Fiat Ducato Low Loader Conversion Project

[NorthernLoop]

I'll be using it over the winter without, may put up a vapour barrier if required but next year I will be installing the Truma Combi 6DE. So I'm not that fussed at the moment if it costs me a few quick more in diesel for heating. As I get more and more items into the van and keep an eye on the weights I'll see about the celotex but at the moment I'm not planning to use it

 

[NorthernLoop]

So no one guessed the weight, well my first one was 2980kg which isn't that bad

 

[NorthernLoop]

 

[NorthernLoop]

So I now have enough to start using the van so will only have some minor updates for the rest of the year now. Need to save up for windows/diesel heater and my victron batteries. I've already got the multiplus and 100/500 solar charger. Might look to add 1 or 2 360watt panels that will go into the AC200P until I move back over to my victron setup

 

[Nabsim]

Not sure if I missed it but what was the idea behind lifting the floor level so much across the entire van? If you are keeping the van as max weight 3.500t can you utilise that much storage? Wall cupboards in mine are much easier to access and find things than under bed and under seat storage areas but it is all down to the individual. I always think the areas for step access is a waste of space lol, quite like the way some hose boxes have those drop down steps.
None of this is meant as a critisim of what you are doing just think I missed the reasons you chose what you are doing, then again you may well have said and I have forgotten

 

[NorthernLoop]

Not sure if I missed it but what was the idea behind lifting the floor level so much across the entire van? If you are keeping the van as max weight 3.500t can you utilise that much storage? Wall cupboards in mine are much easier to access and find things than under bed and under seat storage areas but it is all down to the individual. I always think the areas for step access is a waste of space lol, quite like the way some hose boxes have those drop down steps.
None of this is meant as a critisim of what you are doing just think I missed the reasons you chose what you are doing, then again you may well have said and I have forgotten

Internal roof is 2.6m so would be pointless head space. Under floor storage isnt for food and plates as such, its for the diesel heater, maybe electrical stuff and also I'm having a 15 foot kayak down the middle of it

 

[NorthernLoop]

Kayak will be down the middle so the useable space under there will be very limited but it was raised for this mainly.

 

[NorthernLoop]

On springs without air

With 2bar

And 3ish bar, I can go to 4 but I only run low on the road unless I need the extra lift at the back

Again something for next year set of van loaded 16" alloys. Like the look of the MSW 45 with some swamper BFGs

 

[NorthernLoop]

Here will be half of my Victron setup, 3000va,12volt,120amp charger inverter, 2x lynx (battery in/out) the 4 cable one is from the 4 old batteries I had, cable is 40mm so rated to 300A, new setup will only have 2x200AH Victron so I'll remove 2 sets of cables and as the Multiplus accepts 2x batteries in I'll add it from the out side. Within these lynx there is a set of mega fuses. In the middle of these 2 lynx then there is complete power off on the positive and the shunt on the negative. Then there is the 100/50 solar charger. There will be a few other Victron stuff added into the mix, cerbo GX, BMS etc when I can afford to buy the batteries. But for now they will live in the van for weigh in reasons.

 

[SquirrellCook]

I’m seriously impressed with your workmanship. Though based on my experiences I think after you have spent a year or more in it, you’ll be planning on doing another one. Keep up the good work.

 

[Derek]

The TLDR (Too long didn't read - I'm a bit loopy, bought a low loader van - click photos)

Tomorrow I'll be collecting my new 21 plate Fiat van to start my conversion This van has been about 3-4 years rough planning as I had to sort out moving house and all the rubbish that comes with buying/selling.

Previously I owned a 2006 MWB/MH Ford transit and like most people it was never meant to be a campervan, bought the van do to Go karting but after 2 years or so I wanted to get into climbing/mountaineering. I sold the kart and kept the van (built up NCB bonus) as I always had company cars. I started to convert the transit into a rough and ready camper so when I come down off the hill I had somewhere to eat and chill. But I'm 6 foot 2 so space was always a problem and I wanted to do the off-grid track as I don't to campsites. This van worked well, learnt good and bad of converting van.

Over the past few years I went through all my options of replacing the transit, new Jumbo/XLWB transit but at 4.3m in length felt it would be too small. Sprinter XLWB, very strong engine at and 4.7m in length would be a good option but the standard 1.9m height would be low, they do the super high at 2.1m but looks awful and rare to find! Then the next option was Iveco Daily 4100L, 5.1m length + 2.1m high, ladder chassis so rust less of an issue but they are twin rear wheels which I didn't really want.

Then it was on to the Box vans, seen the low loaders but not many options second hand. Tried one company who build new boxes on second hand vans but they wouldn't even give me a price, was chasing them for 2 weeks. Clearly wasn't interested in the sale/custom work I wanted. So my only option was to go new van....GLUP that is a lot of money! The conversion would have to be completed in stages as the budget I had would be going into the new van!

The house stuff was all sorted August last year and I placed my order for a new Fiat chassis cab with the following options.

• Fiat Ducato 2.3 140 Multijet Euro 6D
• Wide track
• 7in Touchscreen with DAB Radio - Bluetooth with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 1RB
• Carter Seat 50E
• Glove Box Under Drivers Seat 7WV
• Heater - Predisposition On Fuel Tank 52X
• Single Passenger Seat with Armrest 297 (special order only)
• Tablet Holder 75Q
• DAB Radio Aerial in Door Mirrors 54Q
• Front Height Adjustable Saddle Head Restraint 188
• Glovebox – Central 6ZQ
• Height Adjustable Single Passenger Seat 454
• Techno Dashboard 6BL
• Manual air conditioning
• Cruise control
• Twin leaf suspension for heavy duty conversions
• Air Assist
• Side door
• Solid roof

Had get my order in earlier than I had planned due to not knowing what was going to happen with Brexit, would I get charged the 10% import taxes etc! The van landed in the UK just before New Year anyways, van should of been ready end of January but delays due to this and that.


Last week I went to see the almost ready van before it went in for its IVA on Friday and then back to Fiat for PDI so its now ready to be collected tomorrow.

View attachment 3561View attachment 3562View attachment 3563View attachment 3564View attachment 3565View attachment 3566View attachment 3567View attachment 3568View attachment 3569View attachment 3570


Style I'm going for will be expedition van type without the extreme in the middle of nowhere places but able to be off grid for 2 weeks or so at a time. My biggest challenge will be the weight, having 1000kg or so will get eaten up very quickly in such a big space but I've been doing my sums and I can make it work

Am I crazy? Yes COMPLETELY but at least I'll be having fun building the van over the next 18-24 months. You might ask why its going to take me so long, well its the funds and the choices I've made. No GAS! in the van, had it before and always a pain so heating will be Truma Combi 6DE. I have been using the Victron gear in the last van so got the 3000VA inverter/solar charger and BMVs but never got the lithium batteries. Planning on using 2x200AH Victron batteries and they are expensive. Roof will be covered in solar panels, 4x 360watt do have space for a 5th but I already need to buy another 100/50 solar charger not sure I want to buy another one just for the extra 5th panel. The 5th panel and controller might come at a later date.

For the money I've spent on the base van plus the money I'm going to spend on the conversion yes I could of just bought a motorhome but they wont fill my off grid requirements and carrying my 15foot kayak, been through all those options as well! Before you ask

I need a new name for this van, last van was Sheila... I was meant to go on holiday to Oz but thought buying a go kart would of been more fun so family named the van for me. Need a fiery Italian female name for this one I think

Just had the same idea 2011 fiat ducato 14 ft long from buk head

 

[Dinosawus]

Hi NorthernLoop, Ive always been interested in this kind of LoLoader conversion and would like to know how you got on with it, did you finish it and now using it or still WIP. Can you post any completed or updated pics please.
Cheers

 

[pmnewross]

I have converted a vauxhall Movano low loader , including bike rack, 3.5m fiamma f45 awning, 200w solar panels , swivel captains seats and rear air suspension, see attached pictures.

 

[Darcar]

I have converted a vauxhall Movano low loader , including bike rack, 3.5m fiamma f45 awning, 200w solar panels , swivel captains seats and rear air suspension, see attached pictures.

Hi pmnewross.

Did you cut through from the box to the cab, Or was it already a walkthrough?

iv just done the cut through in our van and have fitted a flexible joint,
now I’m just wondering how much difference in movement there is between the cab & box?
You’ve done a very nice conversion ..

 

[pmnewross]

Thanks, yes I cut through from the box and removed the van bulkhead. I dont understand why you need a flexible joint?
The box in mine is attached to the van cab, so no flexing

 

[Darcar]

Thanks, yes I cut through from the box and removed the van bulkhead. I dont understand why you need a flexible joint?
The box in mine is attached to the van cab, so no flexing

Well tbh this is the first time I’ve converted a luton/box van & have no experience of it.

but I’ve been told that the box & cab move differently from each other! & if you have a solid connection between them it will rip apart over time?
Apparently something about the cab being mounted on flexible mount’s while the box is solidly bolted to the chassis.

Like I say it’s only what I’ve heard & seen done elsewhere. That’s why I’ve used neoprene type rubber between the cab and box.

 

[pmnewross]

You have me worried now....but as far as I seen when I cut through, everything was bolted solid...Actually it is only a truck cab that is on rubbers...van cabs are solid connection to chassis.
This is my 2nd year with this conversation...no sign of movement

 

[pmnewross]

Post a picture of your set up please?

 

[Darcar]

Post a picture of your set up please?

Our cab wasn’t connected to the body at all. There‘s only about 50mm gap.
all I’ve done is screw some wood to the inside of the cab and the outside of the box, leaving the 20mm gap between them.

I then cut some 5mm rubber/neoprene into strips and fix one piece to the body and then another piece over the top to the cab, but there not fixed together.

 

[pmnewross]

Ok, completely different to how the box is fitted into my van. I hope you can seal it.
Another picture showing how we seperate the bedroom from the living space....gives herself a little privacy to get dressed while Im pottering or cooking.