johnnytheboy Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 I have went and done the craziest thing ever and bought the below old bus! The plan when funds allow is to convert it to an overland camper van like the American sprinter sports-mobiles. It's going to be a huge undertaking, my funds don't really allow projects like this so I'll be doing allot of it. It's 4x4 with selective 4 wheel drive and selective low ratio. I'll likely be able to complete the outside works this year and start fitting in things like heating water and electrics but the interior would be well into next year as that seems to be the costly bit. So it might be. Shoot bus for this coming season, I'm sure an optic could be fitted in the back for other guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian North Wales Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Would love to do this if I had the money, if you need any help try these guys http://www.rightwayconversions.co.uk/ I've seen there work and it's superb, I think good value too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Looks good to me if it was me I would get the dents in the side sorted and put some windows in it then have a good look around before you decide on what you want to do with it once you have done something you do not want to see something that you like better and have to pull it all out and start again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Just a comment from the totally ignorant. Think about the layout before you put the windows in. David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 (edited) Just a comment from the totally ignorant. Think about the layout before you put the windows in. David. That thought did go through my mind after I said it I have a friend who had a little Renalt camper it slept two people but it was a pain to fold down the seats so that you could make up the beds it would probably be a good idea to go and have a look around a dealers who sells campers to get a feel of what different layouts are like to live with may look good on paper but in real life it may well not work. and do not forget that you will need to leave space around the log burner so as not to catch the thing on fire. Edited March 17, 2017 by four-wheel-drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted March 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Dents are the priority, sorting them now I have a wee hit list this month Dents and paint Stonechip lower half under moulding Stonechip arches to look like wheel arch extensions Texture badge to match grilles and mouldings Mudflaps Remove bulkhead Scrub the full interior until it's shining Go fishing with a camp bed in the back so I can suss out the space inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Ventilation is essential. Not very pleasant but the amount of moisture created by a couple of sleeping people will soon mist up everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted March 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 That's the primary concern I haven't thought out, sprinter vans rot themselves inside out at the best of times never mind introducing insulation and a family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 (edited) Where I used to work they used sprinter vans to do deliveries and even though they did lots of miles every day they never seemed to have much trouble with them apart from the drivers knocking the wing mirrors off going down lanes. I did not now about the rust problem but then they changed them for new ones about every four years. Edited March 17, 2017 by four-wheel-drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted March 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Internal corrosion is more age related than mileage related, they bleed water through the body moulding clips into the internal sections, soon to be cured on mines! Hopefully mechanically mines will be ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveboy Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 A mate converted an old Ambulance ..Got nearly all his parts from a caravan he got cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 A mate converted an old Ambulance ..Got nearly all his parts from a caravan he got cheap. That thought was going through my head you can pick up a goodish caravan for next to nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirDread Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 Pick up a cheap caravan that has damp. Rip out the guts and scrap the rest. A lot cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 The vents they fit to dog vans work well apparently. I would have thought two in the roof of your Merc would do the trick. Maybe add a screened vent to a door if not ? One with a cover that can be closed if it's bloomin parky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted March 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 Ive thought about them, but the worry is that the are always venting so when it's cold heat would escape, I want to put a custom roof rack on like you would see on a safari Landrover. I was thinking today that one of the caravan style roof hatches that can be locked down might be handy, open it at night on hot days and close it when it's cold. A custom roof rack could be made to fit around it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 buildacampervan.com 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 Spray the interior the rubberised stuff they use on boats and stuff to stop condensation. Should protect the inside until you start the fit out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 sbmcc.co.uk all you need to know about doing your own. I've done a couple of day vans, that forum has been a gold mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 I built one about 7 years ago. Like others have said buy an old caravan, but make sure everything works, cooker fridge etc i was lucky i bought an ex Ptv ambulance took all the seats out. it was lined inside, had windows in already, i totaly rebuilt it, me and the wife, in less than eight weeks. Enjoyed doing the work, used the beds, the wardroab, toilet, electrics, sink and all the units. Stipped all the shell sold it for scrap. sold the base to someone to make a trailer. Why i went down the old caravan route was. the first thing i priced was a fridge. Scared me think around £400. i got the old caravan for less that £800. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 You will need plenty of ventilation, if you have a look at a caravan/motorhomes you will see underneath most the seats and in cupboards on the floor there are 3" holes with grills over them and then a cut out of the cupboard/seat into the main living area. These keeps the air moving but stops cold drafts. You will also notice the roof vents are double skinned and have an air gap to let the air move. The recommendation of using an old caravan is a great one, you can pick up relatively new caravans but riddled with damp for silly money when you consider what you get. It is very easy to get carried away, i would go have a look at some professional conversions for inspiration....dont tell them you are building your own though you will get a lot better service if they think they will flog you something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted April 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2017 On going progress! Just what every 4x4 van needs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted April 8, 2017 Report Share Posted April 8, 2017 You planning a waterproof camper interior to need a snorkel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyh Posted April 9, 2017 Report Share Posted April 9, 2017 Sbmcc. Com as mentioned earlier. Absolute gold mine of information. Also handy for when you tell dvla that it's now a camper ( let's you go faster) I converted a Vito a few years ago. Custom rock n roll beds can be obtained fairly cheaply off eBay. The rest is simple cabinet making, the key is keeping it all fairly light. Trickiest parts are heating and gas. Electrics are fun but fairly straightforward. Don't forget a gas dropout! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2sledge Posted April 9, 2017 Report Share Posted April 9, 2017 you said you were going to put a water heater in i would,t bother i put one in my peugeot boxer and have never used it and we have been all over the place for up to three weeks at a time but do put a toilet in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted April 9, 2017 Report Share Posted April 9, 2017 Have a look at some stuff called Buzzweld for coating your panels. It gets great reviews on the Land-Rover forum that I'm on, and the proprietor, Craig is very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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