Library bus project

[seabreezesports]

After lurking on this site getting tips I thought it time to share my project .
Started a year and a half ago when work was slack. We have a 7m motor home but found it cramped when away for several weeks + I wanted to take a quad bike to visit those small town in

which the motorhome was difficult to park.

This was how she came . Only 6000miles on the clock maintained by the council so mechanically sound

 

[scotjimland]

Started a year and a half ago when work was slack.

haven't done much then.. except read all the books ..

where are the latest pics ?

 

[JJ]

Well, you will at least have somewhere to put your Kindle.

(Good luck with the project... I always wanted to do the same but never got hold of a used library van.)

JJ

 

[Terry]

ANY more pics ? finished van ?
terry

 

[Bluestar]

Yes updates would be great.

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[seabreezesports]

Ok some more Just as a tease

It did come with it's own loo so half way to a motor home.

Chop and lowering the rear chassis to get the quad bike in .

 

[Jaws]

I thought this was gonna be an appeal for books !!

 

[seabreezesports]

Shhh Quiet please

 

[Carol]

Is it work in progress or near completion, looks as if it will mark a very roomy motorhome

 

[jongood]

I like your idea of priorities.

I wish I could persuade SWMBO that room for the quad bike comes before kichen or beds.

Please keep posting photos. Looking forwrd to seeing progress.

Jon

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[seabreezesports]

Steel work done for the quad

Now for the slide out

Internals of the slide out 2.2m x .8m x 1.8m. Electrically powered and well over built.

 

[colinw]

You didn't say you were going to get all complicated ! , I thought you were going to throw some books in and head off into the sunset !
Seriously , its great watching skilled people do these projects , keep the pics coming .

 

[DBK]

Steel work done for the quad

Now for the slide out

Internals of the slide out 2.2m x .8m x 1.8m. Electrically powered and well over built.

Ah, a library extension! So, won't be limited to 4 books.

 

[seabreezesports]

Slide skinned

Internal view

The 2 windows where changed for a single large window.

 

[Terry]

Is it finished completely now or using and still to complete?
terry

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[Viennese]

 

[gus-lopez]

Very nice. We had a converted laundry van in '84 based on Leyland FG 450. As JJ said a library van always appealed to me . Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to do anything like that over here.

 

[Wildman]

Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to do anything like that over here.

Why; do they not have electricity?

 

[GWAYGWAY]

'KING heavy though isn't it. Is it 17 tonned gross? It would be a nightmare to drive in the UK lanes.
What is the Licence requirement full HGV?

 

[seabreezesports]

At present it is all most ready for the road . Needs a break in the weather for painting. The ceiling and floor won't be done until I have had a couple of shake down trips as thing may change.
Gross is a 10 tonne chassis but I am down plating to 7.5 so the wife can drive . UK lanes are fine . I have run 6 wheelers delivering farm equipment all over Devon/ Cornwall . Just need OS maps and not electronic gimmicks

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[dixo]

The settee looks like it fits ok
Great job your doing
Peter in barnstaple!!!!

 

[seabreezesports]

Rear bulk head . The ply in the foreground is the end of the kitchen

Slide out on the right

Cooker is Gas hob electric oven . Fridge is 240v only Sink and work surface will be on the rh of the door Space above the fridge is for the microwave . I carry 4 x 110 amp leisure batteries running 24v 200 amp alternator and an inverter rated at 2kw 100% 4kw peak + a 3kw generator . No point in having a truck if you don't load it .

 

[TUCANO]

It would scare me to death, well done so far

 

[UK Pete]

Blooming amazing, i really enjoy watching your progress
pete

 

[gus-lopez]

Why; do they not have electricity?

If only it was that simple!
Any extras' you want to add to a vehicle, or modifications,have to be fitted by a "licensed" installer. One who can supply the all important piece of paper that allows you to homologate everything. I.E installation of tow bars , driving lights, bullbars, bike racks , rear boxes ,alloy wheels,etc; etc; have to be installed by said person & then you can add them to the registration document.
I went into this in great detail & learned an awful lot over the last couple of years & Modifying a panel van is possible yourself but difficult. Most people do it & then have it reclassified as "turismo vivienda" , basically house on wheels. Reason for doing is that a 10 year old van requires an mot every 6 months. Reclassified it reverts to each year ? Additionally the value doubles ?? Some of it defies belief .
Another point is that a panel van " furgon" without windows is legally restricted to the same speed as HGV's on the motorways & other roads. Once changed to a turismo vivienda it can now cruise legally the same as cars.
As an aside what in the UK would be a panel van with windows is a " mixto adaptable" here & would have seats in the back ( You cannot have seats in rear without windows-illegal) These are not restricted to hgv speed but are same as cars ??
It may be possible to convert something similar here but would be an minefield.
It is certainly possible with non-medical ambulances . i. e patient transport & they are ideal if you can get hold of a decent one as they come with dual air cond; rear heating,dual charging systems, leisure battery system for rear functions .As well as normally being equipped with a complete grp lined rear interior which is an excellent basis for conversion.
Ambulances that are for medical use , i.e. accidents & equipped as such etc; cannot be sold for anything other than that use. If you bought one personally , which you could , you wouldn't actually be able to a) insure it, b) drive it , c) convert it or d) change its use.

It is the one thing that if I had known about in advance of moving here might well have put a spanner in the works. For some one who has always built/modified his own vehicles the restrictions are , to me , extremely depressing.

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[Momo]

Blooming amazing, i really enjoy watching your progress
pete

Me too!

 

[seabreezesports]

The body is 18mm double skinned marine ply. Unfortunately a rubbing strip was added at the factory but the retaining bolt not sealed. The water ran down the sides , behind the strip and soaked into the wood . All the lower panels where scrap . A job I had not anticipated 90% of the blue is scrap on both sides

Lower sides stripped The front is waiting for the door but the side widow need the last panel removing to give room. Red tank is 170l fuel . There is 100l on the other side of the truck . White is grey water

Door and lower panel fitter . the panel under the window had to be changes as water had got in . Square at the front is just a storage box for the jack and wheel brace.

 

[jongood]

Wow!!!

Im loving these photos. Would love to do it but know that I would not have the time, skill or patience.

Jon

 

[seabreezesports]

I would do it again . I like the heavy stuff it is the small finishing which drives me up the wall

One side ready for smoothing and spraying

 

[voyagerstan]

Nice one been useing mine for 7 years now its based on ford cargo . 60000 kilometers when ibought it . Good to see someone else converting one . STAN

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