newbie looking for a bit of advice

[ducatobuild]

Guys
Hello first time posting on this wonderful site, although i have posted on many others previously on all sorts of topics.
What i wish to know for now is what is the best base van to convert as in i have almost completed a build on a ducato lwb hi-top which was great fun but has not allowed me the flexibility that a vw would and could, i wanted a VW but was unable to source one at the time and duly went or and duly regretted it ever since, the build quailty is no where near a VW parts are daer and few suppliers all in all not a good experience ending in it only being half the van we envisaged.
However we intend to use it for the remainder of this year and into next and buy a VW for next season.
I know what i want and need but am unsure of which way to go about it, what i need is a 2 berth pop top preferably it must have an deisel run heating syatem and be desel engined preferably a 2.5 .
Having built one already it doesnt real scare me howevr this one does not have the likes of the night heater nor proper fridge nor cooker installed and a constant bed system due to an expance of space available but no resulting space for sitting hence the rock-n-roll bed idea appeals as it is both.
With all that in mind and not being sure of my capabilities would i be best not building and taking a rebuilding role this time and buying a factory built model and rebuilding it to suit my/our neeeds and adding to what's already there or building from scratch again.
Would love to hear from those amongst you who have done either or along with any ideas,specs, layouts or ideas etc for parts you have built for these vans yourselfs to cut costs eg ladder for rear, towbar, roofracks and all the other fancy bits that can often cost a fortune but make the difference betwen a cool and not so cool van.
Likewise any dodges on how to acheive a look eg how to lower a van on the cheap or build an a bar or external sunvisor would all be good info to have to hand pre starting this new project.
My prevuious build is detailed somehwt at http://www.freewebs.com/expertbuild where a quite extensive build site exists come over and see me sometime all welcomed.
For now thanking you in anticipation of all replies
Slanj
Dougie

[Ian Hulley]

With respect, from your list of wants you're listing a T4 2.5TDi. If you have a T25 (with lots more character .... and probably rust) go for a late gassed 2.1 'velle and take it from there, least that's what I'd do now, given the time and money all over again.

I, however, have a rowing boat fetish and 2 girls to accomodate

Oh and welcome to the club BTW

Ian.

[Swampy]

Hello, Ducato.

Well, if it's a T25 you're after, I'm afraid the only factory diesel-types VW built were 1.6D, 1.6TD & 1.7D

There are those with more mechanical skills than mine that have had larger diesel engines installed, though I feel once that's been done people tend to keep them! I think a sane conversion is to upgrade a 1.6TD to a 1.9TD engine, but you do need bits from the old 1.6TD engine to do the job. There are other engines you can use, of course.

My Dad-in-Law has a 2.1 petrol van running on LPG & it's got a good turn of speed with excellent fuel economy. That may be an option for you.

If you're looking for an easy life, then the professionally converted vans are really very good. You'd spend a fortune buying the bits like heater, fridge & pop-top separately from new.

I have been told a site called mobile.de is a good site for well looked after german VW campers, but I've never used it myself. You'd get a decent price & (usually) great condition abroad. My own van was from Holland, originally.

Worth browsing the garage on this site to see what others have done to their vans.

If you feel like it, why not pop round to one of the VW events to have a good look round other vans out there. I was happy to show off my Carthago's features whilst abroad this summer & likewise was fascinated to actually observe the layout & setup of the Autosleeper conversions.

Hope this helps.

[kevtherev]

I can agree with both of those replies

and add if you are intent on building your own then there are many on here who have...from full on year round campervans to dayvans and weekenders.
all generally made from panel vans.
But the Caravelle is the one thats got a lot more passenger comforts already fitted as its a bus

[ducatobuild]

Guys
Thanks for your early replies much appriciated.
I would really prefer to not self build this time and would prefer to buy built as it's a lot of hastle although having said that when i buy i will still be looking at doing an lot to my purchase to make it my own.
Fitting many parts and accesories etc,, therefore having still not fully made up my mind i would still dearly love to hear from this clan of selfbuilders that you have as members to hear about at least some of the pitfalls of selfbuilding a t3 t25 VW.
From a practical note pressuming then that i was to buy ready made so to speak what is the plushiest, best appointed, deisel that returns the best mpg [standard form] that is the most reliable, easiest to use and optain, and maintain whilst being reasonably priced, [remebrering of course i would need the eisberg heating at the very least or similar].
Having made the choice i would then like to know what the good, bad, and ugly points are with this particualr model and what i should look out for when buying such a model.
Links to personal sites and such would be appriciated.
For now
Slanj
Dougie

[ding-dang-dhu]

Welcome mate, always nice to see another Scot on here.

[Ian Hulley]

therefore having still not fully made up my mind i would still dearly love to hear from this clan of selfbuilders that you have as members to hear about at least some of the pitfalls of selfbuilding a t3 t25 VW.

Please feel free to ask away. In the meantime here's a few websites which will hopefully be of interest, they were for us. :-

http://www.autocraft-motorcaravans.com/

http://www.reimo.co.uk/

http://www.caktanks.co.uk/

Cheers,Ian.

[ducatobuild]

once agian as usual all valuable info i will take a look through the links above if i still have question i will come back and ask them then
For now
Slanj
Dougie