cold here in PA.  I dragged the sliding down to my basement today to do the bottom.  It�s clamped now and I will bring back up in a few hours.

Bryan

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________________________________
From: Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2018 12:11:34 PM
To: B Feddish
Cc: Vanagon
Subject: Re: Replacing lower vanagon sliding door skin

I'd also like to replace the right rear panel on my '86 Westy, so it's great to find the link to Ben's page.   Bryan, did you weld the skin in place or use epoxy?  If epoxy, will any epoxy work?  What did you use?  Where did you find a new skin and how was the fit?

Did you use the air-powered metal cutter or did some other tool work as well?  Was it a straightforward a job as Ben suggests?

Thanks, Rick

On Sun, Mar 4, 2018 at 6:14 AM, B Feddish <UprightBassGhost@hotmail.com<mailto:UprightBassGhost@hotmail.com>> wrote:
Not sure how I missed that since I used tat same page to do the rear!  Anyway, he appears to leave part of the old one on, is that what I�m seeing? He cuts the bottom off but leaves the sides it looks like.

Thanks,
Bryan

________________________________
From: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com<mailto:bike2vcu@yahoo.com>>
Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2018 8:14:28 AM
To: B Feddish; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Re: Replacing lower vanagon sliding door skin

Our Quebecois friend Ben has several panel replacement projects documented on his website.  Click the link and scroll around.  Sometimes takes some digging to find what you want in English.    Good luck!

panel panneau<http://www.benplace.com/panel1.htm>

Stephen

<http://www.benplace.com/panel1.htm>

panel panneau

On Sunday, March 4, 2018 8:05 AM, B Feddish <UprightBassGhost@HOTMAIL.COM<mailto:UprightBassGhost@HOTMAIL.COM>> wrote:

I replaced the right side rear panel on my 83.5 and that was pretty straightforward.  I will do the left side when we get another warm day here in the NE.  I want to do the lower door skin on the sliding door and I do not see any write-ups or videos.  How do I get the old one off, are there welds I drill out like the other panel and �unwrap� it?

Thanks,.
Bryan

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