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Post by Daz on Dec 3, 2013 23:33:52 GMT
I'm off to look at a my2000 convoy 400 minibus this week, which may or may not be converted with all the kit I've been squirrelling away for the past few months, it has the 2.5 transit banana engine, has anyone had one & what are they like to live with? Anything to pay attention to when viewing? Ta,
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Post by Firefox on Dec 3, 2013 23:45:34 GMT
Brewkit is your man on all things LDV!
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Post by n brown on Dec 4, 2013 8:38:31 GMT
you sure a minibus is a good idea ?they can be hard to insure till they're converted and the windows can make converting awkward. banana engines are good !
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Post by Daz on Dec 4, 2013 10:26:22 GMT
take the extra seats out & it's a panel van with side windows I've already had a quote & it's quite reasonable, the main reason for wanting a convoy is so I can have the bed across the back of the van & with it being a minibus the heater is already fitted, the extra windows will be removed & plated over
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Post by brewkit on Dec 4, 2013 10:27:41 GMT
the nana lump is bullet proof, not the fastest of engines but very reliable. I f you get it theres a coupla tweaks to make it better, bits are cheap and easy to find, mostly ford transit bits. easy to work on they are agricultural in design. they don't have glow plugs, so the engine has to spin fast to start, regular oil changes/servicing helps. timing belt is a doddle to change as well. when looking for parts check for ford equivalent, cheaper than ldv. the rear brakes can be very clunky, I clean mine up before the mot every year, or else it fails. the father in law bought one, his failed on brakes, on stripping down the shoes had been put in back to front, also the auto adjuster doesn't really adjust, I binned mine and do it manually. body wise, check cab floor, ldv's leak like a sieve, the window rubber perishes and lets in water, easily fixed with sealant. also they used gaffer tape on holes in bulkhead which suprisingly lets water in, the rear floor is double skinned, check this for rust, notably over the box chassis. also check join between fibreglass roof and sides, the mastic can lift. if possible jack the front up and have a good wiggle of the wheels, check for play in the kingpins. if theres excessive wear on the outer of the tyre this could be worn out kingpins or tracking (the tracking is easy, you only need a spanner and tape measure, the kingpins lots of elbow grease, increasing sizes of hammer, and foul language ) the steering is akin to driving a boat in a choppy sea, its something you learn to live with. ive changed all linkages, tightened up the box, changed the oil, keep on top of greasing and got the steering play down to an inch I get about 30-35 mpg out of mine, don't let all this put you off, I've had my bus 5 years, and the only time its let me down, is when I left her standing for a week in -15 to -20, and she wouldn't start. oh and when an arctic pulled out on me, I braked hard, ended up diagonally across the road, with smelly pants and bost brake cylinder seals, still got me home tho.
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Post by brewkit on Dec 4, 2013 10:28:40 GMT
join the transit forum, loads of info on there.
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Post by n brown on Dec 4, 2013 10:43:17 GMT
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Post by Daz on Dec 4, 2013 11:34:23 GMT
Thanks both, lots to check over, nothing to major though, sounds like just what I'm after, fag packet & hammer mechanics, perfect
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Post by brewkit on Dec 4, 2013 11:42:32 GMT
you'll need a range of hammers and various bully bars , another point to note, the wheel nuts....one side is right handed thread, t'other is left handed, near side I think, can never remember til I reach the *&$"!!!! stage of undoing.
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Post by brewkit on Dec 4, 2013 12:01:47 GMT
more ldv quirkiness, the middle blowers only blow dead flies and cold air, the outer ones only hot. in damp weather, either don't use the hand brake or only just put it on, cos the shoes will stick to the liner, I tend to not use for parking, just leave in gear.
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Post by Daz on Dec 4, 2013 12:10:11 GMT
ermmmmmmmmmmmmm, might start looking for a romahome
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Post by lotusanne on Dec 4, 2013 12:37:41 GMT
Don't be put off Daz they make great campers, I have always liked them, and I would keep as many windows as possible, always good to have a view, plus can come in handy when driving for a quick look behind
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Post by helmit on Dec 4, 2013 13:29:05 GMT
you'll need a range of hammers and various bully bars , another point to note, the wheel nuts....one side is right handed thread, t'other is left handed, near side I think, can never remember til I reach the *&$"!!!! stage of undoing. Just have to remember they all undo towards the back like a truck. Its supposed to stop em loosening.
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Post by gaz on Dec 4, 2013 15:46:57 GMT
you'll need a range of hammers and various bully bars , another point to note, the wheel nuts....one side is right handed thread, t'other is left handed, near side I think, can never remember til I reach the *&$"!!!! stage of undoing. Just have to remember they all undo towards the back like a truck. Its supposed to stop em loosening. helmit why is it ya never hear a peep from you ...until anyone mentions nuts.....tis spooky ..that it be how are ya keepin buddy
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Post by helmit on Dec 4, 2013 19:05:30 GMT
Just have to remember they all undo towards the back like a truck. Its supposed to stop em loosening. helmit why is it ya never hear a peep from you ...until anyone mentions nuts.....tis spooky ..that it be how are ya keepin buddy Hiya Gaz im ok mate duckin n diving skimming along the bottom you know how it is.
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Post by Daz on Dec 5, 2013 14:34:36 GMT
typical, got there this morning to have a look as arranged & he'd sold it last night & not bothered to let me know, on the bright side I did find a nice 02 lwb movano for sale on the way home, chap is working away till the weekend, so I'm going back for a proper nosey on Saturday.
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Post by brewkit on Dec 5, 2013 14:50:10 GMT
that's a shame, good strong bus's ldv's are, I think Vern's our resident expert on movano's
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Post by Daz on Dec 5, 2013 15:03:43 GMT
you know what they say, one door closes & another slams shut
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Post by Daz on Dec 5, 2013 18:40:59 GMT
I need to pick verns brains on how his dinette turns into a single bed
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Post by lotusanne on Dec 5, 2013 18:50:00 GMT
Have you checked out his blog Daz?
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Post by Daz on Dec 5, 2013 18:56:26 GMT
I've seen his videos, where can I find his blog? I'm a bit excited about this movano now, newer van, lower miles & cheaper insurance, woohooo, only downside is I've got to fit a heater, it's the only thing that worries me.
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Post by lotusanne on Dec 5, 2013 19:03:03 GMT
Oh thats what I meant, sorry, video blog? I know Vernon rates his van, and did a lot of research on what to get = I am sure he will be along with his thoughts at some point, but I agree, as so often in life, things may have worked out for the best after all!!
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Post by Daz on Dec 5, 2013 19:08:34 GMT
aaah, I'm easily confused
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Post by Firefox on Dec 5, 2013 19:13:54 GMT
I need to pick verns brains on how his dinette turns into a single bed No blog... just vids. However I have't done one about turning the dinette into single bed. I have built it though and can do vids/photos for you. It could work for any panel van conversion. Tricky mechanism with a double folding leg but it is built out of fence posts and furniture board that you can find in Wickes etc. Movano is a good van. I think 02 would be the Mk1 which ran from 98 to 03. It has the older headlights and I think only a 5 speed box. Main thing to remember is it basically the same as the Renault master with a different badge on the steering wheel and the radiator grille. Wikipedia has a good article showing the varients: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_MasterMk1 Movano
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Post by Daz on Dec 5, 2013 19:23:46 GMT
pics would be amazing thanks Vern, yes it's a mk1, I'm hoping to blatantly copy your layout but in a more hammer & nails style The chap who was selling the convoy I wanted has just called to say the chap who bought it (& left a deposit) has changed his mind & asked if I still wanted it, told him very politely no thank you, at least that's what I heard, Mrs Daz heard something different apparently
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Post by Firefox on Dec 5, 2013 19:47:33 GMT
You couldn't get too much more hammer and nails than mine - it all works though If you can get a 5.7m long van or even 6.0m I would go for that. I think 5.4m is a touch too short for my layout. I really would like 0.3m for a wardrobe on one side and on the other 0.3m extra in the kitchen where it's extra work space and possible an oven could be fitted, or separate sink/drainer unit as the one I have is OK for 1 or 2 persons but any more and it's a squeeze
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Post by Daz on Dec 5, 2013 20:41:05 GMT
it's the same size as this
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Post by Firefox on Dec 5, 2013 21:15:52 GMT
That looks 6m to me, I think it is the long wheel base with the extra panel (3 panels)
You'll be fine with that. You can have an extra 0.1m on the lounge and a really decent full height 0.4m wide cupboard/wardrobe behind the lounge and an extra 0.1m on the bathroom length. On the other side you'll have 0.6m to play with on the kitchen and have a really nice kitchen, not a cramped one like mine.
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Post by Alec on Dec 5, 2013 21:51:20 GMT
Hi Daz,
Am currently fitting heater to a 5.4m Relay, my suggestion is to plan early where you will fit same as well as any other perforations to the floor, just been checking under van and there is not much choice after chassis members and the like.
Alec.
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Post by n brown on Dec 5, 2013 22:19:39 GMT
why are you worried about fitting a heater ?
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