I was speaking to my mum yesterday and she reckons with all the bad luck I have had I should just finish it and sell it on. She reckons the van is jinxed. I quietly explained that the issues i've had with the van have purely been down to other peoples inadequacies and not the fault of the van. The engine, paint, roof lid and now the broken windscreen are purely someone else's fault. I am not one to pass the buck but it is the truth, thats why I might as well finish the work myself so I can have the control. To highlight what I mean, i asked one of my mates to move it one day. Not far, only about 20 metres. He promptly flew into the drivers seat and ripped the protective seat cover i use for when I'm driving to and from work. I feel like I literally cannot ask anyone to do anything. I have a couple of mechanics I will let touch the van but even after they've had it, I still go over their work to make sure its up to scratch.
I know what you mean.!!!! that's why I always do everything myself, I don't trust companies iv seen some of the things that they do, it disgusting.
Right then, another update is in order me thinks. Been mainly working on the interior trying to get it ready in time for next week (fabricating and installing the interior). First off I wanted to make the sliding door look a little nicer. I had a cover panel off the old green van I cladded with vinyl ready to use but it turns out that was for a converted panel van so would not fit. Surprisingly enough when I found this out I did not get the hump which is not like me at all. Maybe i'm learning to be patient in my old age? How it was Damn you non fitty panel So I opted to clad the vinyl direct to the metal work and it turned out pretty good. Use a little rust convertor on the rusty bits swell to slow the rot down a bit. Next I looked at the rear set up. Originally there was a little cubbyhole to put your hook up wire and little parts in but there was no covering underneath, just the bare paintwork. I thought it would be nice to add a little luxury and carpet this area. Mainly because I had some left over from the fitting of the rear carpet but I suppose it add a little more sound and heat insulation? Didn't want it to weigh to much so I just fitted some 4mm mdf to give the carpet a nice flat finish. Timber test fitting Carpet all fitted and shiny So thats it until tomorrow. Plenty to get on with, wiring the heated screens, install a tachometer, lay the other wiring for the fridge, extractor fan and water pump then make and fit the main trim panel that lives opposite the sliding door. I will keep you posted so stay tuned.
So then, booked the week off work so that I can build the interior in the van. I work next to a Joinery shop and the owner has let me buy a weeks time of one his workers. I'm using american oak veneered waterproof mdf and black rubber t trim for the edges as per original. I am trying to copy the original interior to the letter using original templates that I have acquired. Last saturday I fitted up the frame work and the ply sheeting that covers the whole side of the van. Monday started with fitting some cut to size timber sheets Fitted the second sheet and put the original sink back in to see how it fits. Did't fit all that well due to the fact that the floor is so much thicker now than when the interior was originally fitted. We used some hardboard to make a template for the new sink and we will use the old one as a reference point. So Tuesday came along and the chap who was helping me from the joiners had a trapped nerve in his shoulder and could not work. I was a bit gutted as I've booked the time off and really did not need any set backs but its no one fault and these things can not be helped. I soldered on my own and managed to get the table made (pics to follow) and do the upholstery to the main panel which I think looks really good. I carried the carpet up the panel as per when new and it also adds a bit more protection against skiffs and alike Also plumbed in the water tank to the filler using various reducers and pipes. My brother managed to wangle the day to help me today and we managed to get on with work and its coming along nicely now. Theres so many things to think about and make sure their sorted before you can do the next job but we are getting there so all good. Here's what I have to copy What a days graft will make you. Only one in the pic but the hard work has gone into the other one and it just needs assembling. Used Danish oil on the timber and I think it brings the grain out lovely. I'm not 'woody' type but after working with it, I'm beginning to get a new found respect for it. Well thats it for now. I'll keep y'all posted as I progress if I'm not to tired lol.
Well looks like I was tired lol. Been real busy this week, putting in the shifts to get the work done. I'm back at my day job so having to do the work afterwards but me and my mate are doing alright and its beginning to look real tasty. I test fitted the seats to get a feel off what its going to look like and take some measurements. After checking my measurements I noticed that the seat closest the sliding door will need to go over the aluminium trim at the bottom, I not going to cut down my lovely new seat so I will opt to trim the ali instead. After seeing the wood I had chose actually in the van it became apparent that the old stuff where the zig unit is and opposite would have to come out. It meant dismantling the work I had already done but it had to happen as I would always look at them and be like 'that looks Marmite', So that was the next job. Dismantle roof Replace old with new When it came to the zig unit end I used the old one as a template yet and again and refitted. I fashioned up some oak runners for the bed and the colour match is pretty good That night we had a bit of rain over this way and the louvre window leaks. I thought it best to sort this next as not point in putting in a shiny interior only for it to be ruined by water. I have no pics of this job but I basically took it to pieces cleaned it all up, replaced the old gaskets and woodpiles and reassembled. I could not find a refurb kit for my type of louvre window so I took a punt on a westy one and used what I could out of it which as it turns out, was quite a bit. Anyhoot, with the leaky window refitted it was time to crack on. Made and fitted the sink and fridge unit and fitted it. This was easy as after countless measurement the unit fitted perfectly Stay tuned
So that was during the week, this next bit is what I got up too yesterday. Fitted the seats and made the 3rd seat where the leisure battery lives. This was a bit tricky as it all has to go together like a jigsaw puzzle to make the bed so I packed everything for some tolerance and screwed it all down. Also finally got my 2nd pair of speakers in the van. I had brought the same 6 inch ones I have in the front for the back but it turns out I should have measured the gap!! Thankfully the same speaker is available in 4 icy so a grabbed a pair of those and fitted them batboys On the stereo side of things, I would have liked to face all four speakers towards the front but I figured as I am doing this as a family bus I would face the rear speakers to the rear seats where the seat belts are. I'm real happy with the sound of it all hooked up considering I wasn't trying to make it sound immaculate, just using some tips i'd picked up over the years to have a system that sounds decent. Well chuffed. Next up is the zig unit issue. I have not been happy since I have installed it to be honest. When using the mains to charge the leisure battery through the zig it was getting very hot so I have hard wired a Ctek battery charger which will let me retain the zig unit and use that as a fancy fuse box and split charge relay and charge the battery without having to turn everything off. This wasn't in the plan so I am just happy that there was space to mount it. Looks pretty smart to and keeps the OG look of the interior. Last up yesterday was a bit of plumbing. Plumbed the tap to the pump and tank via a removable filter. Also did the waste with a odour trap. Real easy to put in these parts and a good upgrade to the original system if you ask me. I really want to keep the look of the original interior but upgrade what I can behind the scenes. I know I am completely rebuilding it but I am still using the original sink, zig unit, cooker and overall design. Its more of an upgrade than a restoration I think, Using modern tech along the way Dont mind the wiring, that's gonna be tidied up pretty soon. More to come, another good week I hope. Check back soon
Looking really good, icepug! Been thinking about our interior when it comes to the winter project, we've decided we want to keep the original style interior but I really like the light colour of the veneer you have used. How much MDF did you use in the end?
Well I'm still building but I brought 6 sheets of 15mm American White oak mdf and 2 sheets of 10mm white backed mdf. I reckon a only needed 1 sheet of the white stuff but the oak veneer is about right. I haven't worried about economy cutting as I want all the grain to go the same way and I like to have a bit extra for mistakes although you can normally reuse them parts. I also want to build a buddy box and there's enough for that too. Cost about £350-400 for the wood and another £400 odd on sundries like the trims, screws, ctek charger, wire, edging trims etc. low cost if you ask me. I reckon it's going to turn out spot on so a bargain really. Just depends how much you value your time and effort really.
I riveted down the mdf, then stuck the carpet over that to hide the rivets. The rear shelf that sits on it will be fixed thought the body as well.
Thought I would just post a quick pic of my interpretation of a buddy box. I know they are not OG to my conversion but it's bloody handy. Used the same trim and materials as I am using for the rest of the interior. Saved me a few bob and it was fun to make. Look at the grain on that badboy. Cut out of one piece of wood with only the thickness of the saw cut as the gaps. Sweet
Here you go @paradox http://www.leisurelines.net/red-inline-strainer-10--12mm-connections-289-p.asp Replacement filters can be found here http://www.leisurelines.net/spare--strainer-for-cak-wf1-290-p.asp
