ANYONE DONE A DIY CONVERSION??

didi · Senior Member

ANYONE DONE A DIY CONVERSION??

jetj · Guru

Have a look at the backpacker basic hire vans in Gum Tree, etc it might give you some ideas. You need a bed, a water container, portable fridge, and portable stove, some containers or cupboard for food, clothes etc. I use a gas can stove otherwise a gasfitter has to be involved I think and a vented compartment for the cylinder. I have a house battery and a solar panel (portable) all done myself.

My opinion only but you can improve things as you go, get more ideas and more money. My van is insured at a campervan but not registered as one, and I don't believe it has to be, although rego could be cheaper I guess as a campervan than a panelvan.

didi · Senior Member

jetj wrote:
Have a look at the backpacker basic hire vans in Gum Tree, etc it might give you some ideas. You need a bed, a water container, portable fridge, and portable stove, some containers or cupboard for food, clothes etc. I use a gas can stove otherwise a gasfitter has to be involved I think and a vented compartment for the cylinder. I have a house battery and a solar panel (portable) all done myself.
My opinion only but you can improve things as you go, get more ideas and more money. My van is insured at a campervan but not registered as one, and I don't believe it has to be, although rego could be cheaper I guess as a campervan than a panelvan.

Thanks Janette. Can I ask- Do you live in this permanently or is this just for short trips?

I am looking to live permanently for a couple of years while I go around Australia smile so Im looking for maybe morethan basic backpacker- more along the lines of small motorhome maybe?

Sharke · Senior Member

Didi
Take a look here www.camper-van-fun.com/build-your-own-camper.html
Cheers
Sharke

didi · Senior Member

Sharke wrote:
Didi
Take a look here www.camper-van-fun.com/build-your-own-camper.html
Cheers
Sharke

Thanks Sharke

jetj · Guru

didi wrote:
jetj wrote:
Have a look at the backpacker basic hire vans in Gum Tree, etc it might give you some ideas. You need a bed, a water container, portable fridge, and portable stove, some containers or cupboard for food, clothes etc. I use a gas can stove otherwise a gasfitter has to be involved I think and a vented compartment for the cylinder. I have a house battery and a solar panel (portable) all done myself.
My opinion only but you can improve things as you go, get more ideas and more money. My van is insured at a campervan but not registered as one, and I don't believe it has to be, although rego could be cheaper I guess as a campervan than a panelvan.
Thanks Janette. Can I ask- Do you live in this permanently or is this just for short trips?
I am looking to live permanently for a couple of years while I go around Australia so Im looking for maybe morethan basic backpacker- more along the lines of small motorhome maybe?

No I don't live in my van, but people do live in self converted vans all sizes. The backpacker vans were just an example of the basics. You would have options like Transits, Sprinters, Coasters and others. I do think my Hiace is a bit small to live in but backpackers live in them for long periods.

Rob1 · Newbie

Hi Di

I've just completed a 11 metre bus to motor home, the biggest thing I come across was to ensure any and all built in things should be bolted through floor so as not to move and injure yourself in case of accident (god forbid). Size does matter, what ever state you are from glean advise through vehicle standards, there are a few hassles ifin you wish to register as motorhome etc. My motto is do it right the first time

Regards

Rob1

didi · Senior Member

Rob1 wrote:
Hi Di
I've just completed a 11 metre bus to motor home, the biggest thing I come across was to ensure any and all built in things should be bolted through floor so as not to move and injure yourself in case of accident (god forbid). Size does matter, what ever state you are from glean advise through vehicle standards, there are a few hassles ifin you wish to register as motorhome etc. My motto is do it right the first time
Regards
Rob1

Thanks Rob. As I cant do the conversion myself I ll just have to look for someone willing to do SMALL conversion.All the conversion companies here in Victoria seems to want to do it all or they arent playing! disbelief cry

BTSV_Berni · Senior Member

they do what you want. www.silversunmotorhomes.com.au/ .

berni

philR · Member

didi wrote:
Hi guys. Just looking for a simple conversion to be done (on a tight budget)

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t57382570/wreak-or-rescue-i-think-its-a-1978-ford-transit-van-ambulanc/

You may like to look at this thread. smile

SnowT · Guru

Di can I be rude and ask where you are located..

I'm currently doing a Slow DIY build at the moment.

A Toyota Coaster bus..

I'm doing the bulk of the work myself and only uses trades to make up set piece's, I don't know enough to confidently weld SS..
- I'm doing all the Wood work myself..
- Plumbing.. including the Toilet install..
- Electric's.. 12v, 24v and 240v.. Installing solar, Batteries, all Cabling and Inverter..

Juergen.

didi · Senior Member

BTSV_Berni wrote:
they do what you want. www.silversunmotorhomes.com.au/ .

berni

Thanks Berni- but isnt this in Queensland?

didi · Senior Member

philR wrote:
didi wrote:
Hi guys. Just looking for a simple conversion to be done (on a tight budget)
http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t57382570/wreak-or-rescue-i-think-its-a-1978-ford-transit-van-ambulanc/
You may like to look at this thread.

Cheers phil

didi · Senior Member

SnowT wrote:
Di can I be rude and ask where you are located..

I'm currently doing a Slow DIY build at the moment.

A Toyota Coaster bus..

I'm doing the bulk of the work myself and only uses trades to make up set piece's, I don't know enough to confidently weld SS..
- I'm doing all the Wood work myself..
- Plumbing.. including the Toilet install..
- Electric's.. 12v, 24v and 240v.. Installing solar, Batteries, all Cabling and Inverter..

Juergen.

Im over the west side of Melbourne, Juergen. I think I will just have to get some trades in to do the basics for me- cabinet/ wood work mainly as I hope to get a rig with wiring already in. Di

SnowT · Guru

I saw a 1992 coaster for sale from footscray area.. @ $12K still has seats etc..

-- From Personal Experience.. Make sure you Check out...
- body for rust..
- Make sure that it has a full service history..
Running Gear in Good working conditions..

-- Make sure it has a Country Drive train[ie can travel at 100 with not to bad mileage]...

-- From Experience and the Level of comfort you want you have to work out what you want..
Basic..
- A space to sleep..
- Storage..
- somewhere to keep cold thing's..
- Minimum 12v system.. A Battery and sufficient Solar and control gear to recharge the system..
[If you can Afford it go Lithium for the battery.. But Don't Go Commercial in selection]
-- If you know People they can get 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 Batteries for @ $660..
-- control gear will add about $2-300
-- Solar Panels About $450 for 400w.. + $100 on odds and ends..
>> For Me the Solar would be one of the expensive component's due to the need to keep food fresh.. Better to spend the money in the build stage than to run into problem's down the track..
-- Insulation as well if you get a bare bones vehicle..[Actually better to check for insulation if it's lined]
-- If you want a Toilet a Port-a-potty [$100-$250]

I used the Bare Base system.. and have progressed to the advanced Personally..

Had a Look on Carsales and saw a few Van's.. Ford Transit high Roof for about $12,000..

Juergen

-- Edited by SnowT on Saturday 28th of June 2014 06:34:55 PM

didi · Senior Member

SnowT wrote:
I saw a 1992 coaster for sale from footscray area.. @ $12K still has seats etc..

-- From Personal Experience.. Make sure you Check out...
- body for rust..
- Make sure that it has a full service history..
Running Gear in Good working conditions..

-- Make sure it has a Country Drive train[ie can travel at 100 with not to bad mileage]...

-- From Experience and the Level of comfort you want you have to work out what you want..
Basic..
- A space to sleep..
- Storage..
- somewhere to keep cold thing's..
- Minimum 12v system.. A Battery and sufficient Solar and control gear to recharge the system..
[If you can Afford it go Lithium for the battery.. But Don't Go Commercial in selection]
-- If you know People they can get 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 Batteries for @ $660..
-- control gear will add about $2-300
-- Solar Panels About $450 for 400w.. + $100 on odds and ends..
>> For Me the Solar would be one of the expensive component's due to the need to keep food fresh.. Better to spend the money in the build stage than to run into problem's down the track..
-- Insulation as well if you get a bare bones vehicle..[Actually better to check for insulation if it's lined]
-- If you want a Toilet a Port-a-potty [$100-$250]
I used the Bare Base system.. and have progressed to the advanced Personally..

Had a Look on Carsales and saw a few Van's.. Ford Transit high Roof for about $12,000..

Juergen
Thankyou Juergen

Decided to get a highace- commuter or hightop- just looking at kms now. If i take a trade used its high km but i know it will have basics done and about 15,000 or I get a low kn commuter for 10,000 but then i need to get the electrics in and the cabinets made. Still looking for a local company to give me a quote.
Your rig will be great! Its always better when you make it cos you know what you have. I agree i think batteries and solar are important I will have to add extra when I get my van. Ill have to go to a campervan shop for extras like window protectors and steering locks too. If you have photos Id like to see your rig so far.

-- Edited by SnowT on Saturday 28th of June 2014 06:34:55 PM

pawsoz · Senior Member

I did several months full time from Darwin, through Kimberleys, WA coast, SA andback to Darwin, bit squishy at times (I was travelling with a geriatric Labrador and a Whippet pup!) I had owned the Hi Ace for a couple of years prior and had to rebuild interior following a drive up the middle where I drove through some wash aways so it got stripped down to floor and rebuilt, I added a porta potti and a much more usefull shelving system. it all worked out quite comfy really.
Good luck, there a few on Gumtree Victoria that sound ok right now.
Annie

didi · Senior Member

pawsoz wrote:
I did several months full time from Darwin, through Kimberleys, WA coast, SA andback to Darwin, bit squishy at times (I was travelling with a geriatric Labrador and a Whippet pup!) I had owned the Hi Ace for a couple of years prior and had to rebuild interior following a drive up the middle where I drove through some wash aways so it got stripped down to floor and rebuilt, I added a porta potti and a much more usefull shelving system. it all worked out quite comfy really.
Good luck, there a few on Gumtree Victoria that sound ok right now.
Annie

Thank you Annie. Ahh Labs get on with anyone and are so comforting and whippets are gentle too. I plan to get a rescue dog when I travel- or maybe two like you. I also intend to get a portapotti! Unless I can find a high top hiace with a toilet in it. There are some!!! (but a bit too costly- think Ill stick to the portapotti) Trouble is i need enough room to put up my portable massage table too (hope to get a bit of work along the way)- so that knocks out one of the single beds. Ah well just have to sleep upstairs. Cheers