Once the "heart" of the conversion was
done, it was time to add the "pretty bits"
The vehicle was insulated with "airtec
double insulation" material from
Screwfix, mounted on
3mm ply lining where required, or directly to the vehicle body, using
"Alphabond AF178" adhesive. Any cavities where filled with structural
expanding foam, again from Screwfix.
The head lining and wall covering was
obtained from "Woollies Trim"
and fitted to the panels and insulation material again using high
temperature "Alphabond AF178" adhesive. A blue/grey material was chosen to
be in keeping with the seat and curtain material. I cannot claim to have
applied the head lining, as most of that work was done by my Father, a retired painter
and decorator, who made a far better job of it than I could have done.
Cabinets were manufactured "in house"
using material obtained from our local wood suppliers, as large "off cuts"
and spare panels, and 1 inch x 1 inch
wood bracing. All hinges throughout the vehicle are brass
"piano hinges", except for the 2 doors over the cab, which use "lift off"
hinges (more on that later).
The over cab storage area has been spit
into two compartments, the one over the nearside passenger seat forms
general storage, and the one over the drivers seat forms the "cats
penthouse".
Yes, you did read correctly, the CATS.
George and
Molly, travel with us
for any trips longer than a couple of days, and when we used the van
for the first time for a 3 week
holiday
in Devon (before it was completed, in May 2007, ), they travelled
in a normal animal travelling cage, but they decided that they preferred the
over cab area, so it became their "penthouse", or should that be PET
house???, with a lift off door, so that when on site this door can be
removed. We have also fitted them a "cat flap" into the side mounted van
door, ( pictures 6, 7 and 11 ) so when on site they can come and go as they please.
On the nearside of the vehicle between
the side door and the fixed bed is a full height storage wardrobe/cabinet (
picture 8 ).
On the offside over the sink/cooker
area is a 1mt long shelf and small cabinet for cups, plates etc.
The van rear doors have been insulated
and covered in the head lining material, and 2 storage packets formed in
each door ( picture 13 ). The lower areas are for storing fresh water and waist water hoses and adaptors etc. The upper ones are for use as book shelves when in
bed ( picture 14 )!!
Lighting is provided by 5 dual tube
12volt fluorescent fittings, 3 over the sink/cooker area, one over the
bed above the rear doors, and one over the side door. The florescent lights
have been modified so that each one is individually switched. There
are also 3 LED spot lights, one behind the drivers seat, one
over the bed, and one over the occasional bed/seat that can be fitted or
removed as
required near the nearside loading door. There is also a "knuckle" LED spot
light over the passenger seat, that replaced the standard Ford Transit rear
cab light. The final light is an LED porch/awning light situated over
the side loading door above the rain gutter.
The rear "living area" seats are formed by the passenger seat, which can be
swivelled around, and also 2 more seats recovered from a friends Mazda
people carrier. One is fixed behind the drivers seat facing sideways, and
the other on a removable box frame. This seat can be swivelled around and
the back lowered to provide a send "occasional bed", utilising also the
passenger seat.
On the near side of the van above the
side entrance door, are fitted a porch light as mentioned above, and a Fiama
F45i 2.5Mtr awning ( picture 15 ).
more to follow....
