Mercedes vario self builds..... anyone on here done one?

Northernraider

Northernraider

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Interested in seeing any self builds or campers based on the merc vario panel van ....minibus based ones would be interesting too but mainly van builds.

Anyone built one?
 
There was a member on here doing one but he sadly passed away a few years ago, it was quite a detailed build. Just can't remember his name.
 
If you pay for my 7.5t license I'll happily do one for you!!

Lovely van, simple, strong, reliable engine. Nice.

Cheers James
 
Jamesh said:
If you pay for my 7.5t license I'll happily do one for you!!

Lovely van, simple, strong, reliable engine. Nice.

Cheers James
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I dont need someone to do one for me lol
Im planning to build one over yhe summer ...just wondered if anyone on here had done one previously.

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I'd love to do a Vario build. Maybe at some point...

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Love it!!

If only my license would allow it!!

Cheers James
 
I was going to buy a Vario but not a former minibus, too many windows down the sides, much prefer the standard van with no windows, imagine the condensation in winter with those, especially as Tam lives in it.
 
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Might be of use....
 
CazPaul said:
I was going to buy a Vario but not a former minibus, too many windows down the sides, much prefer the standard van with no windows, imagine the condensation in winter with those, especially as Tam lives in it.
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Yes i dont want a bus ...panel van for me possibly 1 window either side directly behind the cab but thats it.
 
Jamesh said:
<Broken link removed>
Might be of use....
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Yeah ive read that ... sadly the guy died before finishing it.

But that said it was on a bus and from what i seen of the build so far it wasn't my style
 
What are Vario's like for rust? If anything like Sprinters I don't think I would want to entertain one (newer Sprinters are OK since they galvanized them a few years ago).

I don't like donner caravans being used on self builds, cheap but always looks like a bodge, I don't think Tam would do that.
 
Lenny HB said:
What are Vario's like for rust? If anything like Sprinters I don't think I would want to entertain one (newer Sprinters are OK since they galvanized them a few years ago).

I don't like donner caravans being used on self builds, cheap but always looks like a bodge, I don't think Tam would do that.
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They do get rust thats for sure ....but some are affected more than others and seems to be lower 6 inch side panels.

But that said the chassis is independent of the shell and ive not seen any yet with rotten chassis etc ...they dont have steel floors like conventional vans and the engines are bombproof ... and of course the 6 or 7.5 tonne chassis makes them a different league.

Overall size too is almost the same as my hymer ...the long and high im after is 7050 L. 2990H and 2250W


Not going down the caravan route ....i plan to build from scratch and it will all be brand new appliances etc ....and doing it properly.

At present im allowing 25 -30k total for the project

Hoping to get a base van for around £10k. Hopefully between 2003 and 2008 7 seat crewvan

And then 15 -20 to build it

5k will likely be spent on just the electrics

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Lenny HB said:
What are Vario's like for rust? If anything like Sprinters I don't think I would want to entertain one (newer Sprinters are OK since they galvanized them a few years ago).

I don't like donner caravans being used on self builds, cheap but always looks like a bodge, I don't think Tam would do that.
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Sorry i edited that last post while you were reading it 😁 ill be bending your ear nearer the time for electrics advice but my thoughts for now is a full victron set up bar the actual batteries and the solar panels.
 
Lenny HB said:
What are Vario's like for rust? If anything like Sprinters I don't think I would want to entertain one (newer Sprinters are OK since they galvanized them a few years ago).

I don't like donner caravans being used on self builds, cheap but always looks like a bodge, I don't think Tam would do that.
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You haven't seen mine!

With a bit of thought you can do a good job imho.

Cheers James
 
Northernraider said:
Sorry i edited that last post while you were reading it 😁 ill be bending your ear nearer the time for electrics advice but my thoughts for now is a full victron set up bar the actual batteries and the solar panels.
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At £5k I'm guessing LiFePO4?

If so, I use a Votronic 90a B2B, with everything else Victron (apart from batteries).

Can't recommend the setup enough. Just fit & forget, I rarely ever check the levels now.

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