Featured A Movable Metal Box For Camping & Stuff

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Jez900ie, Jul 18, 2025.

  1. Thanks Jimmy, I have two now from ebay. I appreciate the offer though.
     
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  2. I never get bored of passing MOT -with no advisories.

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    A few more jobs to do, but it feels like I'm on the homeward stretch now.
     
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  3. Access to the cheap seats

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    Lights, camera & soon a little action!
     
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  5. Looking good Jez
     
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  6. hmm, what kind action are we taking about here?
    anyways, where's yer first adventure? before dementia
     
  7. The next "action" will be screwing my bed in place, fitting a pull out table and a few other woodwork kinda things. Various tidying up trims need putting in place too - thank god for strong glues! There's a fair amount of cleaning up too.
     
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  8. Don't forget your 'if the vans a rocking don't be a knocking' sticker once you've secured the bed..........
     
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  9. Well the last day of mechanical work and installation is now ticked off.

    The diesel heater is now in the van and I have to say that it's really brilliant. It has to be the best value add on for any camper van as new ones inc shipping like mine are just £60 or less. All the stories about noisy fuel pumps and roaring engines "its impossible to sleep" are total bllx. If you've been thinking about buying one but weren't sure, go get one. I took it apart and mounted the unit between the seats, and stashed the fuel tank under the drivers seat. Two 2cm diameter holes in the floor for the exhaust and air intake and four small ones to secure it in place and its a done deal. Apart from hammering the floor flatish to make an even place for it to sit. Even the control panel is simple to use and fully programmable. I wish my central heating at home was so well thought out!

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    Then came the reversing camera as part of a Carpuride Apple Carplay. Some fiddly wires under the roof lining but no big deal. Connected the drivers seat to power for the heat & adjusters. Finished with some tidying up of the electrics and added a few more USB sockets. I didn't put in an inverter as I don't think I'll really need one but that may come later.

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    Back to carpentry tomorrow!
     
    #49 Jez900ie, Aug 17, 2025
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2025
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  10. both sides go up? would it be worth putting a few control surfaces on it and a prop?
     
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  11. I wish!
     
  12. Spent the day just tidying up odds & ends. Trouble is there's so many little things to do!

    Scrubbed up the roof as it must have spent the last few years parked under a tree. Green leaf mold - what a joy! I will put some ceramic wash on tomorrow, to prevent it going green again. Nipped a few small surface rust in the bud too.

    Almost finished putting right angle & U trim all in all kinds of (interior) places. Really makes a difference in the overall look, though it takes a long time to get it right. Couple more to do as I ran out of wood and Wickies had closed.

    Put the wind/ rain deflectors on the front doors. No idea if they are really worth having as I've never had them on any vehicle before but it seemed like a good idea! They simply attach with number plate tape.

    Almost finished the bed. Its the staining and varnishing that takes the time. It'll be worth it though. I'll secure it in place tomorrow with a few small stainless brackets.

    Hung a totally over priced cab divider curtain. I should have returned it, but that would have meant waiting for another to arrive which might have been worse!

    Added tint film to the front windows. Its a shade (maybe two) darker than the rules permit, but they're side windows, and I'll just claim "They were like it when I bought it Orificer," and remove it if required!
     
    #52 Jez900ie, Aug 19, 2025 at 9:20 PM
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2025 at 9:31 AM
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  13. they are if you're a smoker. stop's the rain coming in when your wipers are on. without them and without fail, the water always land on the electric window switches.
    *raging*
     
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  14. No leccy windows in my old van! Smoking? Haven't done that for twenty years. Last box I bought for a buck and a half in Mex.

    But maybe I will still find the deflectors useful...
     
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  15. Hurrah the bed is finally finished! Though I did need to make some improvements after a moment of severe braking when some bits of wood slid around at alarming speeds. Nothing that a cable tie and a few screws couldn't fix. The revised version has been road tested and passed muster...

    Touch up paint and varnish is finished too -on everything that I've made so far. I really need to make some more stuff but the summer is fast evaporating - its the 20th of August and today felt like the end of September already...

    I just had a very interesting message and its made me start thinking @Borgo Panigale

    It wasn't so long ago that I ended up buying a bike after a post by @Kevin Tallant . This forum can be a source of inspiration!
     
    #55 Jez900ie, Aug 20, 2025 at 11:20 PM
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2025 at 12:34 AM
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  16. Time for a reliability test! This van needs a long drive out to prove its mettle. I'd quite like an adventure too.

    Lets see where I end up. I'm hoping far, but we will see!

    First bonus point of van travel is you can pack whatever you like. If its shits itself and I have a long bank holiday waiting for the AA, I've got all my fave things!
     
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  17. nice. still scortchio here. let me recomend cuil bay.
     
  18. Have fun :)
     
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  19. The bed
    By the time I read this, I' already gone 200* miles in a different direction. But next time....

    Just having a quick pit stop, lying on my new bed[

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  20. IMG_2022.jpeg I was very pleased to note there had not been a colour change. These days you can never tell what might happen next
     
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