Transforming side loading door!

[screechowl]

Has anyone ever replaced the side loading door of a panel van (Mark 5) with a hinged, caravan type door???

[captain hook]

Only a midget I would think

[redsquirrel]

I hadn't thought of that I have replaced mine with a sliding door with a window already fitted. What type of door are you thinking of fitting?

[MinorMatt]

BillyBoy turned his SLD in to a hinged door on his county camper conversion

[screechowl]

It was just an idea cos I hate the sliding door & I could put more fittings across the door space if it was like a caravan type door with a hinge. You can't put anything in the space with a SLD cos you have to pull the bloody thing to the side every time I'll try find Billy Boy's

[dumper]

I think some police spec vans had hinged type sld doors

[captain hook]

I think some police spec vans had hinged type sld doors

Yes...Mine did

[screechowl]

Right....so if I could get hold of a hinged sld off a police spec van I'd be set up

[captain hook]

Right....so if I could get hold of a hinged sld off a police spec van I'd be set up

No....The door is the same

You need to re-enforce the B pillar and hinge the door from it....

Sorry if I'm being thick but....Why bother

[ake]

All new van conversion campers still have the sliding side door, but the internal fittings extend half way across the opening, usually housing gas bottle etc.

I really can't understand why you would want to change it.
It's like having your patio doors removed and a solid wall, with a solid door put in its place!

[screechowl]

All new van conversion campers still have the sliding side door, but the internal fittings extend half way across the opening, usually housing gas bottle etc.

I really can't understand why you would want to change it.
It's like having your patio doors removed and a solid wall, with a solid door put in its place!

Because you can't have any units in the way of the opening cos you need the whole space to swing the door along to open it. can't stand the din of the sld anyway. when you wake up everyone knows you're up when they here your sld! With a hinged door you don't have to stretch right across the space to open it so you could let a unit come half way across the opening space, as hooky explained & as Billyboy has done. He's emailed me picks of it. I understand now, it's the same door but with a hinge

[ake]

Factory 17 seat minibuses have stops on the door so the it only opens half way. Would that not do?

[screechowl]

Factory 17 seat minibuses have stops on the door so the it only opens half way. Would that not do?

Nah, think I'll just get an ambulance or horse box instead

[ake]

Most ambulances built since the 90s have a sliding side loading door!
Most of them use the Transit fittings, even those built on Merc/VW chassis