Lenny's Modding the new Mini Gin Palace (2 Viewers)

[Lenny HB]

Finally got around to starting a thread, at least it will stop you lot nagging me.
I've been a bit busy with daughter visiting from Thailand and fitting in the Hereford Rally a few days after getting the van.

This van is giving me a lot of earache, someone keeps going on about has small & cramped it is.

A few pics of the poky little van, to be honest apart from a few niggles the build quality so much better than the Hymers we have had, makes it look like Hymers were built in the Lada factory.

The posy cushions they supply are quite nice but not very practical.

Dash is quite nice apart from the steering wheel being on the wrong side.

 

[Lenny HB]

First job was to get some stock in.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Finally got around to starting a thread, at least it will stop you lot nagging me.
I've been a bit busy with daughter visiting from Thailand and fitting in the Hereford Rally a few days after getting the van.

This van is giving me a lot of earache, someone keeps going on about has small & cramped it is.

A few pics of the poky little van, to be honest apart from a few niggles the build quality so much better than the Hymers we have had, makes it look like Hymers were built in the Lada factory.


View attachment 920877View attachment 920878

The posy cushions they supply are quite nice but not very practical.
View attachment 920876View attachment 920879View attachment 920880View attachment 920881View attachment 920884View attachment 920885

Dash is quite nice apart from the steering wheel being on the wrong side.
View attachment 920886View attachment 920887

It looks very small Lenny

 

[BobJayne]

Have you had the dreaded airbag warning yet?

 

[poppycamper]

It looks very small Lenny

Not only small.. but the colour choice in bedroom looks a bit.... well.... gay!!!.
Njoy.yer new mini Palace Lenny HB

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[CazPaul]

What the length, 7metre?

 

[Lenny HB]

Had to do a couple of little repairs on the van before starting the mods, the cental locking wasn't working on the hab door, it is now Lenny has assembled it correctly (mentioned on other threads). And now the SOG switch has broken only £3.40 for a new switch so I will sort it myself.

 

[Lenny HB]

What the length, 7metre?

6.65m, 2.12m wide.

 

[CazPaul]

6.65m, 2.12m wide.

Perfect length that a fraction longer than ours.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not only small.. but the colour choice in bedroom looks a bit.... well.... gay!!!.
Njoy.yer new mini Palace Lenny HB

Bedding from the old van it doesn't suit this one, & doesn't fit. I will have to get the sewing machine out and make some new fitted sheets in a more subdued colour.

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[WESTY66]

It looks very small Lenny

Bijou I’d say

 

[CazPaul]

The seal on the front of the roof which seals the cab area to the roof, I remember someone many years ago telling me his Carthago A class leaked and it was a very complicated construction in that area.
On other top end German A class it is just a simple straight sealing strip/tape which is easily sorted.

He had to take his back to Carthago in Germany he said to get sorted. I wonder if it’s the same construction? Oh r have they changed it?

 

[Lenny HB]

First mod was the step well mat as I found out the hard way nothing holds it in place, first time in the van at the dealers as I got out I went flying out the door, flipping dangerous.

A length of unequal channel alloy sorted that, unequal channel as then I could fit it using the original screws for the foot well.

 

[Manic]

Looks nice but you would have make sure you’ve got everything you need to shower before converting the wash room.

 

[Carpmart]

I thought it was very nice Lenny and enjoyed the tour! The toilet lock is worrying!

It is a smidge compact!

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[Shrimp]

Maybe not small as such but looks like it might feel a bit cramped, but then I’m used to our old Hymer-big windows and lots of floor space!
Don’t think I could live with the loo/shower arrangement.
Was thinking about our van and there isn’t a van on the market that I would be happy with!
Get your mods done and start using it, have fun.

 

[MichaelT]

Finally got around to starting a thread, at least it will stop you lot nagging me.
I've been a bit busy with daughter visiting from Thailand and fitting in the Hereford Rally a few days after getting the van.

This van is giving me a lot of earache, someone keeps going on about has small & cramped it is.

A few pics of the poky little van, to be honest apart from a few niggles the build quality so much better than the Hymers we have had, makes it look like Hymers were built in the Lada factory.


View attachment 920877View attachment 920878

The posy cushions they supply are quite nice but not very practical.
View attachment 920876View attachment 920879View attachment 920880View attachment 920881View attachment 920884View attachment 920885

Dash is quite nice apart from the steering wheel being on the wrong side.
View attachment 920886View attachment 920887

Our cushions went straight in the loft

How did you get the side seat to turn I can't see how on mine or is it just your model?

 

[MichaelT]

First mod was the step well mat as I found out the hard way nothing holds it in place, first time in the van at the dealers as I got out I went flying out the door, flipping dangerous.

A length of unequal channel alloy sorted that, unequal channel as then I could fit it using the original screws for the foot well.

View attachment 920905View attachment 920906View attachment 920907

Where you get the channel from please, our mat stops the fly curtain shutting.

 

[Lenny HB]

First job was finding the solar cables, I knew they came from above the fridge to the front of the van. Unlike a Hymer where the cables are just slung under the floor in a Carthago they really hide them and secure them with hundreds of cable ties.
Several hours later I finally found then under the footwell and cut them off and got a small hole saw out so I can easily (famous last words in a Carthago) extend and route the cables to the garage.

 

[bellabee]

Has Mi managed yet to convince you that removing the table would be a good idea?

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[fat haggis]

I like your slide out.

 

[Lenny HB]

How did you get the side seat to turn I can't see how on mine or is it just your model?

It is just the 141, doesn't turn, it's a bit of a pain.

Where you get the channel from please, our mat stops the fly curtain shutting.

Aluminium Unequal U Channel 20MM x 10MM x 1M | eBay

The unequal aluminium channel is Weldable One side of this channel is 20mm and the other is 10mm. It is 10mm wide externally, 7mm wide internally, has a thickness of 1.5mm and is 1m long. Get In Touch.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Manic]

Where you get the channel from please, our mat stops the fly curtain shutting.

B & Q probably have it.

 

[MichaelT]

Has Mi managed yet to convince you that removing the table would be a good idea?

We have same table which we really love but it's a bit big, would like to get it cut down a bit but want to keep the nice trim round it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Next job was finding and getting at the battery, if my arms were an inch shorter I wouldn't have been able to get it out.

Had to get the boss down the hole to help getting the battery brackets out, also found out Carthago don't just bolt things in place they glue everything as well.

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[ontheroadagain]

2.12m wide

Same width as our Adria Compact. Makes a big difference on narrow roads.
What tyres did it come with?
Your favourite Michelin campers?

 

[Wombles]

It looks lovely Lenny - will be following with interest as do love a mod! Our cab step mats are currently fixed with Velcro strips but will look at copying your idea

 

[Lenny HB]

Fitted two Fogstar 230ah Lithium, first charge one came up at 245ah and the other at 240ah. Been running just on battery power the last couple of weeks no charging rigged up yet.

Made up a panel to go above the batteries with a 4 way switch so if needed either battery can be selected, fuse for each battery and the BMV712 Shunt.

 

[Lenny HB]

Same width as our Adria Compact. Makes a big difference on narrow roads.
What tyres did it come with?
Your favourite Michelin campers?

Last two vans have been 2.21 so don't really notice the différance, I'm having more problem with the steering wheel on the wrong side, been driving LHD vans for 10 years.

Yep, bleeding awful Michelin Camper, got to be the worst tyres in the world.

 

[Manic]

Next job was finding and getting at the battery, if my arms were an inch shorter Next job was finding and getting at the battery, if my arms were an inch shorter I wouldn't have been able to get it out.

View attachment 920932
View attachment 920933

Had to get the boss down the hole to help getting the battery brackets out, also found out Carthago don't just bolt things in place they glue everything as well.

View attachment 920934

Looks like you’re having a trail run to bring some illegals back

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