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the crazy map van

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the crazy map van

Postby vanflash » Mon Aug 18, 2014 12:15 pm

here's some shots and a bit of background about the build for our crazy map van... don't have any of the build, we simply forgot to take any :oops:

Bought just over a year ago the ex builders van has had a bit of a makeover. First we stripped out the bulkhead and fittings, chipped of all the set cement and gave it a good clean, then added 2 windows (that still would leak if they weren't taped at the seems, it a sore point between me and the other half so don't mention it if you see him! :roll: )

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Then we insulated walls doors and floors with many layers of that silver bubble wrap stuff, and my other half put a wiring loom in. Our expert carpenter pal worked for mates rates and boarded the whole van out, built the cupboards and the bed base and supports and kitchen and put the skylight in. A caravan friend from the pub has piped up the gas to the hob, with cooker and grill and propex heater to follow when we eventually get a heatproof grillbox and gas bottle locker, and decide were to vent the propex heater. The whole van has been designed with 2 people in mind, me and the other half, and with deep pockets but short arms :P . We've had a camper van of some sorts for 8 years, so we kinda knew how we wanted this one to work... Basically I wanted as big as possible bed/lounging around area, as when you analyse the time you spend in a van most of it is sleeping or sitting, so we cut the kitchen space down as far as we could whilst still leaving a large work top. It also has many hidden storage areas using as much of the space as possible.The van has a bit of a map theme, with vintage maps glued on walls, ceiling, floors, worktops, erm, everywhere really, then several layers of varnish.

Anyway, here's loads of pics of the almost finished build....

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below: the view from the back of the bed, showing map quilt, teatowel map pillow cases/cushion covers and map fabric curtains :lol:
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below: the view from sliding door to the back, the swivel lights were old ones we got in a job lot of camper van stuff which my other glued a ceiling light fitting to, they seem low down in the picture but are the perfect height for covert non partner disturbing kindle reading (unless its a terry pratchet, in which case my giggling wakes him!)
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below: looking straight in for the sliding door, with cupboard door for grill, oven in place (part of the job lot), none of the door catches/handles are on yet, and there's a couple of doors to do still. Note the coleman extreme coolbox - I wanted a 3 way fridge but has these have to be fitted so precisely to avoid death by exhaust fumes and efficient working my other half talked me into one of these coolboxes and by heck I'm pleased he did, simply line the bottom with a few bottle of frozen water and it works as a fridge for at least 5 days, incredible :shock: none of the hassle, noise or gas usage of a fridge and one very happy camper with fresh milk for the morning cuppa! I think you can just see the bulldog bottle opener too :lol:
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below: the worktop and overhead cupboards
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below: the sink and hob
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below: the sliding door step - the worktop goes right up to the sliding door (needed to move the handle to the middle of the sliding door) giving us this little storage space for the dog things, bowl, 2 x 5m chain and spare leads.
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below: the skylight at the back of the van and one of 4 little led ceiling lights
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below: the cab roof, well, I had to use the off cuts of map for something :lol:
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below: little storage area behind the wheel arch at the back door
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below: another view of the huge bed, that's a super king quilt and it only just fits... :D
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below: the huge bed, big enough for 4 adults to comfortably shelter from the rain :D
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below: other half's wiring with split charger and mains point... still got a couple of things fit like usb charger point etc
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if you're working on yours and have any questions on how we did anything please ask and i will get the relevant info from the various helpers (I only did the pretty bits though i helped with the rest)
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby karl » Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:28 pm

DO YOU NOT KNOW WHERE YOU GOING :lol: :lol: sorry about caps
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby blue estate » Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:50 pm

So that's why that Bulgarian could only get a map of Southampton to cross the Atlantic :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby Luke » Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:40 pm

different 8) 8) dont forget the sat nav :lol:
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby vanflash » Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:04 pm

Mainly vintage maps, our home town isn't on them, which is nice! :)
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby andypdq » Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:59 pm

Have you had a performance re map?
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby vanflash » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:18 pm

andypdq wrote:Have you had a performance re map?


Haha :lol:

Yeah, perhaps the other half meant something different when he sais to map the beast :P
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby Terry » Tue Aug 19, 2014 5:53 pm

Hi
Decor courtesy of Maplins ?
(sorry)
I got a little black book with me poems in
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby Kedishen » Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:54 pm

I love the decoration and your wiring is very neat - bem feita!
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby RustWidow » Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:59 pm

Nice job, it's different and cleverly done, well done to all who have got involved
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby vanflash » Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:07 am

Thanks, it was a bit of a pub project, I've had to bake a lot of thank you cakes! We love the van, it makes me smile everyday :lol:
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby scrumpy » Wed Aug 27, 2014 11:29 am

:D Nice! some good ideas for me to nick there haha, I like that coolbox, is it the 50qt? also where did you source the windows please (the leaky ones) lol :lol:
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Re: the crazy map van

Postby vanflash » Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:13 am

Thanks, I think it's the Coleman xtreme 50qt wheeled cooler but would have to check the paperwork file (or find the carrier bag with van receipts stuffed under the stairs!). The windows were a lucky eBay find just down the road from me.

Have fun with yours, self building is a worthwhile adventure. :D
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