Circus Ramblings from a Dodge50 owner

Dodgy Greetings

2003-11-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

Ramblings on the Dodge50 front. 7th November 2003
The http://www.dodge50.aimoo.com Community is now up and running and while I am away in France and Spain during Jan, Feb and March this will be the place to leave your requests for help, vehicles and parts for sale, wanted items and general enquiries. There are 2 administrators, (me and TheBarrelShifter) and 1 moderator (Littlegem) and between us will be updating and answering questions on the site.

We are moving out of our house in two weeks and will be on tour untill we return from Spain so Emails to me with general questions might take longer for a reply than leaving a message on the forum, you can leave me private messages via the members profile list which I will check regularly.

I am fitting my computer and screen into the bus and will be running it with inverters so not only will I be able to use GPRS ( General Packet Radio Service) to update and download without the cost of a mobile phone dialup charges, it costs £2.37 per megabite rather than X amount per minute and as long as I can get a signal I can do it from most of europe, or so I have been told (We will just have to wait and see won't we, otherwise it will be internet cafes) we can also watch DVD's, play games and our son can do his education bit as well. I am also fitting my Surround sound Stereo system, oo eerr.

It looks like a new engine will be fitted before we leave the uk and maybe a gearbox as well, I am starting to aquire the spares I need to take with me like, clutch slave and master cylinder, exhaust gaskets, wheel cylinders, brake shoes and fittings, fan belts, wheel nuts, wheel bearings, hub seals, alternator, all types of nuts and bolts and anything else I can think of.

I am also hoping to fit belly boxes and cut off at least 5 inches from the body skirts to give more ground clearance, fit 8.5 x 17.5 tyres and 3 inch blocks under the road springs to raise the body.

If we do all this in four to six weeks I will be amazed but as soon as we are out of this house I can just get on with it, it is so much easier being on tour as we will have no bills from the house, and you know how much money houses suck up, we won't have to worry about nearly half as much stuff like the landlord coming round, paying all the bills on time etc. etc.....

So what am I doing with my car, trailer and Big Vern our S75 Dodge50 van?
Well the trailer is being scrapped, Big Vern is being filled with the stuff from the house that we want to keep and storing him on a friends land all covered up and wrapped in canvas to keep him warm, the car I am not sure what to do with, it spent 4 months this year parked at my mums fully insured and taxed, yet was only used twice and it's mot ran out when I wanted to pick it up, so I had to pay £300-00 to get it sorted as my son Otto was in hospital and I couldn't do the work myself. Will it end up at my mums again? I want to sell it but Shealagh (my wife) thinks we should keep it!! Where? Is what I say and to what cost, sell it and be dammed.

wobbly wheels and missing dogs

2003-11-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

Well it all started on thursday 23rd october when after trying to leave home in yorkshire and finaly leaving at about 6-30 pm. we drove down to the bottom section of the A1 and parked for the night, all was fine, wood burner cooking nicely, tv reception great, so all fine there then.

Next day we left for London and had to be in Bethnal Green at 3-30 pm and knowing London roads we set off at about 12-00pm, we got on to the A10 and followed it into bethnal green and found the park where we were working without a hitch, well one missed turn but no problem. The man we were meeting was there, gave us a key and let us set down for the night.

So far so good.

Saturday. did the job, 3 hours of drop in circus skills for the kids of Bethnal Green as part of a larger community project. It all went well and we had a great time. We left London via the A2 and got to the M25 and went down the M23 to lewes in sussex. It had all gone like clockwork. We parked up in Lewes for the night and had a great time.

Sunday. Day to drive to Blackpool and be ready to work on monday 10-00am.

The idea i had was to get driving at about 10-00am but my wife had different ideas, she wanted to go for a "quick cuppa" with her mate up the road. Yeh quick cuppa, after an hour and a half she returned with the kids and we deceided to get on our way, it was here the problems started. Where to empty the toilet before we get onto the motorway, I have my usual places where it is ok to do it but my wife thought that driving 20 miles out of my way to do it was silly, so she got me to drive to a local common to do it, we were going to dig a hole and hay presto.

I didn't want to do it there so when we arrived I just said NO NOT HERE and ushered the kids and my wife into the bus and drove off towards my first choice which wasn't realy out of the way. We arrived about an hour later and the toilet was sorted out and we were ready to go when I noticed the dog was missing.

We were at a place the dog knows better than anywhere else and after calling him him and looking about we gussed we had left him at the previous place we were at, 30 miles away.

We raced off as fast as we could and got to the place and no sign of the dog, we looked everywhere a friend came and helped but still no luck. I called the police and thy said they had had a reported missing dog, after an hour or two we had him back. But by now it was 5-00pm and I still had to drive to Blackpool.

We got on our way and after the usual weekend roadworks on the M25 and M1 we got on to the M6 and as we were going up it I got flagged down by a trucker, My wheel baring in the trailer had broken up and there were sparks everywhere according to the trucker. We limped to the next exit and found a dead end street, it was called cemetery road and parked up for the night with knowlage that the job in Blackpool was not going to happen.

I phoned the lady i was ment to be working for and we arranged another day so no loss there, I managed to get the trailer recovered by my vehicle recovery (Through CIS) insurance and after a couple of hours we left Walsal and headed for home, all was fine untill we got 88 miles from home and there was a knocking sound coming from down below in the running gear, we had just got off the M42 on to the A42 when the knocking turned into a shuddering / loud knocking and we pulled over into a sos layby.

I had a look on the passenger side but not the drivers side as it was coming to rush hour and there were to many trucks whizzing past.

I phoned the recovery number again and they sent out a large recovery truck and the man had a look around and the noticed the missing 3 wheel studs and the 3 nearly off nuts on the remaining 3. The bloody wheels nearly came off.

Here came the hard bit we had to get the Police to set up a rolling roadblock so we could slowly turn the bus around as it was going to be a rear end lift. After that we got a phone call from the insurance company, we couldn't all go in the recovery vehicle, two of us would have to go in a taxi to the local town and get a train home and they would pay us back.

Bastads.

We sorted the taxi and deceided that I would take our daughter with me in the recovery truck and return in the car to pick them up. My wife and son spent their waiting time in a pub watching the simpsons and eating good food while i sat on the recovery truck bed for 88 miles and then when I got home I drove the 88 miles back to pick them up and then another 88 miles back home again.

What a bloody nightmare.

I now have to change the rear stub axle with the bus parked in the street, at least I got him to leave it outside my house with the dodgy wheel next to the path, only its a busy path.

So thats what happened, and after resting on tuesday i drove to Blackpool wednessday ( 3 hours ) worked for six hours and then drove home (2½ hours).

Now we have three weeks to move out of our house, fix our other dodge and sort out thee bus.

What a life eh.

Untill next time, dodgy greetings to all

Karrier

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

S56 Bus / motorhome & S75 workshop / van owner

greg@dodge50.co.uk
dodge50.co.uk™
www.dodge50.co.uk
www.circusbox.co.uk

new dodge50 communitydodge50.aimoo.com New community

2003-10-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

dodge50.aimoo.com
the new dodge50 community forum is at this link

new community

2003-10-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

go to http://dodge50.aimoo.com

Dodgy Ramblings

2003-10-02T17:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.dodge50.co.uk

2003-09-28T02:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.dodge50.co.uk

2003-09-28T02:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.dodge50.co.uk

Dodgy

2003-09-28T02:11:00.000-07:00

HELP NEEDED

2003-09-28T02:06:00.000-07:00

HELP NEEDED. We are looking for secure storage in the Yorkshire area a.s.a.p.for the contents of our house, we don't want to store loads and if there is a bit of park up then thats even better. even if you are somewhere else in the country or know of somewhere please let us know.

On the other hand does anyone have a field to rent anywhere north of London and south of Newcastle with access where we can put our own shed up. This is a serious request and we expect to pay rent, please send me an email to mailto:greg@dodge50.co.uk or phone or text me on 07766 052 215.

what a summer

2003-09-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

Power Steering An All That

2003-09-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

I spent the best part of the week sorting out the ignition, replacing the steering with power set up, clutch slave cylinder kit and fuel tank water trap.

Lots of sun and also some snow ( it was still very sunny and warm ) and working , or should I say getting help from a local who couldn't speak english like I can't speak French, John Pierre was brilliant and helpful and with Nick the Dodge owner and Matt with his S56 Bus and S56 van on hand we got everything and the drinking done on time.

I Must at this point mention a couple of things relating to replacing the manual steering with power steering, firstly when aquiring said power steering unit you will need to get

1. Power steering box with its original steering drop arm, 2. Fluid Reservoir with hoses, 3. Secondary Belt pulley, 4. Original Steering UJ ( cos the splines are a different size on the power unit), 5.Hydraulic pump and hoses.

Take out the radiator as this will help loads, and the engine sound board and make sure you have the correct tools, you will need a ball joint splitter, club hammer, various spanners, socket set with a 24mm socket for ball joints, WD 40 and patience.

Make sure the correct steering box is fitted, I have been told by some people at Renault Tech div. that a mark two box and fitting plate will fit in a mark one Dodge and vice versa but its the steering UJ that's different and length and spline sizes can vary, so if you are fitting a power steering box make sure you have all the bits...... like the four bolts to attach the pulley wheel with, the bolts and fittings for the hydraulic pump, the right size steering UJ and 2 liters of hydraulic fluid, its the same as what goes in an automatic gearbox.

yet another html experiment

2003-09-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

2003-09-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Dodge50 Parts contact pages

Welcome
to another splendid and helpful page from ©dodge50.co.uk

S46,
S56, S66, RB75 +4X4

Dodge
50 parts sourcing page.

Contact
list below. This list is being added to all the time so if you have a
good parts contact then let us know. Please quote
dodge50.co.uk

Parts
for sale at Bottom of page

Contacts

You
can try Andrew, who is in Poole, Dorset. He has a number of complete Dodge
50's with low mileage which he is stripping for parts.

He
can also supply parts for 4x4 RB Dodge 50's as well as new cabs, second
hand winches and is happy to give advice. He is also a diesel engine expert.

You
can contact him on 01202 621 935 Please quote Dodge50.co.uk

Below is the starting
of a whole world of information, Les Gager runs a fleet of dodge50 recovery
vehicles servicing the taxi world in London. Soon I will have to give
him his own section on the site.

Thanks for all your
help Les.

-------------------------------------------------

I know of a 1986
D reg engine will be available shortly its a 4/236 non turbo and was a
lovely engine (cab is burned out)

the owner wants £135.00 no vat for it. As I say it is being dismantled
soon if anyone is interested better be quick!

Contact Les at lesliegager@btinternet.com

I meant to mention
I make up brake pipes cheaply if I have the ends and lengths or decent
email pics and I have pretty well sorted the rubber brake hoses as well.

Just a note to say
that it may not be obvious to most but

if anyone scources parts from someone that dosent ship they can register
at <www.parcelforce.com>
for free and they they will collect and deliver anywhere for u (subject
to relevent p&p costs naturally) which is very handy. You might want
to post it on the parts contacts pages, it may help someone.

Brake cylinders, discs, clutches, exhausts, calipers, king pins, air brake
parts no problem from

Cannons MSA, at Macauley Road,Clapham Common in London,SW4.Phone: 02077202242.

Any bearings and
seals, so long as you have the pattern no can be sourced from good bearing
suppliers and usually about a third of Renault parts prices,I get mine
from Orbic bearings in Croydon, South London.

I`ve just found a
great supplier for water pumps(any), u might want to post it on parts
contacts page they are SP PUMPS phone no

01925 850082 they are based in Warrington, Cheshire and Jackie the

governor is so friendly and helpful they normally only deal with

bulk suppliers but she supplied me with one water pump very reasonably
and quite happily.

The pump no for the Phaser 90/110T is SP 1755.

The unit no for the 4/236 is SP 1742 or SP 1743 with spout.

Hi again Greg, A
friend of mine is selling an F reg Renault/Dodge

50 Series S56 SWB Standard Daycab small box body on rear, good tyres,recon
engine, mechanically sound drives well but drab grey paintwork, no mot,
no reg doc(can be applied for) can get a photo if anyones interested......
£800.00 ONO. In South London.

Cheers, Les.

Best regards, Les Gager (LCR TAXI RESCUE/LONDON). 20 years using Dodge50's
and still doing so, for advice, he might be able to help, contact him
on lesliegager@btinternet.com

Les is a source of
information to behold.

You
could also try Scunthorpe Truck Centre, they
had at least 6 dodges last time I went for parts. 01724
866 287

Do
you need a engine manual? Then
contact John at Perkins engines for your nearest supplier. 01733
892 777

LCP
Portslade, Brighton. 01273 430 730 Good for belts, exhausts, electrical
and running gear. (they don't post stuff though)

Renault
parts are expensive
but if needs must I use these contacts.

Renault,
Borehunt Motors, Faversham Hants. Phone Dave for parts 01329 285 178

Renault
parts Reading 01189 756 241

Renault
Leeds 0113 393 6760

Lucus
are the best place for electrical stuff like alternators (I got one at
Lucus Hull for £28-00 exchange) solonoids and starter motors.

Saying
that the price for a new starter motor is about £200-00+Vat!!!!!
so I got them to rebuild mine for £70-00 and its like new.

Brakes

If
you need new brake shoes it's best to get your old shoes re-lined as new
ones if you can find them are very expensive.

I
got the rear shoes for my B75 Dodge50 re-lined for £80-00 and rather
than giving them my shoes off the truck I got hold of an old pair from
a scrappie and got them lined so I didn't have to take my truck off the
road for more than a couple of hours.

New
wheel cylinders cost anywhere from £140-00 upwards, it's always
worth fitting a new seal kit first. (plus
there are very few new ones available. For example: Dodge50 S56 front
wheel cylinders Girling type, only 7 available via Renault in the whole
of the U.K.)

BTR
Brakes Worthing West Sussex 01903 235 201
and Lewes East Sussex 01273 471168. BTR are
a great brake specialist and have outlets all over the place but these
are the only numbers I have to hand.

Scrap
yards / Breakers / Sales

Please
quote dodge50.co.uk

CMS,
Paddock Wood, Kent Breakers

Phone
01892 832 418

Truck
Busters Breakers

Phone: +44 (0)1788 573200

Fax: +44 (0)1788 573252

Mobile: +44 (0)836 334351

Email: info@truck-busters.co.uk

Truckbusters
(Rugby) Ltd

Avon Lane, Newbold Road

Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1HF

United Kingdom

W.
Collins & Sons, Southampton, Hants.

01489
885303 Breakers

Jackfield
Commercials Dodge 50 sales/parts/breakers

01952
884287

07971
400 278

A nice site cheers
Greg.

I have 2 Vans and S56 on a C plate ex-MOD walkthrough panel with 12/240v

lined conversion and basic amenities and S46 on a B Walk through laundry
van

with even more basic amenities.

Both have been much loved and enjoyed and are currently residing in Highland

Scotland near Inverness.

Both are Perkins diesel, the former has had a replacement (good) gearbox
the

latter has had a new clutch 1500miles ago.

Although neglected they have been started regularly until recently.

Both engines are tight and i am not aware of any problems with them.

Some of the ancillaries are shot (some electrical) and although they are

probably drivable, tow ability would but the better option.

I am open to offers and will consider giving them to good homes. They
would

make excellent donors.

You can contact me
on 07974 240774 or 01453 767080 Laurence

One
White Dodge 50 High Capacity Van Door, passenger side, Good condition,with
windows, no rust. £25-00.

Bonnet For
Mk 2 (fiberglass) Good Condition £25-00

Air Filter Unit and Housing
£5-00 for Mk1 & 2

contact
dodge50.co.uk

Phone
Mobile 07766 052 215

I have a
brown vinyl drivers and passenger seat for a 1984 dodge S46 both in good
condition with no tears.£20 each for seats

Also 2 dodge
50 rims with 8.5 R tyres fitted, £30 rim and tyre

David
tel 07771718473

economyminibus@ntlworld.com

Dodge
50 series vehicles S46, S56, S66, RB75 +4X4

src="http://www.addme.com/button.gif" alt="Add Me!" border="0">

Parts
Contacts Pictures
Service
Pages For
Sale Dodge
History Workshop
Manual Ramblings

html tryout

2003-09-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Dodge50 Parts contact pages

Welcome
to another splendid and helpful page from ©dodge50.co.uk

S46,
S56, S66, RB75 +4X4

Dodge
50 parts sourcing page.

Contact
list below. This list is being added to all the time so if you have a
good parts contact then let us know. Please quote
dodge50.co.uk

Parts
for sale at Bottom of page

Contacts

You
can try Andrew, who is in Poole, Dorset. He has a number of complete Dodge
50's with low mileage which he is stripping for parts.

He
can also supply parts for 4x4 RB Dodge 50's as well as new cabs, second
hand winches and is happy to give advice. He is also a diesel engine expert.

You
can contact him on 01202 621 935 Please quote Dodge50.co.uk

Thanks for all your
help Les.

-------------------------------------------------

I meant to mention
I make up brake pipes cheaply if I have the ends and lengths or decent
email pics and I have pretty well sorted the rubber brake hoses as well.

Best regards, Les Gager (LCR TAXI RESCUE/LONDON). 20 years using Dodge50's
and still doing so, for advice, he might be able to help, contact him
on lesliegager@btinternet.com

Les is a source of
information to behold.

You
could also try Scunthorpe Truck Centre, they
had at least 6 dodges last time I went for parts. 01724
866 287

Do
you need a engine manual? Then
contact John at Perkins engines for your nearest supplier. 01733
892 777

LCP
Portslade, Brighton. 01273 430 730 Good for belts, exhausts, electrical
and running gear. (they don't post stuff though)

Renault
parts are expensive
but if needs must I use these contacts.

Renault,
Borehunt Motors, Faversham Hants. Phone Dave for parts 01329 285 178

Renault
parts Reading 01189 756 241

Renault
Leeds 0113 393 6760

Lucus
are the best place for electrical stuff like alternators (I got one at
Lucus Hull for £28-00 exchange) solonoids and starter motors.

Saying
that the price for a new starter motor is about £200-00+Vat!!!!!
so I got them to rebuild mine for £70-00 and its like new.

Brakes

If
you need new brake shoes it's best to get your old shoes re-lined as new
ones if you can find them are very expensive.

BTR
Brakes Worthing West Sussex 01903 235 201
and Lewes East Sussex 01273 471168. BTR are
a great brake specialist and have outlets all over the place but these
are the only numbers I have to hand.

Scrap
yards / Breakers / Sales

Please
quote dodge50.co.uk

CMS,
Paddock Wood, Kent Breakers

Phone
01892 832 418

Truck
Busters Breakers

Phone: +44 (0)1788 573200

Fax: +44 (0)1788 573252

Mobile: +44 (0)836 334351

Email: info@truck-busters.co.uk

Truckbusters
(Rugby) Ltd

Avon Lane, Newbold Road

Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1HF

United Kingdom

W.
Collins & Sons, Southampton, Hants.

01489
885303 Breakers

Jackfield
Commercials Dodge 50 sales/parts/breakers

01952
884287

07971
400 278

You can contact me
on 07974 240774 or 01453 767080 Laurence

One
White Dodge 50 High Capacity Van Door, passenger side, Good condition,with
windows, no rust. £25-00.

Bonnet For
Mk 2 (fiberglass) Good Condition £25-00

Air Filter Unit and Housing
£5-00 for Mk1 & 2

contact
dodge50.co.uk

Phone
Mobile 07766 052 215

I have a
brown vinyl drivers and passenger seat for a 1984 dodge S46 both in good
condition with no tears.£20 each for seats

Also 2 dodge
50 rims with 8.5 R tyres fitted, £30 rim and tyre

David
tel 07771718473

economyminibus@ntlworld.com

Dodge
50 series vehicles S46, S56, S66, RB75 +4X4

src="http://www.addme.com/button.gif" alt="Add Me!" border="0">

Parts
Contacts Pictures
Service
Pages For
Sale Dodge
History Workshop
Manual Ramblings

2003-09-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

.

favorite sites

Blogs

dodge50 trucks

Help.Field to Rent NEEDED

2003-09-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Blog on Truckin

2003-09-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

can i take my circus bus? i guess i'll just have to get one out there.

the blog, the blog

2003-09-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

oh i have just been asked if i would like to perform in australia next year, well what can i say.oh yes please.
Yes Yes Yes.

AHH Dodge50

2003-09-22T04:17:00.000-07:00

i cannot link to my site, help....................

2003-09-22T04:12:00.000-07:00

Summer of touring circus fun.
After 4½ months on tour with my circus http://www.circusbox.co.uk i have got home. oh the joys and comforts of home just don't make it better.

I think that after spending months on the road and having a different front and back garden every couple of days coming back to the house is a bit boring,

we live in a town in yorkshire and our house is on a junction and is very busy during the day, nightime is fine but the roads and kids and a dog don't go together.

I have two kids 8½ & 3½ and the older dosen't go to school, we home educate him, he was bullied at school for being different, all the kids loved the fact that his dad has a circus but he didn't like football, tracksuits and all the girles loved him because he is very gentle, so he got picked on loads, so he now go's with me and during the winter i teach him.

During the summer i performed to over 10.000 kids and taught at least 7,000 to juggle, stiltwalk, spin a plate and so on.

At the hat fair in winchester in july i managed to twist my ankle 2 minutes into my first show, 200 kids and the show must go on, luckily for me i have a crew who can take over, and they did, and did a great job.

The next day our dog got stolen, jak the amazing juggling dog, who can't quite juggle yet.

we were devistated, i found out who had nicked him when he came up to me and asked if i had seen his dog, i then realised that "his dog" was infact my dog and he had taken him to the city centre and then jak just ran off.

the bloke was mad as a hatstand and was no help at all, he needed help himself.

anyhow jak managed to find his way towards the police station and was helped accross the road and left outside the police station.

six hours later a young lad said he had seen a fluffy black and white dog with a pink scarf outside the police station a couple of hours ago.

as i had a sprained ankle he said he would go and get jak for me. I wasn't sure if he was bullshitting so waited and twenty minutes later he returned with the dog, he got a cash reward.

i have been all over the country and abroad this year starting with 5 weeks in the middle east in Dubai, street entertaining, france for a week and then at least 20,000 miles since on tour.

one weekend i would be in somerset and the next in blackpool doing jobs in lincolnshire and yorkshire on the way. all in my dodge50 bus. see http://www.dodge50.co.uk

More to come.

2003-09-21T18:14:00.000-07:00

Oh its hell it is, my wife has been using me as a counciler as i work. she just talks bollocks for hours and hours, and at the end of it she feels much better, i have been updating my site www.dodge50.co.uk this evening and getting used to a few new programing techniques in dreamweaver mx, and all the while in the background she whittles on.
god bless her,oh i don't belive in god.
bless her anyway, she is the love of my life and if all i have to put up with is a bit of prattle then i shouldnt complain.
ah well got it of my chest now.
dodge50.
[ Sun Sep 21, 05:40:04 PM | doctor colin | edit ]
Dodge50 Home on the Net, trucks, vans, Special vehicles, parts and stuff, UK Dodge 50 Series: "MY Dodge
It's a B75 is my dodge, 1984 Mk 1 with air brakes and power steering, He is called Big Vern (B910 VRN) he had done 35,347 miles when I got him and he used to belong to Norweb. He has now done in excess of 130,000 miles
I guess I class Big Vern as one of the family because we bought him so we could get out of the shit hole we were living in, he helped us get our lives back on track, it must sound silly but it's true.
We bought Vern from Dodge City which was in Todmordin, for �1,000 with no mot or tax and hadn't seen him, we just had a feeling it was right, so I got on a bus with a heavy toolbox in Brighton and went up North with some cash.
I met Mark from Dodge City and we went to his yard, as soon as I saw Vern I just knew it was right to buy him, the body work was a little tatty but with six brand new Michelin Tyres, low mileage and the fact that he had been an Oil Tanker with an internal tanc which ment the entire van part of the van was covered in oil, so No Rust at all anywhere. The floor had a couple of holes for oil to drain away which ment the underside of the truck was covered as well, so No Rust There Either.
We took a test run and the only problem was the brakes were pulling to the right and when we stopped a small hole appeared in the radiator, not so good I thought, we pached the hole up no problem and it was only a matter of adjusting the brakes I thought. I thought wrong as soon as I paid for the vehicle and Mark left all the rear lights and their fuses blew! Stuck up north with a unroadworthy vehicle with 300 miles to go, what to do?
I got new bulbs and fuses from a couple of other dodges he had for sale, rewired the back lights and set off, When I got to the motorway (M62) at 9pm it was quite quiet and I was"
[ Sun Sep 21, 05:20:07 PM | doctor colin | edit ]
Circus Skills Workshops and Performances with CircusBox featuring Dr.Colin

2003-09-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

MY Dodge

It's a B75 is my dodge, 1984 Mk 1 with air brakes and power steering, He is called Big Vern (B910 VRN) he had done 35,347 miles when I got him and he used to belong to Norweb. He has now done in excess of 130,000 miles

I guess I class Big Vern as one of the family because we bought him so we could get out of the shit hole we were living in, he helped us get our lives back on track, it must sound silly but it's true.

We bought Vern from Dodge City which was in Todmordin, for £1,000 with no mot or tax and hadn't seen him, we just had a feeling it was right, so I got on a bus with a heavy toolbox in Brighton and went up North with some cash.

I met Mark from Dodge City and we went to his yard, as soon as I saw Vern I just knew it was right to buy him, the body work was a little tatty but with six brand new Michelin Tyres, low mileage and the fact that he had been an Oil Tanker with an internal tanc which ment the entire van part of the van was covered in oil, so No Rust at all anywhere. The floor had a couple of holes for oil to drain away which ment the underside of the truck was covered as well, so No Rust There Either.

We took a test run and the only problem was the brakes were pulling to the right and when we stopped a small hole appeared in the radiator, not so good I thought, we pached the hole up no problem and it was only a matter of adjusting the brakes I thought. I thought wrong as soon as I paid for the vehicle and Mark left all the rear lights and their fuses blew! Stuck up north with a unroadworthy vehicle with 300 miles to go, what to do?

I got new bulbs and fuses from a couple of other dodges he had for sale, rewired the back lights and set off, When I got to the motorway (M62) at 9pm it was quite quiet and I was driving at 75 to 80 miles per hour, it was great, the only concern I had was the brakes pulling to the right and being pulled up by the police and neither caused a problem.

I arrived home (in Sussex at the time) at about 2 am and had some much needed sleep.

We cleaned out the back of the van the next day and used ecover washing up liquid in hot water and just washed the oil and crap on to a big tarp outside the van, the sun dried it up and we put the residue in the bin. The rear of the van looked new, the floor and walls were shiny and there wasn't a sign of rust.

I had a look at the brakes and found that one of the front brake shoes on the drivers side had come apart and every time I applied the brakes a bit of shoe jammed between the attached shoe and the drum thus locking up the brake. Fixed it, problem solved.

I put Vern in for a test Five Days after We got him, I had fitted a wood burner, a sheet of wood for a bed and stuck in a cupboard, and got it tested as a campervan. He passed with just a brake adjustment and a bulb, to say I was happy is an understatement. We then kitted him out properly with cooker, sink etc and moved out of our shithole flat and into a Very mobile home. A friend took on the bookings for the business an we went on permenant tour for a couple of years.

After five seasons with Vern we are very happy and will keep him for as long as we can, he has been seen all over the country at many events and he has done us proud.

List Of Things Fixed/ Replaced on Big Vern.

Clutch, which I did by myself, and I'll tell you it would be much eairer with an extra pair of hands. (when performing this task make sure you have a 19 mm rachet Spanner as it will help loads)

Rear wheel cylinder seal kits, brake shoes, rear axel hub seals, Handbrake actuator (spring Break) . Brake pipes.

Front Brake shoes, cylinder kits. Front nearside Drum

Starter Motor, which I had Rebuilt by Lucas, Alternator

Track rod ends, All Tyres, Exhaust system, Fuel filter, air filter,

Power Steering Box, Propshaft U.J. (rear)

Off-side Rear Light, Fog Light, Battery

Wiper motor plus mounting plate, wiper swivels, rods and replace/repair actual vehicle mounting points.

I guess it all sounds a lot but over five seasons and The 100,000 miles that we have covered, compaired to the cost of running a leyland daff 400 series van for 3 years it's been cheeper, I tend to work my vehicles hard.

Oh Blah blah blah thats enough for now I'm gona put this page up now, it's 0045 hours.

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2003-09-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

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