Looking for advice on turning my transit into a shop!

[Panther]

Hi guys
thought this would be a good place to get genuine advice. I just purchased a LWB transit with the high roof and am in the process of customising this into a mobile merchandise store. I am going to open out the side with either a roller door or hydralic panel door and fit out shelving and product display area on the inside. Structurally it seems like a challenge but I think I am on it. Internally I will set it up with a full register, safe, air con and audio visual system. I do want to look at getting a great set of Alloys but this seems difficult at the moment and I am spending heaps on the signwriting to make it look awesome. I was just wondering if anyone had done something silimar and had advice?

[dachre]

Hey Panther, i've modded doors (and cut the sides out) of a van to do the sort of stuff your asking loads of times.

What age/model of Transit do you have?

First off, dont spend loads signwriting the side of your van and then find out you have to weld the van to get all the mods to work..... Do the mods first... then paint.. then signwrite.

Who the hell cares about alloys?... What sort of merchandise are you selling that relys on alloys on your van?... Is it visuals, motorsport or Pimping, ect?......... ........

The more money you spend the more to recoup....

And i know you've bought your van now.. but there are vans for sale with roller doors, ect already done... its usually cheaper to buy a second hand one rather than build a van.

Did you want to make it look like a normal van with normal looking doors/windows that open up or did you want to put in serving hatches...ect..

To put in large hatches you may have to cut into parts of your van that may weaken it so you may have to put strength back into it...welding ect..

Do you have any photos/examples of things you want to do?

[Panther]

I have the latest 2008 RWD LWB Van with a high roof. I am having a hatch style door installed on the drivers side that runs from pretty much the front door to the back. Your right I am getting the signwriting done after the entire fitout is complete. I will try and get pictures up soon on the progress but it is coming together really well. I have had to get extra re-inforcing to support the hatch on the side and the engineers certificate to go with cost a small fortune but I needed it. Because I am selling clothing and accessories the image of the van in pretty important - hence the alloys but I have not found anyone in Sydney who has anthing I can get yet so i am still on the lookout. I have picked up a small portable aircon that I can put in and take out on hot days which has worked out pretty cheap ($500AUS) and so far seems a much better option that getting the full caravan roof aircon installed. I am still gratefull for any tips you guys have and as soon as I get some progress pictures i will put them up.

[AndyG]

Why is the hatch on the drivers side

[dachre]

I was thinking that...

Some people actually like them on that side tho.. and if you have a sliding door on the passengers side they often put the hatch on the drivers as they think its less hassle... but its not really.

When i cut large hatches out like yours i will put back in steel section, somewhere in the region of 50mm x 50mm box... 2mm or 3mm thick and it will run from the roof to the floor and up to/past body structual points on the length of the van. Basicly making a large grid with hole in it for a hatch.

We have a saying over here (VOSA)... after the job the vehicle has to be 'as strong if not stronger than it was'. So an engineers report is a must...

Hey, dont wait for progress pics.... chuck some up now so we get an idea of 'before and after'..... ...