Big bear done and dusted ready for maiden voyage

[Tonydom]

Sorry for delay with updates on my self build but everything is done and dusted, I sent photos of to dvla and got van classified as a motor caravan, ( think I got it passed due to stupid stickers on out side making sure that it was clearly identifiable as a campervan) took me two weeks to discover small gas leak was coming from my manometer hose and not the gas appliances or the pipeline.

Anyways as I said all done and dusted and a special thanks to some of you guys on here for you help on the electrical side your input was much appreciated. I have attached some photos but personally I don't think they do van justice.<Broken link removed>I have 300w solar panel fitted to roof, gasit underslung LPG tank, diesel heater and mobile broadband

 

[Jamesh]

Nice job I particularly like how you have presumably used caravan doors and painted/ laminated the insets.

Well done!

Cheers James

 

[Tonydom]

Van belonged to a local plasterer before I bought it so you can imagine the amount of dried in plaster and roughcast I had to chip away lol but it had full service history and low mileage so I took a chance on it

 

[MsT2]

Wow, just wow!

 

[Swifter]

Very impressive

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[Tonydom]

Yes I looked at fitting the shiny furniture board doors but the wife wanted something with a bit more character to it so I bought the doors second hand, took me weeks to rub them down then paint them,I'm lucky to have a compressor so I spayed doors several times with thin coat, I built all the cupboards by hand and covered them with a good quality faux leather.

 

[Tonydom]

To anyone reading this and thinking of doing their own builds go for it. I have no trade, I'm just your plain old DIYer, I have done everything on my own except make the seating covers, I've had loads of help from some of the guys on here and done a fair bit of reading and research. So don't be put of if you put the effort in I'm sure you will get good results out.

 

[rolosroller]

 

[Fulham Dave]

Absolutely fabulous job, well done, congrats and we hope you have many years of happy, safe and fun times in the Big Bear!

 

[Phill D]

Looks great and I have no doubt that when you sit looking at your efforts on that sunny evening with a glass in your hand you will have a smug smile on your face.

Nice one.

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[Tonydom]

Thanks for all the positive messages guys and if you see big bear about ( quite distinguishable) say hello

 

[gus-lopez]

Lovely job.

 

[jockaneezer]

What a fantastic job, just need to rehang your toilet roll the correct way round and you'll be all set !

 

[AndyPK]

Looking forward to meeting you!

 

[Tonydom]

Regarding the toilet roll I have already be told of from the wife personally I had no idea there was aright way and a wrong way to hang loo roll

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[Zoobec]

It looks fantastic

 

[STEVE4SONN]

To anyone reading this and thinking of doing their own builds go for it. I have no trade, I'm just your plain old DIYer, I have done everything on my own except make the seating covers, I've had loads of help from some of the guys on here and done a fair bit of reading and research. So don't be put of if you put the effort in I'm sure you will get good results out.

Hi.
I have recently at the beginning of the year brought a van to convert, looking at your van it looks very good and you have put a lot of effort into it.
Now due to some issues I did not get started on my van until mid Feb 2021 and can only work on it at weekends due to me being away throughout the week working, how long did it take you to get from start to finish.
Buy the way, I love the bear motif that is what all my friends call me the big bear..
The photos look great too, well done and did you keep a journal of your build with photos and have you put a cost sheet together so you know how much the conversion has cost overall?
Be interested to see the photos and the cost.

 

[KiwiKampers]

What a transformation. Well done. I spotted the problem with the toilet roll too, but knowing that you have put it right means I will be able to sleep tonight. You have put it right, haven't you?

 

[Grummyb]

I think that's 1 of the best convertions I've seen well done you

 

[Shrimp]

Beautiful

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[Potty]

Regarding the toilet roll I have already be told of from the wife personally I had no idea there was aright way and a wrong way to hang loo roll

Leave it as it is, it is the right way round.

 

[ChrisSue]

Fantastic job. Really professional

 

[Tonydom]

Hi.
I have recently at the beginning of the year brought a van to convert, looking at your van it looks very good and you have put a lot of effort into it.
Now due to some issues I did not get started on my van until mid Feb 2021 and can only work on it at weekends due to me being away throughout the week working, how long did it take you to get from start to finish.
Buy the way, I love the bear motif that is what all my friends call me the big bear..
The photos look great too, well done and did you keep a journal of your build with photos and have you put a cost sheet together so you know how much the conversion has cost overall?
Be interested to see the photos and the cost.

Hi sorry for delay been away for a week sadly not in the van, it took me approx 6 month working on it around 4/5 days a week it sounds long but it was over the winter period and up here in Scotland
it can be dark at 3:30 pm and then not light to around 9am then the cold and rain as I was doing all the work in my shed or in my van, periodically I took pics of the build as I went along mostly of preparing the van cutting out windows etc and of the furniture being built.

 

[Tonydom]

I think that's 1 of the best convertions I've seen well done you

Thank you so much but I have seen better but then again it's all down to personal taste not to mention the budget you are working with