Missing panel

[danny1983]

Hi

Noticed on my t5.1 something missing on the edge of the sliding door. Any ideas? I imagine it'll soon take on water if left uncovered..

Cheers
Dan

 

[Spaghetti]

That looks like an aftermarket additional lock has been removed.

 

[danny1983]

Thanks for the reply

Is that... Odd?

Any ideas on how to cover it?

 

[JumpShip]

I'd make myself a panel.the same shape as the lock would have been and use the same screw holes with a tad of 'squirt' to seat it in .

 

[Spaghetti]

Not unusual really. Common on trade or ex trade vans.

Depending on how good you are at welding you could make up a panel and weld in. You’d need to use a weld through primer to prevent rust, and waxoil after.

Whatever you do, you’ll need to prevent rust by protecting any bare metal.

 

[Spaghetti]

Worth checking that the keep and the front panel of the door is adequately treated for rust too! It’ll be in line with the hole.

 

[danny1983]

Hi

Thanks again.

That certainly looks like what it is alright. What's strange is that there's no key on the actual front panel.

 

[Spaghetti]

I suspect it’s been either welded or filled to improve the appearance, but they’ve left the hole where the mechanism was!

 

[ChestnutBrown]

Is there anything in the inside which would suggest it was used from inside?

 

[Pauly]

And what been left on the van pillar, there would have been some form of keep or receiver

 

[danny1983]

Yeah, spot on lads.

Every time I take a look at it I'm finding something new

 

[Spaghetti]

Definitely need to close those holes off and treat the rust/repaint.

 

[danny1983]

On it. Roof rack lookin a bit dodgy too and gonna take on underneath the van too. All the cosmetic stuff can wait for a while. Cheers folks.