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Post by mausie on Aug 14, 2012 16:06:55 GMT 10
Great work Bricktop It is a distinct advantage having an aluminium frame van  Our van is timber frame and has been a job and a half so far.  We have decided to change to electric brakes though, just received them today from "Spinny Things" in Victoria - their prices are good. Keep up the good work Mausie |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2012 10:03:17 GMT 10
Hi Mausie.
Yeah I was very happy to find the metal frame, while it had a little surface corrosion in lower areas it was not bad at all.
I'm stating with the mechanical brakes for now but that may change depending on how it tows.
Ben
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2012 19:37:31 GMT 10
I would always go for Electric Brakes Ben, unlike the mechanical jobs they actually work properly.
Cam
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 5:22:20 GMT 10
Update! New led lights and new floor! (Floor half painted)   |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 18:11:06 GMT 10
Love your work It is starting to take place nicely. My boss keeps asking me are we having fun yet!!!  Cheers gav |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 11:59:29 GMT 10
Slowly but surely!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2012 20:13:28 GMT 10
Ok so some paint is on, including the blue strip.  Now I would like some points of view. I'm thinking what color to do the Aluminum strip around the van. Options are to make it white, make it blue or maybe a clean aluminum paint color. What you folks think? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2013 17:39:16 GMT 10
Ok so it's been a little while here's an update. All running lights done and working, first stage of exterior painted, but will be finished at a later date. Tow bar rust proofed and strengthened, new couplings etc and primed for paint. Mechanical brakes cleaned, inspected and new bearings, brake cables etc. all the insulation is in so ready for 240 volt electrics to be done, I will do the 12v my self. Over head cupboards stripped back and repaired where necessary and ready to be covered. Think that's everything for now, just getting it ready to be towed as it will soon have to go on a 1000km journey! Inslulation in...  New coupling and tow bar primed for paint...  And paint done (for now anyway) ignore the exterior light, got to clean that up...  |
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Post by ForumMod on Mar 23, 2013 21:33:57 GMT 10
G'day bricktop, Well that's coming along VERY nicely!  What is that insulation that you've used? I notice you didn't get any opinions from your previous post about the paint colour on the aluminium mouldings. I quite like the look of the white paint on them as shown in your photos. A 1000kms trip? Sounds like you're moving rather than taking the van on a holiday? cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2013 22:15:29 GMT 10
Thanks Al.
The insulation is the bubble wrap type with silver each side, Solarcell brand I think but i got a good deal from some company in Townsville on eBay.
The paint has come up ok, needs tidying up and a bit more gloss but the foundation is there for now.
And yes it will be going with us down south when we move soon. The work will continue down there!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2013 23:05:35 GMT 10
Very nice work indeed. I need to replace one wheel arch on my Viscount similar to yours. How did you make your ones? Did you get a metal shop to make them or did you do it yourself? Were the original ones plastic? How did you attach them to the frame? Thanks for your very informative posting. Love it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2013 19:05:04 GMT 10
Very nice work indeed. I need to replace one wheel arch on my Viscount similar to yours. How did you make your ones? Did you get a metal shop to make them or did you do it yourself? Were the original ones plastic? How did you attach them to the frame? Thanks for your very informative posting. Love it. Hi Enidb, thanks for the comments. The wheel arches are pre-made. I got them in a caravan parts shop in Cairns. Depending on where you are you should be able to find them at a caravan place or on the web. My original ones were plastic, and a bit ratty and rotten so they needed to be replaced. The new ones attach to the frame in a similar way to the plastic ones, they are riveted (or crewed if you want) to the chassis rails. The one problem you will find is that the wheel guards are to high and there is a gap between the 'outer' part of the guard and the wall of the caravan. This is fixed by making your own 'inner guard' which is basically a flat sheet of metal cut to size to cover the gap. You can see the inner guard in the photos and the wheel guard is up against it. If I have not explained it well enough let me know and I will throw up some closer pictures -Ben |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2013 17:27:02 GMT 10
Great day today. Went looking for flooring, and vinyl was the choice. Was looking for a good deal but was also willing to pay for quality stuff. Went to the local furniture shop ( its a small town so the only location for flooring) and looked at a few samples. While browsing the saleswoman came up and pointed me in the direction of some "off cut" roll that they had. It was a big roll of vinyl left over from a house fit-out. I liked the patten so asked how much for it, the manager came over and said I could have it for $20! It looked the right size so I took it (I would have paid that in fuel going to the nearest city to look for vinyl!) Cut and laid it today and it was exactly the right size. Winning. It was all a stroke of luck really And I'm very happy with the result.  |
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Post by ForumMod on Apr 9, 2013 20:17:23 GMT 10
Gotta be happy with that bargain, bricktop! Looks great! ;D cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2013 14:38:30 GMT 10
Ok so with the electrics and interior walls on hold for just a moment, i decided to start rebuilding the furniture. The aim is to keep it as original as possible with a few modern finishes. Below is the table (that lowers to become part of the end bed) the original was chipboard and of course rotten. I used it as a template to re create it with some 15mm ply. I salvaged the original table leg stand and wall fastenings, cleaned them up and attached. Now for some laminate on the top and sides and it will be as good as new.    |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 20:27:16 GMT 10
Well it has been a while, but after moving house (1000km away!) the van is back in my possession and ready to have some work done. Today I got the ply sheets that will make the walls, went for the resilience ply from Gunnersens, polyester faced in white gloss. As the 240v is already in i started to wire up the 12v, and was considering what set up to use. In the end I got a battery charger that also acts as a power supply. As I don't have a battery yet this will let me wire everything up and even get away to a van park when done. I'm sure I will add a battery/solar in the future but my missus is not a huge fan of going bush, and won't stray far from a toilet and shower. The charger is great and I hooked it up to a baintech fuse box, these are great because they have common positive and negative connections. Best thing about it is if I do add a battery then it will fit right in and I have a solid smart charger already! Here are some photos. I got all the stuff from Springers Solar in Tingalpa (brisbane) they have been excellent with knowledge and price, got some great deals. I would recommend them. Anyway here's the photos of the charger and fuse box. Currently I have 2 led down lights, one strip light and a water pump and USB/ socket connections. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2013 22:15:27 GMT 10
More progress. Roof is in with LED's, one up each end and a strip light in the middle, swivels 180 degrees. 
 and the front end has plywood with refurbished table in.  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2013 20:54:51 GMT 10
Ben, tell me a little about painting the outside of your van. What paint did you use? Did you spray it on, or just use a brush? And how did you prepare the cladding? Did you just wipe it down with turps, or did you strip it right back to bare aluminium? Your feedback would be much appreciated.
Lachlan
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2014 21:57:38 GMT 10
Hi Bricktop,
I to have just purchased a Viscount Royal, Mine is a static van that has been for quite a long time.
as Lachlan asked I to am keen on finding out how you painted the outside and with what.
also did you have to replace any of the window looks or catches as mine a all broken and not sure on where or how to replace them??
Mark
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2014 21:19:12 GMT 10
Hi guys.
Paint was solar guard applied by firm roller. The firm roller means the paint will go on nice and smooth.
Good prep is the key, I rubbed the original paint back, cleaned with sugar soap and masked the applicable areas. I kept the windows in, just masked them off well.
It's not as quick as spraying, nor does it give the perfect spray finish, but as I didn't have the facility's the roller was the way to go.
I think I will re spay in the future which a higher gloss paint, but this will do for the medium term.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2014 21:20:39 GMT 10
Hi Bricktop, I to have just purchased a Viscount Royal, Mine is a static van that has been for quite a long time. as Lachlan asked I to am keen on finding out how you painted the outside and with what. also did you have to replace any of the window looks or catches as mine a all broken and not sure on where or how to replace them?? Mark I replaced all the window catches with ones from caravansplus.com.au. They work a tray and very easy to install. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2014 18:13:47 GMT 10
Here's some shots of the rebuilt overhead cabinets, half finished and rough, but you get the idea. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 18:16:07 GMT 10
Update: Lift up bed done and ready for gas struts and sand /paint. Frame for TV/wardrobe/ electrical cupboard done and progressing well. Next up is kitchen bench. Photos to follow Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 18:20:24 GMT 10
Oh yeah and the end table/bed set up nearly done. Has storage under the bench seats and mimics the original set up. Very use full for holding tools at the moment. Attachments:
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Post by ForumMod on Jun 29, 2014 21:56:51 GMT 10
That's pretty neat carpentry work there, bricktop! You obviously know your way around the tools, hey?!  cheers, Al. |
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