When I found the metro van in a field, it did not have it's rear bumper.
It is possible to find a Metro Van bumper but I don't think they looks cool enough for this project. So, I found a 55 Chevrolet truck bumper and thought it fit the body lines of the Metro Van perfectly .........but it wasn't wide enough to fit the Van. No worries! I cut one 55 Chevy truck bumper in half and bought a second 55 Chevy truck bumper and used it to fill in the center!
After I got the look (and the width) that I needed for the Metro Van's bumper, I had to lift up and lower the body to check the fit of the bumper braces that I made.
Now that everything is finished and fitted, I can finally send the bumper and all the other chrome pieces to be re-chromed.
The old Metro Van grill shell was not repairable so I made a new one. This is a main focal point of the vehicle do it is important to met hat it looks just right.
Getting the look I want includes doing the bodywork to get the grill to fit perfectly.
Now that I have finished the bodywork, I am ready to wet sand and paints and send the rest off to be re-chromed.
Before Eurothane primer I need to get the doors hung and fitted.
The original hinges (like lots of things on the Metro Van) were worn out. You can't buy these hinges anymore so my only choice was to rebuild them. I stripped them, resized the holes, basically lots of grinding and welding and fabrication work.
It'll all be worth it when I can actually open and close the doors!
Wow! It's been a busy few months at B-rod (finishing some really cool cars for our customers) so work on the ice cream van has slowed.
Now that most of the spring/summer car shows are behind us, it's time to jump back on the metro van and get ready for something really exciting.
I have been asked to participate in the HRIA Posie's Driven Dirty Tour for 2015. I was in this amazing cross country caravan in its first year and they invited me back for the tenth anniversary this year! So now I have a MAJOR deadline. The Metro Van has to be finished and ready to drive to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas by the end of October.
So here's where we are at. The body work is DONE! Can you see how straight that side is? I'm pretty proud of the work so far and ready to sand and get it in Eurothane Primer.
Today, PJ is trying out a product called Handi-Foam to insulate the ice cream van. Here is some information from the manufacturer.
"Handi-Foam® Quick Cure Spray Foams are chemically cured systems and the cure process occurs very quickly - generally within minutes. Due to their excellent adhesion properties they provide excellent insulation by creating a continuous air barrier that completes the building envelope. This helps to improve indoor air quality, lowering heating and cooling costs and drastically reduce energy consumption."
"Handi-Foam® Sealants are designed to seal and fill small cracks, gaps and voids. Handi-Foam sealants can be applied with a straw applicator, a professional dispensing unit or a professional hose kit (for use with cylinders). Handi-Foam Sealants are available in a variety of sizes to meet many application needs, resulting in less waste on small jobs while having an economic impact on large jobs.
Handi-Foam Sealants cure when ambient moisture/humidity in the air reacts with the foam sealant creating a rigid, closed cell barrier against drafts, noise, moisture and air infiltration. Handi-Foam Sealants are tack free within 10 minutes." Contact Energy Efficient Solutions to get more information and to purchase Handi-Foam. They will help you find the correct product and application type for your needs.
PJ has prepped the inside of the van and run all the electrical that will be in the walls that are getting insulated. In the picture below you can see his set up. The tanks and the hose are being fed inside through the vending window. There is tape and paper to protect the areas where he doesn't want foam insulation to go.
Click below to see a video of PJ talking about the set up.
Here is a still photo of PJ applying the Handi-Foam product.
Click below to see a video of PJ spraying the foam.
Here is a photo of the insulation after it was sprayed in place.
PJ spent some time this week working on the electrical wiring for the Metro Van. It was important to get the wiring done now, because PJ has some exciting plans that won't allow him to do it later. More on that coming soon!
After I got the look (and the width) that I needed for the Metro Van's bumper, I had to lift up and lower the body to check the fit of the bumper braces that I made. 
