Clunegapyears
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- 795
That’s your Christmas present sorted then!!!
I think so.Good !
I think you will both be happier and as I suggested..Longer term it will pay off.
MOT type and other replacements becoming increasingly needed with age AND a better driving experience (Power & Steering)
Who said anything about windowsBut you won't have a motor caravan but the dreaded Van with Windows
A new to you van is a unknown quantity .trust has to be earned.I know my wife would be of the we can never trust it again view if after spending a lot of time and money fixing something it goes again immediately.
A toss up between a quick fix for a trade in and build your own.
One gets you on the road again quicker than the other.
Oh no hes not.I think so.
I do feel like a traitor though, like most people I suspect, we grow quite attached to our vans (in our case Forrest) and I feel as though I’m letting him down! Then I have to tell myself “grow up, it’s just a van”
“Oh yes he is...”Oh no hes not.
£3-4K? For a replacement van. I think you’re being a bit optimistic. Double that, and you’d be nearer the mark.I'm thinking so. I could pick up a comparatively new van for £3000 - £4000, with a modern engine and all the usual features we've rather come to expect from modern vehicles. Then with the existing kit from the old van make a fairly inexpensive start on a conversion.
I'm fancying a Boxer or Ducato for a base vehicle and am already having a grand old time in Sketchup!
Quick browse around and I was thinking of something along these lines.£3-4K? For a replacement van. I think you’re being a bit optimistic. Double that, and you’d be nearer the mark.
Take a look at some of the YouTube videos. Cheap van.
Look at the problems Mevi has has had.
If you are going “cheap” ( no insult intended ), take a good look at the videos, Wandering Womble puts up most Monday’s, Tuesdays. Ambulance auction potential bargains.
If you’ve still got your 7 tonne license entitlement, go for a coach build, if not, and my preference, a panel van. Both will come with full insulation, diesel heaters and more toys than you could wave a stick at.
They both would come within your £4K budget. Highish mileages admittedly, but you’d know that they had been maintained properly.
As WW says, at £2-3k, you’d pay that for a replacement engine.
I’m loving that, only two issues, the cost of the vehicle and, given where we live, we have two ferries to pay for before we even start touring.This is the baby you want,seen a few here and there the bogs dollocks.View attachment 52155
I’m loving that, only two issues, the cost of the vehicle and, given where we live, we have two ferries to pay for before we even start touring.
I have the knowledge and the skills (I think) to do a self-build and this is perhaps just the nudge I need.
Yes, I’m thinking this thread is possibly read for a move over to motorhomebuilder which I’m already an avid reader of.Then come on over to the self building nutters forum (https://motorhomebuilder.com/) where you will find a dedicated group of us.
I haven't read through every single one of the replies to your lengthy original post, so please forgive me if the following has been asked and answered before........... BUT, you replaced the cylinder head, was that with a brand new OE factory head or was it a recon 2nd hand or possibly even one from a vehicle dismantler?
Going by the sound of it though, your van does sound to be very old so possibly it might be better to buy one with a turbo and power steering.
Phil