Manky Monkey Motors

No pics as yet,so a bad start to a thread I suppose :-[..........talk is cheap,but here goes.......
 So the first thing I have to tackle is the interior,but this is a bit of a prob as Im thinking about raising the roof,which will affect the interior design! Floor to roof is around 58" ,so therefore I reckon that I have to add around 10" (oo er ) to the height. I was going to build a pop top,but not sure if I want one.Now Im thinking I might raise the centre of the roof from front to back,about 12" in from the gutter line on each side,and taper the side view from about the 'b' pillars down to the top of the screen. Not sure if I can even be bothered to do that TBH!
 Now,you know when you have a problem ,and SWMBO comes up with a solution which is so obvious you didnt think of it....well...she hasnt solved it yet  ;D,but you never know........she'll maybe have a little wander round the van taking it all in,then after a couple of cigs,she'll decree the answer...you never know...!

We await her pronouncement with bated breath!

I think her answer will be " I told you not to F****** buy it"  ;D

 :D

me ,dad, used to tell me that  ::) ::)

So Ive decided that the roof will stay as per Transit (Semi High),the amount of time we will actually be spending in the van doesnt warrant all the roof extension hassle.SWMBO can just walk around in it with head skimming the roof and no shoes on!  The only area of the roof that will need raising is the shower area. I sited the shower in the OSR corner as when I cut the roof at that point there will still be a lot of strength left in the corner,and also the 'bulge' on the roof wont look too bad there.The portaloo is in the NSR corner in an enclosure which is only big enuf to house it. When the toilet door is opened and wedged at 90 degrees, it will allow the user to manouver by using the floor space outside the door.On other campers Ive used the shower to house the toilet as well,but we didnt want the hassle of having to move the portaloo to use the shower.
  I bought a combined cooker/sink/draining board unit cheap and chopped it in two to seperate the cooker,as I couldnt find enuf space for the whole lot in one go.
 I cant be bothered with fitting swivel front seats(plus the cost of them) so Ive panelled behind the 2 front seats from floor to roof,leaving a walkthrough gap in the middle . The panels will give a lot more space to fit things,hang things etc to.
 Overall the interior is going to be sort of hippy style ,using lots of stuff I've already got around. I managed to all the wood work without buying any timber,so its really upsetting me Ive gotta go buy a sheet of 6mm ply to make the bed base from!(have you seen the price of timber?!!!)
 
So the hippy style (much to my offsprings annoyance),is lending its influence to the name for the van...the slippy hippy trippy truck! (SH*T for short version)
 PICS later when my daughter gets back!

why do you have to raise the roof for the shower why not make it a sit down shower with a small stool,just a thought

Will you really use the shower that much?  My daughter's campervan has a shower but she says when they want a shower they mostly go to a campsite that has showers - instead of wild camping, which I guess you won't be doing anyway cos your Missus will want a few more comforts!

We did consider not fitting a shower,but maybe doing some wild camping to cut costs,so trying to make it as habitable as poss . Yes there are showers/toilets etc on campsites,but I wanted to cover all the bases,just in case,as I like the feeling of being self contained.Just another thing not to have to bother about.Bit like a snail carrying its home on its back! ;D  Previous campervans Ive done had to have seating for the kids with seatbelts etc,but this time Im building it for just 2 of us so theres plenty of space to 'lose' an area for a shower .Standing up in the shower is a must in our book,as is daily use of it.
  Another thing is the large amount of free floor space I always tend to end up with,so Ive decided we dont need a large area ,so a daytime lounge type area ,that converts to a 4 ft wide x 6 ft d/bed with a decent mattress ( slide out)at night is about right.We arent going to be living in the van,just using its facilities while we're touring around.Im not pretending its the ultimate best use of space etc,as I know that if I spend more time on it(which isnt the idea of the project) I could develop the space to build in more storage etc,but having past experience ,I think it will be more than adequate for us. A 'trial' trip will suss it out one weekend!I'll try to get pics tonight.

my brother has a converted van. His bed is on a pivot above the driver passenger seats. Pulls down when needed

How does that work then?

Probably a hammock!!,....................yeh, I know, and I'm off.................. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

its a weird cantilever system. goes completely flat to the roof. when he pulls it don it stays horizontal but comes down. needs a small ladder to get up (4 rungs?) a bit of metalwork involved but works a treat. nice thing is when its up its still made, just hidden. the mechanisms are at each side, against the side walls of the van, and you sleep crossways.

Ok ,so you asked for 'em...
 Lots of junk,tools etc laying about,and camera angles making the whole thing looked p***ed,but you'll get the idea Im sure........
 
 Got lots of other bits to go in ,plus the lighting (converted gas lamps) etc.
 
From the side door....No Im not using bowed timber...! Daughter did one of those fish eye lens,panorama thingy shots!......
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad10_zps2a3696af.jpg)
From the tailgate...
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad6_zpsd3cb7576.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad7_zps5c5daacc.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad11_zps59418f9d.jpg)
The shower is sort of 'floating' about 9" from the side of the van,just inboard of the wheel arch. This was to avoid having to cut round the wheel arch and all the sealing up(that would probably leak!).The space behind it has a shelf midway from the bottom ,will probably put camp chairs etc in there.
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad9_zps32e4191f.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad2_zps43d3895c.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad1_zps4f96b3c9.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad5_zps2c1271f4.jpg)

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dad3_zpsa9c1c0f5.jpg)

Getting there Rod!

looking good rod.

Someone's been busy! Good on ya Rod.

I put some pics up of my brothers van builds http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=13496.0 (http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=13496.0). These are of the weird/clever over seats cantilever bed. Maybe of some interest Rod?

Looks a good idea,but only for a squarish van?
  Meanwhile,back at the ranch........
  Been working on the van only at w/ends as too knackered when I get home in the afternoons. Really coming along now,starting to carpet various areas of panels. Made and fitted a steel gas bottle cupboard etc. Got to finish a few odds and sods before taking pics to send to DVLA.Strange sort of working in reverse with a few areas,as they matter for the pics more than ,say,the shower tray and shower wall cladding does.
 At present the floor is plywood. Havent been able to do a deal with or sell any of my stuff for sale,so havent got any spare cash to splash on the flooring.Decided to stain it with polyurethane.
 It pains me to think Ive got to buy foam and covering for the seats!

Mot'd today,passed on 2 advisories,but getting those done over the xmas hols just to be sure.Interior is really coming together and almost there.Got until Jan 4th to complete,so going to be tight on time!

Well done Rodney.

time for a merv impersonation,pictures please, ;D sorry merv. ;D

Trev,basic layout still as prev pics.Will get more pics when done ,as still looks a tip ,tools etc all over the place,but lots of details now done.Getting whats needed done for DVLA pics,then adding roof bulge over shower and roof light just behind the cab area, after the DVLA panic is over!

don't be sorry we are all friends on hear, if we cant take a little micky out of each other, well 

So this is where Im at so far.Pics done for Insurance and DVLA.The pale blue in centre of pic is the table cloth ,and to the left is the seating/pull out bed.
 Today been building a height extension to the shower area(which is next to the sink l/h side ) Built a roof rack to fit next to the extra roof height to balance the look of it out a bit when viewed from the rear.
 Next to the cooker (r/h side) is a stacking box storage area,with a removable pole that fits ceiling to plinth to stop boxes sliding out ,then in the far corner is a toilet .
 The scalloped edging I cut myself.
 The curtains I sewed myself by hand,as swmbo isnt into sewing at all.
 The red and yellow gizmo on the floor between seating and table is the footswitch for the 12v water pump.The shower will have an ordinary household light switch to switch the the seperate 12v pump .
 The tailgate still has the glass but was panelled over with 6mm ply before I got it. Im going to cut a hole in the ply to give more light at the back.
 The ceilinf will be like a gypsy vardo caravan with ribs and panelling
  whew! loads still to do!!!!
 Pics make it all look a bit croooked!
 Hope you like it!
 thanks for looking.
  Rod


(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/dadcampervan_zpsb10dab3a.png)

Jeez thats come on since I saw last saw it... well done mate, keep it up!

Love the scalloped detailing Rod, looks great.

I'm impressed!

That's looking really good, you should be proud of yourself

very tidy rod.

Tidy that Rod, when can I hire it! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D..Morrag

Thanks everyone! I estimate theres about 200 hours in it so far.Cost so far £120for the interior, but a few bits I had, and 120 ncludes about 80 for the seat foam! Everything else is scrounged or liberated from other sources!Theres a lot of lateral thinking in there!
I decided to do it to suit us, as opposed to looking 'motorhomeish' , hence the cosy look , not all austere and cold looking. I also wanted it to have a leaning toward the gypsy vardo caravans.Its gradually turning out hippyish looking, which I really like.SO due to the reg having the letters KYJ in it its been dubbed the slippy hippy trippy truck! As you can guess my offspring are appalled!

Well, that yet another bonus then, Rod!! ;D ;D ,me, I adhere to the philosophy that It was always my intention to, hopefully!, live long enough to become a burden to my children!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D......Morrag

Yep,the more they whince,the more I turn the thumbscrews...love it! ;D ;D ;D ;D
 
 

Bit more done today.Shower walls and base lined.Fitted a couple of window frames to let more light in at the rear area of the van.

Looking good Rod, as for the offspring.....well.... That is what they are for ;D

Slow  going today, not a lot done.Been trying to line the roof of the shower, but cant seem to spend too long looking up as start to feel nauseas so had to come indoors.The joys of getting older eh?

o heres were Im at with this project...
 Working toward the back,next to the cooker is the stacking box storage. You can just make out the pole which prevents the boxes sliding out. Next to this is the toilet.No door ,as theres only 2 of us !
 Rack above the cooker is from a lump of Herras fencing mesh. I put hooks hanging from it for cups etc.Works well.
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/IMG_3685_zpsd52ef6eb.jpg)


This side has the sink with water storage below. The black pipe is for topping up the other under sink tank with warm water for showering.The shower is beyond the sink. I raised the roof of this area ,so the shower area is now easy to stand up in.The water will be solar heated by black taped plastic bottles stored on the dash top! I tried it it works great even on a partially sunny day,so should be very hot in Spain etc!
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/IMG_3686_zps160e84a3.jpg)
 These are the blinds  made from plastic conduit and nylon (cos it was what I had around!they roll up and work fine.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/IMG_3687_zpsc70ceb88.jpg)
 I built this swing away wheel carrier as the underfloor storage for the wheel is hard to access.Luckily I checked it,as the clamp etc holding the wheel was rusted solid and I had to drill it out,so no way would I have been able to do that roadside! The bracket locks to the bumper ,so an extra thief proofing for the tailgate!

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/IMG_3697_zps43a9d93f.jpg)
 Got these pen lights..very bright leds ..mounted a couple of them on flexy stems from an old desk lamp. Theyre only aa batt powered ,but are exactly right for night time loo visits,and making up the bed generally.I have fitted a extra battery with split charger,but only power the sink and shower pumps from it at present.

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/IMG_3704_zps395ffdd3.jpg)
 ssential items for booze! held in a couple of racks I bent up from wire and topped off with some dice from the boot sale!

(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u410/Jamesons11/IMG_3705_zps5cd7b1ea.jpg)
 
 Well thats the basic gist of what Ive done. Some bits have worked well,others we've had to alter or add after a couple of trial weekend trips.Its not yer traditional camper interior,cos I deliberately wanted a homely look .swmbo isnt particularly enthralled with some bits,but I like it! I add bits of dross as and when I come across them !
 Theres loads more stuff Ive done ,e.g. it has 240v hook up [just because really],also lots of storage for odds and sods ,cutlery,tools,mud mats,hose for water top up etc etc but these pics are the basics.

that looks a super job Rob ,it's giving me bad ideas as i have a caravan i could salvage the interior from,time to hit gumtree and find me a cheap van! well done on a nice conversion

I'd be inclined to put a door on the loo even if it's only the two of you - not for privacy, more for, erm, odour control!

Not nice to have to spend the night with it if one of you does a smelly one!

Lol, theres a story attached to that.... ;D ahem!
Anyway, theres no room for a door, and experience tells me that unless the door fits perfectly it wont prevent odours unless you have an extract fan.

Take air freshener!   :o ;D

Looking good Rod. Like the swing out wheel carrier. Why is your wine glass smaller that the missusis?

Cos shes the p**s head! ;D

well done rod,looks really good.

Thanks Trev.