Does anyone know much about Luton vans?

[Gromett]

I am going to be buying and converting a Luton van next.

I have a few questions.

The main one is this. How interchangeable are the boxes?
For example will a Box off a Ford fit on an Iveco, or a box off a Merc fit on a Fiat?

ok. Reasoning. I am looking at a Luton for 2 main reason.
Nice big square box is easier to build in than a panel van.
If the van lets me down I can swap the box onto a different chassis.

If the boxes are interchangeable I won't be too fussy about my first van and pay more attention to the box. I have the space and means to swap boxes here so I am not bothered about the actual swapping if it becomes necessary.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Minxy]

I recall you mentioning this a couple of years back so hope you get to finally do it.

 

[Gromett]

I recall you mentioning this a couple of years back so hope you get to finally do it.

Yeah, things kind of went sideways for quite a while.

 

[stevewagner]

It would depend on the dimensions. In theory it would but it would depend on the chassis length mainly. The obvious issue is that there is no way through the cab to the body.

 

[Silver-Fox]

The obvious issue is that there is no way through the cab to the body.

I’m sure he’s got a jig saw

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[Figaro]

Would the Luton be sufficiently rigid enough to be lifted off the chassis fully converted ?

They always seem like the ultimate wobbly boxes to me

 

[Outdoors Dad]

I've driven a few, years back, not aerodynamic and you lose usable space above cab. We were parked next to a converted transit last year, the couple needed big steps to get in and out. Also lost space at chassis height where we would have lockers.

 

[Brains]

Much easier to get a flatbed and a caravan.
You could have it all up and running in a weekend!

 

[Gromett]

The obvious issue is that there is no way through the cab to the body.

Not 100% decided on that yet. But I have the means to build a walk through anyway. Not a major job.

 

[Gromett]

I've driven a few, years back, not aerodynamic and you lose usable space above cab. We were parked next to a converted transit last year, the couple needed big steps to get in and out. Also lost space at chassis height where we would have lockers.

Usable space above the cab is not an issue. Won't be used to do huge miles.

The space below the box can be used to suspend things like grey tanks, storage boxes etc.

The height of the boxes means I can also put a false floor in and still do very thick insulation.

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[Outdoors Dad]

I do think a Luton van with AWD would make a good rustic expedition type camper and like you mentioned could be a good space for a conversion.

 

[stevewagner]

Not 100% decided on that yet. But I have the means to build a walk through anyway. Not a major job.

Think it would be given that the Luton floor is higher than the cab floor and tends to vibrate quite a bit. Doable I imagine but not easy.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

I have often thought the food delivery vans or fridge van(insulation)thats similar to Luton van would be an interesting conversion also. I think the modern Luton van has an aerodynamic triangle thingy above cab now.

 

[Gromett]

Would the Luton be sufficiently rigid enough to be lifted off the chassis fully converted ?

They always seem like the ultimate wobbly boxes to me

Yes, I have seen one on youtube where his subframe mounts and chassis rails were rotting. He swapped his box over using pallets and 2 forklifts.

As for wobbly boxes. i think the lightweight aluminium ones with with the fibreglass roof are fairly wobbly. But the plywood ones seem pretty solid.
I will be skinning the roof and removing the rear door and fitting a solid panel on the back. this will stiffen it up a LOT.

I am not concerned about that to be honest.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

This looks canny

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[Gromett]

Think it would be given that the Luton floor is higher than the cab floor and tends to vibrate quite a bit. Doable I imagine but not easy.

This is not a van that I will be doing lots of miles in. It is basically my home on wheels. I will be keeping my little van/camper conversion for wizzing around in.
The big van will only be driven when I am going anywhere for weeks at a time. I am not concerned about mpg, vibrations or comfort in the cab area.

 

[Gromett]

View attachment 935683
This looks canny

That exactly the kind of thing. Mine will be a bit different.

If you look at the bottom of the sills at the van area and draw a line going backwards. you can see there is quite a bit of space from the bottom of the box.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Yeah plenty of space for gas bottles and industrial type storage, sounds like a great idea...get it done...you only live once.

 

[Carpmart]

I had a Sprinter Luton van for a while. It had full aero side skirts and an aerodynamic Luton bit too. I hung a few lockers below the bed and fibreglassed in doors I made from the side skirts cut outs. Mine was for carrying my race car and we towed a caravan behind.

There are very different approaches adopted by the coach builders for the Luton boxes so choose carefully as the right one would be rigid enough and very transferable.

The biggest issue is sorting the roof which are almost always just thin fibreglass to allow light in. Will need some work to strengthen for solar, Maxairs etc.

PS: have a look at true blue travellers on YouTube. They converted a refrigerated Sainsbury’s Luton van. He’s quite a talented fabricator. They are doing a 6 wheel drive pop top build at the moment. TBH - Good content for a converter!

 

[Barti Ddu]

I had a Sprinter Luton van for a while. It had full aero side skirts and an aerodynamic Luton bit too. I hung a few lockers below the bed and fibreglassed in doors I made from the side skirts cut outs. Mine was for carrying my race car and we towed a caravan behind.

There are very different approaches adopted by the coach builders for the Luton boxes so choose carefully as the right one would be rigid enough and very transferable.

The biggest issue is sorting the roof which are almost always just thin fibreglass to allow light in. Will need some work to strengthen for solar, Maxairs etc.

PS: have a look at true blue travellers on YouTube. They converted a refrigerated Sainsbury’s Luton van. He’s quite a talented fabricator. They are doing a 6 wheel drive pop top build at the moment. TBH - Good content for a converter!

Yes - I was impressed with their Sainsbury's home delivery van conversion too. Seem a fairly down to earth and "normal" couple too - by YouTube standards!

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[Gromett]

The biggest issue is sorting the roof which are almost always just thin fibreglass to allow light in. Will need some work to strengthen for solar, Maxairs etc.

Thanks. I will be skinning the roof with a roll of prepainted alumium coil. I did look at this quite some time ago so memory if not great on it. But seem to recall the cost wasn't too bad.
The other alternative would be to reskin with plastic. I have the capability to weld HDPE sheets and have a good supplier for those.

The solar panels would be mounted to a rack fixed to the aluminium extrusions along the sides and back.

Still very early days though.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Saw this DIY coach-built / Luton-style Sprinter conversion parked in a layby in Norway last week. Looked classy and unfussy, but very well executed. Austrian registration.

 

[gus-lopez]

If you look at the bottom of the sills at the van area and draw a line going backwards. you can see there is quite a bit of space from the bottom of the box.

yes I'd use that space for lockers, ,gas ,tanks ,etc

 

[Gromett]

Would the Luton be sufficiently rigid enough to be lifted off the chassis fully converted ?

The wood ones are pretty darned rigid by the looks of things I know this is a bigger version but same construction.

 

[Two on Tour]

I am going to be buying and converting a Luton van next.

I have a few questions.

The main one is this. How interchangeable are the boxes?
For example will a Box off a Ford fit on an Iveco, or a box off a Merc fit on a Fiat?

ok. Reasoning. I am looking at a Luton for 2 main reason.
Nice big square box is easier to build in than a panel van.
If the van lets me down I can swap the box onto a different chassis.

If the boxes are interchangeable I won't be too fussy about my first van and pay more attention to the box. I have the space and means to swap boxes here so I am not bothered about the actual swapping if it becomes necessary.

Thanks in advance.

I watch the series of build videos that these guys did in converting a Luton bodied delivery van.

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[Silver-Fox]

I have often thought the food delivery vans or fridge van(insulation)thats similar to Luton van would be an interesting conversion also

And if you leave the advertising on the side no one will call you an flt as they’ll think your just making a delivery

 

[Manic]

I watch the series of build videos that these guys did in converting a Luton bodied delivery van.

Beat me to it, was searching YouTube

 

[Gromett]

I watch the series of build videos that these guys did in converting a Luton bodied delivery van.

Yup saw that one thanks.

I have been on the Luton idea for 6,7 or maybe even 8 years now. Put the plans on for quite a bit, but back on them now.
Bit of an odd bod, but the guy who springs to mind who probably made me really go for it was Richard from Beyond the Van.
He did a pretty nice conversion with some nice ideas in it. Also converted a trailer into a workshop+++ which is probably how I found him.

Been a while and not seen much of him in years.

 

[Widge]

I am going to be buying and converting a Luton van next.

I have a few questions.

The main one is this. How interchangeable are the boxes?
For example will a Box off a Ford fit on an Iveco, or a box off a Merc fit on a Fiat?

ok. Reasoning. I am looking at a Luton for 2 main reason.
Nice big square box is easier to build in than a panel van.
If the van lets me down I can swap the box onto a different chassis.

If the boxes are interchangeable I won't be too fussy about my first van and pay more attention to the box. I have the space and means to swap boxes here so I am not bothered about the actual swapping if it becomes necessary.

Thanks in advance.

I don't know, but I would imagine the box would be talor made for the chasis, unless for some reason the van manufacturers have agreed on a standard, just a few cm either way on wheelbase would make a big difference.

It is probably becouse of this that most manufacturers make there own rear chasis, then just attach a cab, then there is only a slight design change to marry up the camper part to which ever cab they are using.

But this is all supposition.

 

[Bleau’s]

Look at a high cube one more like a removal van already skirted and integrated but still on the same chassis a lot less work

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