My Race Van project **updated 02/03/15**
08-02-2015, 09:49 PM
#1
My Race Van project **updated 02/03/15**
Had this project for nearly a year now and just realised I hadn't done a resto thread so here it is!
With my racing taking me away from home at weekend in tents and hotels when funds allow and my sons karting moving onwards to tracks around the country it was decided we needed a van to transport us and to stay in, we had a look at a race van but it didn't really suit so the decision was made to make our own, my dad is a pretty good joiner and maker of all things project wise so we went hunting for an ideal base van,
we soon found locally a 2007 Iveco LWB S14 which is the more powerful engine (136 BHP) which would suit towing the race car.
The van was cheap because it was tatty as it had been used by a drains cleaning business but we could see potential specially at the price
Once the van was cleaned out and all the holes welded up in the floor we could start making the bed frame above the garage
A brand new towbar and rear step was also fitted,
at this point the season had started so we took the van to knockhill using airbeds and a stove lol
We then bought a damaged spares only caravan, a 2001 swift challenger this was key to conversion as the layout was correct for what we wanted to do and it included all the necessary equipment kitchen inc cooker,fridge, water heater, blown air heating and all the wood and wiring we would need.
The garage area was completed first and is big enough to house my sons Kart
Then it was time to get stuck into the van itself this was midway through last summer all the time leaving the van usable for race weekends
A proper sponge mattress was made to measure by a local company it is 6ft long 5.9 wide so plenty of room, a double duvet fits a treat
We then started on the kitchen, Under the garage we fitted a 70L onboard water tank with the water pump and water heater under the seat/3rd bed
Then the insulation 50mm and plywood sides and roof, then proper caravan wallboard to cover this.
Then the cupboards could be made to fit.
The finished panel on the side of the cooker took some time to get right but looks great.
I tried to find the right awning second hand but couldn't so bought a brand new 4 metre Fiamma F 65 gulp!
That brings us up to date, this weekend we have been building the wardrobe above the heater, its getting there, off all this week so can get loads done, will update as it goes on.
steve
With my racing taking me away from home at weekend in tents and hotels when funds allow and my sons karting moving onwards to tracks around the country it was decided we needed a van to transport us and to stay in, we had a look at a race van but it didn't really suit so the decision was made to make our own, my dad is a pretty good joiner and maker of all things project wise so we went hunting for an ideal base van,
we soon found locally a 2007 Iveco LWB S14 which is the more powerful engine (136 BHP) which would suit towing the race car.
The van was cheap because it was tatty as it had been used by a drains cleaning business but we could see potential specially at the price
Once the van was cleaned out and all the holes welded up in the floor we could start making the bed frame above the garage
A brand new towbar and rear step was also fitted,
at this point the season had started so we took the van to knockhill using airbeds and a stove lol
We then bought a damaged spares only caravan, a 2001 swift challenger this was key to conversion as the layout was correct for what we wanted to do and it included all the necessary equipment kitchen inc cooker,fridge, water heater, blown air heating and all the wood and wiring we would need.
The garage area was completed first and is big enough to house my sons Kart
Then it was time to get stuck into the van itself this was midway through last summer all the time leaving the van usable for race weekends
A proper sponge mattress was made to measure by a local company it is 6ft long 5.9 wide so plenty of room, a double duvet fits a treat
We then started on the kitchen, Under the garage we fitted a 70L onboard water tank with the water pump and water heater under the seat/3rd bed
Then the insulation 50mm and plywood sides and roof, then proper caravan wallboard to cover this.
Then the cupboards could be made to fit.
The finished panel on the side of the cooker took some time to get right but looks great.
I tried to find the right awning second hand but couldn't so bought a brand new 4 metre Fiamma F 65 gulp!
That brings us up to date, this weekend we have been building the wardrobe above the heater, its getting there, off all this week so can get loads done, will update as it goes on.
steve
Last edited by The Youth.; 02-03-2015 at 04:58 PM.
08-02-2015, 09:57 PM
#2
Lucifer II - 666
Brilliant.
08-02-2015, 11:05 PM
#6
PassionFord Regular
looks an amazing build.
09-02-2015, 07:43 AM
#7
Glennvestite
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Top work matey. These are a decent van if there looked after. Make sure the positive battery connection/fusebox that sits on the positive terminal on the battery is ok cause these corroded like fook.
The fuel gauges can play up too.
Have a look on the iveco owners club web site.
The fuel gauges can play up too.
Have a look on the iveco owners club web site.
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09-02-2015, 12:23 PM
#10
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
09-02-2015, 02:59 PM
#11
Advanced PassionFord User
Nice job, looks really good!
Only thing I'd say is be careful of your MGW for the van at 3500kg! By the time you have two people, some tools, a kart and pit equipment and half a caravan installed in the back you'll be pretty close.
Also worth looking at the max train weight with the trailer on the back as VOSA and co are getting pretty harsh on that sort of thing.
Only thing I'd say is be careful of your MGW for the van at 3500kg! By the time you have two people, some tools, a kart and pit equipment and half a caravan installed in the back you'll be pretty close.
Also worth looking at the max train weight with the trailer on the back as VOSA and co are getting pretty harsh on that sort of thing.
09-02-2015, 04:42 PM
#12
Top work matey. These are a decent van if there looked after. Make sure the positive battery connection/fusebox that sits on the positive terminal on the battery is ok cause these corroded like fook.
The fuel gauges can play up too.
Have a look on the iveco owners club web site.
The fuel gauges can play up too.
Have a look on the iveco owners club web site.
On that site Glen, really good for info, fitted cruise control after reading on there how easy it was!
Cheers mate
Thanks
been a intresting project hard work tho
Shame that John,
Nice job, looks really good!
Only thing I'd say is be careful of your MGW for the van at 3500kg! By the time you have two people, some tools, a kart and pit equipment and half a caravan installed in the back you'll be pretty close.
Also worth looking at the max train weight with the trailer on the back as VOSA and co are getting pretty harsh on that sort of thing.
Only thing I'd say is be careful of your MGW for the van at 3500kg! By the time you have two people, some tools, a kart and pit equipment and half a caravan installed in the back you'll be pretty close.
Also worth looking at the max train weight with the trailer on the back as VOSA and co are getting pretty harsh on that sort of thing.
You would be very surprised how light the caravan furniture actually is, the oven and fridge are the only really heavy items, the wood is very light, the steel for the bed weighs next to nothing, the plywood roof has a bit of weight, I would be surprised if fully loaded it wasn't under 3000kg, same with the MTW
Steve
10-02-2015, 08:24 AM
#13
Advanced PassionFord User
Cool! I know when I dismantled one the floor was a ply and polystyrene sandwich which was quite cool! As long as it's in hand 
I know the AA ran into issues with their works vans at one point as they couldnt legally carry three people
I know the AA ran into issues with their works vans at one point as they couldnt legally carry three people
The following users liked this post:
The Youth. (10-02-2015)
The following users liked this post:
The Youth. (10-02-2015)
11-02-2015, 05:21 PM
#17
Thanks for the kind comments guys
Spent all this week on the van and its been slow progress to be honest, we completed the wardrobe, including internal shelving and corner trim, then we started on the cupboards above the seating area, the larger cupboard took us 2 full days to modify and fit, due to the curve in the van wall the whole back and sides needs cutting out and to do it well takes time, with endless trips back into the van to measure!
That done we today carried on the 2 longer but higher cupboards, at the end of these a shelf will join to the wardrobe
This photo from on top of the bed shows the size of the living area
We should get the long cupboard finished tomorrow then its back to work for a while
steve
Spent all this week on the van and its been slow progress to be honest, we completed the wardrobe, including internal shelving and corner trim, then we started on the cupboards above the seating area, the larger cupboard took us 2 full days to modify and fit, due to the curve in the van wall the whole back and sides needs cutting out and to do it well takes time, with endless trips back into the van to measure!
That done we today carried on the 2 longer but higher cupboards, at the end of these a shelf will join to the wardrobe
This photo from on top of the bed shows the size of the living area
We should get the long cupboard finished tomorrow then its back to work for a while
steve
11-02-2015, 07:28 PM
#18
PassionFord Regular
doing a brill job, take ya time and ya will get there.
18-02-2015, 04:12 PM
#24
Thanks guys, Got a bit more progress this week, got the internal and external lights fitted and then fitted the tv bracket and then the tv the caravan aerial works fine,
The internal lights are 12mm deep led's and really light the inside up, they also have small blue led's that act as night lights if required
Next we fitted the awning lights one above the door and the other further down towards the back of the van
Then came the tv bracket and tv
Using the van this weekend as my son has his Kart race licence test at PFI kart track near Newark so will get a good idea how well it all works
steve
The internal lights are 12mm deep led's and really light the inside up, they also have small blue led's that act as night lights if required
Next we fitted the awning lights one above the door and the other further down towards the back of the van
Then came the tv bracket and tv
Using the van this weekend as my son has his Kart race licence test at PFI kart track near Newark so will get a good idea how well it all works
steve
The following users liked this post:
The Youth. (03-03-2015)
02-03-2015, 04:55 PM
#30
We used it last weekend for Dans race licence test and it was spot on, the heater worked a treat and was needed as it was rather cold overnight.
how it looks with the cushions fitted
The kart fits in the garage a treat
The set up at the track
Dan after passing his test!
steve
how it looks with the cushions fitted
The kart fits in the garage a treat
The set up at the track
Dan after passing his test!
steve
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