Another transit custom to campervan

[richm]

Evening all.
Had an idea to obtain a coach or bus and convert to a motorhome.
My wife adjusted my scale, and after months of looking at Vito/VW/Vivaro/Traffic, finally settled on a Transit Custom
What threw it.
Needed aircon and passenger airbag.
So have a 2015 Ford Transit custom limited, I think its stratosphere blue, but still trying to understand Fords paint code format on Transit tags.
Plan is professional pop-top
I may have a go at the windows if I feel brave, but fitted quote is only £150 more than I can purchase them and all kit for.
Then insulate, ply etc...side kitchen and rock and roll bed (as most I suppose).
I am a DIYer, some electrical knowledge, limited plumbing and gas (own a BBQ )
Learning from the internet...

Any upfront suggestions/ hints etc... like where to stick the leisure battery, fixed or movable water container... much appreciated.


RichM

[CustomColin]

Hi Rich

I’m a couple of months into a similar project. 2018 custom limited.

I had the windows fitted professionally because - as you say - by the time you’ve bought the kit and tools there’s not much in it. And it’s fairy high consequence if it goes wrong.

We’re going for a HiLo roof as there aren’t many others out there for the custom.

Custom Shop Designs do a ply lining kit that is pre cut to the right shapes - it fit perfect, except the floor needed a bit of a trim round the wheel arches due to the insulation.

Custom shop also do a swivel base for the custom but beware as the limited has extra wiring in the van floor and I haven’t been able to get this fitted yet - also custom shop haven’t been able to give me an an answer why - I think it just doesn’t fit the limited spec.

Rayne automotive are great for the electrics. Tell them what you want in and they will design the kit and send it to you with sticky labels on the end of each wire telling where to connect them.

I’m putting the leisure battery behind the drivers seat as the vehicle battery is under the drivers seat so running the spilt charger is very easy.

For gas I got an underslung LPG tank which means we’ve lost no internal space in the van for gas bottles and you just fill it up from a pump at the petrol station “autogas” - costs about a fiver for 10l. That was installed by Rhino Installs near Preston.

Best of luck! Keep us up to date

Colin

[richm]

Colin,
Many thanks for your info, good to have someone else's opinions and advice.

On consideration...I am getting windows fitted.

The OEM hardboard side panels are still in this van, so after upper windows fitted I may carpet the lower of these, possibly in slight contrast to main shell carpeting.
Floor, Van has the Ford liner, I am going to use that as a template to cut 2 8x4 ply sheets.

Just ordered my double seat swivel from CustomShopDesigns... I thought this took '40 minutes' to fit, I guess I am going to have same problems...if you find a solution please let me know

I am halfway through the Rayne spreadsheet, going for their CTEK D250, with Solar connected, mains hookup and charger, just deciding on sockets/light locations, will submit then give them a call to discuss.
Think I will go for battery behind drivers seat, need to look for some units that will accommodate this, still pondering where to put mains hookup, near battery or at the rear.

I am investigating a 'Camplux 10L Outdoor Portable Propane Instant Tankless Water Heater', fitted on rear on cabinets, with dual connection back to sink for hot water, I think it will need ventilation (door open) to use.

This is a project for myself and 2 teenage boys for the winter...just started cleaning van out, we are looking forward to the fun bits.

[richbee]

Colin,
Many thanks for your info, good to have someone else's opinions and advice.

On consideration...I am getting windows fitted.

The OEM hardboard side panels are still in this van, so after upper windows fitted I may carpet the lower of these, possibly in slight contrast to main shell carpeting.
Floor, Van has the Ford liner, I am going to use that as a template to cut 2 8x4 ply sheets.

Just ordered my double seat swivel from CustomShopDesigns... I thought this took '40 minutes' to fit, I guess I am going to have same problems...if you find a solution please let me know

I am halfway through the Rayne spreadsheet, going for their CTEK D250, with Solar connected, mains hookup and charger, just deciding on sockets/light locations, will submit then give them a call to discuss.
Think I will go for battery behind drivers seat, need to look for some units that will accommodate this, still pondering where to put mains hookup, near battery or at the rear.

I am investigating a 'Camplux 10L Outdoor Portable Propane Instant Tankless Water Heater', fitted on rear on cabinets, with dual connection back to sink for hot water, I think it will need ventilation (door open) to use.

This is a project for myself and 2 teenage boys for the winter...just started cleaning van out, we are looking forward to the fun bits.

Sounds like a fun project. I'm most of my way through converting my Custom.
If you've got some electrical experience, it isn't that difficult to make up your own electrical system - buy the bits online & make it up as you go along.
I got lots of stuff from 12V planet - including the CTEK D250.
I've gone for am 80W solar panel on the roof, but no mains hook up so far - it all ran my lights & fridge perfectly for a weekend in Scotland last week

[Rick63]

Hi,
Also in the process of fitting electrics to 2018 custom. I have just got the CTEK 250 delivered from 12v Planet and when reading the installation manual I noticed it needs a +ve ‘engine on’ feed to make sure it recognises the smart alternator. I was wondering where you took this feed when you installed yours.

Cheers
Rick

[richm]

Hi Rick not got that far yet, still speccing, I am thinking of piggyback something in fusebox.
Let me know if you find an 'easy' connection.
Where did you end up locating all the electrics...still planning here...other opinions / options much appreciated.

[Rick63]

Hi Rich

Electrics and twin leisure batteries all going at the back of the van on the drivers side. Building a unit there that will have a small fridge on top.
Spent this evening running all the cables from the battery under the drivers seat to the back of the van. Found a route up the pillar behind drivers door then back down inside the pillar behind the sliding door on drivers side.
watched a couple of CTEK videos last night which advise you only need to find a power source that is active with the ignition on. Found a suitable fuse in the box below the steering wheel. One marked as supporting a USB. Got a piggy back fuse link due tomorrow so can get on with wiring.

Cheers
Rick

[Laserowl]

Hi Guys, Some great info. Im currently looking at getting a Custom to convert to a Day van / full on motorhome. Currently have a MK1 Facelift Connect with awning and kip in the back, but its really still just a van, got split charge and battery along with Hook up power.

Looking at which model to go for regards insurance and Mods do i go Torneo and remove seats having got windows already, or crew cab / standard van and add windows.

Who have you used for Insurance and how did you find them regards the modifications. Such a minefield so any help much appreciated.

cheers.

[richm]

I started out looking for a van with budget of £7k, Transit Custom, Vivaro, Traffic...

I decided I wanted air con, that pushed the price up, and then a passenger airbag, which meant I needed a Transit Custom Limited, so ended up £10k +dreaded VAT.
Price very much depends on your requirements.

Insurance, I started with a VAN quote from one of the many online sites, £400, My NCB is on another vehicle unfortunately.
But settled for Adrian Flux Van to Camper conversion for a bit more.

Just spent the day wiring a rearview mirror/reversing camera, didnt notice the cargo lights were on all day (supposed to go off after 30mins)...another job for the list, suggestions please
Flat battery..given up, for the day.

[CustomColin]

Just ordered my double seat swivel from CustomShopDesigns... I thought this took '40 minutes' to fit, I guess I am going to have same problems...if you find a solution please let me know

I am halfway through the Rayne spreadsheet, going for their CTEK D250, with Solar connected, mains hookup and charger, just deciding on sockets/light locations, will submit then give them a call to discuss.
Think I will go for battery behind drivers seat, need to look for some units that will accommodate this, still pondering where to put mains hookup, near battery or at the rear.

.

Was your van the limited spec? If so, email custom shops and ask them for the instructions for the limited van as the ones it came with weren't correct - it involves cutting out a bit more of the rubber mat under the seat. I then put some Dodo mat sound deadening and insulation down onto the exposed metal to avoid having a cold spot - I found this didn't impede the swivel base.

Still can't get my head round the cable tunnel though - the swivel base seems to sit on it and it doesn't look right. Although I can get all the bolts tightened and the seat back on and it does swivel round - I'm just not that happy with how its sat on the cables - it feels like it should be a bit further down and a bit more flush, but the cable tunnel impedes it - no reply from custom shop yet other than I need to send them more photos.

Let me know how you get on with it?

my electrics from Rayne are coming this week so I'll post in my stream about how this goes (See "Nugget on a budget")

Cheers,

Colin

[CustomColin]

Here are a couple of photos of the swivel base. 1 showing the mat cut out and the new insulation stuck down. You can see the black plastic cable tunnel. The other photo shows the swivel base squashing down this cable tunnel.

IMG_2052.jpg

IMG_2053.jpg

[richm]

I ordered my double swivel a couple of weeks ago...but heard nothing, emailed, but will have to resort to phone I guess.

The more I read about the fitting of these the more disappointed I get.

Photos appreciated.
Any other mods required, bolts cut etc ?

[Scottishcustom]

Hi Rich

I’m a couple of months into a similar project. 2018 custom limited.

I had the windows fitted professionally because - as you say - by the time you’ve bought the kit and tools there’s not much in it. And it’s fairy high consequence if it goes wrong.

We’re going for a HiLo roof as there aren’t many others out there for the custom.

Custom Shop Designs do a ply lining kit that is pre cut to the right shapes - it fit perfect, except the floor needed a bit of a trim round the wheel arches due to the insulation.

Custom shop also do a swivel base for the custom but beware as the limited has extra wiring in the van floor and I haven’t been able to get this fitted yet - also custom shop haven’t been able to give me an an answer why - I think it just doesn’t fit the limited spec.

Rayne automotive are great for the electrics. Tell them what you want in and they will design the kit and send it to you with sticky labels on the end of each wire telling where to connect them.

I’m putting the leisure battery behind the drivers seat as the vehicle battery is under the drivers seat so running the spilt charger is very easy.

For gas I got an underslung LPG tank which means we’ve lost no internal space in the van for gas bottles and you just fill it up from a pump at the petrol station “autogas” - costs about a fiver for 10l. That was installed by Rhino Installs near Preston.

Best of luck! Keep us up to date

Colin

Hi Colin,

I've been looking into getting an underslung LPG tank installed on my L2H2 transit custom, was just wondering which one you went with/where you got it fitted?

Cheers,
Ewan

[richbee]

Hi,
Also in the process of fitting electrics to 2018 custom. I have just got the CTEK 250 delivered from 12v Planet and when reading the installation manual I noticed it needs a +ve ‘engine on’ feed to make sure it recognises the smart alternator. I was wondering where you took this feed when you installed yours.

Cheers
Rick

There's a special connector under the driver's seat, which has D+ as one of it's pins.
You can buy a special Ford connector at ~£50!!
I got one 2nd hand off here, but turned out it was for the 2.2 engine, 2.0 engine has different connector, so I butchered the connector and just connected to the pin I needed - works a treat.

[dumper]

On my mk8 it was the blue wire on the front plug n/s front plug in the seat box cut the wire off the plug put a red crimp female bullet job done cost 10 p I am assuming the custom is the same.