Anyone know stuff about vans?

[Lacquer Peel]

Alternatively, BEDFORD RASCAL.

[Junkman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1968-FORD-ECONOLINE-PANEL-VAN-302-V8-AUTO-LOW-MILES-CAL-IMPORT-/171425507835

 

Only buy this European or Japnesish shit, if you want to commit suicide after ten miles.

[twosmoke300]

Another vote for a hiace

[chaseracer]

Alternatively, BEDFORD RASCAL.

 

HA.  With the low-compression economy* engine.

[twosmoke300]

^^^ they run on 2 star tho

[twosmoke300]

Chevanne ?

[Ratdat]

I believe Junkman had the correct answer. 

[Ian_Fearn]

So if I have read this right.....

 

Potential van shite is:

 

Iveco turbodaily

LDV convoy

Toyota Hiace

Pre TDci Transit, petrol would suit me. Ford never has managed a top notch diesel

 

Vans ruled out:

 

Sprinters and later LTs. Potentially juicy and expensive to buy with seemingly no good reason

Transporters. Add a vw badge for instant twat scene I'll pay any price cus its cool tax

 

Vans still in the melting pot:

 

Citroen/peugoet/fiat ducato range. Need to know more about these. Plenty about at the right price and miles.

 

I'd totally not considered the Daily so top shite marks to those in the know. Now I need to know more. Where are the engines from, common problems etc etc. I have no issues taking a van and making it good, I just dont want modern electrics letting me down.

 

Also top marks for allowing the LDV convoy to have a fair hearing. Somebody needs to love em!

[Ian_Fearn]

Oh, and the american stuff is out. Thanks anyway! Doesnt matter how many times you say lpg, it'll still rape me.

[twosmoke300]

the 2.0 hdi/ jtd motors in the ducato/relay/boxer vans are solid in 90hp form

[dollywobbler]

Every Iveco Daily I've either driven or been a passenger in felt about as robust as a politician's speech. Bloody awful things!

 

Boxelaycatos can rot, but seem good wagons. Our Mk2 shape minibus is by far the thriftiest but I'd probably look for a late Mk1. You could get early Mk1s with the 1.9 NA diesel! Sluggish. Just watch for electrical gremlins and crap trim because FRENCH. With Italian vibes too.

[twosmoke300]

As Mr Corsasavior once said " It Vibrates Everything Comes Off "

 

Dont get a 1.9d sevel van for the love of god . It doesnt seem THAT slow until you realise that the speedo is at least 10mph optimistic.

[mat_the_cat]

The factory LPG Transits have very few people who understand the system, so problem solving might be an issue. Buying one cheap with a problem on LPG, with a view to replacing the front end with a decent aftermarket system might be a way forwards? They do rust though...assuming a Mk6 check under the floor mats by the door  step for rusty chassis legs bubbling upwards.

 

There is a way to get a VW badge (if you so desired) without the scene tax, but I'd hesitate to recommend a Mk1 LT unless you want a base vehicle project (i.e. likely welding) as well as the camper conversion project.

 

I'd make rust resistance the priority if keeping long term, as welding a camper is more difficult than a normal vehicle due to the amount of stuff you'll probably have to remove.

[Ian_Fearn]

Yo Matt, a late proper LT was top of my list with the 6 cylinder TD but I've realised just how hard to get hold of they are.

 

I had a Talbot Express but it was a vile thing. Went like stink with the 2.5TD but the gearboxes just dont last.

[mat_the_cat]

Yo Matt, a late proper LT was top of my list with the 6 cylinder TD but I've realised just how hard to get hold of they are.

 

Really!? Don't tell me the prices of those are rising too? 60-65 mph realistic cruising speed though even with the TD, which may not fit your bill anyway.

[v8 scania]

my boss has got a fiat ducato 55 plate, body all dented, side loading door fell off so he ratchet strapped back on, but its done over 300,000 miles and the engine still sounds sweet and goes well, hes just bought 2 more, the one with a cooked engine, hes putting the 300,000 + miles engine in that one and the other one just needed a clutch master cylinder, he must really rate them

[Ian_Fearn]

That'd be fine providing it goes up hills.

 

Am liking the looks of the Ducatos atm. Cheap with decent engines and aircon.

[v8 scania]

hes also got an 08 plate Iveco daily curtain sider, engines just gone pop and got quoted over 2k for another lump and thats if he can get the right one(hes a small haulage contractor)

[Asimo]

Renault Master, the old ones still turn up, I thought they were ace to drive in their day.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Master-Van-Long-wheel-base-high-top-Diesel-/131287467303?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item1e9157c527

 

Cheap too.

 

And Winnebago used them as a base for their LeSharo camper

[willswitchengage]

Mazda E2200

 

Again forward control vans don't have the dynamic properties of an F1 car, but they'll out last anything else unless you live by the seaside.

 

 

 

Bedford Midi for Isuzu GM weirdness.

 

I'd say either of those, a Hiace or an early Sprinter, All will be rusty, though.

[Dave_Q]

Iveco daily - mate has one on about an 04 plate, has been part converted to a camper and driven him all over Europe without issue. Available in XXXXXXL wheelbase and XXXXL roof for more room than a new build flat.

 

Like this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/iveco-daily-35-s12-lwb-van-55-plate-new-mot-long-tax-/221541562363?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item3394e7f7fb

 

Relay/Ducato/Boxer - my university runs these as minibuses, always going back for repairs, doors falling off etc. Possibly down to drunken student abuse but I've driven them a fair distance and just seem poor kwalitee all round to me.

 

Pre 2000 Ivecos are manual injection with a Bosch pump for veg munching times, common rail after.

[Cavcraft]

There's a simple rule of thumb here:

 

If an Iveco is top of your list, your list is upside down.

[Rocket88]

If you can find one Sherpa V8 [ex ambulance] chassis with caravan body on top.

[Cavcraft]

Also those Ducato/Relay vans have a blind spot the size of a small country, due to those stupid quarter light windows and the layout of the driver's door. 

[Justin Case]

Hyundai H100 for maximum shite points. Haven't a clue what they are like to own, but why should that stop me suggesting it

[NorfolkNWeigh]

What about a Merc Vario,not sure of the model number,they're massive and later ones come with - 4 cylinder 4.2that will slog on forever ,pretty undersstessed as they only put out about 130 bhp. A mate had a crew cab tilt and slide that would cruise at 80 with a car on the back and still managed 25mpg.

Lots of special buses with Bader transmission around and market traders seem to snap up all the vans.

[Noel Tidybeard]

be careful with the turbo daily especially red ones as post office had some that were 4 speed

 

mk1 master with rear tailgate door for the win

[Felly Magic]

Varios rot for a laugh, turbos give up the ghost, and they do have HG problems. There will be shitloads of bus versions available at stupidly low prices soon enough though, when they are banned from use as PCV's

[Cavcraft]

The Vario had the same engine as the 609D I think, 4.2 as you say and a reliable old engine.

[Des]

I wonder what those big Hyundai vans that only seem to be used by carpet fitters are like. If I were going to build a camper I'd be tempted to start with something modern that's also available as a minibus with the flush fitted side windows, a highroof so you can stand up, black paintwork so once the windows are tinted nobody knows it isn't just a van. I'd also make the interior as modular units for easy removal so there's always a van at hand.