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Yeah I did notice the turning circle on the Movano but I had a Vivaro before so used to the supertanker 5 point turns. The poorly fitting body panels and flimsy steel was the thing putting me off it the most as it drives lovely. So Sprinter it is then. Cheers all for your input. New van day, YAY! 😀
Plasticote isn't all that.
Looks good when first done but looks really tatty really quickly.
My mate did his McCoy kit car. Was a mess after 6months of daily driving.
Congrats on the new van - please post some updates on how you get on with the conversion. I'm fantasising about that option at the mo. That's the 144" high top sprinter innit?
Thanks Grum! Yes I'll be boring everyone with dull pics and incoherent sentences very soon.. 😀
One week in, dull pics as promised..
Stealth, obviously.
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2929/33592918875_b3abc5ec06_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2929/33592918875_b3abc5ec06_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Tbuuqt ]IMG_20170322_120629696-02[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Ply ripped out and floor lifted.
A couple of suprises, good and bad..
Clean and tidy AND previously waxoiled
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3722/33456314982_29a38a50c3_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3722/33456314982_29a38a50c3_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/SYqmQW ]IMG_20170323_151937970[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
However..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2883/33572125826_d7d588f343_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2883/33572125826_d7d588f343_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/T9DVnC ]IMG_20170323_121244189[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Water getting in through the side bumper fixings - a bit pants 😕
..and theres a hole in my bottom!
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2895/32799022033_73603246f1_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2895/32799022033_73603246f1_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/RYkyxT ]IMG_20170323_094153284[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
A tidy work space is a happy..oh 😳
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2829/33612873685_3f8392e312_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2829/33612873685_3f8392e312_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TdfLhV ]IMG_20170323_102005555[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Insulation next so standby for more enthralling pics 😀
Looking forward to the updates!
Those bumper clips always look like a poor solution. Is there somewhere for the water to go?
Fortunately yes, there's drain holes in the bottom of the sill. Makes you wonder how corroded the sill innards are though not being galvanised.
Yup keep it coming please!
So this is MWB Sprinter/Crafter?
I'm intrigued, this is what mrs_oab and I should get in a couple of years..
Yes Matt MWB Sprinter. Feels solid compared to other vans I've driven but not particularly refined, more truck like than car like. Bloody fast though!
MAN TOOLS!!!
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2871/33243180390_d98d3c2c65_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2871/33243180390_d98d3c2c65_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/SDzZmA ]IMG_20170324_132648233[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Floor insulation - straight forward..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2864/32783952694_dd06839855_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2864/32783952694_dd06839855_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/RX1jXG ]IMG_20170324_152530517_HDR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
The walls however..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3836/33535896321_4e89ed2fd1_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3836/33535896321_4e89ed2fd1_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/T6seAZ ]2017-03-26_07-40-56[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
What a ball ache this is turning out, every orifice differs in depth, height and width plus lots of awkward bits behind the struts. A spray foam kit is beginning to make a lot of sense...or a straight sided van.
Looks good though! - the fun bits are just around the corner 🙂
I spent ages fiddling bits of celotex into crevices on mine, cursing it as I cut and all that horrible dust comes off it. BUT it is really valuable in the long run, stick at it. Warmth and sound deadening, I've spent many happy moments lying in the van and being glad I bothered being so thorough.
I braced the floor with more battens than you have to prevent the floor sagging and crushing of insulation, might be worth thinking about now rather than later.
Glued to this thread!
Still debating a sprinter vs a relay/ducato as I'd like to be able to put the bed sideways. I'm 5'8 and that seems to be borderline with a sprinter.
Moral support much appreciated! Had a bad start to today's proceedings as I'd not cleaned my spray nozzle properly from yesterday so foam was coming out in a pathetic, worm like widdle.
spacey - floor is down temp as I've got more timber to go in around shower base, just not sure where yet so left it out.
Grum I'm 5'8" also, would be very tight with a transverse but doable, you can squeeze 6ft in there if you use the widest part where the panels are, only 800mm max height underneath though.
No pics today, it's not pretty in there, like the aftermath of a custard pie fight 🙂
Ugly pics, ugly pics, ugly pics!
So you're planning the bed lengthways? Just seems like that won't leave that much room for living space.
I'd need the bed higher than 800mm for bikes underneath. I take it yours is a post 2006 Sprinter, I think they're slightly wider (unless that's just in the US)?
Do you have a sketchup plan or anything?
Ta!
Sorry only fag packet plans and no film in me camera 🙂
Going for a lengthways pull out bed opposite the side door as it doubles up as a seat. I won't be having swivel front seats so this is the only seating, makes sense to use the space as a bed. It's how my Vivaro was set up and it works for me. Shower will be behind this (over wheel arch) leaving a full height and width garage area approx 500mm deep, plenty for bikes with front wheel off.
No worries. Sounds cool will be interested to see how it works out. Don't think I'll bother with a shower. My layout would be something like the one on a site I saw called sprinter van diaries.
Been geeking out over eBay purchases - maybe ridiculous but I don't want a white one ideally.
This looks cool! Ex DHL I'm assuming. Anyone got any thoughts on whether a DHL van would have been looked after?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222450560324
That's a high roof which in Sprinter isn't that high (L2). I think you probably want an extra high roof (L3).
Cheers. Trying to find the measurements but I think that one would be high enough to stand up in. Hardly any extra high roof ones about.
Liking the yellow Grum, saw one or two of those with the expensive racking in the back but they were a bit battered, have you had a look at it in the flesh?
A little more progress has been made - insulation is done!..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2900/33319401180_3e13097513_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2900/33319401180_3e13097513_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/SLjD99 ]2017-03-28_05-58-22[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Ok here goes, this may cause nausea..
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Gold, GOLD!!..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3713/33547392182_5b17cdf0bd_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3713/33547392182_5b17cdf0bd_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/T7t9Vu ]2017-03-28_05-59-32[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Oh yeah 8)
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2916/33681657726_7edc6a7bd2_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2916/33681657726_7edc6a7bd2_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TjkioE ]2017-03-29_05-53-40[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
I dont want to cover it up - look at it! 😀
twang earlier: [img] 
[/img] 🙂
No not seen it in the flesh, it's not a million miles from me so will try and see it if it's still around when I'm back in the country. Looks in good nick in the photos.
Yours is just the high roof not extra high roof innit? And you can stand up in it?
😆
High roof, didn't know they did a higher roof tbh. Yep plenty of head room, over 1900mm and thats after insulating floor.
I'd opt for a few more battens on the floor, kingsman will compress over time slightly and even over boarded may sag.
L1, L2, L3 refers to the length of the van and H1, H2, H3 etc. the height, as I understand it.
Van looking good!
Floors battened out every 400mm apart from the bit between wheel arches as thats where the showers going, dont want to batten it out in case it interferes with the drain holes. Struggling to find one off the shelf to fit though...
Ah, ok I stand corrected. Spaces looked bad get than that in your photo's. As you were.
No you were right Blazin saddles, the bit of exposed insulation you can see is about a metre wide! My work in progress (do things twice) pic caused the confusion.
Electrickery tomorrow, any split charge experts know if a 2013 Sprinter will be happy with a volt sensing relay? Not sure if it has a smart alternator or not?
Progress is slow and steady, I spend so much time trying to get my head around what goes where and if any decision I make affects anything else, which it always does!..makes ya brain urt 😕
Anyway, walls done (..more GOLD!)..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2830/33736504036_47af878214_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2830/33736504036_47af878214_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TpbphG ]2017-04-01_07-06-52[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Roof (ceiling?) insulated..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2853/33718213726_feee0a32ee_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2853/33718213726_feee0a32ee_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TnyEdw ]2017-03-31_06-55-19[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Conduits for cables in place(?)..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3684/32950189684_a23ae17b83_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3684/32950189684_a23ae17b83_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ScGkqG ]2017-04-02_02-52-29[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/36115930@N02/ ]pat5barnes[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Floors been up and down more times than a whoahh's drooahhs. 25mm ain't enough to accommodate the sink waste which has to run under floor so now I have 50mm insulation!..It's handy I'm a shorty, the ceilings getting a tad close..
Why can't the sink waste run under the van ?
Too many obstacles in the way. The shower waste also, which is only 18" from where the tank will be but no chance of routing that outside as there's suspension and alsorts of important stuff in the way.
Good to see you're making progress - keep it going!
Check out this conversion:
I'm leaning towards a Ducato/Relay at the moment just because of the extra usable space for the vehicle size. Think a Promaster (as used in that conversion) is basically the same thing.
Looks brilliant 🙂
I might well do the same/similar thing in the future. I've got an SWB Trafic camper with a pop-top roof, but something like this would be amazing for bigger trips away.
One thing- would there not be some advantage in having access to the front seats etc? Looking at that bulkhead- cut out a door-shaped section in the middle, put it on some sliding rails?
Too much hassle for too little value?
I was going to live with the bulkhead for a bit to see if it would be better removed but as the builds progressed a decision needed to be made so yes is stopping! Access to front means changing the passenger seats to a single, then no doubt I'll want it swivelling so saved a few quid there. I like the cave feeling you get in the back and it all helps with the stealth! I will be cutting a window in it, need ideas how to make it look a bit prettier though..hmm
Grum, I can understand why the Ducato is a popular van to convert, with the extra width and straight sides. This sprinter is a bit awkward tbh
When putting in the walls, how did you attach the vertical battens? Did you screw through the gold stuff and onto the existing ribs?
I guess you have to take care not to screw into the outer metal skin?
and then just screw the ply wood used for the walls to the vertical battens?
When putting in the walls, how did you attach the vertical battens? Did you screw through the gold stuff and onto the existing ribs?I guess you have to take care not to screw into the outer metal skin?
and then just screw the ply wood used for the walls to the vertical battens?
Exactly all of that 🙂
Ah good stuff looks like I'm not totally useless at this DIY stuff after all.
thanks for the info.
No more updates? 🙂
A bit more progress but most of my time seems to be spent either staring at stuff or undoing what I've already done - I'm just making this shit up as I go along 🙂
Bed is pretty much done[img] 
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needs squashy stuff and fart holes
[img] 
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I made this..
[img] 
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thats a kitchen that is (will be..)
Spent a small fortune on shiny stuff today so looking forward to Mr postie knocking on in a day or two...
Happy Easter! 🙂
Heh! I can imagine lots of that for me too. It's coming along though. Can't wait to see when it's finished.
What shiny stuff is coming?
Great work, bed looks cracking, satisfying to get building after all the insulating. Guess the shiny stuff is fridge and sink is it?
I've emailed you but i'm also going to comment here so the thread is saved in my profile for future reading!
I was wondering if there was any reason you did not consider citroen relay/ peugeot boxer/ renault master as they seem like good boxy vans and would be easier to build inside with the squarer edges + fit a sideyways bed in easier? This is what my latest consideration is for van choice because of the above reason and one that is about the length of yours. I'm thinking if I were to get something shorter then I would look to make a fold away bed that sits above the bike store area but ideally just get one big enough for permanent bed. Sorry if you've mentioned it already somewhere and i've missed it but I read through and couldn't see anything.
Cheers and good luck with it! Looks good so far!
p.s. are you not putting a waterproofing in front of the insulation to stop water/moisture getting in?
Anus 🙂
I did consider a ducato and they must be a fair bit easier to work on than the sprinter but i like the width of the sprinter from a driving perspective, they feel a lot less cumbersome I think plus the 08 Ducato motorhome i had previous was a bit naff in the cab, squeaky plastic everywhere.
Celotex has a moisture barrier built in, I've also covered it with the GOLD! underlay and that has a foil barrier too, nowts getting through that lot!
Sprinters look nicer. That's the main reason innit. 🙂
Maybe 😀