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Nov 30, 2018 19:05:23 GMT
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Hi all
having recently sold my CLC I needed a reliable, 8 seater winter vehicle that could be a van,tow vehicle,people carrier and comfortable every day hack.
I have converted quite a few of these to campers over the years but of late they have been hard to source with most succumbing to rust, abuse and generally wearing out.
I came across this one on the bay of e, a japanese import with 90k miles on her. Shes a 2.2 turbo diesel auto,full time 4 wheel drive, with air con,hot and cold box etc.
She came with quite a few issues, some of which I have already sorted.The interior,whilst being essentially unworn was filthy with mould growing on the seats,head lining and even the windows. The power steering went on holiday every time it rained and you went through a puddle and the front suspension knocks its tits off.
On the good side, she starts on the button,barley turning over before bursting in to life, she has never been welded and is incredibly solid underneath.
So far I have spent a full day on the interior with the wet can and most of the trim has come up really well.I have freed of the recirculation cable on the heating so she doesn't steam up constantly.
The intermittent power steering was just a very slack belt but this took some proper sorting as the adjuster pulley was completely seized. The belt is the original Toyota belt and is like new even at 24 years old!.
Next jobs are to give her a service,change the transmission oil,fit a new thermostat and check out the front suspension.
Cheers - mike
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Nov 30, 2018 18:38:40 GMT
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hi all
has been a steady week on the build as I'm waiting for parts to arrive.
The main bits are here now just waiting on the fridge,swivel seat base and a revised rock and roll bed.
This camper will not have any gas installed as the hob will be an induction one and powered by in inverter. I ran a trial earlier today and things went well.
I should make some major progress next week once I have all the bits in place.
Cheers - mike
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Nov 26, 2018 16:41:06 GMT
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Had a steady day today
The customer requires a twin passenger seat so I spent an hour removing the seat and cleaning everything up.
There's a Trafic / Vivaro breaker over in York so I took a trip out to pick up a good double passenger seat.
They are harder to find than you would think as most are filthy and damaged. Managed to get one from a 2011 minibus which had only 43k on.
I have ordered the seat swivel and should get them fitted on Weds.I will be going over to Grimsby in her tomorrow to pick uo some furniture board and other build bits.
Cheers - mike
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Nov 25, 2018 16:14:44 GMT
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and here's some pics
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Nov 25, 2018 16:12:41 GMT
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Hi all
I have been pottering away doing the first fit on a Vivaro camper.
So far I have removed al the dodgy electrics,rewired and rerouted the wiring harness for the rear electrics,removed and replaced the old hi-fi with something more modern to include bluetooth and rear camera,fitted the side windows,removed the old ply floor, fitted the new ply floor and cut the flooring ready for laying,insulated the ceiling and side plus lots of other odds and sods.
I have also fitted the side graphics.
Tomorrow I should be fitting the swivel to the passenger seat.
Cheers - mike
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Thanks for the reply I will see if there are any local suppliers of the light weight ply, where would you suggest I could get the vinyl Thanks Simon Hi Simon the light weight ply comes already covered in vinyl on both sides. You can also get it faced with laminate if you want it to be really hard wearing. Its also possible to buy 3mm ply faced with vinyl which is good if your want to go for light weight construction. Cheers - mike
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Hi all as the camper is now just about complete, just the side curtains to fit, I thought I would post some final pics. We went over to Liverpool in her and she performed fine, just two issues, the volt meter has died so have ordered a new one and the drivers side handbrake is sticking so have ordered a new cable. Apart from that everything worked as it should. I am having a few days off before starting the next one, time for some fishing and get the roof down on my car for what looks like a nice few days from tomorrow. Cheers - mike
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hi there
I build for usually customers, this camper will go up for sale in a few days.
I have been building campers on and off for 30 years and now I'm semi-retired its all I do.
The trim around the doors is knock in trim with the panels being routed with a slot first.
Cheers - mike
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Hi all a few more bits done today I have fitted the rails for the rear curtains and made up and fitted the curtains. Just the side windows to do now. Cheers - mike
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hi Simon
whereabouts are you ?
I have suppliers in most parts of the country
cheers - mike
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Hi all got a few more bits finished yesterday but not as much as I expected. My 8 month old grandson popped around for some play time with grandad. Anyways, the two rear ceiling panels have been fitted, the rear wardrobe top has been made and the wardrobe is now fully fitted. I have made the table and should be fitting the mount plus the last two ceiling panels this afternoon. That just leaves the curtains and a few oddments plus a thorough valet and she's ready to go. Cheers - mike
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Hi Simon
the units are all made from light weight 15mm ply which is faced with Maple Vinyl.
I use a jig saw with a Japanese style blade for most of my cutting.
The corner profile is available in lots of types - ebay is a good source unless youre buying lots.
Cheers - mike
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Hi all still plodding along with the camper. Have knocked off quite a few finishing off jobs. The drop out vent for the gas bottle has been fitted. The cables for the split charge system have been routed and secured with p clips. I have been running all the 240v systems today and they are all fine. The fridge and on-board charger are working well. The rear part of the wardrobe and internal partition are made and waiting to be fitted. I just need to make and fit the last two pieces of the ceiling before these can go in. Hopefully tomorrow should see her finished apart from curtains and rails and fitting of the table(just waiting for the mount). We are going over to Liverpool in her this weekend to see the terracotta army. Cheers - mike
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Sept 28, 2018 15:37:31 GMT
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Hi all have had a steady day today. I have finessed the fit of the kitchen unit and made a few enhancements. I was not happy with the water container not being secure and also the wasted space below it so have picked up another container that's a better shape and cut out the base so that it slots neatly into place. I have also made the kitchen worktop, cut the hole for the hob and sink and laminated it with gloss black formica and fitted it with grey edging. It just needs a tiny bit of trimming and then its ready for fitting. Off away to Matlock this weekend so thats it until Monday. Cheers - mike
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Sept 26, 2018 15:41:04 GMT
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Hi all had another good day so far. The kitchen unit is now finished and the main panels of the wardrobe / rear cupboard are finished. Just one more panel and door to make and then I can start the worktops. I don't expect to get a lot done tomorrow as i'm going to be at the hospital a large part of the day. Cheers - mike
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Sept 25, 2018 10:48:19 GMT
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Hi all have had a steady morning today. I have finished carpet lining on the passenger side door pillar which meant I could sit the seat/bed in place. Yesterday afternoon I finished making all the parts for the kitchen unit so have trial fitted them to make sure everything will fit ok and I am pleased to say it does. This afternoon should see the kitchen unit assembled and permanently fitted.Plus I should also have all the main parts of the wardrobe cupboard made. Cheers - mike
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Sept 24, 2018 7:23:59 GMT
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Hi all
I'm going over to Cleethorpes in the camper this morning to collect some furniture board and some other oddments.
Hopefully there will be time for a pint and a wander along the prom.
Cheers - mike
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Sept 23, 2018 10:43:45 GMT
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Hi there
i go for one owner vehicles which are straight and clean.I won't buy builders vans etc or anything that looks abused.It does mean quite a bit of searching and travelling around though.
Personally for best all round usability I would go for a Peugeot Boxer / Fiat Ducato as they are a good size with reliable mechanicals but the choice of van is a very personal thing and needs to reflect the use you want out of the van.
Most my customers want a good all round vehicle to use as a car,camper and van.
Cheers - mike
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Sept 22, 2018 14:22:23 GMT
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Hi all had a steady day today. I have made and fitted the main ceiling panel and the led ceiling lights. They are wired so as to come on and go off with the courtesy lights so they come on when using the remote to unlock and lock the van. I won't be doing anything on the camper now until Monday afternoon. Cheers - mike
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Sept 21, 2018 14:55:50 GMT
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Hi all it finally stopped raining an hour ago so I cleaned the roof of the van and cut and fitted the insulation. Have also made a map of were my fixings need to go for the ceiling. If it stays dry I may get the ceiling fitted today but most probably tomorrow morning. Cheers - mike
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