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Post by supreme78 on Jun 29, 2014 3:34:49 GMT 10
The ensuite weighs bugger all co paired to some vans with full windows and cupboards at the rear. It's just a big hole 550x 960 made from ply with plastic wall paneling. You can't store anything in there like you can drawers. And the bed was just a basic light steel frame with a mattress. Then a couple o/ head storage cupboards above the bed. It's got a simple small window at the rear so I can't see much weight there. The passenger side is the worst and that's funny because the drivers side has the fridge over the axle and it's the heaviest thing in the whole van. I guess I just add strength carefully not to overdo the weight and use it.  ?? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 15:47:53 GMT 10
Hi Paul,
Interesting to hear your thoughts on the chassis, I think they are pretty flimsy too, and I think we're going to strengthen our 78 Viscount while we're working on her. I noticed one of the cross pieces of angle that are welded across the width of the chassis near the water tank and front and rear has come loose on one edge so has a bit of flex. Nothing major to fix that, expecially as we have a welder on hand, but I do think we might brace it with something extra while we're cleaning/sealing/painting it all.
Loreena
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Post by supreme78 on Jul 27, 2014 18:50:27 GMT 10
Yeah I am adding some strength to the chassis before I fit my new springs. I am going to put a piece of 75x50 rhs along side the bit that the springs are mounted to. This will spread the load from the springs along the length of the van. I will then put a few cross beams in the front and rear of the water tanks as I have 2 tanks and this will strengthen where the tanks mount. I went from 58l tanks to 95L tanks so help with the mounts might be required. As my van is going on a long trip around oz I need it to be spot on. I have been busy the past few days as I picked up some fitting for my plumbing and went about redoing the plumbing in the van. I used the john guest fittings and they are great. Had the whole van done in an afternoon. It's so easy and relatively cheep as well. I got heaps of fittings and only used about a third of them. I bought a new hot plates oven and sink and a new bench top and went about fitting the whole lot together. I must admit it makes the van look a whole lot newer when all done.   |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 23:31:26 GMT 10
I know what you mean, we're mid "big lap of Australia" at the moment and have just stopped to change vans over, so want to make sure she's solid! I love the look of the new fittings! We've yet to test the current gas oven/stove that's in ours, I'd love to change it, but I'm not sure the budget will stretch that far unfortunately. Maybe it will. We're currently fridge shopping and wow they aren't cheap are they! We already have a 60litre in our car, so it won't be urgent, and we'll fit out everything else we need first and then leave the items until the end so we can splurge if we're able  |
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Post by supreme78 on Jul 28, 2014 6:20:41 GMT 10
The weight saving on the new hot plates and oven are huge. My old oven took 2 people to lift. The new oven is less than 10kg. The hot plates are so easy to use and have good heat output. I pondered buying new stove and played with the old ones for ages but I don't regret the upgrade one bit.
They burn cleaner and have safety cut outs built in.
I now have to finish the plumbing and the shower rebuild. New roof hatches and then onto the suspension.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2014 11:04:43 GMT 10
Oh, you've just inspired me to take a closer look at our old oven then, it might be worth the upgrade!
Matt's convinced on the RHS, he's going to grab some today and is running a cross member at the rear, then 2 at the axle area which he's going to use to re-mount our springs, so they will act like spacer blocks, but will run across the width of the van to strengthen and give her a small lift at the same time, then another cross member along the front.
That's the theory at the moment anyway. The old angle that's running as cross members is so thin isn't it! I guess it's not going to be too hard to add any amount of strength to what's there! haha.
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Post by supreme78 on Aug 4, 2014 20:33:26 GMT 10
Well the van has been coming along nicely. My new hot plates oven rangehood and sink are now installed and working. The new plumbing is all in and working well. I recieve my new suburban gas HWS tomorrow. I bought a second hand one online but it's proved to be needing a gas controller so it's being replaced with a brand new one. My new shower base is also on the way and then it's the walls.
I also purchased 1meter square carpet tiles from bunnings and they will go in last after the the roof hatches go in. I x Heiki mini in the bedroom and a Heiki midi in the lounge dining area.
I removed the old 4 seasons hatches and if your interested you can have them if you can use them on your project.
I have found that from all the investigation I have done that the dometic Heiki range of hatches are on top of the list. They have a quality clear hatch lid that is said to last for much longer than other brands on the market.
I think it's worth spending that bit extra just to get a quality product. This van will be my home while I travel Australia for a full year and has to be 100% as I don't want to be fixing things while on my trip.
I am keen to try out the oven and might cook a lasagna in there tomorrow night see how it goes. Hehe
I hopefully pick up my checkerplate panels tomorrow to replace the bottom 300 mm of the lower section of the van to clean up the mess from having an awning and clip on draught seal as there was holes everywhere.
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Post by supreme78 on Aug 6, 2014 11:55:51 GMT 10
 The trashed lower section of the van has been replaced along with the water heater being fitted and setup. I am happy with how the old girl is coming along and although the list is still long I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Shower recess is next and then the roof hatches. What will I do with my time once I finish? |
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Post by atefooterz on Aug 6, 2014 15:40:08 GMT 10
Brilliant job and top class results by the looks of things supreme78! Thanks for keeping us posted.
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Post by ForumMod on Aug 6, 2014 21:29:43 GMT 10
Yes, you're certainly turning this van into quite a nice "floating palace on wheels", Paul. 'Supreme' just about sums it up, really.  cheers, Al. |
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Post by supreme78 on Aug 6, 2014 23:26:38 GMT 10
I figured that I could buy a van for $10000 and do work to it to personalise it or buy a van for a few thousand and spend the extra on the van to make it just the way I wanted it. I wanted a van with an alloy frame a shower and a double bed. I was able to then do what I wanted to make it suit my needs. If I bought a van it would loose money anyway so if I spent more than it's worth it wouldn't matter as I was not going to sell it at least until it's been around Australia.
I wanted a classic van but I need it to be reliable for my travels.
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Post by supreme78 on Aug 13, 2014 20:52:02 GMT 10
 The shower room is finished and it looks very fancy. The carpet is also done and the list us getting shorter by the day. It was an Awesome sunny day today and can't wait until summer to take the old girl for a few trips. Now need to get underneath to Finish some things and get some paint on under there. |
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Post by supreme78 on Aug 26, 2014 22:54:53 GMT 10
Big day in the van fitting to new Heiki hatches. Mini in the rear and midi in the front. I am stoked with the transformation. It's made it light and airy inside and as I have fitted one in my old van I know no water leaks. The guy at the caravan shop coast to Coast said they are the one hatch that seems to last longer than most. He said in 5 years most start to crack and brake parts. Something less likely on the dometic Heiki hatches. Will get some pis up soon.
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Post by snoops on Sept 8, 2014 18:09:07 GMT 10
Hi, what is the sheeting you used in the shower? I'm putting a wet area in mine, but my local hardware store doesn't have what I'm looking for. I was after something about the thickness of 3 ply, but waterproof on one side.
Cheers - Snoops.
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Post by supreme78 on Sept 8, 2014 22:09:56 GMT 10
It's gunnersons made and white on one side and pattern on the other. A few different patterns available. Available from bunnings in 1200x 2400 x 3mm thick. I paid $185 a sheet for it a month ago. It's not cheep but good quality. It's called rezielence wet area paneling. Gunnersons website has all the details.
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Post by snoops on Sept 9, 2014 20:10:43 GMT 10
Cool - thanks for that. |
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Post by supreme78 on Sept 21, 2014 0:19:26 GMT 10
  Well both the hatches are in and sealed up. I am stoked with how they turned out. I would recomend changing away from the 4 seasons hatch to these Heki hatches. They don't leak and they let in good light and air flow is great. I put a mini in the rear and a midi in the front. I replaced the ceiling again as the ply I used before was gloss and showed every bump and blemish. The new ceiling ply is painted with gel coat also but has like a leather grain on it and satin finish so it looks heaps better. I have to glue a couple joiners to the joints but its mostly finished. The list of jobs is still long but I can see light at the end of the tunnel now. I am very happy with the van and can't wait to get out and use it now the weather is getting better down here in Vic. I am going to get a set of new rims and tyres and keep the Holden stud patern. I will change the axle back under the springs for clearance once I have finished most of the jobs as I can't get it under my carport once I change it back. I will also add some later model guard flares from a 1980 viscount once I cut out the drivers side guard hole after fitting the checker plate on the lower section. I have also redone a few things during the latest phase of the renovations like lighting and adding some storage where possible. |
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Post by atefooterz on Sept 23, 2014 18:18:19 GMT 10
Just a quick question about your wet room, what door/curtain arrangement do you use to stop spray into the cabin?
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Post by supreme78 on Sept 24, 2014 7:50:45 GMT 10
The shower has a small sliding door that fits neatly inside the room and is shaped to be just big enough to cover the whole when closed. It's a timber frame with ply on the outside and plastic paneling on the inside.
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Post by atefooterz on Sept 24, 2014 8:09:56 GMT 10
Cheers. sounds neat.
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Post by supreme78 on Oct 27, 2014 4:44:54 GMT 10
Well classic van followers I have decided I might sell the supreme if I can get what I want for it. I think it explains itself in here and you can see what I have added to the van over time and the effort I have put into her. I have a 1972 royal 20 footer I would like to restore and as it's a but bigger and dual axle it would suit for my long term travels better. If you are interested in my supreme give me a message and I can contact you for serious discussions if required.
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Post by supreme78 on May 21, 2015 18:17:32 GMT 10
 The new fridge is in. I decided to get rid of the old 2 way fridge as it was unreliable in high temps and the power consumption on 240v was dreadful. The new fridge is a little smaller but I will also have my portable fridge in the car so shouldn't need a huge one in the van. It's a Vitrigrigo remote compressor model so the fridge cabinet has a full size capacity as the compressor is mounted beside the fridge instead of in the back not cutting down on fridge size. |
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Post by supreme78 on May 21, 2015 18:38:15 GMT 10
 I have moved house and have been doing a bit more work to the van as it needs to be ready soon for my round Australia trip later in the year. I have completed a spring over axle conversion and fitted all new brakes ,wheels and tyres. I have also added the guard flares to finish off the outside. I have added a grey water tank under the van after moving the second water tank forward just behind the axle and then fitting a 60litre grey water tank to allow me to camp in areas that have a self contained policy. I have added an electric front lifting jack. It's a good thing as its 12v and saves winding the jockey wheel up and down. I still have a jockey wheel as a backup. I have also added water tank gauges to the potable water tanks. This was never on the must have list but I was given them as a birthday present from a great full friend. It's nice to know how much water you have left. |
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Post by Mustang on May 21, 2015 18:52:52 GMT 10
The new fridge is in. I decided to get rid of the old 2 way fridge as it was unreliable in high temps and the power consumption on 240v was dreadful. The new fridge is a little smaller but I will also have my portable fridge in the car so shouldn't need a huge one in the van. It's a Vitrigrigo remote compressor model so the fridge cabinet has a full size capacity as the compressor is mounted beside the fridge instead of in the back not cutting down on fridge size. We have this fridge in our Nautilus & it cycles every 12 minutes, very hard on the batteries if its cloudy. How do you find yours? Brent |
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Post by supreme78 on May 22, 2015 6:16:21 GMT 10
I guess it's a bit early to say but I have added extra insulation around the unit to assist with temp control. I have heard they can be hungry if it's hot weather. I hope my solar setup will be enough to cover it.
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