Transit mk8 conversion.

[Andy69]

Just been out to confirm it. I had to use 50 and 55 torx, some seats ie the single near the side door was bolted to the track but still hinged forwards when the bolts were removed and the wheel arch seats used one latch type fitting and torx into the sidewall. the floor by the way was very poor quality damp mdf mounted on high-density expanded foam blocks, you wouldn't want to build up from it.

 

[Andy69]

She looks just like mine but with one less row of seats. Very sweet.

 

[Jamesh]

Thanks il get a set of torx and give it a shot.

I'm keeping the floor for now.

Will jet wash the bottom and rust proof before next winter.

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

Stripped out the seats today anyone want 3 doubles and 4 singles!!

Floor was grubby so scrubbed it, needs another going over!

What's the box at the rear left with vents in see pic????

Then picked up some 4x2 cls and a sheet if plywood.

I envisioned using the cup holders but there is only one in the right area.

So I used that as middle support and the other one simply rests on the ledge. Seems strong enough - a naked van pics shows there is a large steel beam under it.

Ply went on top with 6 large panhead screws securing.

So I can easily revert it to a van for work duties.

I could cut the middle piece in half for extra nanvoverability but 3 more screws.

Loo enclosure and kitchen units to follow. The seat lugs will probably suit champing them down.

Cheers James

 

[Andy69]

Looks good James. as you know i removed the plastic and gained another couple of inches even after boxing in, but I love the creative use of the cup holders. Your 'box with grills' is part of the rear air conditioning unit, there should be vents above, in the lining probably, mine were set into shelves. If you look under the floor pan you'll see lots of normally useful space used by pipes and a heat exchanger.

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[Jamesh]

Great will ckeck later.

Sure I could have gained an inch or two width but I didn't want the hassle and wanted the robustness if the plastics when I use it as a van to put my work stuff in it.

 

[Jamesh]

Today's project a kitchen unit. Basic plywood job.

Jigsaw cut out doors and drawers. Sink to left, cooker to right.

Will top it with 1" pine boards.

Cheers James

 

[Minxy]

By using Cabbunk on the two front seats for two boys (aged 10 and 8) with sleeping bags.Then the rear lounge will make a large three-person bed for my daughter and her two girls( aged 12 and 4) a squeeze but doable. It will also make for a luxurious space for my wife and I when we travel alone, at least in comparison to a narrowboat where you can easily touch both sidewalls.

How are the 5 going to travel? Will the cab have 3 seats to go with the 2 on the rear one?

 

[Jamesh]

A little more to the kitchen unit.

I'm going to try it first using briefcase stove and folding sink before I settle on a sink / cooker.

Cheers James

 

[RubyOptics]

A little more to the kitchen unit.

I'm going to try it first using briefcase stove and folding sink before I settle on a sink / cooker.

Cheers James

Looks great. The shape of your doors/draw-fronts reminds me very much of the old westfalia fittings in the old VW vans. Very nice!

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[Jamesh]

Started the toilet cubicle. Very simple affair which folds down for when I'm wanting to use as a van.

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

Svtech certificate arrived but the plate had a typo so they are a sending out a new one.

Want to wrap half the windows where the toilet / kitchen is for obvious reasons.

What's the best way vinyl wrap?

Or does anyone know of large stickers 1m x0.8m?!


Gotta have the mountains and compass!!

Cheers James

 

[Tombola]

Svtech certificate arrived but the plate had a typo so they are a sending out a new one.

Want to wrap half the windows where the toilet / kitchen is for obvious reasons.

What's the best way vinyl wrap?

Or does anyone know of large stickers 1m x0.8m?!


Gotta have the mountains and compass!!

Cheers James

If you have a design and want it printing on wrap for you to stick on let me know and Ill sort it and post it out James, any design any colour wrap. Just let me know your address along with design.
Ill get mock ups sent to you first too if you send a square on pic of the side van so you can see how it looks.

Cheers

 

[Minxy]

If you have a design and want it printing on wrap for you to stick on let me know and Ill sort it and post it out James, any design any colour wrap. Just let me know your address along with design.
Ill get mock ups sent to you first too if you send a square on pic of the side van so you can see how it looks.

Cheers

Do you use crayons or felt tip pens?

 

[Andy69]

Hi, James, that py looks to be better quality than you can get in north Lincs. A few questions on your good work. What door hinges are you using. Are the sides hinged for removal, or will you have to dismantle each side? Have you given any thought to the ply's final finish? I'd also be interested to know your unladen weight when completed. To answer Minxy Girl - two singles up front, a double behind and a single seat by the door. Regards Andy.

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[Jamesh]

Ply is standard "hardwood" ply from Wickes. £27 a sheet I believe.

Hi hinges are plane 2" butt hinges screwed into the end grain.

If they don't hold then I will replace with face hinges but they are cheap and do the job.

The toilet sides hinge so that it can be folded and removed.

I intend on vanishing with thinned poly vanish.

Unladed weight was 2520kg before conversion. I have put in approx 75kg of plywood / wood. Cooler and cooking stuff will be another 25kg Foam mattress 10kg

I have 25l water containers for the kitchen and 10l for the bathroom see so that's 40l

Toilet weighs 25kg

so about 2700kg.

So 800kg spare....

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

If you have a design and want it printing on wrap for you to stick on let me know and Ill sort it and post it out James, any design any colour wrap. Just let me know your address along with design.
Ill get mock ups sent to you first too if you send a square on pic of the side van so you can see how it looks.

Cheers

Thanks Tombola I'll think about what design I could do.

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

Just a little bifold door to the garage.

It uses barrel bolts as hinges so it can be removed easily with the rest of the interior.

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

Think I'm giving Tam a run for his money!!

EML light has come on and van has gone into limp home mode!

Booked in to garage Tuesday.

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

Pulled the ECU fide today and left it 10mins.

Started it up and the light went out. Took it for a drive and it drives fine!

Happy days!

Back to the conversion.

Cheers James

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[Jamesh]

New window covers cheap as chips corrugated plastic covered with foil insulation works a treat just as good as the posh covers I have for the cab!

Started varnishing boy I hate painting.

Cheers James

 

[uzsnowdrop]

This is a great thread!!! Do you have to have minibus insurance?

 

[Jamesh]

No I have van to camper conversion insurance with Adrian Flux - very helpful.
Gives you a year to convert.

Cheers James

 

[uzsnowdrop]

Thats interesting never heard of that

 

[Jamesh]

First night in the van. Blinds work fine, bed is a bit fine. Water containers weren't secured down and moved around the floor!
Button came off the toilet door! Didn't pack toilet paper oops!!

The drive is very car like! Almost as refined as a VW transporter.
Plenty of power. Still has speed restrictor on.

Cheers James

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[Jamesh]

Update on way home up north the van has gone into limp again this time with the excessive envisions in exhaust system. Looks like it needs a new dpf! Garage suggest taking it out but that's illegal!

Probably replace it as it's done 100k.

Brought a 12v control panel to hard wire into the aux battery. Also the second pump and drain for the bathroom sink.

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

Now that the vans back up to full health following its dpf constipation!!

I decided to put the tap and sink I brought in.

Also a strap around the water bottles. I might put some scrap 2x2 on the back of the kitchen cabinet to locate it more positively....

Cheers James

 

[uzsnowdrop]

Nice one James
We have a similar basin set up and its all we need, likewise no oven but we do have a two hob set up.

 

[Jamesh]

Nice I had that sink in my previous camper.
This time it's more minimalist.
Contemplating a double stove but then I loose storage to the gas bottle and it ideally needs externally venting.

Nice build btw do you have a thread?

Cheers James

 

[uzsnowdrop]

I didnt do the main build , it was converted for a disabled couple and we’ve upgraded it since weve had it with ehu ,sockets, curtains and

blinds, tinted windows and loads of little bits and pieces, just about perfect for how we use a van,

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