My van Start to Finnish

Post by **willf** » 12 Sep 2007, 11:50

Thought I would do a photo diary of my van. As I convert it from hitop Finnish ambulance to an expedition camper van.

Here it is day 1 outside Cj's offices!

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... rot3-1.jpg[/img]

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... rot3-2.jpg[/img]

Website · Post by **syncrosimon** » 12 Sep 2007, 16:10

Good man, start with the best!!
where are you??

Post by **Ye Olde Syncrospares** » 12 Sep 2007, 16:14

leominster,hereford.

Website · Post by **syncrosimon** » 12 Sep 2007, 16:18

Ta cj

Post by **willf** » 12 Sep 2007, 17:11

Hereford, Hereford!!!

Post by **syncrodoug** » 12 Sep 2007, 18:49

Hello Willf, may I introduce myself - Syncrodoug - residing in Ross-on-Wye!
Must meet up some time.
Doug

Post by **willf** » 12 Sep 2007, 19:16

HELLO!!! It's all very exciting! Doug is there some off road near here for me to go brake this beast on?? Will

Post by **v-lux** » 12 Sep 2007, 19:42

He he,

And break it will...

Post by **syncrodoug** » 12 Sep 2007, 20:04

Will, I'm still looking for RUPP or BOAT locally. South Herefordshire seems devoid of Byways - you'll even have a job to find a Bridleway!
Shropshire, Powys seem better.
There is an off-road course at Whitecliff quarry in the Forest of Dean, near Coleford I think, where you can Pay and Play!
Another off-roading possibility is Mortimer Forest, near Ludlow where a company operate offering instruction and guided trips - I/m going to approach them soon with a view to exploring the feasibility of arranging a 'SYNCRONAUTS' event.
There is a Syncronauts green-laning weekend in the Peak District at the end of the month, all are welcome, see post at top of syncro page. I'm going with my T4 Syncro - the T3 DOKA is having an engine transplant.
Doug

Post by **ELVIS** » 12 Sep 2007, 21:41

how far from hay on wye are you ?

Post by **willf** » 12 Sep 2007, 22:13

25 minutes or so. I think not done it in my T3 yet though!

Post by **ELVIS** » 12 Sep 2007, 23:04

k , if you ever go that way gimme a shout/PM ! my old lappie is playing up and im having problems retrieving my MM overlays now! bugger. good mate of mine runs a garage (and has a challenge spec 90) and knows all the lanes your way better than the A roads!

Post by **willf** » 20 Oct 2007, 16:21

This is the interior glimpsed through the window. Basically wipe clean wals horrid seats, dust, rust and some bits of broken glass.

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... /seats.jpg[/img]

Post by **willf** » 20 Oct 2007, 16:38

Since then i have

1) swapped to captain's seats

2) ripped out the floor (including sopping wet weetabix under layer that stank) and walls (including old itchy horrible insulation)

3) cleaned up any rust spots buzzed them down and treated then painted over them.

4) the inside of the panels has all been cleaned hoovered dried and waxoyled.

5) a new floor put in riased up on 12mm slats to allow it to breath if it does get wet so it won't hold water. 12mm varnished ply on top.

6) insulated walls with foam board and stuck old walls back on.

7) fixed leaks in hightop where the blue lights were atatched.

carpeted the walls for more insulation and sound deadening.

9) Fitted a bed in the roof then took it straight back out as i couldn't cope in it as it was too low, and a serious task to get in and out.

10) scrapped bed and made a large storage area over back part of van, allows head room for cooking but also tons of room for my kit. An internal roof rack!

11) Fitted a bluebird bed to the bracings in front of my bulkhead.

12) Built a box in the back to level the bed out with engine access and cubby holes in it, jack pump jump leads straps ropes all stored away neat tidy and WARM!

13) fitted a spare wheel carrier, sadly crappy one as the origional one that was fitted has disapeared somewhere between Finland and me! Looks good and solid now it's on tho, and a BIG thanks to KevH for the help with that it made it all quite easy!

So now i just need some units down the side, a leisure battery, a radio, a cb, a swivel seat base, a propex heater, the cushions covered and i'm away!!!

van with wheel on back!!!! yeah!
[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10001.jpg[/img]

captain seats
[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10012.jpg[/img]

floor needing covering!
[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10011.jpg[/img]

storage up top
[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10009.jpg[/img]

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10002.jpg[/img]

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10005.jpg[/img]

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10010.jpg[/img]

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10008.jpg[/img]

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10013.jpg[/img]

[IMG:320:240]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa14 ... s10014.jpg[/img]

Post by **Ye Olde Syncrospares** » 24 Oct 2007, 09:07

watcha,if you were wondering where the genuine spare wheel carrier went i have it!!

,i bought this 16" van as a scrap van to get the wheel carrier off but the van turned out to be better than expected and fixed it,cj.