|
|
Post by atefooterz on Dec 13, 2014 0:27:58 GMT 10
Six months into my classic van and reading about the various mods, renos,rejuvinations and re imagining of the various interiors and upgrading of running gear etc and living in plus learning about my own "enviroment capsule" i am becomming more convinced to build new rather than change around my Arrow. The logistics and cost mean i can use the existing van as a male mold and once shelled can jig the size a bit, possibly 20feet would allow a great live aboard mobile platform. While a kevlar glass shell is of similar weight to alloy the repairability make it tempting. The ability to stiffen up the corners and load areas with carbon mean the interior is easier to play with, with cupboard frames etc not being relied on for stiffness. I plan on using the great closed cell alloy scrim 5- 12mm as a core & insulator, using wallpaper as an interior surface, over the insulation, means easy cleaning & upgrading down the track as fashions change.
Having the great look of a classic with a light chassis and structure means i can aim for all the jiggery pokery "free camping" stuff that the 2 ton white boxes contain. while having a trailer weight of a rigey didge plug & play old school site park van. 2015 New Year resolution much? LoLz!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2014 7:59:57 GMT 10
Mate sounds wild, when will you start...or have you had a few to many Xmas drinks lol
Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Dec 13, 2014 13:53:14 GMT 10
Haha no very sober moments have got me to here  As i said in my Arrow thread earlier i now feel i should be a caretaker as most of the internals are great condition and original, including curtains & cushions, the previous mob ripped out the cupboards over the kitchen, most likely water damage judging by the 2-3000 tubes of sillycone on the roof is anything to go by, same at the rear drivers side as a panel has minor water damage 4cm wide & 320 tall, next to the window at the rear of the hanging closet. To upgrade the 240V & instal a workable 12v system plus instal a shower toilet cubicle, i will need a shed & most likely have to remove the alloy cladding to gain access, once done and back on the road i am still stuck with having to find a shed again & ripping off sides to do anything, just looking where to create mounting point for my TV, to use in rear bed zone & swing to cabin area, is major without destroying the good zones of ceiling or beefing up the hanging closet face, a modern stove & fridge will change to feel against the mid 70s vibe and really the fridge should be in that corner next to the stove that is just sealed up in mine, that means the vent grille is in the wrong spot & major to move, ignore & or instal a new vent area further forwards, that would then ruin the look of the original exterior. I was thinking of grabbing an old tandem & fixing that up but again the cost and weight is an issue so looking at my skill sets and creating something worthwhile to not only live in but later to sell, a custom van seems the logical way to go. What is out there new in 2014 is in my opinion pretty but primitive compared to what is possible and in many ways steps backward compared to how these classics were constructed. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2014 17:07:34 GMT 10
Hi Ate
One thing I am finding is one problem just leads to another and nothing is going to be a small job here and a small job there. So I am still pulling bits and pieces off my van and checking for problems and issue's but will plan to attack and repair in Feb 2015. Will build the war chest up and by Feb should have a complete list of what needs repair/replace and in the order it has to be done. For instance
To fix the rot in the front section floor the lower walls will get done as well(rot) the front cladding has to be replace as it has the holes in it that let water through, plus to replace the front wall panel the cladding has to be off and the floor up as it all goes underneath. The cladding trim is one piece from just under the door to under the window at the rear side of the van so both sides will have to come off and while there off I will look to see what has cause the water issue in the back wall corner. And I thought I would just fit a 600 x 400mm piece of flooring ha ha
Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Dec 13, 2014 22:59:27 GMT 10
Exactly Lawrence! One thing i have learned from this and other forums on Classic stuff is that due to gravity and i guess an expected real life time of 10-20 years, judging by the electrolosis action installed by the various factories, was that an owner would just buy new. It looks mammoth & frightening when you see the threads of full stripdown then rebuild BUT in the end it means no nasty surprises down the track when you think all is honkey dorey! The time to clean repair & rustproof a chassis is a great example, renewing wiring and instaling new systems with points where you want them is another, plus the never ending sagas about water damage in hidden areas. At least it is a joy for those of us who like projects and a Classic or Vinatge van is just that the ultimate multi skill required DIY beastie.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2014 8:54:16 GMT 10
Exactly Lawrence! One thing i have learned from this and other forums on Classic stuff is that due to gravity and i guess an expected real life time of 10-20 years, judging by the electrolosis action installed by the various factories, was that an owner would just buy new. It looks mammoth & frightening when you see the threads of full stripdown then rebuild BUT in the end it means no nasty surprises down the track when you think all is honkey dorey! The time to clean repair & rustproof a chassis is a great example, renewing wiring and instaling new systems with points where you want them is another, plus the never ending sagas about water damage in hidden areas. At least it is a joy for those of us who like projects and a Classic or Vinatge van is just that the ultimate multi skill required DIY beastie. Plus I get to buy more toys....sorry Tools lol
I have 8 or 9 different sizes pop rivets in my shed from different projects over the years but only one of those 8 or 9 will get used and will need to buy 2 or 3 more. Will have to build another bay on the shed for more storage shortly
Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Dec 14, 2014 14:48:59 GMT 10
Ahh so do you use alloy , monel or stainless pop rivets, especially when going into alloy cladding mostly? On our boat masts etc we keep it to 2 sizes as the rivets are now close to $1 ea haha!
|
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Jan 7, 2015 1:20:11 GMT 10
I was thinking of making this thing with air bag double wheel set up. The air bags would be hidden mostly, so no change to the low slung Arrow looks. Anyone seen/used if i can buy a small airbag set up? Would be handy for levelling at sites.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2015 10:59:45 GMT 10
I was reading on one of the forums about NOT having air bags on the tow vehicle for some reason, and I have seen a newer van that has them installed but I don't know if it was like that when manufactured or modified later by an owner. I think I would look at 2 things one what type of ride will it give the van, if to hard/stiff it will cause damage to the body and internals, too soft and body roll and swaying issue's can arise. The second thing would be a leak, it could be very dangerous if travelling and a pain to setup and could break stabilizers over time.
Cheers Lawrence |
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Jan 7, 2015 12:57:51 GMT 10
Not the tow vehicle & most googling keeps taking me there, i am talking about on the caravan, making it preferably tandem axle with air bags on them, or single axle if airbags are too heavy/ expensive. I just found some Off raod trailers with them, i am not looking at 4wd camping just the ride to keep contents happy plus the ability to level the camping stop easily, being more nomad than set up for a few days static here & there. |
|
|
|
Post by viscount6116 on Jan 7, 2015 13:19:15 GMT 10
Not the tow vehicle & most googling keeps taking me there, i am talking about on the caravan, making it preferably tandem axle with air bags on them, or single axle if airbags are too heavy/ expensive. I just found some Off raod trailers with them, i am not looking at 4wd camping just the ride to keep contents happy plus the ability to level the camping stop easily, being more nomad than set up for a few days static here & there. Gday Atefooterz What about the Firestone airbags made for leaf springs . these people sell them or maybe ring them and discuss your needs and options www.airbagman.com.au/lightvehicle.html#Cheers Andy |
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Jan 7, 2015 13:41:53 GMT 10
Not the tow vehicle & most googling keeps taking me there, i am talking about on the caravan, making it preferably tandem axle with air bags on them, or single axle if airbags are too heavy/ expensive. I just found some Off raod trailers with them, i am not looking at 4wd camping just the ride to keep contents happy plus the ability to level the camping stop easily, being more nomad than set up for a few days static here & there. Gday Atefooterz What about the Firestone airbags made for leaf springs . these people sell them or maybe ring them and discuss your needs and options www.airbagman.com.au/lightvehicle.html#Cheers Andy thanks for that i shall investigate! Cheers Any |
|
|
|
Post by bobt on Jan 10, 2015 16:43:03 GMT 10
Some years ago I saw an Olympic caravan restored modified what ever you like to call it, but it was modified to be towed behind a rod. The owner had installed an airbag suspension in it. When he pulled up at a caravan site he would sit the van on the ground instead of winding down corner stays. He did a real nice job of rebuilding it [end to end]. Last time I saw it would be 3 - 4 years ago at a caravan park in portarlington. He use to live in Bayswater Vic.
|
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Jan 10, 2015 19:24:20 GMT 10
Thanks Bobt,if i can organise it & the weight/ cost works out i feel it will be a good way to go, especially being a blank canvas project to start with. Rather than land on the ground i feel that fully down should be just a tad lower than the stock classic height & the advantage should be the ability to quickly & effortlessly raise & set stands to suit any angle(within reason) then drop down, so uneven places are always inside van level, without issue. Being set up for mostly one night/ quick stop along the way adventures, free camping.
|
|
As i said in my Arrow thread earlier i now feel i should be a caretaker as most of the internals are great condition and original, including curtains & cushions, the previous mob ripped out the cupboards over the kitchen, most likely water damage judging by the 2-3000 tubes of sillycone on the roof is anything to go by, same at the rear drivers side as a panel has minor water damage 4cm wide & 320 tall, next to the window at the rear of the hanging closet. To upgrade the 240V & instal a workable 12v system plus instal a shower toilet cubicle, i will need a shed & most likely have to remove the alloy cladding to gain access, once done and back on the road i am still stuck with having to find a shed again & ripping off sides to do anything, just looking where to create mounting point for my TV, to use in rear bed zone & swing to cabin area, is major without destroying the good zones of ceiling or beefing up the hanging closet face, a modern stove & fridge will change to feel against the mid 70s vibe and really the fridge should be in that corner next to the stove that is just sealed up in mine, that means the vent grille is in the wrong spot & major to move, ignore & or instal a new vent area further forwards, that would then ruin the look of the original exterior. I was thinking of grabbing an old tandem & fixing that up but again the cost and weight is an issue so looking at my skill sets and creating something worthwhile to not only live in but later to sell, a custom van seems the logical way to go. What is out there new in 2014 is in my opinion pretty but primitive compared to what is possible and in many ways steps backward compared to how these classics were constructed.
