My beloved Bongo has just failed its MOT, and requires some welding to the sills on both sides. Not such a hard job I thought, but I have been quoted around £1500. This is because on the driver's side it needs welding around the heater/ aircon pipes. The interior trim and carpets needs to be removed, the aircon system and radiator drained down. Can anyone tell me what I need to do in order to strip out the interior myself? How difficult a task is this and how long is it likely to take?
Does anyone know of a reputable welding service in or around fareham/ portsmouth area? Surely £1500 is an awfull lot of welding.
Any help or advise greatfully received.
removal of interior trim and carpet
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tipidave1
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mikeonb4c
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Re: removal of interior trim and carpet
Sounds ridiculous to me. Aldi are selling an arc welder for £39 at present - DIY it and/or prep it and get a welder over?
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tipidave1
Re: removal of interior trim and carpet
Quite happy to prep it, just not sure where to start... Have got a very hectic week ahead, and I don't want to make a start on something that I won't be able to complete... Hence a request for some advice on how to set about removing the interior. 
Re: removal of interior trim and carpet
Its an hour or so work to strip out the interior (bit more to put it back again). If it needs welding around the pipes etc then a lot of the work is going to be stripping and refitting with cutting and refitting the welded parts for the heater to be refitted.
Sounds like an awkward job, but I agree £1500 does sound a lot on the face of it.
Sounds like an awkward job, but I agree £1500 does sound a lot on the face of it.
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missfixit70
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Re: removal of interior trim and carpet
Unbolt & remove the seats (2 people to lift the runner mounted seats) Unbolt the seatbelts, gently pull the side panels off, search for the clips that have pinged off 
disconnect the leccy blind switches if you've got them & the rear lighter socket. Unscrew the end caps on the floor rails, slide out the plastic strips on the rails, lift out the carpet.
All from memory from a couple of months ago, so usual disclaimers apply
Good luck
disconnect the leccy blind switches if you've got them & the rear lighter socket. Unscrew the end caps on the floor rails, slide out the plastic strips on the rails, lift out the carpet. All from memory from a couple of months ago, so usual disclaimers apply
Good luck
You can't polish a turd - but you can roll it in glitter.
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tipidave1
Re: removal of interior trim and carpet
Thanks for that... I have found a local chap who comes recommended he said hold off on stripping it out untill he has had a look! I shall see him tomorrow... from your description it sounds quite doable if it is still needed. When you said looking for the clips, do they spring off? is it just a case of pulling or do the trim panels need prising off?