This will be my 3rd self build so here we go again.

As i did not sale the Caravelle i am going to convert this into a camper. Having already done 2 before (Tomato Soup & black LWB) I must be nuts to undertake another project. I find it is in doing the conversion rather than owning the end product that gives me the satisfaction.

Anyway as said, the latest project is a SWB T4 Caravelle that has covered quite a few miles (146k) but has full service history. The van was an ex airport shuttle and when purchased had just been through its first MOT.

Since the purchase i have removed the rear seats which have been sold on. The original front seats have been retained but now sit on swivel bases with safe boxes beneath, these will be retrimmed at a later date. All the interior panels have been removed, this is due to the blue colour of everything, these are being retrimmed and then recoloured in either anthracite or black, this will eventually include the dash. The engine bay & wheel arches have been cleaned down and new solar/security tint added to the side windows (factory tint was not dark enough).

Outside i have added a set of 18" ASA alloys with 40 profile tyres and a set of "in-pro" headlights/side indicators, these may be changed at a later date for double headlights.

Next step is to lower the van and purchase the interiour parts for a camper conversion, roof is already on order from "Reimo" so hopefully the intention is to have something functional by VANFEST.

07-06-2006 - Van now lowered and looking a lot better, 60mm springs and short shocks all around.

In the last month all the lower interior panels have gone to the trimmers to have grey leather inserts fitted, this is where, on the original panels the velour was. Panels have then been colour coded black to get away from the hideous blue plastic that this van came with. Also purchased is a centre consol which has been fitted along with some crystal rear lights

28-07-2006 - I have now started the interior fit out with the carcase for the sink, cooker and bed box now basically finished. I now need to decide on a colour for the cabinet fronts, work top & flooring. Cab area is being left blue for now as i want to get the rear liveable before Vanfest.

28-07/05-08 - Floor has now been fitted and cupboards are now coming together with some doors for the bed box fitted. I will finish off the doors to the lower portions of the van then remove work top and bed top to fit out the gas, water, lighting & power. After this the worktop will be covered, hindges fitted to bed/seat to allow it to convert to a double bed and the bed legs will be fitted, most of this i hope to achieve by Volksfest Wales (20th August).

I will be fitting a "Reimo" roof but this will be done after Vanfest as i do not have the time before. Once all this is done i will then move on to the cab area, new seats (or cover them) head unit, amp, colour code dash, new carpet etc:

11-08-2006 - Construction of interior still taking place, the drawer has now been constructed for the cabinet and all doors within the cabin space have been fitted. Work has now started in constructing the various rear compartments to house the battery, inverter, water containe and gas cylinder. The lattter will be in its own sealed compartment with a drop out vent in the floor (gas is heavier than air should there be a leak). Cardboard templates were made for the awkward panels before cutting.

19-08-2006 - Constructed the rear doors for access to battery, water etc: Also fitted front door cards. Started to run some cables for lighting but cannot do much more on this until the roof has been fitted. This has now arrived from "Reimo" and will be sent to spray shop for colour match in a weeks time. Next step is to cover worktop with laminate sheet, run gas & water pipes and start on 240v power.

27-08-2006 - Carried on with fit out of van, trying to get it operational for Vanfest but the days are slipping by. Have fitted water pump and lines, gas lines and most of the cables fir lights etc: but still a lot to do. It is making it more awkward as i have still to find 2 clear days to fit the roof. This will be after Vanfest now as it is not colour coded yet. I will have the above finished this weekend with inverter wired up which means that i can finally fit the worktop complete with sink & cooker. This will be a big step to finiishing the inside. Also finished the colour coding of the dash which has now gone from the factory blue to black, Matt took about 3 hours just to do this but it makes one hell of a difference. Still to go in are the alarm and ICE then i can concentrate on front seats, carpet and foam for the bed, maybe not in that order.

25.11.04 - Not done anything on the van over the past month as i have had work commitments but as from this weekend all syatems are go. The "Reimo" roof has now been fitted, this was carried out back in sept/oct so this can now be trimmed and finished. Also i have now fitted a set of Audi seats in grey leather in the front. This was an easy custom as the base plates required drilling and with a very small modification to the runners they fitted a treat. Still to finish is all the 12volt and 240v power/lights etc and ICE. The exteriour has to get a few mods but not sure yet as to how far to go. Rear end is a little too low and the 60mm springs will be replaced with 50mm. Thats about it for now so on with the work.

JANUARY 2007 - Started work after Christmas, and am now fitting new amps, speakers etc: this should be finished by the first weekend in January. Also front end is going to paint shop for some tarting up. Rear squabs are at the trimmers to get them finished off and the carpet has now been changed from blue and a grey one fitted to the cab area. Blue LED lighting has now been added to parts of the interior, still more to do, also lights fitted into the cupboards and 240v from the inverter is now working. So here we are at the end of the first week in January and all is going well.

Front headlights have also been changed as i did not like the last set so i now have Projectzwo double headlights with a twist as they have been modified with Angel Eyes in them.

February 2007 - Van has now been raised (still lowered) with 50mm lowering springs instead of 60mm, this has made a huge difference in the comfort of the ride so will stay with this. Rear squabs are now trimmed, most of the interior is finished apart from small trim bits, no big jobs left, just looking foward to the show season and a few trips away. 4000 watts of ICE is now operatioanal and very pleased with this so it is just a few small personalising bits to do.

March 2007 - Side bars and front push bar have now been fitted to give it a little different look to most T4 vans. These are Stainless steel and were imported from Holland.

The rear lights have been changed again for the latest LED units along with aftermarket rear fog lights which all add that personal touch. Also i have now removed the cat and centre bow and fitted a stainless steel exhaust system with twin boxes and 3" tail pipes.

A Project Zwo rear door infill has also been fitted to give a different look to the rear.

Still adding little bits but i think this is about finished so time to enjoy until someone with a bundle of notes offers to purchase it then it will be on with the next.

AFTER WINNING NUMEROUS SHOWS IN 2007

THIS VAN HAS NOW BEEN SOLD TO MAKE WAY FOR A T5

 

RDC Racing, 1 Bracey Drive, Downend, Bristol, BS16 2UG, England