460 minibus camper conversion

[Rob62]

Hi all, I’m going to keep a diary on here of my progress throughout the conversion. Not in a big hurry and no real target date for completion but hopefully won’t run on for too long. I haven’t even taken delivery of the bus yet, should be next week all being well. My intention is to do all the work myself, hopefully..
She’s a 66 plate white 17 seater, not sure of the exact spec, not a trend, no rear aircon which is an advantage as less to strip out. I already have a fairly decent idea of the final design although Im sure things will will evolve as I proceed. I have a design laid out in CAD, I’ll put some pictures below.
First job will be to strip out and get rid of the rear interior, seats, floor, panels etc which are all like new... will sell them if I can or if not it will have to be the skip as I don’t have room to hang onto them for too long.
Been reading a couple of interesting threads on here covering the same bus conversions.... sounds like they are a fairly popular choice for conversion.
One or two questions though, i know it is difficult to register conversions as campervans with the dvla but that was my intention. Does anybody have any advice about the alternatives i.e. keeping the bus registered as an hgv? what are the implications for road tax, insurance etc. Any advice appreciated.
Cheers
Rob.

[dumper]

I did my conversion when the dvla wasn’t been difficult so now as a motor caravan the taxation class is private HGV and is still £160 ish to get the logbook changed now is difficult a mate of mine has he’s knocked back twice so look up what they expect now and follow it to the letter and give it a try .my insurance is through a plan at the moment but when I was building it Adrian flux gave me a year to complete it .

[Rob62]

Thanks dumper. Already had a quote from adrian flux, they were the only ones i could find who would give me more than 3 months for the conversion, they give you 12 months.. I don’t think 3 months is enough time do do a diy conversion evenings and weekends on your own. So yours is registered as a motorhome private HGV? . That’s what I’ll be aiming for, I’v seen the new regs and will work to those but i believe they are reluctant to reclassify even if you do, plenty of youtubers complaining about being knocked back. We’ll see... I believe it will be taxed as a class A HGV when i sort it out next week, which is about £150. If I can’t get it reclassified as a campervan it will just have to stay that way i guess, the only question then would be the insurance. Don’t want to have to insure it as a minibus after the conversion.

[dumper]

If you don’t get it log-booked as a camper maybe have to get a engineers report to prove it’s a camper I’ve heard that they have asked for that when someone has been insuring modified cars.At the time I tried A plan and they wanted to much while I was building it but have been best since 3 months would have been ok for me as I got it on January 3 and it had to be on a ferry to Ireland on March 4 for a fishing trip I was lucky as a x workmate was very short of work and did most of the wood work at £10 a hour and had all the tools only down side it was done outside.

[Cheet22]

I'm into my conversion now on my 11 plate minibus. Floor is in, solar fitted, roof fan fitted, cables all in. I'm about to fit walls and ceiling and then finish the cab too.

I too hope to be able to reclassify as AFlux told me it would be far cheaper insurance once it is. I paid £300 for the 12 months conversion insurance. I'm 52 mind, and have many years no claims on my 2 cars. Those no claims can't be used against New van policy but they are taken into consideration they said.

The other issue too is that the speed limiter is on at 64mph, id like to get that removed once reclassified but not essential. I don't plan to race her!

I'm trying to make sure i stick to the letter of what they ask for too. Which i see includes some graphics to make it obvious its a camper lol. Maybe big writing like look at me, I'm a camper

[straydog]

I didn't have too much trouble changing my mk7 17seater bus to a campervan with the DVLA in 2017
But the DVLA changed its rules a couple of years ago, and is much harder as I understand it
I was also with Adrian Flux, only ones giving sensible quotes,
and didn't give me a time limit to finish the conversion

My main problem was when I wanted to down grade the weight to 3.5t
Origionaly the road tax was (I think) £160. it should have gone up to £240 (I think)
BUT...... they told me they couldn't identify my bus on their system...Hmmm been reg since 2008...
So the new tax if it was 3.5t was going to be the max poss £500+....
Yea like I'm going to pay that!!!!!

So took it to France (Where I now live) got it French reg and at 3.5t.
Road tax?? £0 (No road tax over here) So F##k you DVLA

CVD

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCowNhq ... Yd19_BE-MQ

[dumper]

I'm into my conversion now on my 11 plate minibus. Floor is in, solar fitted, roof fan fitted, cables all in. I'm about to fit walls and ceiling and then finish the cab too.

I too hope to be able to reclassify as AFlux told me it would be far cheaper insurance once it is. I paid £300 for the 12 months conversion insurance. I'm 52 mind, and have many years no claims on my 2 cars. Those no claims can't be used against New van policy but they are taken into consideration they said.

The other issue too is that the speed limiter is on at 64mph, id like to get that removed once reclassified but not essential. I don't plan to race her!

I'm trying to make sure i stick to the letter of what they ask for too. Which i see includes some graphics to make it obvious its a camper lol. Maybe big writing like look at me, I'm a camper

A guy who who has built one that is a mate of a next door neighbour has built it to the requirements and has been knocked back twice second time he put even more graphics on it and a extra window and still no good he’s just given up .
The reason I removed the speed limiter was like you I’m not bothered about flying about it was more about overtaking when getting alongside vehicle going slower then you and the dickhead increase their speed because they don’t like been passed by a camper van .

[straydog]

Hey Dumper.
Did you get Vantuner to remove the limiter or have you another secret you'd like to share.
I contacted Martyn, he said he could do it no probs,
unfortunatly my van's been stuck over here since Covid started
And can't see me getting back to blighty any time soon

Cheers CVD

[dumper]

No had it done before trip to Martin by Ford transit dealership in Scunthorpe once the logbook was changed to camper van I think Martin does upgrading by post have a word he might be able to do it that way .

[straydog]

Cheers, I'll give him a shout see what we can do
When I asked over here they said......some wierd French stuff.

[dumper]

Well they are French

[Rob62]

First photo’s of the project, progress so far; strip out the rear seats and trim, wash down the interior which wasn’t bad at all, now fitted the passenger swivel seat. Photo’s are before the wash down. More to follow.

[workbox]

Nice project, love to see your progress forward.
I have similar campervan build out of commercial mk8.

I am sure you are aware of side plastic trims tend to water leak, worth to mention.

[straydog]

Good looking van. going to be an interesting project to follow

[Boltrounder]

Nice van are you going to put a wet room in ? I’ve noticed that quirky rustic campers are really popular atm and selling well


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