Mercedes vario 814 self build bus to FLT palace

Hat,s off to you. The engine, chassis, of these Vario,s is bomb proof, Hence its still about. the body is just a tin box which is very easy to repair and
modify.As already mentioned Insulation ! The best is not cheap but you wont regret it "Fatmat" is easy to use and does exactly what it says.
In the 21st century glass is easy to insulate, just talk to a "glass film" company,, The very best of luck with the project.
Oh I found a pic. off one of the first N&B in the Hymer museum. on that chassis !
 

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How the hell will that gy driving the short mini get in or out of the car when it’s in the garage of the van 🤪👀
 
Great thread will carry on viewing.👍
 
Picked up a nearly new generator this morning so i plan to do the same again this sunday and take the bus to the industrial estate and cut out the rest of the metal in the boot area . Much slower progress than id like ...still on the hunt for somewhere to do the van and looking in to possibly getting someone to do some of the welding to speed things up. Just concentrating on cutting out all the bus bits ...need to take the front step out too. Weather has been fantastic but with mum complaining about noise etc its impossible to get this stage done here.
 
Northernraider said:
Picked up a nearly new generator this morning so i plan to do the same again this sunday and take the bus to the industrial estate and cut out the rest of the metal in the boot area . Much slower progress than id like ...still on the hunt for somewhere to do the van and looking in to possibly getting someone to do some of the welding to speed things up. Just concentrating on cutting out all the bus bits ...need to take the front step out too. Weather has been fantastic but with mum complaining about noise etc its impossible to get this stage done here.
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My mate has a large enough workshop you could use but maybe Stepps is too far for you, in saying that it’s got a large yard that you could park Toby in and stay while working on Stavros. 😜
 
Razamataz said:
Do you pay site rent ?
Dig money?
Baby sitting (Milo and Jade)?
;)(y);)
surely ....
F.L.T status is FINISHED
You are at your Mum’s
Pay up
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FLT???

Full time living??

Sounds a plan to get a welder in! Quicker and the quality will be good unless you are a welder!

Cheers James
 
Thanks

I picked up a new title -

Refugee husband of no fixed abode!!!

D of E!

Cheers James

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bigtree said:
My mate has a large enough workshop you could use but maybe Stepps is too far for you, in saying that it’s got a large yard that you could park Toby in and stay while working on Stavros. 😜
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Thats my next plan ...find somewhere i can take both.
 
Jamesh said:
FLT???

Full time living??

Sounds a plan to get a welder in! Quicker and the quality will be good unless you are a welder!

Cheers James
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I used to weld for a living but a long time ago .... since then ive only done the odd repair here and there. Theres lots of bits of the build i will weld myself but the outer sills and the window plating etc i will probably get someone professional to do as i dont want warped panels etc . But its finding a good combination of a good welder , reasonable priced and that can do the work in a decent time.
 
Northernraider said:
Thats my next plan ...find somewhere i can take both.
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Let me know if you are interested, he has all the equipment you need to do the work. PM me if this might suit you.

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bigtree said:
Let me know if you are interested, he has all the equipment you need to do the work. PM me if this might suit you.
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It would certainly be worth finding out if possible ....i currently work 3 nights a week but stepps is only a 40 minute drive from here.
 
More cutting out steel today . The old boot is now completely removed ready for the rear inner and outer sills to be done plus the rear valance.
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Also removed the last bit of bodykit that was attached to the passenger door and cut out the bus step ...this will be getting put back to the original van step and floor.
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Ill be glad when i start putting metal back in instead of cutting it out ....van looks liie a complete wreck at the minute ....hard to believe it has a full years MOT 🤣
 
Top vans but it looks as rotten as a pear.
Only my opinion and having experience of a few rusty vehicles in my time , to keep it on the road might be worth spending on , to spend big bucks turning it into your home i think you will be chasing tin worm again in a few years .
Just for info i have just stopped full timing after over six years . So i know where you are coming from Tam.
Best of luck and don't get to carried away , only saying that cos i do sometimes.
 
wigster said:
Top vans but it looks as rotten as a pear.
Only my opinion and having experience of a few rusty vehicles in my time , to keep it on the road might be worth spending on , to spend big bucks turning it into your home i think you will be chasing tin worm again in a few years .
Just for info i have just stopped full timing after over six years . So i know where you are coming from Tam.
Best of luck and don't get to carried away , only saying that cos i do sometimes.
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I shouldn't be as everything rusty is being cut out and replaced . Most of this rust was caused by the shoddy work of the company that converted it from a van to a bus. Its been leaking for years and unseen because of the interior trim etc. Remember that im posting the rusty bits to show the work being done but theres other areas that are perfect for its age. Just poor protection previously
 
A lot of work mate but you can see what’s happening is good for it. Another trip to the scrappy to trade old steal for cash to cover the tea and biscuits 🍪. How much more is coming off.

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Hi Im impressed with your fortitude, From what I can see the basis of the chassis is old but sound, as you say most inherent rust problems are man made ( previous converter) Once cut out replaced and treated, it will last for years, Just as an observation from the picture, it appears the helper spring has bent the top leaf at the rubber cushion point, ? If so my advise would be replace the springs. Brilliant Job.
Andy
 
fat haggis said:
A lot of work mate but you can see what’s happening is good for it. Another trip to the scrappy to trade old steal for cash to cover the tea and biscuits 🍪. How much more is coming off.
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The rear inner and outer sills will need cut out and the rear valance ...middle sills need s few bits patched in ..then it should look a lot better. And then i can put the steel box sections in for the floor again and the rails to hold the bike rack ... Then its the rear window and tailgate area to cut out and fabricate new steel for.

It is s big job and im under no illusions ...but it always was going to be more work using a bus as a base vehicle. But it was half the price than a panel van and it had good points like the tailgate and side barn door
 

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