My Surf Bus Conversion Project

[kitesurfer]

Hi folks.

I've just got my first sprinter after many years on VW vans. I've just started converting from a 9 seater ex police minibus into my surf bus camper van.
Its a 1996 412d automatic (unfortunately) but i got it for a good price and its only got 53,000 miles on the clock and is in great condition.

Aside from the interior conversion for camping and a descent a/v system i intend to run it on wvo as i have already run my diesel t4 on svo and already have the supplies and filtration systems in place to do this.

Here it is now.

With conversion photos to follow soon.

KS

[stp57]

Wow! That is unbelievably clean for a 1996 & to have low mileage to boot! Great find.
Steve

[sprinter77]

Sprinter first series is the best model

[maxextz]

yes its very nice more pics please

hey sprinter77 can you post pics of your van it looks great, i think ive seen some already but if you have more please share them pictures of sprinters are class.

[kitesurfer]

Originally Posted by sprinter77

Sprinter first series is the best model

Thats what i want to hear!

Other items i already have lined up to install are. Fridge, cooker 1.5kw audio/visual system with twin screens and 2 swivel seats. Have booked the next 2 weeks off work so there should be some rapid progress and then photos to follow.
First job is insulating and unfortunately the side panels are so well fitted with rivets through the window frames and plastic welding holding them together, taking them off will be interesting.

KS

[mean_in_green]

Sounds like it's all systems go!

Plenty of info in here about choices of insulation material (you know plain Rockwool's a poor option? - ok, sorry...) and layout ideas. Sounds like you've been planning for a while already.

Looking forward to reading more of your updates,

Simon

[kitesurfer]

Originally Posted by mean_in_green

Sounds like it's all systems go!

Plenty of info in here about choices of insulation material (you know plain Rockwool's a poor option? - ok, sorry...) and layout ideas. Sounds like you've been planning for a while already.

Looking forward to reading more of your updates,

Simon

Indeed.

Yes plenty of planning already been done, there's nothing like having abeer in a completely empty van for getting the ideas going. This will be my 5th van conversion now and i have quite specific requirements for what i need. Drying space for wetsuits/storage room for snowboard. Space for kite surfing kites/boards. Hanging rack in ceiling for surfboards.
Fortunatley the van came with a really good set of aluminium racking that has all the connectors etc to make a really neat discreet roof rack up in the roof space that shouldn't impact too much on headroom.

This is my choice of insulation for the roof and sides.
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/21112/...on-1-05m-x-25m
I may add some rock wall to the sides as well as its not too expensive at the moment and there's space to fit it in.


KS

[mean_in_green]

Yes, it's good stuff. I used it in a wet room conversion after seeing it (or should that be "feeling the effects of it"?) in a friend's loft - recommended. I also got some jointing tape from Screwfix, black and fairly wide, which had only average sticking ability. I ended up using something else in the end.

The problem with raw Rockwool style insulation is that it absorbs and holds moisture, although the newer plastic bag style stuff would be ok as impervious. Not as easy to work with as the first choice either.

I'm going for swivelling front seats in my next one, I really like that way of efficiently using the cab space.

[Darrin]

KS

I also drove VW Type 2's since High school then in '95 I went to Chev.Astro van, got better MPH. So now I am looking to sprinters as I need a place for surfboards. I am in the water most mornings.
So, I'm checking out the finished class B conversions. Please keep conversion photos comming.

Darrin

[sprinter77]

Originally Posted by maxextz

yes its very nice more pics please

hey sprinter77 can you post pics of your van it looks great, i think ive seen some already but if you have more please share them pictures of sprinters are class.

Hi Maxextz!
Now I don t have the new pics of my old Sprinter but come soon
If you want to see my Sprinter search in you tube sprinter977 and you can look these my videos
See you next time!
Bye