Show me your bike vans

Is there something you can get that you can put in the back of any van without actually fixing to the floor (i.e. it's removable to swap between vans) to stop bikes moving around/falling over when upright?

anybody know what type of vehicle this is? converted army ambulance maybe?

It's a Land Rover 101, either an Ambulance or a Radio body. Very capable off road, rather uncomfortable on road and rather thirsty. Very cool though.

And a Hannible on the roof.

Someone hasn't read the whole thread…

I know it's not bling or expensive or anything, but a good long log (wooden variety!) – cut a flat side, then three slots across it 2" wide for front wheel wedging. Alternatively screw/bracket on some old QR hubs.

anybody know what type of vehicle this is? converted army ambulance maybe?

Instead of pretending to be an Expedition hardman camping out in deepest Surrey. Surely the owner of the said tired-wornout looking vehicle could just spend the 6mpg on a really fancy hotel to stay in each night? 😆

Is he camping ontop to avoid being attacked by the wild Tabby cats of Surbiton or bitten by the wild killer earth worms?

Hairymechanic

It's a Caddy Maxi Life which has a higher interior spec that makes it a bit more car like. It was originally a 7 seater but all the rear seats are removed. It's a long wheelbase so there's a fair bit of room, but obviously it gives width and height to the Transporter. It's got the 2.0 140bhp TDI, and goes really well.

Because it's all windowed I need to get some foil window panels made up, but I'm intending to mainly using it in sunnier climes so I'm not too worried (although I'm racing at Inners next week and expect to be **** freezing).

Never tried only one row of seats out, but I'd imagine it would go in minus front wheel.

Cheers Brycey!

🙂

Brycey I've got a set of those panels custom made for my old Master, I can find the suppliers name and contact details if you need them?

Seeing as we've got some more 101 porn and Hora loves rooftents so much I thought I'd post mine again.
[/URL]

CHRIST! 8)

We now have this,

but we did have this

PePPeR – yes please mate

hora – Member
anybody know what type of vehicle this is? converted army ambulance maybe?

Instead of pretending to be an Expedition hardman camping out in deepest Surrey. Surely the owner of the said tired-wornout looking vehicle could just spend the 6mpg on a really fancy hotel to stay in each night?
Is he camping ontop to avoid being attacked by the wild Tabby cats of Surbiton or bitten by the wild killer earth worms?

I like it. sod it, we do a stupid sport. why not own a stupid vehicle. I have some mates who are looking at a 101 for a team van. it's a laugh, innit?

Van?

6 Bikes..

Southern Italy in a day. Filled up a few times mind…:-)

now that's just being clever scotster.
nice ride!

Thanks Boxelder, I was thinking DIY at first but was curious if it existed as a product you could buy.

Brycey – would love to have a chat with you about your conversion on the Caddy.

We are going to get one in a couple of months and do the same.

Cant seem to see your email in your profile. Can you drop me an email (in profile).

nick.

If only it were mine. It's a good mate of mine who always makes his toys work very hard. The irony is that he left his X5 at home.

I'll let you get back to your vans…

6 bikes, but only 2 people???
😕

ctzsmith – picking my T5 up from them on Tuesday – the sprayline stuff is really impressive. Mail me if you want pics.

ah well…

Ok – before we return to vans…

…looking forward to combining Alps driving with Alps riding this year!

But more normally:

I have recently purchased an ex police swb medium hi top 100 ps transit.
Initially I wanted a renault but heard loads of gearbox horror stories.
The transit's engine is chain driven and parts are relatively inexpensive.
good mpg 35+ will happily sit at 70-80.
I do look like a pikey though. Ho hum.

boxelder – can you post some pics on this thread of the sprayline finish when you get it back, it looks interesting from what I've read.

Uncanny I'd just logged on and you ask me a question – give me 5 mins….

….here you, a couple of unfinished interior:

I only got the rear wheel arches and surround of rear doors done with sprayline(£150). Its sort of rubbery and very hard wearing. The cost depends on the amount of masking required. Close up shots on their website[/url].
I need the van to be able to seat 5-6 and don't want permanent furniture. The sliding rails on the floor have a crew release crew seat with arms and a flip up (cinema) seat and will also take moveable kitchen unit.
For anyone interested in the work ring Rob at Vanbodies, Morecambe

Yeah thanks people, gonna have to stop reading this site. Have gone from considering my next fork purchase to considering my first van purchase in a couple of mouse clicks…

Why are the rear additional seats so expensive to buy
But whos the best people to fit and bolt them to the floor?

Boxelder what do you use to insulate and finish trim for the interior
panels.

absolutely amazing – massive want! 😮

I think that just beats the Porsche!

Why are the rear additional seats so expensive to buy
But whos the best people to fit and bolt them to the floor?

All VW original stuff is expensive. The vans don't have seatbelt fittings so you need the safely bolt through the floor a tested seat with integrated belts (see the rear of the seat/bed in mine. Or, use any old seats and attach belts to side pillars (hassle and not safety tested). Those rails you see on the floor of mine will take sliding quick release seats and you can also attach sliding QR seat belts to them (or just about anything else). Loads of places can bolt seats in though. My kids/wife will be sat on mine, so didn't want the Heath Robinson approach!

Boxelder what do you use to insulate and finish trim for the interior panels.

You can use all sorts – sheeps wool, builders types of insulation etc. For the trim, you glue (high temp. glue) on carpet/vehicle trim, onto ply-wood sheets. Mine was done by vanbodies as stated and they use eco insulation (recycled plastics I think) and vehicle trim carpet (thin, stretchy, hard wearing)

I used them as they offer things other firms don't. Great to deal with too (boss had a nice mtb in the back when I met him), they clearly more expensive than DIY.
If you (or anyone) is going DIY with a SWB T5, I have pre-cut plywood panels going for £nowt.

grantway – my van has seats on a sliding rail and the rail is plated through the floor and fixed around the chassis members it's likely the rear set has stronger fixings than the front seats, also some of the seats are crash tested and this ups the cost but means you can carry passengers. If you are getting this sort of thing fitted best find someone who has done it before!!

Ours is insulated with Sheeps Wool and it holds the heat well.

boxelder – van is coming on great, like the flexibility of your design.

forge197 – Ta. Next stage needs some thought, but pop-top going on at Easter.
My folks have a holiday spot in Kippford/Rockcliffe.
I'll give you a shout next time we're up – blast round D'Beattie/K'Tree?

No worries, pop top will finish it nicely makes such a difference.

I would have been at the Lakes ride tomorrow but got tendonitis in my thigh that I need to fix.

If you are up this way then would love to hook up and have a blast around DB or KT just drop us a mail.

Kippford's lovely.

As bike vans go I have always found this pretty cool.

Heres a couple of questions for you VW bods out there.

I have a 2005 T5 Transporter 1.9tdi. Its very lovely and goes well. I got a nifty rear seat put in with proper certified belts etc etc which is all good + another drivers side rear window. Next step was to properly ply line it and maybe insulate it – i have 2 bales of sheeps wool that I can use, its free the sheep don't need it any more and it is clean i.e. doesn't smell.
Question 1) Plan was to take all the internal panels off and use as templates, cut and drill the ply then bond some hard wearing carpet to them etc and then fill the cavity with sheeps wool. Wondered if it would transfer condensation though and if i shoudl put some breather louvres in ?
Question 2: some twunt smacked my wing mirror a few weeks back and I am now missing the surround (bottom completely and the bit that faces you around the mirror itself) from the passenger mirror – VW in NZ are utterly useless so i have given up with them, anyone know somewhere I can get them ?

3rd and Final question is can you fit rotating (nice) seats to the transporter. It has an OK drivers seat and a passenger + jump seat thing thats fixed. WOuld prefer 2 revolving seats ? If yes any links etc much obliged.

I love my van, great thing but i'm not brave enough to put 6 bikes on my 911 – its a targa anyway so can;t take a rack !!

try http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk, (http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=54819) plenty of advice about insulation, i shall be using rockwool but i seem to remember someone on the forum said sheepswool is the best.

you can fit swivel seats to t5, only minor problem (???) is that you have to leave the handbrake off in order to swivel the drivers seat, my swivels are RIB (crash tested) from germany and were purchased from south west camper conversions in uk…. not much use to you i know.

Boxelder, great to see the motor is taking shape. I have recommended that spray line stuff before on here. I think as i work in the motor trade people seem to think i am in it for the money when i recommend things. I am not, just trying to give honest advice (Tell people how much i got out of pointing you towards that van). Bob has offered to do my van FOC next time i take a job in for him so i plan to have the back of my vito done too.

I actually sold Bob that VW Kombi he has. He ordered that the day they became available (VW Nut) and loves it. His dad started the business 30+yrs ago and passed it on to his son so its nice to work with a proper family company who take pride.

I am going to do a little test on my motor at the weekend. I reckon 5 passengers and probably 5-7 bikes would be quite doable with just removing the front wheels on the bikes inside. Not bad on a motor that isnt any longer than a mondeo estate.

sadly no longer with me ;-(

used to look good pulling out of the garage at work instead of the van to the side of it lol plenty of touch up paint for free tho

taken on the emmerdale farm set next to the dingles van

30yr + designed van that was sold for 10-15yrs longer than it should have. Horrible Horrible motors.