Hey guys and Pup need some tips for work van conversion to road trip home. If I can sort this out my life will be complete ??????

Piss the esky off and get a waeco for a start and LEDs use stuff all power.
if I remember right sands had a great tent extra that fits the tailgate of rigs like that.

Get it all out - keep the roof netting ... build a side wooden slide thru rack (padded with foam) for the boards to sit on their rail
(have to remove fins before packing) you can then put a top on that if you wanted to sleep on
you get a fair width still left on the rest of the floor to play around with

I've never done a van refurb, but would love to one day. I have seen some great set-ups dreaming my way through gumtree. Boards are probably the main factor with regard to length/durability/cost/importance & personally I think slung off the ceiling (roof) is the go with longboards. Can get hot but you can lay them on a bed diagonally if required through the day until you wanted to crash & slip it up above you when crash'n. Everything else is about how well you set up compartment space with ease of access granted to items of greater frequent use, like a beer fridge if your me

But anyway, have a look at camper van pics on gumtree for some ideas and consider what you need/want. Materials vs cost of implementation ie I see in your pic a rough wooden platform has been whacked in the back for example. Not to focus on that, but when space becomes an issue strength to build ratio with materials is a consideration like metal will be much thinner to provide strength required to meet the requirement for certain areas.

If you mean, not vanlife like your just gonna be doing some trips up/down the coast & not embarking on a trip around Oz where concern for optimal comforts are not the issue as opposed to scoring epic waves. I reckon the vans prob pretty close to good to go. Maybe just use like bunnings placcy containers to pull in/out of the underneath section. Whack the boards on the ceiling while your driving & have a bloody great time updating us with more pics of the van/waves in future

I'd love a van like this my neighbour has parked out the front of my place, only not a merc coz the service costs are mental. Dunno what he does he heads off at 6am weekdays & returns mid morning. Some kinda semi retired job or helping a disabled family/friend dunno will ask him one day...but anyway yeah, those taxi's that pick up disabled peeps would be awesome to refurb...what have you got there, can't make it out from that pic

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MickPC said..

I'd love a van like this my neighbour has parked out the front of my place, only not a merc coz the service costs are mental. Dunno what he does he heads off at 6am weekdays & returns mid morning. Some kinda semi retired job or helping a disabled family/friend dunno will ask him one day...but anyway yeah, those taxi's that pick up disabled peeps would be awesome to refurb...what have you got there, can't make it out from that pic

No windows and if their's a mattress in the back, maybe don't ask

Tip it back up on its' wheels for a start

the best decision i made was not to make a bed, sure i went to all the trouble of picking out all the ply and timber i needed, working out how to make it and how to mount it so it could easily be removed.

I think I came to a figure of about $120 just for the materials alone, then the rest was up to my cabinet making skills, which are not first rate, just passable.

Then I grew something similar to a brain and realised that for $60 I could get a single bed from Ikea that only needed the bed head lowered and a bit of reinforcing to tolerate taking it in and out of the van.

Even went to the expense of another $80 to get an Ikea mattress to suit. I'm as snug as a bug in that fart sack

I'm I think 3 years in to van ownership - VW Caravelle with most of the seats removed.
The interior fit out is constantly evolving as I get different ideas.
My thoughts.
Boards on the roof. They are always wet, covered in sand. The quantity of sand that gets in the van without them is pretty amazing. I'm on SUPs, so most too big anyway. If security is an issue put them inside, otherwise tied on the top.
I have an Engel fridge / freezer running constantly. Have had for 20 years in work Landcruisers as a surveyor working on remote sites, have always had a dual battery system with the second battery isolated so the main one can always start the car. The fridge murders the second battery though, running it dead flat if you are parked up for a few days. Cycling it dead flat to fully charged kills the cells. On this van about 2 years ago I got a solar panel fitted, and an AGM battery (don't know what that means) and no issues since. The solar works even part obscured by boards.
I originally set up with a 2 seat back seat, full length bed behind it, storage for a bike next to it. As time went on, and rounding down a bit, I never rode the bike and never slept in the van. Big area of dead space at behind the seat / at the front of the bed.
Have recently fitted a 3 seat bench a row back, more room in the main cab, less dead space, if I want to take the bike it will fit in front of the bed.
"Kitchen" at the back. If you want to cook, stand behind the van. Cooking inside stinks it up badly. I mainly do coffee and toasted sandwiches.
Forgot to mention, 1000 watt 240 volt inverter hooked up to the auxiliary battery and the solar. Will power a kettle, sandwich maker, battery chargers, music. Makes you pretty much independent of powered sites if doing the caravan thing.
Hanging space. For towels, wetsuits, etc. I have drying racks just below the ceiling, hang everything there, never take it out of the van.
Can lead to the Van smelling "Really quite bad Dad" as my eldest daughter put it in mid winter in Melbourne.
Some photos, not stretching back to start of Van ownership, but covering most things.

The downside of VW ownership - broken timing belt 99,900 km (out of warranty). Pistons met the valves not in the order VW intended. New engine, expensive, close to scrap the Van cost.


Happier times.
Back kitchen, fridge, single burner gas stove, hanging wetsuits, bike (a bit hidden), board in the bag is a 6'6" skateboard.
Self built boxes and drawers, I have a lid that goes on the left when the bike isn't there.
Build is just pine planks, self drilling screws, black paint, outdoor carpet.
All available from a leading hardware chain I hate.


Kettle on, coffee ready


Stove basic butane cylinder single burner thing


Baked beans and toasty soldiers at the back of the van


Or sardines on toast....


Rhino Racks side awning, wall, and tag along tent.
Pretty cheap and good quality.


Swivelling bases on front seats to give lounge area.
Steering wheel gets in the way.
Suction cup black out blinds, lots of stuff from justkampers
There's probably a .com.au after that


Bed in place, back kitchen, awning


240 volt power for external music




First version of the current evolution.
Two seater out, three seater in, one row back.


Modified back kitchen.
Had to shorten everything a bit.
Forgot to mention - inverter powers the microwave too - lowest power I could find, probably takes four times as long as your home one, but works.


Dog likes the more room at the front


Back kitchen finished a bit better - mainly black paint


Current project - aspirations of carpentry skills, going to clear finish under seat cupboards.
Above seat wall old skateboard table with stickers applied.


And the final word from the eldest creative daughter.
Father's Day present.

Very nice Nozza...is that a pic of the front seats swivelling to face the back?

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MickPC said..
Very nice Nozza...is that a pic of the front seats swivelling to face the back?

Yep, swivel bases from justkampers.
Very basic, you raise the seat, swivel, then lower it again.
This is a 2010 model - apparently this gets harder with newer vans with more advanced airbag detection stuff in the seats - wires have to be disconnected to stop the car thinking you are crashing. I think there is a standard factory VW version of this too.
Driver's seat only swivelled - both do it if you want.

Select to expand quote

Nozza said..
I'm I think 3 years in to van ownership - VW Caravelle with most of the seats removed.
The interior fit out is constantly evolving as I get different ideas.
My thoughts.
Boards on the roof. They are always wet, covered in sand. The quantity of sand that gets in the van without them is pretty amazing. I'm on SUPs, so most too big anyway. If security is an issue put them inside, otherwise tied on the top.
I have an Engel fridge / freezer running constantly. Have had for 20 years in work Landcruisers as a surveyor working on remote sites, have always had a dual battery system with the second battery isolated so the main one can always start the car. The fridge murders the second battery though, running it dead flat if you are parked up for a few days. Cycling it dead flat to fully charged kills the cells. On this van about 2 years ago I got a solar panel fitted, and an AGM battery (don't know what that means) and no issues since. The solar works even part obscured by boards.
I originally set up with a 2 seat back seat, full length bed behind it, storage for a bike next to it. As time went on, and rounding down a bit, I never rode the bike and never slept in the van. Big area of dead space at behind the seat / at the front of the bed.
Have recently fitted a 3 seat bench a row back, more room in the main cab, less dead space, if I want to take the bike it will fit in front of the bed.
"Kitchen" at the back. If you want to cook, stand behind the van. Cooking inside stinks it up badly. I mainly do coffee and toasted sandwiches.
Forgot to mention, 1000 watt 240 volt inverter hooked up to the auxiliary battery and the solar. Will power a kettle, sandwich maker, battery chargers, music. Makes you pretty much independent of powered sites if doing the caravan thing.
Hanging space. For towels, wetsuits, etc. I have drying racks just below the ceiling, hang everything there, never take it out of the van.
Can lead to the Van smelling "Really quite bad Dad" as my eldest daughter put it in mid winter in Melbourne.
Some photos, not stretching back to start of Van ownership, but covering most things.

The downside of VW ownership - broken timing belt 99,900 km (out of warranty). Pistons met the valves not in the order VW intended. New engine, expensive, close to scrap the Van cost.


Happier times.
Back kitchen, fridge, single burner gas stove, hanging wetsuits, bike (a bit hidden), board in the bag is a 6'6" skateboard.
Self built boxes and drawers, I have a lid that goes on the left when the bike isn't there.
Build is just pine planks, self drilling screws, black paint, outdoor carpet.
All available from a leading hardware chain I hate.


Kettle on, coffee ready


Stove basic butane cylinder single burner thing


Baked beans and toasty soldiers at the back of the van


Or sardines on toast....


Rhino Racks side awning, wall, and tag along tent.
Pretty cheap and good quality.


Swivelling bases on front seats to give lounge area.
Steering wheel gets in the way.
Suction cup black out blinds, lots of stuff from justkampers
There's probably a .com.au after that


Bed in place, back kitchen, awning


240 volt power for external music




First version of the current evolution.
Two seater out, three seater in, one row back.


Modified back kitchen.
Had to shorten everything a bit.
Forgot to mention - inverter powers the microwave too - lowest power I could find, probably takes four times as long as your home one, but works.


Dog likes the more room at the front


Back kitchen finished a bit better - mainly black paint


Current project - aspirations of carpentry skills, going to clear finish under seat cupboards.
Above seat wall old skateboard table with stickers applied.


And the final word from the eldest creative daughter.
Father's Day present.

YES Nozza!!!! That is a sweet setup!! I have Van envy!!

whats the longest board you "could" fit in along the roof?

Would a 10 footer fit inside while driving short distances?

Time for me to upgrade the Iload. They are just too short inside - 10 footer just squeezes in straight from windshield to arse.

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leashless said..

whats the longest board you "could" fit in along the roof?

Would a 10 footer fit inside while driving short distances?

Time for me to upgrade the Iload. They are just too short inside - 10 footer just squeezes in straight from windshield to arse.

I've had a 12'6" in with it empty. 11' fits on its' side resting on the passenger seat with the back laid down, so would fit along under the roof OK I think

Swivel seats are a very cool feature mate, that is an epic van

Now that's living Nozza