Took the plunge

Bouydog

Forum Member
Having fancied doing a conversion for years I am finally doing it. We bought a 7.5 tonne Iveco mobile library four weeks ago.
As I work full time it will be a weekend and evening project.
So far I have removed the fibreglass roof it had a couple of leaks, got rid of all old sealant cleaned up resealed and added aluminium capping. Thankfully now dry.
Fitted three polyvision windows, started on floor insulation and boarding now I have it stripped out.
I have been visiting this forum for some time gleaning info and knowledge from the experienced builders posts and will no doubt be asking questions in the future.
( when I have time 😊 )
 

trevskoda

Forum Member
Is she like this baby of mine.
 

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Millie Master

Forum Member
Welcome to our happy fold @Bouydog, it is so heartening to see someone joining us who is at the start of their build.

You have bought yourself a mighty good base vehicle, BUT, unless you have already done so I suggest you dive down underneath and thoroughly check for any signs of the dreaded tin monster which is known to simply love the hidden depths of these mechanically iconic machines.

Good luck and ask away, I know there are a lot of us on here simply itching to give a helping hand.

Phil
 

trevskoda

Forum Member
Welcome and yes as above,look under and do all body work etc first before getting the coach tools out,some picys please.
 

Bouydog

Forum Member
Welcome to our happy fold @Bouydog, it is so heartening to see someone joining us who is at the start of their build.

You have bought yourself a mighty good base vehicle, BUT, unless you have already done so I suggest you dive down underneath and thoroughly check for any signs of the dreaded tin monster which is known to simply love the hidden depths of these mechanically iconic machines.

Good luck and ask away, I know there are a lot of us on here simply itching to give a helping hand.

Phil
Hi Phil
Thank you for the welcome.
I have had a carefull look underneath before buying it and more thoroughly since bringing it home, the chassis and running gear are in very good order it is a 2007 with just over 40,000 miles so has not had a hard life. My main concern was the leaking roof now cured, the body and frame are mostly aluminium with some stainless so no real concerns with that. Came with full mot new brake callipers , actuators and various other replaced parts so the build itself and cosmetic work on the outside are foremost in my mind as I am happy with the way it drives and stops. I will post some pics as soon as I figure out how.

Dave
 

Millie Master

Forum Member
the body and frame are mostly aluminium with some stainless so no real concerns with that. Dave

As an ex Land Rover Series and Defender owner you need to be very wary for and about the interaction of different metals when they are in contact with each other.

But your bus looks to be an absolute corker of a vehicle to undertake your conversion in/on, the only major reservation I would have is your selection of insulation material, as it might be cheap but rockwool is not only very inefficient but it also wicks moisture like a proverbial sponge! Quite honestly with almost flat surfaces like your amazing machine has, I would be using 25mm Cellotex (or similar) as it gives amongst the highest levels of insulation, with the very slight curvature of the glassfibre roof and using copious amounts of Stixall (or similar) and supporting/forcing pit props, it will bend slightly and after 24 hours it will also add quite significantly to the structural strength of the roof. Oh and using it on the floor is a doddle.

Good luck, as that is one of the best looking specialist vehicles I have seen in a long time along with a paint scheme which makes it look different.

Phil
 

trevskoda

Forum Member
Looks FAB ,the roof can be painted with epoxy two pack paint then finnished with two pack polyurathaine,mine is GRP with gel coat but it was black so a repaint was due,my inside framework is stainless steel so insulation and clipping up a new roof was simple as the old one was wet /warped due to last chap drilling holes for tv wire,in fact the whole van required a rebuild from scratch.
Even the back axal had to be changed as diff ratio was to low only cruising at 45mph,now 55 to 60 no bother.
 

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Bouydog

Forum Member
As an ex Land Rover Series and Defender owner you need to be very wary for and about the interaction of different metals when they are in contact with each other.

But your bus looks to be an absolute corker of a vehicle to undertake your conversion in/on, the only major reservation I would have is your selection of insulation material, as it might be cheap but rockwool is not only very inefficient but it also wicks moisture like a proverbial sponge! Quite honestly with almost flat surfaces like your amazing machine has, I would be using 25mm Cellotex (or similar) as it gives amongst the highest levels of insulation, with the very slight curvature of the glassfibre roof and using copious amounts of Stixall (or similar) and supporting/forcing pit props, it will bend slightly and after 24 hours it will also add quite significantly to the structural strength of the roof. Oh and using it on the floor is a doddle.

Good luck, as that is one of the best looking specialist vehicles I have seen in a long time along with a paint scheme which makes it look different.

Phil
Took me a while to find this one, no windows being one of my preferences.
The rock wool you can see is the remnants of what I have removed, and celotex is what I will be using just wish it was not so expensive searched the internet and bought my first five sheets for £120 with free delivery better than I can do locally. Did a few random test areas with some finishing paste and the paint comes up to a lovely shine, so I will be keeping that for the time being.
 

Millie Master

Forum Member
Took me a while to find this one, no windows being one of my preferences.
The rock wool you can see is the remnants of what I have removed, and celotex is what I will be using just wish it was not so expensive searched the internet and bought my first five sheets for £120 with free delivery better than I can do locally. Did a few random test areas with some finishing paste and the paint comes up to a lovely shine, so I will be keeping that for the time being.

Don't you have any friends locally in the building trade?

When I was doing my conversion I actually set up a cash trade account with the largest independent builders merchant after first of all negotiating the discount against each type/kind of product I would be using and it equated to 60% discount off the Cellotex (actually it wasn't but it was exactly the same by a different trade name) that I would be using.

Phil
 

Bouydog

Forum Member
Looks FAB ,the roof can be painted with epoxy two pack paint then finnished with two pack polyurathaine,mine is GRP with gel coat but it was black so a repaint was due,my inside framework is stainless steel so insulation and clipping up a new roof was simple as the old one was wet /warped due to last chap drilling holes for tv wire,in fact the whole van required a rebuild from scratch.
Even the back axal had to be changed as diff ratio was to low only cruising at 45mph,now 55 to 60 no bother.
The interior structures look very similar mine had a chair lift and with it removed looks like your picture. I want to get rid of the bus type doors all of the hydraulics are out and the doors just filling the hole, I want to get a frame made to give me a door and blanking panel to fill the space and am researching that now.
I have done about 150 miles in it and she sits on the limiter at 56 quite happily, but as a five speed feels like an extra gear would be nice.
 

Bouydog

Forum Member
Don't you have any friends locally in the building trade?

When I was doing my conversion I actually set up a cash trade account with the largest independent builders merchant after first of all negotiating the discount against each type/kind of product I would be using and it equated to 60% discount off the Cellotex (actually it wasn't but it was exactly the same by a different trade name) that I would be using.

Phil
I will look into that to be honest I was in a rush to get going and buying material before I really needed it. I have calmed down a bit now and will be looking at better buying options.
 

trevskoda

Forum Member
The big doors are handy if moving goods for home or van,my electric door was shot to as the a-s h-le before me got at the relays and wiring,i removed all the motors and its so easy to open and close by hand,small trailer tail gate bolt is used to lock from inside,small thin doors are a pain in the butt.
I also fitted all lights with a over ride remote on key fob which i now have control of under step and step internal light for arriving back elephants drunk at night.
 

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