Club 80-90 Forums

Hello Guys

1st post after a few years' lurking so please be gentle.

Bought my 'Diamond RV' conversion in Weston-super-Mare three years ago. Air's a bit salty there, as it was in Bournemouth where the van originated in 1984.

Anyways, over the last 18 months have moved from the Levels in Somerset to Topsham, south of Exeter, and then onto Bristol where I am now happily settled. When I was in Topsham I commissioned Exeter-based John Warren (Ex BR Engineer) who undertook some major welding works in his Devon barn. A few months later I moved to Southville, Bristol and investigated resprays. I commissioned Blasting Die Past, based in Temple Cloud, to finish the external refurb and respray......hoping he would do a proper job and paying for one......

I have just received the van back and am looking at the internals. I have a 7 year old daughter, who adores 'Campo', and a 5 month old son who's yet to enjoy it.

The interior now needs some work. The original Diamond RV conversion has 2 x hammocks, but I fear these won't be suitable for 7 year old and 5 month old moving forward. I am minded to rip out the read cupboard (still original tin top roof beneath) and then replace the hammocks / cupboard with demountable bed / mattress / storage / ladder. In the short term I will fit a cab hammock to support a travel cot.

You can probably tell that the high top isn't the highest, which has been advantageous when getting buffeted on the M5, especially before I got the bushes and linkages overhauled. I am wondering if I'll have the space to make two 'fixed upper berths' a success.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/05tnq78u7ahjj ... 3.jpg?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q0f4i0jwp7715 ... 1.jpg?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.dropbox.com/s/udyj9zj9r97fc ... 4.jpg?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9q9obiw7ieu8u ... 2.jpg?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Comments and advice gratefully received.

Cheers

Gravydogg

Hi,
I think you have answered your own question really.
The bed using the rear part of the original roof sounds the best choice, just depends much space there is for height.
Its easy to have a fixed board with a sliding part that comes out to provide the right length, all goes back during the day.

I'm going through the same thing currently!!

I have an original vw high top, it's lower than the westy! My plan at this stage is to span 18mm ply between the van sides, not bothered about fold down/ slide out bit yet as the kids can sleep width way at the moment. Plan is to incorporate a ladder into a bed guard some how!!

I think I measured with a 50mm foam mattress there will be about 400mm clearance which is fine for sleeping!!

I was trying to make it lower for more room but was so much easier to rest ply on the van ring beam, no roof remaining! One way i gauged and visualised it was to get my daughter to lie down on the r&r bed in the seat position and kneel down to see distance between her and height of back rest!! Back rest was about 450mm I think!!

Thanks Tobias. Very useful.

I've measured the distance from the tin top to the underside of the high top and it's 370mm at best. So, allowing for 50 mm memory foam mattress and something to sit flat on the tin top that'll leave 300mm. Which will be a lot tighter than a Tokyo hotel.

I might be better off keeping the space above the tin top for storing a demountable platform that will roll out / assemble / somehow sit lower that the tin top, similar to the existing hammocks, extending towards the front of the van.

Good luck with your work.

Gravydogg

hi
I've recently bought a 1983 Diamond RV pop top though but can't seem to find much info on the conversion? just wondering how similar ours are as I've got a few problems that seem unique to this type.As far as I can see there's a swivel base under the front seats but the lever doesn't move them round though they do go right down flat so could make a bed? Also the rock n roll bed - as far as I can tell is not a typical design-it confused last mechanic- tho it flattens out by same principle. Problem is It wobbles about & tips up which is not great for the kids safety. I'm wondering if there's a catch missing somewhere to lock it into place? If you don't mind sharing info I'll take some photos or if you wouldnt mind sharing info/pics to see if its the same? I'd really appreciate the help- total non mechanical newbie but trying to learn!
cheers
alex

Hi Alex

Sure, happy to help if I can.

Send some pics.

Gravydogg

hi
Thanks for the offer of help - much appreciated !!
Have tried to post some useful pics?! just so as you can see if yours is same design?? I can't find much info about the Diamond RV conversion so don't know interior is original? anyways the bed/bench seat doesn't stay in place-rocks back n forth when you lean on it and when it flattens down wobbles about as if catch missing but I cant see where? Any advice welcome with open arms
cheers
alex

Evening fellow Autostradas,

I'm in process of planning to improve ease and security of these Bliddy awful beds .
Great to sleep on but, trying to get it sorted after several hours sampling the local
beverage can leave the air blue ! Always get it out (bed that is) before imbibing .
Have an idea of how to clamp bench rigid without disappearing backwards, like Norton's chair !
I'll put some pics up when eventually done, too busy at moment to spend time on the van .
Atb,
Chris

Ah forgot , I have a full length side opening roof on my van, very similar to Devon,Moonraker,etc..
What is the hinge set up on other Autostradas, mine has four, pair at front and rear,
unfortunately it looks like reinforcing plates are shot, wonder if anyone has replaced these ?
Thanks,
Chris