Post by knifemare on Oct 19, 2016 19:47:24 GMT 10
greetings all.
we have finally managed to get a van :-)
it is a 79 Millard XP-6 in a untouched and near new condition :-) we think the oven has never been used, but works fine, there are a few things that need doing (bed frame is the original steel one, water tank has a crack, ONE cushion is torn :-), etc) photos atached
if we were to order a brand new van it would be pretty close to this (17f expanda poptop)
the plan at this point is to maintain it as is for the next few years leaving the layout original.
i will be (and hence the question) updating all the mechanicals, power and plumbing over the next few years and plan to raise the van (axle over/under swap for now when i do the bushes and bearings) and throw it all under the floor, and later extending the draw bar and upgrading the suspension to good softroader level.
we are on a budget but lots of time and have the minimum needed skills and tools. wood, mettle, upholstery/sewing, electronics.
my main question is in modernising what are your thoughts on, taking into mind would you buy it , use it, revile it , praise it. etc
1: restore. actively keep the original appearance as much as possibly as is.
eg no doors on the side, access plugs hidden under van, raise it as little as possible, no bumper etc
2: who give a #$@#. don't worry about the originality just modernise and do it the easy and/or cheep way to meet all the thing we want to do. but try to keep it looking un-bodged as possible
eg. rear bumper but only for bikes and bumps, spares under, front boot, modern annex, slide out bbq, etc.
3: renovate. the full monty of modernisation make it look as new and shiny as possible.
eg kitchen up front, ens, sleek modern colors and fittings, redo the windows ($$ permitting), slide outs and lockers every ware, etc.
sorry if this is a bit ramblly , i have got a few big issues stuck on the brain at the moment (uni exams finishes up next week so that will make things easier )
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we have finally managed to get a van :-)
it is a 79 Millard XP-6 in a untouched and near new condition :-) we think the oven has never been used, but works fine, there are a few things that need doing (bed frame is the original steel one, water tank has a crack, ONE cushion is torn :-), etc) photos atached
if we were to order a brand new van it would be pretty close to this (17f expanda poptop)
the plan at this point is to maintain it as is for the next few years leaving the layout original.
i will be (and hence the question) updating all the mechanicals, power and plumbing over the next few years and plan to raise the van (axle over/under swap for now when i do the bushes and bearings) and throw it all under the floor, and later extending the draw bar and upgrading the suspension to good softroader level.
we are on a budget but lots of time and have the minimum needed skills and tools. wood, mettle, upholstery/sewing, electronics.
my main question is in modernising what are your thoughts on, taking into mind would you buy it , use it, revile it , praise it. etc
1: restore. actively keep the original appearance as much as possibly as is.
eg no doors on the side, access plugs hidden under van, raise it as little as possible, no bumper etc
2: who give a #$@#. don't worry about the originality just modernise and do it the easy and/or cheep way to meet all the thing we want to do. but try to keep it looking un-bodged as possible
eg. rear bumper but only for bikes and bumps, spares under, front boot, modern annex, slide out bbq, etc.
3: renovate. the full monty of modernisation make it look as new and shiny as possible.
eg kitchen up front, ens, sleek modern colors and fittings, redo the windows ($$ permitting), slide outs and lockers every ware, etc.
sorry if this is a bit ramblly , i have got a few big issues stuck on the brain at the moment (uni exams finishes up next week so that will make things easier )
, installed circuit breakers with RCD plus a 12v fuse box and led 12v lights also led 240v bulbs ,new larger LT tyres 10" electric brakes , upgrading of springs , new water tank in a different position plumbed with a 12v pump , we also made a couple that are visible ie: ripped out the click clack couch and built in a double bed and replaced the 2 way fridge with a 240v bar fridge made and fitted a new rear bumper and a spare tyre holder on the A Frame. but we only did these because we needed to do them to make it suitable for our purpose . At the end of the day thats what counts no good having a period correct caravan that is not used because it is not fit for your needs IMHO 
