Mercedes vario self builds..... anyone on here done one? (1 Viewer)

[Northernraider]

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?

 

[bigtree]

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.

 

[Jamesh]

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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[Peter and Julie]

If you pay for my 7.5t license I'll happily do one for you!!

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

Cheers James

That sounds like a good deal?

 

[Northernraider]

If you pay for my 7.5t license I'll happily do one for you!!

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

Cheers James

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.

 

[Driventemple]

Highly readable with some good ideas.
Amazon product ASIN 9992011580

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[CazPaul]

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.

Peter he was called, a very skilled engineer think his username was Listerdiesel

 

[bigtree]

Peter he was called, a very skilled engineer think his username was Listerdiesel

Thats him.

 

[tacr2man]

Northernraider 4x4 tasty

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[Wissel]

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

 

[Northernraider]

Northernraider 4x4 tasty

Yeah but the 4x4 are craaaaazy money and to be honest i don't need one really

A 2 wheel drive approx 15 years old with over 100k is gonna cost me circa £10k as it is before converting ....

 

[Chipster]

These guys built on a Vario.

Custard

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[Northernraider]

These guys built on a Vario.

Custard

Yeah i follow quite a few on youtube and instagram already ....

 

[Jamesh]

Love it!!

If only my license would allow it!!

Cheers James

 

[Two on Tour]

Northernraider have you seen this one on YouTube ?

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[CazPaul]

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.

 

[jongood]

I know somebody with one supervario ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Yeah but the 4x4 are craaaaazy money and to be honest i don't need one really

Think of all the places you could get to and they would never be able to get to you to move you on.

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[Jamesh]

<Broken link removed>
Might be of use....

 

[Northernraider]

Northernraider have you seen this one on YouTube ?

Yes ive seen that one

 

[Northernraider]

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.

Yes i dont want a bus ...panel van for me possibly 1 window either side directly behind the cab but thats it.

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[Northernraider]

Think of all the places you could get to and they would never be able to get to you to move you on.

I know but you're talking 30k+ for just a van and thats approx 15 years old

Too rich for me

 

[Northernraider]

<Broken link removed>
Might be of use....

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

 

[Lenny HB]

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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[Northernraider]

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.

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

 

[Northernraider]

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.

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.

 

[Mr porky]

Northernraider 4x4 tasty

I wonder if he wraps his cups in t towels

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[Northernraider]

I wonder if he wraps his cups in t towels

Yeah ive seen that ...its pretty impressive

 

[Jamesh]

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.

You haven't seen mine!

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

Cheers James

 

[Wissel]

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.

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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