460 minibus camper conversion

[johnporter11]

First photo’s of the project, progress so far; strip out the rear seats and trim, wash down the interior which wasn’t bad at all, now fitted the passenger swivel seat. Photo’s are before the wash down. More to follow.

Hi Rob62. How is the van progressing?

[Rob62]

Hi John, just fitted a couple of swivel bases. Been getting some electric cables and conduit together ready to lay the wiring then I’ll be ready to start the insulation.. Been finalising the layout design too, now that I actually have a van to take some measurements from.... here’s a link to the CAD model
https://youtu.be/ty7BdTBj2d0

[johnporter11]

Wow, that's impressive.
I bought a load of conduit also. But in the end I opted for two-core double insulated cable (of various size) and used the existing Ford cable route and hangers - hardly any conduit needed.
Where did you source your swivels? Single passenger seat?
Can I ask, have you disposed of the luggage racks?

[Rob62]

Hi John, I bought the swivel bases from kiravans, they are french made items, very sturdy and easy to use. They were about £160 / £170 each so not too bad. The passenger side was a doddle to fit just 4 bolts to undo and a bit of trimming to the outside plastic seat trim.. The drivers side is a bit more awkward to fit, the whole handbrake assembly needs to come off as well as the seat, also the battery cover needs to be trimmed otherwise the swivel plate won’t sit down properly, even after trimming i had to space the swivel base with some washers (about 6mm). No trimming required as the drivers seat is height adjustable. But the whole handbrake cover has to go as the bracket needs lowering. I painted the metal bracket black and it looks ok.

Yes I still have the luggage racks, they are amazingly solid, you could swing from them. All the brackets are there plus the roof lining which is different to a plain roof lining. Make me an offer!

Still have all the seats too.... they all need to go or they’re gonna end up in a skip

[Rob62]

[Boltrounder]

Decent man


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[johnporter11]

Hi John, I bought the swivel bases from kiravans, they are french made items, very sturdy and easy to use. They were about £160 / £170 each so not too bad. The passenger side was a doddle to fit just 4 bolts to undo and a bit of trimming to the outside plastic seat trim.. The drivers side is a bit more awkward to fit, the whole handbrake assembly needs to come off as well as the seat, also the battery cover needs to be trimmed otherwise the swivel plate won’t sit down properly, even after trimming i had to space the swivel base with some washers (about 6mm). No trimming required as the drivers seat is height adjustable. But the whole handbrake cover has to go as the bracket needs lowering. I painted the metal bracket black and it looks ok.

Yes I still have the luggage racks, they are amazingly solid, you could swing from them. All the brackets are there plus the roof lining which is different to a plain roof lining. Make me an offer!

Still have all the seats too.... they all need to go or they’re gonna end up in a skip

Hi Rob. Thanks for coming back on that. Will check out the swivel seats (the passenger side anyway). Nice work on the handbrake bracket.
I'm probably too far away to think about the racks. But actually, I've already got a set of Trend racks (with overhead lights). However, I'm really looking for the brackets, specifically the big L-brackets that attach directly to the van body, and also the little hangers.

[Rob62]

Hi John, no problem.. I do have all the brackets nuts, bolts and all, but I’d prefer to sell as a complete assembly.. otherwise I fear the luggage racks will be useless without the correct brackets and i’ll end up having to bin them. Do you also have the correct roof panels with the cutouts to suit the racks? I can do you a deal on the job lot

[johnporter11]

Hi John, no problem.. I do have all the brackets nuts, bolts and all, but I’d prefer to sell as a complete assembly.. otherwise I fear the luggage racks will be useless without the correct brackets and i’ll end up having to bin them. Do you also have the correct roof panels with the cutouts to suit the racks? I can do you a deal on the job lot

Where are you Rob?

[Rob62]

Hi John, i’m in Castleford Yorkshire, 2 mins from the J32 shopping centre and indoor ski slope..

[johnporter11]

Hi John, i’m in Castleford Yorkshire, 2 mins from the J32 shopping centre and indoor ski slope..

I'm in Northern Ireland!
Given that I've already bought the Trend racks (without the brackets), and I'd given up on sourcing any and modified my layout preventing the use of racks on the off-side, I might still consider fitting the short one on the nearside. But I still need just the brackets!
Keep me in mind if you give up!

[Rob62]

You will get 1st refusal John if i decide to scrap them

[DCW1]

Great base van and love your CAD mock-up. Is this your first project or have you built up experience over the years on previous vehicles? Would love to try something like this in a few years time...

[Rob62]

Hi DCW1, Thanks.. No this is my first camper conversion and my first van, although my daily driver is an Nissan Elgrand which I have toured France in a couple of times.. its the size of a small van but a bit more refined. I love the Transit though, its great to drive for such a big vehicle, can’t wait till it’s finished and I’m off on my first adventure .

[JamesHow]

How hard was it to remove the plastics from your minibus?

Can you do it without breaking the fixings?

I want to remove mine at some point insulate with rockwool / foil and put it back.

Cheers James