Big bear done and dusted ready for maiden voyage (1 Viewer)

Dec 12, 2020
53
93
Funster No
78,445
MH
Van conversion
Exp
I'm a newbie
Sorry for delay with updates on my self build but everything is done and dusted, I sent photos of to dvla and got van classified as a motor caravan, ( think I got it passed due to stupid stickers on out side making sure that it was clearly identifiable as a campervan) took me two weeks to discover small gas leak was coming from my manometer hose and not the gas appliances or the pipeline.

Anyways as I said all done and dusted and a special thanks to some of you guys on here for you help on the electrical side your input was much appreciated. I have attached some photos but personally I don't think they do van justice.<Broken link removed>I have 300w solar panel fitted to roof, gasit underslung LPG tank, diesel heater and mobile broadband

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Jamesh

Free Member
Jun 28, 2020
2,200
3,839
Funster No
72,388
MH
Van conversion
Exp
Caravaning since 2010
Nice job I particularly like how you have presumably used caravan doors and painted/ laminated the insets.

Well done!

Cheers James
 
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OP
Tonydom
Dec 12, 2020
53
93
Funster No
78,445
MH
Van conversion
Exp
I'm a newbie
Van belonged to a local plasterer before I bought it so you can imagine the amount of dried in plaster and roughcast I had to chip away lol but it had full service history and low mileage so I took a chance on it
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Tonydom
Dec 12, 2020
53
93
Funster No
78,445
MH
Van conversion
Exp
I'm a newbie
Yes I looked at fitting the shiny furniture board doors but the wife wanted something with a bit more character to it so I bought the doors second hand, took me weeks to rub them down then paint them,I'm lucky to have a compressor so I spayed doors several times with thin coat, I built all the cupboards by hand and covered them with a good quality faux leather.

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Tonydom
Dec 12, 2020
53
93
Funster No
78,445
MH
Van conversion
Exp
I'm a newbie
To anyone reading this and thinking of doing their own builds go for it. I have no trade, I'm just your plain old DIYer, I have done everything on my own except make the seating covers, I've had loads of help from some of the guys on here and done a fair bit of reading and research. So don't be put of if you put the effort in I'm sure you will get good results out.
 
Feb 16, 2020
483
1,463
Portugal
Funster No
68,790
MH
Dethleffs Globetrott
Exp
Newbie
Absolutely fabulous job, well done, congrats and we hope you have many years of happy, safe and fun times in the Big Bear!

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Dec 6, 2011
11,470
25,066
South Wales
Funster No
19,136
MH
Coach built Adria
Exp
Since 2007
Looks great and I have no doubt that when you sit looking at your efforts on that sunny evening with a glass in your hand you will have a smug smile on your face.

Nice one.
 
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Tonydom
Dec 12, 2020
53
93
Funster No
78,445
MH
Van conversion
Exp
I'm a newbie
Regarding the toilet roll I have already be told of from the wife personally I had no idea there was aright way and a wrong way to hang loo roll 😂😂

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Zoobec

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 11, 2020
668
2,445
Funster No
74,270
MH
Peugeot Boxer PVC
Exp
Newbie
It looks fantastic (y)
 
Aug 14, 2021
66
130
Stoke-on-Trent, UK
Funster No
83,432
MH
Merc Van Conversion
Exp
I'm a Newbie
To anyone reading this and thinking of doing their own builds go for it. I have no trade, I'm just your plain old DIYer, I have done everything on my own except make the seating covers, I've had loads of help from some of the guys on here and done a fair bit of reading and research. So don't be put of if you put the effort in I'm sure you will get good results out.
Hi.
I have recently at the beginning of the year brought a van to convert, looking at your van it looks very good and you have put a lot of effort into it.
Now due to some issues I did not get started on my van until mid Feb 2021 and can only work on it at weekends due to me being away throughout the week working, how long did it take you to get from start to finish.
Buy the way, I love the bear 🐻 motif that is what all my friends call me the big bear..
The photos look great too, well done and did you keep a journal of your build with photos and have you put a cost sheet together so you know how much the conversion has cost overall?
Be interested to see the photos and the cost.
 
Dec 25, 2015
1,407
28,686
Nelson New Zealand
Funster No
40,848
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
Since 1998
What a transformation. Well done. I spotted the problem with the toilet roll too, but knowing that you have put it right means I will be able to sleep tonight. You have put it right, haven't you?

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Grummyb

Free Member
Dec 31, 2020
714
2,205
Corby
Funster No
78,662
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since about 2013
I think that's 1 of the best convertions I've seen well done you
 
Jul 4, 2017
969
2,831
Newton Stewart, UK
Funster No
49,338
MH
Autotrail Imala 615
Exp
Since 2000
Regarding the toilet roll I have already be told of from the wife personally I had no idea there was aright way and a wrong way to hang loo roll 😂😂
Leave it as it is, it is the right way round.

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OP
Tonydom
Dec 12, 2020
53
93
Funster No
78,445
MH
Van conversion
Exp
I'm a newbie
Hi.
I have recently at the beginning of the year brought a van to convert, looking at your van it looks very good and you have put a lot of effort into it.
Now due to some issues I did not get started on my van until mid Feb 2021 and can only work on it at weekends due to me being away throughout the week working, how long did it take you to get from start to finish.
Buy the way, I love the bear 🐻 motif that is what all my friends call me the big bear..
The photos look great too, well done and did you keep a journal of your build with photos and have you put a cost sheet together so you know how much the conversion has cost overall?
Be interested to see the photos and the cost.
Hi sorry for delay been away for a week sadly not in the van, it took me approx 6 month working on it around 4/5 days a week it sounds long but it was over the winter period and up here in Scotland
it can be dark at 3:30 pm and then not light to around 9am then the cold and rain as I was doing all the work in my shed or in my van, periodically I took pics of the build as I went along mostly of preparing the van cutting out windows etc and of the furniture being built.
 
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OP
Tonydom
Dec 12, 2020
53
93
Funster No
78,445
MH
Van conversion
Exp
I'm a newbie
I think that's 1 of the best convertions I've seen well done you
Thank you so much but I have seen better but then again it's all down to personal taste not to mention the budget you are working with

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