[eatmypiggy]

Awesome build thread mate, really enjoying following it. Certainly made me think about my up and coming build and what i want to get from it.

Look forward to seeing more

CheersT:

 

[Schism]

Great build thread! Just bought my first T4 super keen to start working on it nowT:

 

[Matgal]

About to attack mine in one long weekend, I've done the A frames and door cards, also glovebox and anything else that unscrews. Tomorrow night I start the dash removal, I'm excited but nervous too as I have to drive to Exeter on Thursday!! Will it be much if an issue not letting it cure? Can't it. Just cure in position rather than in the back?

Great thread, already printed out ready to help me tomorrow! Eek!

 

[TURK]

If you get stuck MatGal PM me mate, and I'll see if I can be of any help to you. I'll be working on my headlights, so I'll be available on the forum all weekend, as I'm pretty much logged in all day

If the paint hasn't cured ( hardened ) it'll scratch easier when trying to put it back in. If you do decide to put the dash back in, I would say, don't put the 2 A pillar plastics back in yet. As the gap is literally millimeters, the contact between the two will scratch the paint off both surfaces. I put a sheet of paper between the 2 when I put mine back in, to avoid this.

If you are unfortunate to scratch the dash or other plastics, just use a big black marker pen to hide the scratch.






Good luck and have fun tomorrow. T:



TURK

 

[TURK]

Hi all,

I'm going to skip quite a few steps of my build thread here, but I can't wait to to show off Lulu's new windows

Also, I had to rethink some of my plans. Originally I didn't want windows in the back, for security reasons that would only give the low life's more breaking in points. But I did like the idea of airing the back of the van while driving. So, anyway, I paneled the entire interior as you've seen in previous pictures. I then stumbled across some information I wasn't aware of. Apparently, some campsites don't allow camping vans without windows ! another thing I wasn't aware of is, while traveling, ferry crossings and what not, your vehicle will be considered as a commercial vehicle, thus incurring additional charges. I'm told that also applies to some toll roads.

So the decision was made 'I had to have windows', too many pluses now for me to ignore !
The choice of windows was easy ....... sliders, without a doubt .... and for more air circulation ..... a sun roof ( in the back of course ).

The windows don't spoil the lines of the van, actually they make the van look much better I think >>

As I never got the chance to show you my idea of insulation ( because the photos got corrupted ), this shot shows me removing the interior panel where the sliding window will go. It's the air gap between the two panels that insulate the van. >>

And just a quick shot of the sunroof. >>

Long way to go yet peeps, can't wait to show you what I'm up to at the moment ........ but it's a secret right now Rasp:






TURK

 

[Geodawg]

looking good dude :ILU:

 

[TURK]

Thanks mate.

It's weird, but the interior feels bigger now :*

Those black tinted limo windows go well with the black n white theme. Really happy with them.



TURK

 

[Spen B]

Hi all,

I'm going to skip quite a few steps of my build thread here, but I can't wait to to show off Lulu's new windows

Also, I had to rethink some of my plans. Originally I didn't want windows in the back, for security reasons that would only give the low life's more breaking in points. But I did like the idea of airing the back of the van while driving. So, anyway, I paneled the entire interior as you've seen in previous pictures. I then stumbled across some information I wasn't aware of. Apparently, some campsites don't allow camping vans without windows ! another thing I wasn't aware of is, while traveling, ferry crossings and what not, your vehicle will be considered as a commercial vehicle, thus incurring additional charges. I'm told that also applies to some toll roads.

So the decision was made 'I had to have windows', too many pluses now for me to ignore !
The choice of windows was easy ....... sliders, without a doubt .... and for more air circulation ..... a sun roof ( in the back of course ).

The windows don't spoil the lines of the van, actually they make the van look much better I think >>

As I never got the chance to show you my idea of insulation ( because the photos got corrupted ), this shot shows me removing the interior panel where the sliding window will go. It's the air gap between the two panels that insulate the van. >>

And just a quick shot of the sunroof. >>

Long way to go yet peeps, can't wait to show you what I'm up to at the moment ........ but it's a secret right now Rasp:






TURK

I find driving better. Junctions and changing lanes are easier without the blind spots. Nice looking van Turk T:

 

[TURK]

Thanks mate,

I've built a bulk head Spen, during the winter I just heat the front of the van, five minutes and it's warm as toast !

I'll be using cameras for the blind spots, as theres a monitor in my overhead console that doubles up as a rear view mirror / reversing camera. I haven't quite sussed that bit out yet, but I'm pretty sure I can switch views, all dependent on which camera I want to use.



TURK

 

[Windwarrior]

Well as said its a great thread to follow! I'm like so many others going to take on a build as soon as ive found a tidy bodied T4 or 5 if im lucky and funds allow. I will certainly be using this as a guide though when building mine, keep up the brilliant work

 

[Daragh]

love the idea of your bulkhead mate . same idea as myself leaving the ope to get from front to back.. Dont think mine will be as neat doh

 

[TURK]

love the idea of your bulkhead mate . same idea as myself leaving the ope to get from front to back.. Dont think mine will be as neat doh

Sure you can Daragh, just take your time ......... remember, you're not trying to complete a conversion in a weekend !
You'll only end up with a dogs dinner, only to rip everything out and start again.

Do it once ...... do it right

Get loads of large pieces of cardboard for templates. You can only cut wood correctly once, cardboard doesn't matter if you get it wrong.

My intension is to put a solid 'security' door in the bulkhead. So if some low-life's manage to break into the cab, they can't access the rear, and vice versa. As for the rear, I'm designing an interior layout that will bolt in when required as a camper. All the units will be removable, when the van will be used to transport large items. Such as a motorbike.


So watch this space.


If you need any help ....... just PM me T:



TURK

 

[motomartin]

................ As for the rear, I'm designing an interior layout that will bolt in when required as a camper. All the units will be removable, when the van will be used to transport large items.

TURK

I'm watching with interest - I'm in Sydney, Aus and also designing a similar white Day Van not Camper.

I want to have cooking and fridge on slide out units from the rear tailgate - we do all our cooking outside here.

All the big 4 x 4 's do a similar thing.

However I want a BBQ type cooker that not only pulls out, but hinges round from under the tailgate - still trying to work that one out..

 

[TURK]

Hi mate,

One thing I regret about my build so far, is the fact that I didn't put threaded studs on the underside of my ply flooring. Like the studs you get on flat pack furniture, only larger. Now I'm stuck trying to find an alternative way of securing the units down. All the units, storage boxes, cupboards, foldout bed ( that also doubles up as the seating )and kitchenette unit on drawer runners will also interlock.

The way in which you intend to use your van is what determines the actual layout. As I plan on relaxing in the back with the tailgate up, and my sliding door open, I have to lay back and view the world out the rear, with a view out the sliding door. So that's the way I'm going to face. Cooking when I'm out 'wild camping' will be done from under the tailgate, so I'll have to construct an awning that clips to the top of the tailgate ( just in case it gets windy ) so you're sheltered basically. I'll also install some LED lighting in the tailgate, so when you open the tailgate, the lighting will be above you and your cooking area.

It would be nice, and surely much simpler to design the fridge at the tailgate, near your slide out kitchenette, but one thing to consider is ...... those cold damp mornings when you feel the need to make a coffee. So now you have a problem ! How do you access your fridge from the interior of the van.

I still have to finalise my drawings, but I feel I'm getting there



I'm sure I speak for the others when I say, be sure to post some pictures of your BBQ type cooker when you suss it out, as I'm sure you will T:



TURK

 

[motomartin]

You could use a 'T' track system..similar to trucks and either get the crescent profile screwed onto the top surface or rectangular section routed in flush

 

[motomartin]

http://www.albert-jagger.co.uk/. Are good for parts

 

[Red5]

Great build, always good to take your time and have exactly what you want in a van.

What is the material you used on the cab headlining? Looks like suede or alcantara.

Cheers

Red5

 

[TURK]

http://www.albert-jagger.co.uk/. Are good for parts

What a fantastic link that is motomartin A:

I spent ages looking at just about everything they have ..... better get my wallet out

The rail system idea is what I came up with also. Don't particularly want to router my floor though

As I can still access the side panels. I may put the 'anchoring points' there. At least I now know where I can get my security locks from. As they do the lockable paddle locks.


Cheers mate T:



TURK

 

[TURK]

Great build, always good to take your time and have exactly what you want in a van.

What is the material you used on the cab headlining? Looks like suede or alcantara.

Cheers

Red5

Thanks mate T:

The choice of materials you use is very important. It's particularly important when it comes to the wood you use in a conversion.
You can add 200 plus kilos to your van quiet easily if you don't do your homework. Of course strength and rigidity is also a factor, which is why I'm going to use visa spruce for the units, as opposed to 'normal' ply.

I know visa spruce is a ply as well, but the difference in weight is amazing, I have two 2ft square sections of each, and in comparison, the visa spruce is almost half the weight of the 'normal' ply. The normal ply is 15mm thick, and the visa spruce is 18mm thick. So that's the stuff I'll be using.

I'm not using the stretchy MVM carpet either, as you can't get it in black. I'm using the acoustic cloth for the interior.
As for the roof lining and various trim, I'm using faux suede. I did price up suede ( the real stuff ), but at £ 40 a square yard ........ that's simply outrageous !

Alacantra was even more expensive Those fabrics on seats are fine. As seats are high ware areas. But roof lining isn't. And to look at it, and feel it, the faux suede is just like the real thing





TURK

 

[motomartin]

If you really want to go hi strength low weight then this is the stuff to get.

Honeycomb panels - can be any thickness , lots of different faces - even CF, different core types too.



http://www.ambercomposites.com/cellite-metal-and-fiber-panels