Hi Guys and Gals, I'm interested in making my own cupboards for my 73, and plans/drawings seem to be pretty thin on the ground out there. Basically I just want to fit units from the rear of the driver's seat, all the way down to the rear of the van, and incorporate space for a fridge in there too. It's mostly going to be for storage, as I don't intend to do any cooking/washing up inside (we can just BBQ/cook/washup outside and use campsite facilities). The kits I've seen from various manufacturers do look very nice, but I don't fancy paying such high prices when they're not necessarily what we're after. Does anyone out there have any experience of making a decent DIY job, or can offer any advice? Much appreciated and thanks in advance!
i made this swing out cooker unit last year just think light and try and make what ever you build as light as possible, the other thing to keep in mind is will it stay in place if you had a accident
my last bay had my wifes old kitchen wall cupboards in from when we upgraded. if you use the wall carcasses there not as deep as the floor ones and there available cheap from diy places then fit whatever doors and handles you fancy
i made mine from 12mm oak faced ply after a bit of shopping around i got it for £25 a sheet and they cut it to size at a £1 a cut , i made a row of units behind the bulkhead with the fridge and a lift lid for the cooker, that was a camping gaz 2 burner and grill .., an overhead locker , a cupoard under the R an R bed and a small cupbard at the rear on one side , i didnt use plans but i did cut carboard templates for the difficult shapes, all thats left are the panels , we found a sink was a waste of space and to messy its easy to wash up outside or use the site facilitys
Thanks for all your replies everyone! I've got the chance of some really nice units that have been taken out of a kitchen, so I think that's the way I'll be going, even though they will have extra weight versus units made from ply. Hopefully that extra weight will be offset by my soon to be installed twin Webers! I'll take some pics along the way and post them on here.
Ive just noticed your from billingham Im near northallerton so your not all that far from me in the grand scheme of things
If thats the place in brompton then ive driven past a few times and he always seems to be busy but ive never used him myself. If you ever get stuck with out dude feel free to give me a shout Ive never fitted twin carbs to an aircooled engine before so wouldent like to say i could do it for you
No problem im always glad to help out a fellow bus owner Put some pics up in the show us your ride section id love to see your bus
the kits make out there cheap but when you actually price up what you need ..it adds up .......even the lego type units that interlink work out over 700 quid for what you need.....make it yaself ....tis cheaper ,better made ,and you also get the feeling of pride when finished .....
Hi mate, Here is one I made. Used furniture board from Homebase, Ikea doors and a bit of worktop I had in the garage. Cost about £100 not including the hob. Cheers Nick It sits behind the drivers seat and attaches to the wall of the bus with three bolts into three rivnuts. It's removable so we can whack it in the awning when we camp.
