Vito Camper project

[makeitfit]

I bought a basic van conversion Vito camper a couple of years ago to do up. Didn't get time till recently and so did this.
Started with naff ply lining that just had to go.

Insulated the tin bits with radiator foil and polystyrene stuff and glued in place.

Got some BnQ recycled plastic bottle insulation stuff for the voids.

With that lot in I started boarding out using assorted white MFC I had from various kitchens. Flip flop bed roughly in position so I new how much room I had available.

It's still a working van too so I designed a removable pod that'll have the fridge n hob etc in it.

A bit like this

Here with the lids open and the Halfords fridge

Front seats were the typical van arrangement of drivers seat and then a dual seat that two gay builders would struggle to fit on . So I had a trip to the scrap yard and got a single seat base . Then two front seats from a Renault Espace. They turn round :clap

I tried to get a Vito centre console but they're flippin silly money Never mind I have some ply from some project or other handy . Made this.

Glued a bit of carpet round it all and fitted a dual 12v outlet.

Mind the gap.

Here's the main bit in place . The space between the seats will become a sub box Cup holder bit has an old car mat glued on for spillages :augie

Sub on order

The back of the seat bases I filled a bit with body filler so the carpet will look all nice n smooth

Next some flooring to do. Again I seem to have over ordered on a job and had a couple of meters of non slip wet room flooring handy :sly
May have been a little ambitious doing it in one big bit though

A bit of swearing later and many sharp blades I got it mainly in the right place.

A bit of panel work on the N/S and a speaker box later.

A bit more swearing with the carpet as I pushed it round corners it didn't want to go and got this,

A bit more the other side.

Seat bed thing in place and blanket panel in.

Got to do the twin battery bit next and more trim. Then doors etc.
Ongoing

 

[zippy656]

Pete, you need more fixed ventilation.

Also gas ventilation drop holes throuh the floor.

Gas pipe should be copper, then last bit to bottle.

Reg should be matched to cooker, my guess would he 30mb , so would be bulkhead reg.

 

[AlexD333]

Not my area but looking very cool indeed!

 

[exosteve]

As zippy says holes in the floor for gas leaks as gas is heavier than air.
Its also a good idea to put one of those Spidey air vents in the side.
And its also a good idea to put one of those push up airvents in the roof like a caravan.
Good for when your cooking.or just at night to save any condensation.

Have you plans to fit mains electric? Or is it a more off site van.
Its a good idea to think about electrics before you go any further for laying any cables.

I put a hook up in the side of the van up to a small consumer box with 3 double sockets.
And heating?
Those plinth heaters are ideal for on site if you can fit one in.

Its also a good idea to fit a control box for your 12v system. Like you get on boats.
Fit .l.e.d lighting above the cooker and bed maybe.

You don't do much TV do you?
No need for an areal then?
I've still got my 12v 240v TV DVD that cost 300
Did you insulate the roof and floor?

 

[makeitfit]

Pete, you need more fixed ventilation.

Also gas ventilation drop holes throuh the floor.

Gas pipe should be copper, then last bit to bottle.

Reg should be matched to cooker, my guess would he 30mb , so would be bulkhead reg.

Cheers Zippy, yes there holes in the floor to drill yet for the gas. It's not getting copper though as the pod is removable and as such flexi is OK. It's on a quick release inline plug n socket thing. Another one does the water. Bulkhead reg ready to go
What other "Fixed" venting do I need Zippy ?

 

[makeitfit]

Roof is insulated but the floor isn't. It had that van ply in there and I simply filled the holes and put the vinyl ontop. Vinyl is about 2.5mm thich
I've got a split charge system in there at the mo but not properly fitted yet.
Mains hookup is pretty rare where we go :lol however for resale value I might go for it later. The wiring will be a very simple affair . Just doing LED stuff. Fridge supply, water pump supply and hob ignition is about all that's needed.
As for TV :lol that's the last thing I want when away
Sound system is another matter. I take my tablet and phone so always have Deezer on hand via G network if it's avail. or WiFi if we stay anywhere civilised lol
This is more of a glorified surf van festival van kind of project I guess.
Now then who knows about seat belt regs ? They seem pretty ambiguous for pre 2001 vans with retro fitted seats ?

 

[exosteve]

Not sure.but the one I did had a forward facing seat in the back with no belts and it passed an mot

 

[rustic]

Years ago, when I was a child, we had a Bedford Dormobile, with sliding front doors, and the lifting roof. It was a Martin Walter Conversion.:thumb2
It could sleep four, we had an elsan, and gas cooker, grill, gas mantle light.
And about 10 gallons of water in shaped carriers.

You might want to consider this...
What it had though, was cut outs in the floor, each with a simple frame, that took 2 Calor bottles, the old green 10 lb ones, (now 4.5 kg).
These were out of the way, drained to outside etc. There was a hatch in the floor secured by those screws that turn 90 degrees to lock.

Also, is there is room underneath for a water tank, I think CK tanks have bespoke tanks that are profiled to fit certain vehicles, you might be lucky.
There are also Aquaflow tanks, eg 45 litres, that might fit too.
You might need to consider grey water, and/or park over a grid...:augie

I must admit, I am tempted myself, but I would need standing headroom, and a loo you can access anytime..:augie
Hot water and a shower would be nice, but for the odd night should be fine.

Good luck.:thumb2
Rustic

 

[makeitfit]

Thanks Rustic :thumbs I'm using quite a few boat ideas on here. I've got a flexi water tank to go in with low point drain off. I've also got a black plastic container to collect waste water on site. Under this van is the usual modern jumble of pressed channels and fuel pipes and tank etc. Exhaust. Leveling valve etc etc It's also quite close to the ground.
I think of this van as real tin tent (Not in a caravan kinda way ) so no hot water other than the kettle. Standing is done outside as is watering the hedge

 

[Sweety]

Great build so far Pete:thumbs:thumbs seen on expedition portal a few using mini combi boilers so they have hot water for doing the dishes & for nice hot showers

 

[zippy656]

Cheers Zippy, yes there holes in the floor to drill yet for the gas. It's not getting copper though as the pod is removable and as such flexi is OK. It's on a quick release inline plug n socket thing. Another one does the water. Bulkhead reg ready to go
What other "Fixed" venting do I need Zippy ?

Id go for 4 vents on floor, one in roof. Plus ones that line up with cooker/sink unit.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/331214525902?nav=SEARCH

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/251555294735?nav=SEARCH

Look for cheaper vertions though

Electric one good for when cooking as blow out steam.

 

[spinna]

Looking brilliant:thumb2, cant wait to see more pics

 

[zippy656]

Looking brilliant:thumb2, cant wait to see more pics

did some one say pics?!

 

[Banshee]

I LOVE the way the two front seats spin round lol, it's like it was designed for hostage situations where kidnappers turn round to have meetings in the van to decide the fate of the hostage lol

 

[kitchenman]

I like the idea of the turn around seats
Are there any that would fit my 94 LWB Maverick?

 

[makeitfit]

I like the idea of the turn around seats
Are there any that would fit my 94 LWB Maverick?

It's easy to fit the seats to the runners but you need a certain amount of space around the seat to allow it to turn ? Seats like these are cheap at the scrappies. Nip over to your local one and try one out :thumbs

 

[The Patrolman]

How many miles on the beast:nenau
I had an 06 plate from new, when i came offthe tools it had 185K it then went local and managed upto 235K ish we then scrapped it and got £1600 for it from a breaker
not bad busses and I fit in them better than a transit:bow

But it's not a nissan

 

[makeitfit]

Oh it's a fine mile collector, obsessed I'd say It's a nat's cock short of 200k
Just passed another MOT with the usual Merc welding requirements :doh
It goes link stink and that's what I like mainly. The VW equiv would be 4 times the cost

 

[The Patrolman]

Oh it's a fine mile collector, obsessed I'd say It's a nat's cock short of 200k
Just passed another MOT with the usual Merc welding requirements :doh
It goes link stink and that's what I like mainly. The VW equiv would be 4 times the cost

Mine never needed welding. it had a gearbox at 140k, a few tyres and iregular servicing. it's the gearlinkage that was a problem in the end and it looked a bit tatty for the company image:augie

 

[makeitfit]

Maybe the newer ones are better at not rusting. My era (51 plate) are aweful. I can hear it fizzing when I drive past the beach :lol