Tam and Toby ~~ Hunting Zorba .....Take two.

mitzimad said:
your assuming it will do more than 56
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To be honest i rarely go over 60 ...i usually have the hymer cruise on at 62 so im passing the wagons etc but they aint vehicles for flying along
I think the varios can reach 70 but i wont be doing it much. But i will have the limiter removed later when its not required
 
Mr porky said:
Now that’s why I would never attempt what your doing, all those wires.
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Not as bad as i expected to be honest ...a the wires are now disconnted at the switches ....i just have to trace them back from switch to fuse box etc now ....some i will keep as ill be fitting lights on the roof etc so i can use the same switches to power them instead of rear inside lights. 👍
Langtoftlad said:
Do you think all your efforts have added to the value if you decide to sell it on Northernraider

:whistle2:
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Hmm well i got it at quite a good price ...and the work im doing now is some of the hardest bits of building a bus .... stripping it out ...some folk leave all that old wood and insulation in and just build an interior in it but theres been lots of leaks in there and insulation is damp and adding to the rust.

I don't think id lose money if i decided to sell it on stripped out as anyone doing a camper has to do this anyway.

Didn't have much value as a bus anymore too many out there
elamessa said:
Rusty! 🤣
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You aint seen nothing yet believe me ....theres bits that would make you cry
Just smiffy said:
Shed...?

skip....?

🤣
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I need one of those for the crap ive ripped out it....trust me if you decide to build one ...dont buy a bus
Mikey RV said:
The buyer will want a bus with seats in. :roflmto: :doh:
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Probably not to be honest ....so many busses out there for sale in better condition.
Hymerbell said:
Cannaworms
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It will get worse before it gets better
Devon Sue said:
Are they going to be able to MOT it on its current staus considering it is now a shell of its former self?
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No but that's the point ...i don't want a bus mot ....i want a van one
The Dudess said:
Money pit?
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Yes it will be ....but ..if i can build it to the finish i want for the budget ive allocated it will still be cheaper than the value of Toby ...but more practical , robust and rare.
 
So i also got a lot of the side panels stripped out today ...and the plastic wheel arch covers which was revealing 😭😭 but i expected that...i expect quite a bit of rust inder the floor at the back too ...but im leaving the floor removal till after its been mot'd

Im hoping to get the rest of the wood stripped out tomorrow

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You can see all the bits of ply still stuck to the sikafkex ....its crazy how much theyve put on this ...impossibe to ever get in to it had it needed repairs etc ...even the diesel filler was innacessible behind all the wood panelling. The strengthening on the steel is pretty heavy going too ...i guess its all for safety but its like a tank ...5mm thick steel bracing bars every foot or so
 
With all those seats, wood, linings & bulkheads stripped out it should do 70 easily, its not a speed limiter you will need its a Rev limiter especially down hills.:giggle:
Its a shame you haven't got someone to help you Tam, many hands make light work etc, but having seen the other vlogs you know you still have the floor to fully remove, then you will see what needs doing to the chassis, which hopefully will not be too much, only wire brushing and painting.
I too can see why others have just gone ahead and done the conversion before the MOT, got the essential lights sorted at the front, rear and side markers, then lined it internally with new floor.
Its a tough decision to make until all is revealed, then the work really starts, with all the ups & downs that will incur, so a firm belief is needed that it will get done somehow, with a not lot of physical support,
I wont say how long it will take, but what I do these days with any big job, is do a time estimate, double that, the add in 10% buggery factor.
You will need Toby to sleep in and use as a escape hatch to get away for some much needed short breaks, even meet up with other self builders maybe.
There is a self build rally or two in the Midlands, I would definitely go to them, for a chat, moral support and a looksee. Camp Quirky is one here:https://www.quirkycampers.com/uk/campervan-festival/
Good luck.(y)
LES

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CazPaul said:
Have you thought what insulation you may use yet?
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Im planning to use Kingspan sheets , 50mm on roof and sides , 25mm on floor ...and probably spray foam inside all the cavities. Dont want to use anything that can hold moisture,
 
Northernraider said:
Im planning to use Kingspan sheets , 50mm on roof and sides , 25mm on floor ...and probably spray foam inside all the cavities. Dont want to use anything that can hold moisture,
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Its a shame The Vario wasn't just 50mm taller inside, there isn't much head height to allow for a suspended floor for pipes & cables, plus insulation from what I have seen. Perhaps more scope for floor insulation down either side of the floor plan where the cupboards will go.
I am not there so I will shut up for now.
LES
 
TinaL said:
With all those seats, wood, linings & bulkheads stripped out it should do 70 easily, its not a speed limiter you will need its a Rev limiter especially down hills.:giggle:
Its a shame you haven't got someone to help you Tam, many hands make light work etc, but having seen the other vlogs you know you still have the floor to fully remove, then you will see what needs doing to the chassis, which hopefully will not be too much, only wire brushing and painting.
I too can see why others have just gone ahead and done the conversion before the MOT, got the essential lights sorted at the front, rear and side markers, then lined it internally with new floor.
Its a tough decision to make until all is revealed, then the work really starts, with all the ups & downs that will incur, so a firm belief is needed that it will get done somehow, with a not lot of physical support,
I wont say how long it will take, but what I do these days with any big job, is do a time estimate, double that, the add in 10% buggery factor.
You will need Toby to sleep in and use as a escape hatch to get away for some much needed short breaks, even meet up with other self builders maybe.
There is a self build rally or two in the Midlands, I would definitely go to them, for a chat, moral support and a looksee. Camp Quirky is one here:https://www.quirkycampers.com/uk/campervan-festival/
Good luck.(y)
LES
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Yes ive probably stripped a good ton out ot already with another still to go. But my interior will be solid wood , lots of quality fittings etc and with a full roofrack , rear motorbike rack and spare wheel rack etc ill put a fair bit of weight back in to it ...but with a 4 tonne payload it can cope with that.

Depending how it goes ...i might sell toby in the summer and buy a cheap caravan to live in till the bus is finished. .. i expect to take around 6 months to do it but won't get on to interior stuff for at least 2 months i reckon , all bodywork has to be done first and ready for final paint , roofrack fitted etc , roof all painted and finished before i start insulation and paneling inside again ... But theres having plans and theres the reality and the 2 rarely come together without issues.
Im having them already and ive only been back 6 days lol

Still to finish the jobs on the car too .... finished the rear brakes this morning but still exhaust to fit and a bit of welding before it's mot
 
TinaL said:
Its a shame The Vario wasn't just 50mm taller inside, there isn't much head height to allow for a suspended floor for pipes & cables, plus insulation from what I have seen. Perhaps more scope for floor insulation down either side of the floor plan where the cupboards will go.
I am not there so I will shut up for now.
LES
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Yes at my height theres no headroom to spare as i can only just stand upright in it

Longway off wiring etc so not thinking of that at present. Im just concentrating on making a solid base at the minute. A panel van would have been much much easier. So i really hope my tailgate and side door idea work out for the best.

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I was thinking you could use your insulated 25mm flooring board you suggested previously(the resin coated one) all over the floor to cover and seal everything, then later on when you fit the base units, with 2x2 framed base, you would have at least 50mm inside them to cut some Kingspan insulation before the cupboards were finally screwed in against the side walls. Then only bit that would be restricted to 25mm insulation would be the walkway up the middle.(y)
Any luck on finding an indoor place to do all this yet, I see another funster is a professional van converter, and is in a similar position in finding somewhere cheap/affordable to carry out his work.
You guys are on social media, so that might be your best bet, maybe offer a £1 a week(y);)
LES
 
Watched a few youtubes of merc conversions. Thought the one you pointed out where they retained all the glass but painted it out and built and insulated behind the glass was a great idea and it looked very professional. Saves taking out the glass and welding panels in?

If you are short of headroom just watching an Aussie couple convert a full coach a 48 seater I think. They cut the roof off in a single section and raised it 😳. Thats the way to go 🤣.
 
Bustup15 said:
Watched a few youtubes of merc conversions. Thought the one you pointed out where they retained all the glass but painted it out and built and insulated behind the glass was a great idea and it looked very professional. Saves taking out the glass and welding panels in?

If you are short of headroom just watching an Aussie couple convert a full coach a 48 seater I think. They cut the roof off in a single section and raised it 😳. Thats the way to go 🤣.
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Yes the windows on john and Kerry's look good painted but i think they will still get condensation problems with single glazed glass and id be worried about leaks in the seals or if they got broken etc ....just not for me ill be removing mine

Ive seen a few of these varios that they have raised the roof on ....im keen but not that keen unfortunately
 
mitzimad said:
You may find when you remove the floor you can drop it lower im sure ive seen that done somewhere
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I doubt it as its a full ladder rail chassis on it ...i should be fine just have to stoop a little .

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Bustup15 said:
If you are short of headroom just watching an Aussie couple convert a full coach a 48 seater I think. They cut the roof off in a single section and raised it 😳. Thats the way to go 🤣.
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Northernraider said:
Ive seen a few of these varios that they have raised the roof on ....im keen but not that keen unfortunately
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If you went that route you could have a double floor it would make the wiring & plumbing easy and the tanks nicely insulated in the floor.
 
Just smiffy said:
I agree... it doesn’t look right.
A lot of extra work and a full workshop needed and a load more expense, plus it’s something that I wouldn’t have to do... I’ve always got plenty of headroom....😆
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Im just not keen on the shape of it . And imagine it with a roorack on top aswell
Would be avoiding lots of bridges i think


The standard height is a little low for me as im over 6ft but i can stand upright at the minute so ill just have to plan the floor and ceiling carefully .
 

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