Panel van advice sought (2 Viewers)

[Terry]

We should swop for a few days Jim I like doing vans but hate gardening
terry

 

[scotjimland]

We should swop for a few days Jim I like doing vans but hate gardening
terry

You can come to Scotland and help once I get started .. .. :thumb:

handy site with panel van specs .. Campervan Life | Camper Van information and online community

with some info on the different merc models

 

[dazzer]

Hi Jim

What do you think of converting a bus ?? You know the hop on-off type (not a double decker!!! ). They are good for zillions of miles, have a good payload, lots of windows and a big door!! Usually running bulletproof engines and transmissions amd well maintained (but high mileage which goes with the territory!!!).

Never seen one done but bet they would convert really well :thumb:

How about this

Link Removed

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[scotjimland]

Hi Jim

What do you think of converting a bus ?? You know the hop on-off type (not a double decker!!! ). They are good for zillions of miles, have a good payload, lots of windows and a big door!! Usually running bulletproof engines and transmissions amd well maintained (but high mileage which goes with the territory!!!).

Never seen one done but bet they would convert really well :thumb:

How about this

Link Removed

Nice coach, make a great conversion .. but far toooo big.. done big now want small
I'm thinking around 7mt .. merc panel van pre 98 .. somthing like this ..

 

[pappajohn]

you could always buy 'the Beast' off roger....:thumb:

 

[scotjimland]

you could always buy 'the Beast' off roger....:thumb:

I said I wanted a project .. not a headache

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[superk]

Hi Jim

Don't know how much you're thinking of spending but don't ignore Link Removed usually plenty on there and some already converted.


Keith

 

[pudseykeith]

Nice coach, make a great conversion .. but far toooo big.. done big now want small
I'm thinking around 7mt .. merc panel van pre 98 .. somthing like this ..

Hi Jim
Your picy is the same model that we converted exept ours has a side loading door. They are grate to drive. We also fitted sound insulation on the cab floor and fire wall.

Pudseykeith. :thumb:

 

[lugnutt]

hi Jim i had one of these ,loved it but it was very noisy in the cab ok if ya weren't talking to her at the time

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[Terry]

Morning Jim your pic shows the van I had in mind for you :thumb: The hard bit now is finding one and deciding layout. :thumb:
Panel vans are nice and easy straight forward to convert, (unlike ambulances,lots to rip out and play with,but also lots in there favour :thumb:) We have quite a few places to sauce new parts quite cheaply around this neck of the woods,O'learys being a one stop for all your needs--bring empty van,money and return home with full van ready to start your conversion -:thumb: or you can get a caravan and use that as a starting point then search around for the other bits you will need
I can let you know a very good plus cheap upholsterer ( in my village ) and a place to get made to measure doors cheaper than you can make them if you need them.Every thing else we made so not a lot of use to you, only advise :thumb:The ambulance was our 5th conversion so getting good at overcoming the little niggles now Remember you are not botching, but modifying :thumb:
terry

 

[scotjimland]

'morning Terry

it's a good few months off yet so there is plenty of time to chew over a few ideas ..

I have a fairly good idea of what I want, what do you think ?

Equipment>

1. 12v dc compressor fridge
2. 300 - 400 ah battery bank
3. Solar panels.. 120 x 2
4. Victron 70a charger/inverter as fitted to George
5. Water tank. 150 - 200lt
6. One refillable gas cylinder + space for another if needed
7. Eldespacher (sp) heater , do they so a combi unit for how water and heating ?
8. 3 / 4 burner gas hob, no oven, s/s sink combined unit
9. 'wet' shower/toilet room, preferably with a s/s funnel shaped floor, centre drain with duck board on top. s/s sink unit
10. 2kw genny ( already have)
11. Lighting all LED
12. Windows
Small window at each end of fixed bed , high level
Small window above sink , high level
Roof light in toilet


Layout

1. High level Rear fixed bed with under storage space, possible fit water tank here
2. L shaped front diner that converts to single bed
3. Rear bulkhead wall with space behind for storage of cables, hoses etc with access through rear doors.

thats about it so far .. much depends on size of van

Jim

 

[vwalan]

sounds about right. have you read the travel van book by john speed isbn 99920-1-158-0 he built one on the 4x4 814 merc its very interesting. gives you all the dimensions etc. personally not so keen on the eberspacher. prefer catalitic heater ,instantanious water heater. you know the pitfalls of most things i,m sure. i also prefer a box to a van ,nice n square easier to work with. build in a crawl through keep the tippingcab easier servicing. i,m sure you will have lots of fun in the build. i did one last year on a daf prison truck for a friend the walls are already insulated we finished them in a duraflake resin flick type finish ,wipe clean n good even in shower. he lives in fort william look out for a bright purple daf . have fun .

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[Terry]

Afternoon Jim Don't try to get that lot in a 3 1/2 toner
compressor fridges are a lot more -size for size - consider 3 way-you can get a 100ltr for £400 ish
that's a big battery bank ?? will you need that now ??
also solar pans ???
charger/ inverter if needed??? see above
water tanks 150 ltr again do you need that size ?? we have 2 x 75 ltr - clean and waste-lasts us about 4 days ish
cooker /sink :thumb: but we like full size one
Edespacher dual water and heating - too new IMO prefer individual units--cheaper too
windows yep need them but again large heiki roof for £200 instead of 450 :thumb:

lay out we love ours :thumb: but again you choice.
terry

 

[vwalan]

hi terry ,i think he,s looking at 7.5 ton (814)i use a household fridge .if you have the panels n batts its ok. get the panels when you see them cheap. need the pound to rise again. i think jim has it about right with his plans n price .could be a bit tight for space though .there is quite alot of room under floor for tanks etc. best go to the warmth in winter they dont freeze in the sahara.hurry up jim it,ll soon be winter . cant do much here after sept. too wet n cold.

 

[Terry]

Hi Alan, it all depends on how he is going to use the van now he is not living / full time It could be a case of over kill -- Jim will probably need to visit a site every couple of days to empty the loo,something he may not have thought about ?
We kept everything on 12v in ours so no need for inverters, and I got truma gas heater and truma water heater for £500 for the pair saving quite a lot, plus having individual units in case one goes tits up.I must admit though the instant water heater appealed to me but SWMBO said it did not look neat I had to let her have a little of her own way
terry

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[scotjimland]

Hi guys

I'm trying to get away from LPG addiction

I want to run on either diesel or 12v leccy .. so 12v fridge , eberspacher heater,( jury still out on combi or seperate units) , large battery bank and solar.

LPG just for hob .. 11kg bottle would last months

I'm thinking long trips to places where lpg isn't readily available, enough water for 3 - 4 days ( she likes her showers oh wildd camping and non ehu aires .. so self sufficient ..

Fixed bed a must, hence layout,

jim

 

[Terry]

Forgot to mention the whole of the inside work only took about 3 weeks / 15 days from start to finish :thumb: Started October finished and on trial run for my 50th on nov 2 nd
terry

 

[Terry]

Hi Jim,make sure you get a van that is wide enough for a 6 ft plus fixed bed or it will eat into the room :thumb: and compromise your layout. We toyed with the idea of fixed bed but decided on twin 6 ft 6 ins singles (one permanent and one takes less than 1 min to fix up) with the option of 6 ft 6 ins sq bed :thumb: The only thing I would change is to have the fridge about 2 ft off the ground:thumb: but this would have meant losing worktop space and I thought of moving the boiler under the bed instead of in the cnr cupboard.( a very tight place to work on it )
terry

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[Sundowners]

We have done two conversions in the past and as has already been said, the costs mount up, that's why this time we went for ready made, but if you are looking for a project, why not??

It's a shame you aren't ready to go with it now, as we came across a 2008, 26-28ish' caravan which has rolled onto it's side, on it's maiden voyage. There's no obvious damage to cabinets inside, but the roof has come away from the side panel on the near side, no moisture as been stored in barn. The cushions still have the plastic on and everything is as new, including the automatic charge regulator panel, you know all the bumph that's in a new tugger. The guy is looking for about £1,000.00. We don't think the chassis is damaged.

It's a shame we are not in the market for this, but it would certainly help someone who is thinking of using it as a donar for a selfbuild.

Anyone interested, please send us pm.

Nigel and Pamala

 

[Pat4Neil]

Hi All

It sounds interesting as we are doing a self build in 2 years time.

We will be using an army truck, I think the 1017 is in favour at the moment.
Pre 1987, its a flat bed, but has the three point torsion control thing. (sorry not the expert) Neil knows more, I have been bleeding at the ears hearing about this project.

Ours will have to be 4 x 4 as we want to do some serious travelling. With the habitation cabin built it will be no longer than our present motorhome which is 7.15metres long.

We are gathering as much info as possible. We have met people who actually dont have LPG in their conversions, and have an electric hob, which runs of inverters and a big bank of batteries. We were thinking about going for the Webasto or Espacher system. We were hoping to keep it under 7.5 ton, but I think its going to be at least 9 ton, maybe more with my shoes in

Neil is going to take his HGV licence this year in preparation for it.

We were thinking of trying to have a roof that raises with the bed in that part, similar to UNICAT ones, but this is going to take a lot of accurate engineering and building. We may have to re adjust that wish nearer the time. It only gives us 5metres or so inside the habitation side a bit tight for long haul travelling.


On our travels we have seen quite a lot of the Merc panel vans used, I think they just keep on running, so if you spend some time or kitting one out I dont think you can go wrong.

Regards Pat and Neil

 

[Pat4Neil]

Hi sorry just thought of something else.

Jim I would carry as much water as you can, we have two tanks on our motorhome and when your wild camping or of the beaten track it has been invaluable.

We also have a semi marine toilet and can carry 100 litres or so of crap. We try not to go to the limit for obvious reasons.

But in Greece this year we were a little stuck as we did a lot of wild camping, and had to decant 4 loads of via a Thetford cassette when we found somewhere suitable to offload.
1 thetford cassetteis not enough in our opinion, I know some people carry two cassettes. I think RV toilets are like the semi marine ones, but you would know more about that.

Regards Pat

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[scotjimland]

Hi sorry just thought of something else.

Jim I would carry as much water as you can, we have two tanks on our motorhome and when your wild camping or of the beaten track it has been invaluable.

We also have a semi marine toilet and can carry 100 litres or so of crap. We try not to go to the limit for obvious reasons.

But in Greece this year we were a little stuck as we did a lot of wild camping, and had to decant 4 loads of via a Thetford cassette when we found somewhere suitable to offload.
1 thetford cassetteis not enough in our opinion, I know some people carry two cassettes. I think RV toilets are like the semi marine ones, but you would know more about that.

Regards Pat

Hi Pat

benefits of the black tank we have is that it can last almost two weeks.. but to empty it you need to find a drive over dump , macerate it or use a waste hog ....

benefits of a cassette loo is that it can be dumped more easily, even in a public loo .. but obviously more frequently .. if you have a black tank you need to carry a waste hog, not so easily dumped as a cassette and it's another bit of kit to find a place for..

on balance, for the type of van I'm planning a cassette makes more sense ..

I thought about ( and still am) a 4x4 camper like a Unimog , great bit of kit but too specialised for day to day camping , juicy to run and don't give a very comfortable ride .. I want something that can go to most places (within reason) but still useful for w/e trips and holidays around the UK and Europe.. If I were planning a once in a life time trip to India or China then the Mog would be the tool..

I'm really looking forward to planning and building this camper and look forward to hearing how your plans are progressing .. we may have different ideas about our 'ideal' van.. but the fitting out will be very similar .. low dependence on LPG, large water tank(s) , solar power, long range fuel tank etc etc

jim

 

[Terry]

How many people Jim ? if it is 3 you could easy manage in a ambulance type vehicle. A lot more work but also a lot more benefits :thumb::thumb:
terry

 

[Pat4Neil]

Hi Jim,

The world would be a boring place if we all thought the same.

Our Semi marine tank is great you just use one of those cassette to decant it off, or like the RV you can drive over and dump it, but in practice not many places suitable for that.

Good Luck

Regards Pat

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[scotjimland]

How many people Jim ? if it is 3 you could easy manage in a ambulance type vehicle. A lot more work but also a lot more benefits :thumb::thumb:
terry

Yes three.. why is it more work , do you mean stripping out ? and what are the benefits ?
blues and twos

 

[vwalan]

if you are into long haul on off road 6.5 ton is a minimum requirement.my lt carried 500ltr of diesel. soon tobe the same on mitzy.toilet emptying is easy dig a deep hole. i also use a birken field water filter ceramic with silver inlay. made by doultons . dont use it much but i think important if going wild.have you looked at diesel cookers quite popular on boats i,m told. must say never driven any where i couldnt get gas. need more info.do carry n use a volcano kettle when in the wild saves gas.build a shallowwater tank on roof if its hot so is the water .i dont think jim needs a camper he wants a real expedition vehicle .

 

[Bulletguy]

I'm looking ahead to the day when I either buy a ready converted camper van or do my own conversion .. I know what I want.. I want basic engineering .. something a blacksmith can repair.. so probably pre 1998 ?

Bullet proof diesel engine.

Walk though height, LWB with Twin back wheels
Readily available spares throughout Europe and beyond
Reliable ..

I'm thinking either Iveco, Ford or Merc .. but leaning toward a Merc .. and if so , what models are available , what lemons are to be avoided ?
Is turbo a must or are normal aspirated engines more reliable ?

Any advice much appreciated

Jim

Has to be a Transit. Not simply because i have one, but i have had the experience of breaking down in a foreign country.

Spares are plentiful throughout many european countries, plus all Ford spares are dirt cheap. Plenty of Transits also around in breakers yards. One in my locality has a regular customer for any Transit parts. Arrives in a lwb Transit towing trailer as well.....all the way from Poland. Most of the electrical parts they refurbish, and sell 'em back into the uk!

Go for direct injection 2.5 as opposed to the turbo. Thats real basic engineering and the engine and box are literally 'bullet proof'.....plus more mpg with direct injection and no fancy 'fly by wire' electronics to go wrong. And yes, even a Blacksmith could repair one!

Mercs are very nice.......but i keep thinking about that poor guy who had to shell out £11 grand for a new engine after just 50k miles. Something even a £100 'banger' is more than capable of.

So ok, the 'snoots' can sneer all they like at common Transits. But who is having the last laugh when breaking down in some obscure foreign country? All too often i read threads on here where some poor soul has the misfortune to break down in Spain or France (hardly 'off the beaten track'), or maybe something as simple as a tyre blowout, only to find they either have to have the spare shipped in from the USA, or the tyre is 'not standard' so struggle to find a supplier.

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[scotjimland]

.have you looked at diesel cookers quite popular on boats i,m told. .

Hi
never heard a good report about diesel cookers .. so I'll stick with gas .. cooking uses very little, it's heating water and the interior that uses a lot.

you're right, I do want an expedition van .. maybe not a full blown 4x4 though .. but fully independent and able to survive without an ehu .. seen quite a few Merc vans in Moroc .. met a guy who had one and fell in love with it .. wish I knew his name or if he was on a forum.. he had done a lovely job of converting it ..

 

[vwalan]

give us a colour or part name know most of the travellers . diff lock is what is needed wish mine had one .you can get along way with 2wd we go up dardes n down todra most think we are mad .we know we are. most with 4x4 dont seem to really use it especially as the vehicle gets bigger .i find even mine gets about anywhere better than some as it bends on the tight turns. was the chap you saw english?

 

[scotjimland]

was the chap you saw english?

Yeah.. white Merc van, wife's name I think was Netty ( Annette ? ) ... bout mid 50s .. was on the Jan 07 DD tour ..

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