Panel van conversion to camper - Kali

Thought I would start a thread for the conversion I'm currently doing. Seems pointless in topping up my introduction thread. So here goes.

My T2 ownership started in march when I bought Pablo the Brazilian split



He looked really nice and tidy from what I could see and it was even drive able. Can't go wrong I thought lol it was an absolute car wreck underneath so he was sold (well traded in) for my late bay.

Here is the two face to face on the day of exchange.



So that was how Kali came in to our life.

She got her name from the colour and her country of origin. Greece and orange. Greek for orange is portokali. Shortened to Kali to make a nice unique name.

Here are some pics of what it was like.










I don't have any of the interior. It's fully lined in a dark grey carpet on ply board. With a couple,of,home made units for storage and a new full width r&r bed.

So what are my plans for her, I hear you say!

The overall aim is to keep it looking as close as vw intended on the outside but have it ultra modern inside.

She's going to stay orange until I have a good excuse for a full re-spray. I have already taken the Porsche wheels off and replaced with std ones. These will be painted white with chrome caps when I get round to it. Engine and all mechanical looks and runs fine now except I'm gonna stick a timing gun on tomorrow just to put that on the done list. I do need to replace both battery trays due to rot but I'm gonna learn to use my welder first and this maybe one of next winters tasks. See how it goes.

So for the outside there's no real change.

Inside is now all removed and ready for some tidying up. I'm going to fit a louvre window on the near side middle panel.



As you can see the panel is off ready for cutting. I'm going to do next weekend.

This window will then give me some ventilation for the job and kitchen area.

Interior has been ordered and will be fitted end of feb. see below but units will be all maple effect. Much lighter and will help inside the darker van interior.


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I will line the sides and back end of the van with sound deadening stuff when I get a chance.

I may even try to recover all the panels with new lighter material before the interior goes in but this may be more than I can handle in the next few weeks.

Tomorrow I'm getting it up on the ramp to check stuff for its mot in two weeks. Need to fit a new horn button as the one in the steering wheel doesn't wanna work. Plus also fault find the fuel guage.

That's it for now. Just thought it would be nice to have my own thread to document my progress for all those interested.

My first week away is mid April in Cornwall followed by a night in Glastonbury and a run to Weston with some of the TLB dudes so as you can see I've a lot,to do in a short time lol. I love a challenge.

 

Oh and when interior is fitted I may have to cut n weld the r&r bed to 3/4 width or replace with a new one.

 

Nice van dude and looking forward to your future updates

 

I was hoping to get up to rugby and put the van on the ramp. looks like mother nature has put the kybosh on that. Oh well loads to do while its on the floor.

 

Hey buddy! Looking good! That interior will look well nice in your van! Cant wait to see the updates, let us know with how you get on welding!

 

Will do brucie. I've got a spark fitting a 20a spur in the garage next week so ill get practising then lol. Looks easy on YouTube but I'm sure it's gonna take some practise.

 

i gave up on the idea of shortening the bed and just bought a rusty lee 3/4 one. so i have a full width bed to sell now. made more sense. windows cut and in place now so just some mot work and insulation ready for the interior. sweet. cant wait for its first camping trip to cornwall at easter. im so excited i could crush a grape lol

 

Well the van made its long journey (240 miles) to clear cut conversions in Barnstaple yesterday. No trouble at all. A good 65 to 70 all the way.
Not sure about me. 500 miles in one day and I was in bed asleep by 8.

Well it's over to the boys down there now to fit me a nice modern conversion. Can't wait. Gonna be awesome.

 

It's satifying making your own interior, but I think a greater joy to hand it over then pick it up all done.

 

I had some good ideas about doing it myself. Using this forum as inspiration as there are so many talented people doing their own but I'm crap at that sort of stuff. I could knock something up but I would make mistakes and bodges and I didn't want that. I will still have some stuff to do like fitting the lighting and the leisure battery stuff. Along with all the linings and floor. They really are just making the units. So I guess I can say I'm adding the finishing touches and they are just doing the woodwork. LoL

 

cutting a panel van & putting windows in it............................i`m off to cry

 

LOL it was only 1 and ive kept the piece to put back after all the rest will stay solid an I do like the privacy a van offers. I needed some ventilation for the hob.

 

Its not a scary as it may look, just take your time and remember measure twice cut once.

 

Or in may case measure five or six times, get scared and then pay someone to do it lol

 

Well the van sailed down to devon and back with no fault and was a pleasure to drive.

I'm chuffed to bits with the interior. The boys at clear cut conversions have done an awesome job. Just got the electrics to wire in now.

 

looks like a quality instal matey! Bet youre well chuffed! so whats next for Kali? Hope youre well matey.

B

 

Hey Bruce. Thanks mate. All is good here fella.

This weekend sees a huge list of stuff.

Wire up
tow bar electrics
8'new interior lights
Fridge
Mains hook up
Water pump
Mains outlets in the van

Plumb sink and hob in to water n gas.

Then will be over to delilahs to finish off the r@r bed upholstery.

Should be sweet when its done. It's first outing is to Cornwall April the 6th so not long lol.

How's tricks with you?

 

My god you have been busy Lovely bus with an interior ready to camp

 

Bloody hell you don't hang about do you. Van is looking really nice.

 

Cheers dudes. Yeh I set a short target of our first trip early April so put myself under pressure. But still loads to do but if its useable then the rest can be done as and when.