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| Project Builds (non Car) Here is an area where you can show / discuss other non car builds be they bikes, caravans, boats, BBQ's or whatever. |
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17-05-2020, 08:01 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
  
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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I have posted random pics of our Caravan in various threads, but now that we have a new section for non car projects, I thought that I'd share the journey of our 1981 Viscount Caravan Project...
When we bought it and picked it up from Tamworth NSW in late Feb 2018...      Arriving home to Newcastle after a slow and steady 5 hour trip...  Some of you may recognise the Beastie Wagon...  The wife's expectations for the interior...   We played around with a few different internal design ideas - weight distribution / functionality were the two main considerations...    And then the strip down began...   Our challenge was to have it ready for Heathcote in June...
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... Last edited by Beastie; 17-05-2020 at 08:25 PM. |
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17-05-2020, 08:44 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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Some more tear down...
   A friend came to visit me during tear down, but I don't think he was too interested...  It was then time to start planning new bits...   All marked out nicely and away we go...     That looks better, now to cut out the section for the hinged top over the cooktop / oven...  That went well...  I didn't like the colour of the bench top anyway...  Thankfully, some new bits started arriving to cheer me up... Our plan was to make our caravan a 12 volt Free Camping van that didn't rely on 240V for anything... This is our 12 volt hot water system and some new 12 volt LED tail lights.  ...
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... Last edited by Beastie; 17-05-2020 at 08:54 PM. |
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18-05-2020, 08:30 AM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 976
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Great project.
Love the nostalgia of the older vans.
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Steve Current rides 2012 Mondeo Titanium wagon (TDCI) Moondust silver 2016 Focus Trend, 1.5ecoboost, 6sp manual. Frozen white Previous 2004 Berlina Wagon (LS1) Vespers Blue 1995 Camry 2.2, white 1971 Ford Fairmont wagon 302w, C4 Polar white 1971 TC Cortina, 2L 4sp, Ermine white |
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18-05-2020, 04:15 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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OK, so it was time to replace the old tail lights with some new LEDs...
   Then it was on to where the new Hot Water system would live...  Under what's left of the front seat was where it ended up, as I needed the room for the water pump too. It's just sitting in there for now, as I had to build the ensuite first before plumbing everything up. 
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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18-05-2020, 04:22 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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We both wanted a queen sized mattress, so it was bed frame building time. Being conscious of adding too much weight, the frame was kept to a very basic frame.
 Spacing the gaps to allow for a couple of storage tubs underneath...     Perfect fit... 
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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18-05-2020, 04:27 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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Our new 12 volt Fridge / Freezer had also arrived, so where to put it?
I know, let's use half of the wardrobe...  The wife loved the idea, as it was raised up from the floor making it more comfortable to use.      You can't really see it, but it's secured from underneath and along the top of the fridge.
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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18-05-2020, 04:34 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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My wife wanted to get involved in the reno, so I took all the cupboard doors off for her to start painting. The doors knobs were to be replaced, so not fussed about the paint on them.
    They came up really well (I had to say that... )Then she started on the inside...    Starting to change now...
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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18-05-2020, 04:46 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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The Ensuite...
This was a big job and I'd never tried anything like this before, but you only learn by having a go right?...   The loo will go about here...     My first injury - A splinter under the finger nail...    Back to it...  A few rough measurements, then test fit...  
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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18-05-2020, 04:55 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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The Ensuite cont'd...
Cut and test fit the front...  Starting to look like a bought one...  No going back now...    
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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18-05-2020, 05:00 PM
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The Terrain Tamer
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 36,608
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Just for a break from the ensuite, I upgraded some hardware on the trailer brake system...
 I had to cut it to get it off, but it was clearly on its last legs anyway...  New one fitted...  The reversing latch was missing altogether, so a new one was fitted...  Job done...
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Current Ride : A Ford owned D3... |
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18-05-2020, 05:59 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 976
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I think there’s a market for a solenoid operated reversing latch!
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Steve Current rides 2012 Mondeo Titanium wagon (TDCI) Moondust silver 2016 Focus Trend, 1.5ecoboost, 6sp manual. Frozen white Previous 2004 Berlina Wagon (LS1) Vespers Blue 1995 Camry 2.2, white 1971 Ford Fairmont wagon 302w, C4 Polar white 1971 TC Cortina, 2L 4sp, Ermine white |
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18-05-2020, 06:02 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Pt Lincoln far side South Oz
Posts: 5,873
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great work, just dont plan on heading our way for awhile, I have an aversion to interstate caravans
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Dont p i s s off older people. At our age the term Life in Prison is not a deterrent |
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18-05-2020, 07:24 PM
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3..2..1..
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bellbird park
Posts: 7,218
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Quote:
Why??
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18-05-2020, 07:28 PM
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#neuteredlyfe
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 10,654
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Quote:
Quote:
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30-05-2020, 06:38 PM
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I am Groot
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burnett Heads, Qld
Posts: 6,840
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Your doing a great job with the Van there, keep it up...
 About 6 months ago we had a group stay at the van park up the road from us and they all had refurbished 60's and 70's vans, most been pulled by similar age restored cars with a few Rod's thrown in, wish i had a camera at the time cause there was some real works of art.....Got a quick question, have you had a chance to see how the water heater performs? I’ve been looking for a good 12v unit for some time now so if you get a chance a little review would be very helpful 
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..  McLaren F1 Dick Johnson Racing "Those were the days when the cars were cars, they weren't built out of an Ikea pack like they are now and clothed in plastic; they were real cars." John Bowe |
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28-12-2022, 04:17 PM
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Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,555
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How did this go? You've left us hanging
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The Bongo Caravan
Linear Mode
