Library bus project

seabreezesports

seabreezesports

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Dec 23, 2012
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I,m a newbie
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
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which the motorhome was difficult to park.

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This was how she came . Only 6000miles on the clock maintained by the council so mechanically sound
 
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 :cool:
 
ANY more pics ? finished van ?
terry
 
Yes updates would be great. :)

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I thought this was gonna be an appeal for books !!
 
Is it work in progress or near completion, looks as if it will mark a very roomy motorhome :Smile:
 
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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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 . (y)
 
Is it finished completely now or using and still to complete?
terry

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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.:cry:
 
'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?
 
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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The settee looks like it fits ok
Great job your doing
Peter in barnstaple!!!!
 
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Rear bulk head . The ply in the foreground is the end of the kitchen
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Slide out on the right
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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 .
 
Blooming amazing, i really enjoy watching your progress
pete
 
Wildman said:
Why; do they not have electricity?
Click to expand...

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 ??:LOL:
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.:cry:

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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
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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
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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.
 
Wow!!!

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

Jon
 
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
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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 . (y) STAN

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