Sunny Jim's Hearse: The Grim Sleeper - a perfect storm

8,466 · January 24

Weather not too bad here today - windy enough to bring down a tree locally so I'm without electricity. It's dry and bright however so I thought I'd have a poke round the hearse and see what I've got.

First up lifting rear seat swabs. N/S revealed a Yorkie Easter egg only 6 months past it's best before date so I think I'll risk it.

The O/S revealed the battery and a load of wet leaves, God knows how they got there but all removed now. I've left the seat swabs up and a dehumidifier in there to dry it out as soon as the power's back on.

The battery being located there is a bonus for the camper conversion - long cable runs from the engine compartment have already been done and there's space for a second battery which will be charged off a split charge relay and probably PV at some point in the future.

Also found several reminders of its past life.

Next up some under bonnet checks. Pleasantly surprised how clean the engine bay is.

Now it may be a

but it's still Autoshite - zip-tied throttle linkage

and gaffa-taped air intake!

The oil doesn't look too bad but I've already ordered a new filter and oil so might just do it anyway.

The low coolant warning light is lit on the dash - could it be as easy as topping up the coolant?

That's a no then. Cleaning the connector on the sensor didn't fix it either so new sensor on order.

Looks like a hose might have let go at some point.

Will those white deposits just wire brush off? I can tackle it when the thermostat is replaced - currently the temp gauge doesn't get above a quarter so I'm following @SiC's tip of replacing the thermostat on acquiring a car. I'll replace any dodgy looking jubilee clips while I'm at it.

Being a Daimler it'll never have a leaper but I'm toying with the idea of an alternative bonnet mascot.

I'm still having to wear a sling following the surgery so I'm limited in what I can do for now so I've acquired some stickers - it already sports an AS one.

The deck is long enough for me to lie outstretched which means I can keep the rear seats which could be handy.

Other than that the only other pressing task is the drooping door mirrors - they're the stock item bolted on to a fillet the converters must have put in and they're showing their age.

Visibility isn't great in them anyway and a vehicle this long ideally needs larger mirrors. I'm not precious about keeping it as is so will explore options for fitting larger mirrors off a van, preferably with a built-in blind spot lens.

Overall I'm really pleased with my purchase. Thanks to @calebaaront for bringing it into the fold and @Weird Car for keeping it going.

3,140 · January 24

1 hour ago, Sunny Jim said:

Weather not too bad here today - windy enough to bring down a tree locally so I'm without electricity. It's dry and bright however so I thought I'd have a poke round the hearse and see what I've got.

First up lifting rear seat swabs. N/S revealed a Yorkie Easter egg only 6 months past it's best before date so I think I'll risk it.

The O/S revealed the battery and a load of wet leaves, God knows how they got there but all removed now. I've left the seat swabs up and a dehumidifier in there to dry it out as soon as the power's back on.

The battery being located there is a bonus for the camper conversion - long cable runs from the engine compartment have already been done and there's space for a second battery which will be charged off a split charge relay and probably PV at some point in the future.

Also found several reminders of its past life.

Next up some under bonnet checks. Pleasantly surprised how clean the engine bay is.

Now it may be a

but it's still Autoshite - zip-tied throttle linkage

and gaffa-taped air intake!

The oil doesn't look too bad but I've already ordered a new filter and oil so might just do it anyway.

The low coolant warning light is lit on the dash - could it be as easy as topping up the coolant?

That's a no then. Cleaning the connector on the sensor didn't fix it either so new sensor on order.

Looks like a hose might have let go at some point.

Will those white deposits just wire brush off? I can tackle it when the thermostat is replaced - currently the temp gauge doesn't get above a quarter so I'm following @SiC's tip of replacing the thermostat on acquiring a car. I'll replace any dodgy looking jubilee clips while I'm at it.

Being a Daimler it'll never have a leaper but I'm toying with the Idea of an alternative bonnet mascot.

I'm still having to wear a sling following the surgery so I'm limited in what I can do for now so I've acquired some stickers - it already sports an AS one.

The deck is long enough for me to lie outstretched which means I can keep the rear seats which could be handy.

Other than that the only other pressing task is the drooping door mirrors - they're the stock item bolted on to a fillet the converters must have put in and they're showing their age.

Visibility isn't great in them anyway and a vehicle this long ideally needs larger mirrors. I'm not precious about keeping it as is so will explore options for fitting larger mirrors off a van, preferably with a built-in blind spot lens.

Overall I'm really pleased with my purchase. Thanks to @calebaaront for bringing it into the fold and @Weird Car for keeping it going.

You do genuinely seem like a really good owner for it, I’m glad you like it, oh by the way, under the dash to the right of the steering wheel is 2 hidden silver switches, one controls the decking lights and the other “I think” turns on a motor that lowers the back for loading coffins, I can’t remember for certain though

20,056 · January 24

26 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

Will those white deposits just wire brush off?

Should do. Everything in the Dolomite's engine bay does that if it's damp for a while...

25,997 · January 24

Looking at those hose clamps id be ordering a massive bumper assortment of them 🤣

27,620 · January 24

1 hour ago, Sunny Jim said:

Oh no, Michael Clark! You might have warned us. I didn't know he'd gone...

8,466 · January 24

Thanks @Weird Car, these must be them.

I'll have a play next time I start it up.

25,997 · January 24

4 hours ago, Weird Car said:

the other “I think” turns on a motor that lowers the back for loading drunk people. I can’t remember for certain though

Ftfy. That sounds amazing if you can make the lift bed into a camp bed

24,438 · January 24

I had considered doing something similar on my Sierra.

Blacked out the side windows to try and make it less hearse like.

The only thing is night time CCTV can see straight through it,something to think on if you decide to do the same.

8,466 · January 24

Thanks for the heads up. I am considering some sort of tinting for the rear windows but am concerned that going darker will just absorb heat and increase the greenhouse effect. I'm not sure I'd want to go mirrored but the right hue of chameleon tint might work if it's not too garish.

Curtains or blinds might be a good idea too if tints aren't CCTV proof!

24,438 · January 24

I must admit I was thinking of gothic style curtains for mine,in maybe a dark red velvet type material.

You could have great fun thinking of different styles and colours to use.

8,466 · January 24

Yup, got to be velvet! Looks like we've similar ideas and taste in soft furnishings! I want to try and repurpose as much of the deck wood as possible when I make cupboards and worktop.

Hearseshite - your interior decor is our concern!

24,438 · January 24

Looking forward to seeing this progress.

2,503 · January 27

On 24/01/2025 at 13:41, Sunny Jim said:

The deck is long enough for me to lie outstretched

How unexpected.

I suppose there's one way to confirm though

On 24/01/2025 at 13:41, Sunny Jim said:

"6 months past it's best before date so I think I'll risk it."

(nah, I'd do the same)

19,671 · January 28

On 24/01/2025 at 17:58, Sunny Jim said:

Thanks for the heads up. I am considering some sort of tinting for the rear windows but am concerned that going darker will just absorb heat and increase the greenhouse effect. I'm not sure I'd want to go mirrored but the right hue of chameleon tint might work if it's not too garish.

Curtains or blinds might be a good idea too if tints aren't CCTV proof!

Curtains which affix with magnets would be my choice - quick and easy to fit and to stow.

An engine-builder friend of mine posted recently about getting rid of alloy corrosion with a needle scaler. Worked brilliantly.

7,383 · January 29

Curtains that draw back electrically with some of those dancing fake flames behind so you can rise up from your slumber would great.

7,383 · January 29

The tints (dark black, badly fitted) in my Berlingo made a noticeable difference to keeping it cooler on a hot day.

Lots of window is an issue. Maybe insulated magnet curtains is best. Having a front window cracked and a skylight would make a massive difference.

My old minibus conversion did get proper hot, even after insulation in the roof and sides.

8,466 · January 29

I've also been looking at those boots tents that allow you to keep the rear hatch open.

26,696 · January 29

I reckon a pull out cooking station houses in the coffin storage underneath would work - open tailgate as a shelter, pull out cooking station.

Scran.

25,997 · January 29

1 minute ago, 320touring said:

I reckon a pull out cooking station houses in the coffin storage underneath would work - open tailgate as a shelter, pull out cooking station.

Scran.

Portable cremations (of square sausages) 😂

25,997 · January 29

1 hour ago, Rustybullethole said:

The tints (dark black, badly fitted) in my Berlingo made a noticeable difference to keeping it cooler on a hot day.

Lots of window is an issue. Maybe insulated magnet curtains is best. Having a front window cracked and a skylight would make a massive difference.

My old minibus conversion did get proper hot, even after insulation in the roof and sides.

When I've slept in cars before I've better enjoyed the manual windowed ones as when you half wake up roasting at 5am you can wind the windows down and not wake up 😂

14,152 · January 29

Just found this thread, an epic collection.

1.4k · January 29

6 hours ago, Rustybullethole said:

Curtains that draw back electrically with some of those dancing fake flames behind so you can rise up from your slumber would great.

Do they do Count Dracula pyjamas?

1.4k · January 29

On 24/01/2025 at 13:41, Sunny Jim said:

Weather not too bad here today - windy enough to bring down a tree locally so I'm without electricity. It's dry and bright however so I thought I'd have a poke round the hearse and see what I've got.

First up lifting rear seat swabs. N/S revealed a Yorkie Easter egg only 6 months past it's best before date so I think I'll risk it.

The O/S revealed the battery and a load of wet leaves, God knows how they got there but all removed now. I've left the seat swabs up and a dehumidifier in there to dry it out as soon as the power's back on.

The battery being located there is a bonus for the camper conversion - long cable runs from the engine compartment have already been done and there's space for a second battery which will be charged off a split charge relay and probably PV at some point in the future.

Also found several reminders of its past life.

Next up some under bonnet checks. Pleasantly surprised how clean the engine bay is.

Now it may be a

but it's still Autoshite - zip-tied throttle linkage

and gaffa-taped air intake!

The oil doesn't look too bad but I've already ordered a new filter and oil so might just do it anyway.

The low coolant warning light is lit on the dash - could it be as easy as topping up the coolant?

That's a no then. Cleaning the connector on the sensor didn't fix it either so new sensor on order.

Looks like a hose might have let go at some point.

Will those white deposits just wire brush off? I can tackle it when the thermostat is replaced - currently the temp gauge doesn't get above a quarter so I'm following @SiC's tip of replacing the thermostat on acquiring a car. I'll replace any dodgy looking jubilee clips while I'm at it.

Being a Daimler it'll never have a leaper but I'm toying with the idea of an alternative bonnet mascot.

I'm still having to wear a sling following the surgery so I'm limited in what I can do for now so I've acquired some stickers - it already sports an AS one.

Perhaps something ai brewed...

1,506 · January 29

Don't know if you'll be able to find it, but on one of those George Clarke Amazing spaces programmes someone did a camper out of a Granada hearse.

I can understand if you wouldn't want to just copy it, but it might give you some ideas.

@320tourings post about the pullout stove/cooking area reminded me, that's what the guy on the TV had done.

42,631 · January 29

Finding those bits and bobs about the dead that have been passengers….. cool but also a bit chilling in another sense 😂

1.4k · January 29

1 hour ago, comfortablynumb said:

Don't know if you'll be able to find it, but on one of those George Clarke Amazing spaces programmes someone did a camper out of a Granada hearse.

I can understand if you wouldn't want to just copy it, but it might give you some ideas.

@320tourings post about the pullout stove/cooking area reminded me, that's what the guy on the TV had done.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2015/10/09/video-pictures-shropshire-holiday-hearse-is-dead-impressive/

That one?

8,466 · January 29

I know what you mean @HMC but I used to live in a converted ambulance so have already slept in a vehicle that's transported a dead body.

I have seen pictures of that one @comfortablynumb but they appear to have made a fundamental error - it wouldn't be possible to lean out of bed and put the kettle on! The layout I have in my mind is a bench down the nearside which pulls out to be a bed and a unit down the offside which will house sink, hob and storage. I figure it's less hassle to get the bed out once a day than have to slide stuff out each time I want to cook or put the kettle on and I'll have somewhere to sit inside during the day.

Crossed a couple of easy jobs off the list today. I got a bollocking off the physio on Monday for doing too much - using a cartridge gun to apply tiger seal to the leaking window seals didn't do my shoulder any favours but it is keeping the rain out.

One of the clips which holds the driver's sun visor up was broken so the visor was drooping. A judiciously applied cable tie and a self-tapping screw sorted that.

Next was this:

which had a nasty habit of popping open at the merest provocation - I really didn't trust it to hold me in the event of a collision. They're a known weakness of the X300 and it's the driver's side that goes most often. Unfortunately they're handed so a passenger side won't do so consequently the driver's ones command a premium. I ended up spending nearly a tenth of what the car cost me but I'm worth it.

Shame I couldn't find one the correct colour - one might have turned up if I'd been prepared to wait but I'm using the car daily so wanted it asap.

I got all the bolts out one handed and then tilted the seat to access the buckle as I couldn't lift the seat and didn't want to unplug any airbag connectors.

Finding a quid was a bonus!

Job jobbed and no lights on the dash.

Next up new thermostat and coolant level sensor. I can't tackle those one handed so it's off to the garage tomorrow. They can check the tracking while it's there as it pulls to the left a bit.

I need to get some gas struts for the tailgate before the weekend as I'm back to work on Monday so I'll only have weekends to do bits on this until the days get longer. Trouble is everyone seems to want to sort them by your reg number and not their length. I need some c11" when the boot's shut extending to c22" when it's open.

8,466 · January 30

Got the thermostat and coolant level sensor sorted at a local garage today so warm air restored to the vents and no lights on the dash - a couple of wins there! I was concerned the lack of heat might have been a blocked matrix or failed heater pump so glad just the thermostat has sorted it.

It might be a Daimler but it's got a growler on the steering wheel.

When I went to pick it up we put it over their MOT pit (it's too long for their ramps!) to have a look at her underside. Unfortunately she is going to need a few patches before the next MOT but condsidering her age and the bargain price I got her for overall I'm very happy. The only tricky bit is likely to be an area of the o/s sill which is close to the fibre glass body. MOT isn't due until April and I hope to have learnt to weld before then so I can tackle most if not all of it myself.

When I checked the MOT date I discovered the DVLA checker has it as a "Limosuine" - paging @LightBulbFun.

Tomorrow's job is to fit these which I've dug out of my shed.

Converting the Daimler to a hearse removed the rear speakers along with the rest of the back of the car. The standard stereo is only going to the tweeters on the dash and the speakers in the front doors. I'm hoping the rear speaker wiring is still present behind the stereo and it's a relatively easy job to wire them in. If the stereo isn't powerful enough to drive them I might consider an amp as this car needs bass.

2,711 · January 30

11 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

this car needs Billy Bass.

8,466 · January 30

@mintwth if it's bass rather than bass I'll have a bass I can drink over a bass that can sing thank you very much.

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