Date:         Sat, 13 May 2006 17:47:33 -0700
Reply-To:     BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Has anyone used the Bus Depot or Cip1 body sheet metal patch
              panels especially on a Doka?
Comments: To: "syncro@yahoogroups.com" <syncro@yahoogroups.com>,
          syncrodoublecabs@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hello Folks,

My apologies for the cross post. I am working on my 2wd Doka and figured it
is probably easier to replace the front and rear wheel arches rather than
fixing the ones on the truck now. I thought about cutting the pieces from my
parts van but that seems twice the work if new panels are available.

I see Bus Depot offers something very similar to CIP1 in Canada. They are
likely the same manufacturer anyway. The pictures look very similar.

Upon inspection, I noted that Dokas and Vanagons have their front wheel
arches welded in the area covered by the carpets. Do the patch panels
replicated this or are they just pressed to replace a smaller section? I
have the same quandary about the rear arches. Since I am working with a
Doka, the bodies appear slightly different in this area. the patches look
like they would fit like the stock panels. I hope I can just remove the spot
welds on the stock panels and fit these new panels in.

The other critical area of damage on my Doka is in the area surrounding the
treasure chest doors. This Doka was used by a smuggler. They smashed in the
treasure chest doors so thy can Bondo the edges and make it appear that
there nothing under the cargo bed. Customs is wise to this. They got catch.
I'm not trying to undo all the damage the smugglers did plus repair the
areas Customs cut open on the truck.

I am very interested in feedback from those who have actually done this work
and/or used the available aftermarket patch panels before I go off ordering
them

TIA,
-- 
BenT