Mk5 Camper project - 1st time transit owner

[noobrider]

well getting a bit frustrated cos it started raining so I can't get the welder out (read daren't). Plus the van has just booked a working job for the weekend shifting a ton of gravel. Luckily its all bagged up so it will be a clean job.

Also funds seem a bit on the low side at the moment so may have to wait until pay day to buy the wood which is even more frustrating seeing as I have most of the strip wood for the carcass's and the insulation material, just need the ply for the floor and sides.

Just for fun thought I'd run a budget of what I have spent so far.

Van £600
Tax 100
Paint £50
Filler and consumables (rollers sand paper etc) £12
Sink and Cooker £10
Leather £50
Steering wheel £7
Sewing machine £20
Degreaser £5
Minus £4.75 found in the van
Total to date £849.25 Which isn't bad considering the van was advertised on Auto Trader for £895 so I'm still £50 under budget despite all the work done. Bonus

[noobrider]

check out my new avatar.....

if anyone would like one making give me a shout maximum 5 images

[Breakdown Biker]

Hi mate, here's a couple of pics of the wee sink unit. Its dimensions are 24"x18". There is a wee bit of damage on the bottom right hand corner, but nothing too serious. I've also got a wee bit of waste pipe for it too.


It looks a bit grubby in the pics but it'll clean up alright Just let me know if you want it and we'll sort somethin out.

[noobrider]

Sent you a PM Breakdown. Thanks for the pics that looks perfect for my bathroom cheers.

Not had chance to do much with the van this week. At the weekend had a job shifting 2 tons of gravel over a 70 mile round trip. This was the first opportunity I've had to see what she can do as all the other trips have been fairly local here and there shop type runs.

Well I was very impressed and as the petrol light was on when I set off, I put 10 litres (£10) in for the job. The petrol light just started to flicker after the trip so I guess thats around 35mpg which is very respectable.

She pulled really well with all the weight the only time you noticed was setting off in first there was a slight clutch judder. Not too concerned though.

I'm aching like made lifting all those bags in and out of the van.

I have made a start on the carcasses for the sink, cooker and cupboards but until I get the floor welded and the ply down, things have slowed down a bit. Also funds have dried up until Thursday when its PAY DAY yeeehaa.

No doubt I'll get cracking this weekend and have some more pics to share.

Meanwhile here's a pic of what we did with all that gravel

[neilc5023]

your avatar looks cool bro keep them pics coming!!

[dazza1312]

Hi mate have to say your vans looking great.just a quick question ive got to paint my van up soon and been thinking of using rustoleum did you thin the paint?and if so what did you thin it with?keep up the good work

[noobrider]

Hi Dazza, yes the paint needs thinning and the good thing is you use white spirits so its cheap and easy. thin with about 10% white spirit but its not an exact science it depends on temperature so practise on something first to get a feel for the right consistency.

One big point though, when thinning mix thoroughly but slowly, no drills no whisks nice and slow with a stick and fold it. the whole idea about rolling is to reduce the amount of bubbles. soak the roller and then roll out in the tray the excess. a little bit goes a long way and just use the wieght of the roller as pressure, dont press on.

Its easy once you get the technique

[carpetmonster]

what a great thread the van looks great have you done anymore?

[noobrider]

Thanks for the comment, sadly and frustratingly non I haven't got any further. The weather, work and a temperamental son kinda got in the way. I've booked a couple of days off this weekend though so will make a concerted effort to get moving. That's after I strip the back axle on the bike as the chain cam adjuster has seized and the chain has gone slack. Not an easy job on a VFR.

Luckily I have today secured some wood funding so that alone should motivate me to do the welding, The woodwork in the back was the bit I was most looking forward to but the holes in the floor are the things that I keep putting off or finding excuses for.

[noobrider]

Well 2 patches welded up this weekend, pics will have to wait as No1 son has run off with the camera. Not the greatest welding in the world but functional and will be covered up with the ply floor. Still got 4 more holes to do but at least I made a start. Only have an arc welder so its a delicate operation that requires lots of patience.

[Breakdown Biker]

Glad to hear you're getting on with it mate I've just spent two whole days under mine and it's still no finished

[noobrider]

well picked the hottest weekend to work on the van. Finally finished welding the floor so strated to lay the new ply flooring and get cracking on the units so heres a couple of piccys

[eiretransit]

Great job. I'm always impressed by self builds from people with little or no experience or background in mechanics/panel beating/spraying or trimming in your case. It's a great turn around, and I love the cream leather like seats and the paint finish looks superb! I've to paint the cab of my Cargo so I might give it a going over in that stuff you used (can't remember the name ). I used to be a coach painter and never came across it - I mainly used specialist enamel paints with a horse hair brush, or I'd spray Cellulose - haven't the facility to spray 2k, that stuff is lethal! Although ashamedly I did thin down some Dulux and roller it onto an old isopon clad Transporter many years ago

Keep up the good work sir!

[#32]

Superb jobs, looks amazing!

One thing thouhg, with the rustoleum did you not have to remove the greay paint first!?

[shirlz]

wow, im amazed at the difference and I have only read page 1 so far....just had to comment on how good this van looks.....there is hope for me yet.

I would love a respray but as you say, on an old van, cant justify the money, dont have it anyway and dont think I could hire the stuff and spray it either having never done it.

Not sure I could roller as perfect as that, but you never know