Returnofthemac DIYish Build Thread (up for all suggestions and pointers)

[ReturnoftheMac]

Here we go…after years of looking.. we bought a van!!
Fairly blank canvas ready to build a camper for our family, including two young children and two dogs.
This is our base

 

[Skyliner33]

Are those the transporter HQ safari windows? Got any better pics from the inside please?

 

[middle-englander]

What's the plan then?
Interior looks neat, is that your own handiwork or that of the previous owner?

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Are those the transporter HQ safari windows? Got any better pics from the inside please?

Dan chambers fits a pair of the THQ/CG windows in his project with good views from inside at the end of video.

With the 'lumps' on the outside, @ReturnoftheMac windows look more like Trade Glass version. THQ/camper glass are fully smooth on outside.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Here we go…after years of looking.. we bought a van!!
Fairly blank canvas ready to build a camper for our family, including two young children and two dogs.
This is our base View attachment 232687

View attachment 232688

View attachment 232689

Looks like a good project base. Looking forward to seeing you make it your own.

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

What's the plan then?
Interior looks neat, is that your own handiwork or that of the previous owner?

Previous owner did all you can see not made any changes yet.

First job poptop (there’s roof bars with a fixed solar panel - not connected to anything), considering our options there. I’d like something like stealth b2 my husband is keen on austop reviews. Visiting companies over the Easter holidays.

Keen for a through the badge hook up, with solar and leisure battery. Looking into set ups. Few lights. Charging points etc.

Hoping to do a U shape seating area/bed with under storage and small kitchen area. Not fussed on doing lots of cooking in it.
But need seat belts in the back so it might not work out.

Exciting times!

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

Dan chambers fits a pair of the THQ/CG windows in his project with good views from inside at the end of video.

With the 'lumps' on the outside, @ReturnoftheMac windows look more like Trade Glass version. THQ/camper glass are fully smooth on outside.

They are trade glass

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

Are those the transporter HQ safari windows? Got any better pics from the inside please?

TeeCeeJay is right. They are trade glass. I’ve done a bit of a video but it was harder than I thought to film one handed haha! They are self supporting and you can fix them in place. Vent option also. Black out blinds fitted.

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

Can I only load photos not videos? Sorry

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Can I only load photos not videos? Sorry

You have to load video to a website / sharing place i.e. YouTube and then link it here. Forum server doesn't have capacity for video hosting.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Hoping to do a U shape seating area/bed with under storage and small kitchen area. Not fussed on doing lots of cooking in it.
But need seat belts in the back so it might not work out.

As far as I found when researching our conversion. This is the only U shaped with seat belt available.

Solace - Cascade Conversions

Solace Conversion tested ‘U’ shaped seat/ bed system, only available to Cascade Conversions. The only company in the UK / EU has the patent to install this

cascadeconversions.co.uk

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

Are those the transporter HQ safari windows? Got any better pics from the inside please?

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

As far as I found when researching our conversion. This is the only U shaped with seat belt available.

Solace - Cascade Conversions

Solace Conversion tested ‘U’ shaped seat/ bed system, only available to Cascade Conversions. The only company in the UK / EU has the patent to install this

cascadeconversions.co.uk

Thanks - I’ve arranged to go and see these

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

Update: we’ve ordered a poptop dropping the van off next week.
Also having the solar panel replaced with a flexible adhesive one.

We’ve changed our mind about the u shape - going traditional. The u shapes we saw just took up too much space in the van, limiting the options. Something to come back to in future builds when we don’t need belts and isofix in the back!!

Got lots of scandi style inspo for the interior…

Thinking ppp set up for the electrics, stealth hook up of some kind.

The only modification we’ve made is we have fitted the ezee seat covers which we had with the van purchase… things are moving - slowly!!

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Update: we’ve ordered a poptop dropping the van off next week.
Also having the solar panel replaced with a flexible adhesive one.

We’ve changed our mind about the u shape - going traditional. The u shapes we saw just took up too much space in the van, limiting the options. Something to come back to in future builds when we don’t need belts and isofix in the back!!

Got lots of scandi style inspo for the interior…

Thinking ppp set up for the electrics, stealth hook up of some kind.

The only modification we’ve made is we have fitted the ezee seat covers which we had with the van purchase… things are moving - slowly!!

View attachment 236676

View attachment 236677

View attachment 236678

Just noticed that your twin seat has the fold down arm rest thing. That's not very common is it?

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

Just noticed that your twin seat has the fold down arm rest thing. That's not very common is it?

No idea!

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

A bit of progress to share:

1. Enabled rotation of passenger seats with MS Craft base
2. Stealth Poptop fitted (pure grey roof with light grey scenic fabric)
3. 5 x LED wired ready, switch on seatbelt column
4. Rigid solar panel replaced with flexi
5. Completed insulation and carpeted

 

[TallPaul_S]

Nice! Although not sure why you'd replace a rigid solar panel with flexi? Fitting issues?

Also you'll want to remove that crossbar, any big shadow on the panel will basically reduce your output by about 80%.

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

We wanted the flexibility of using a roof box if needed. Also we were told the rigid one, that we had, wasn’t ideal for poptops.

Will look at removing the bar - thanks for the advice

 

[ReturnoftheMac]

I forgot to add of couple of the in between.
Finally finished