Mitsubishi L300 2.5d LWB camper- Finished and Tested :-)

[Anglevan]

Well i've had this van for nearly a year now. However progress has been very slow due to finances and other projects (I have a 2.8 Capri / 2 mk2 Fiestas (one an XR2) An Anglia turbo project and a 1986 Lancer - oh and my son has a couple of MK2f Polos.. So this does tend to take a back seat. Anyway it looks like progress is starting so I thought i'd post a build thread.

A little background, i'm not new to Campers having owned a Talbot for 7 years (recently sold) and it's taken me all over europe and the UK however I couldn't get rid of the itch to find a piece of J-tin. These vans used to be everywhere as carpet fitters vans etc but they have simply disappeared. Many going for export or the early ones simply rotted out. You can see the Hyundai H100 which is based on this van but they have an ugly front end (IMO) and I simply couldn't live with the shape. Other options were Delicas (the 4wd version) however majority are the SWB and auto with IMO terrible fuel economy and I wanted a LWB (rare in the UK on a Delica)

Whats left? Hiace - very expensive and most abused Mazda - very rare now to even find one let alone a salvageable one. I'm sure there others but being a Mitsubshi fan that was the one I had in my sites.

I found this via ebay (been in my watched for over a year) The guy was a bit of a chancer / and blagged a lot and I had to collect from Just off the M25 (I live in Yorkshire) so a fair old trip. I think what helped this going for sale was the fact that it's from London and with the recent LEZ charge (£100 per day) a lot are getting sold.

This has been a 2 previous owners / the service history was questionable !! however condition alone I know this has done very low miles and I'm sure the 40k is genuine - The MOT's do support it. There was an issue with the VIN number (not recorded correctly when new) but luckily now sorted with the DVLA

When I purchased it (over the phone) I asked what tyres were like / condition of bodywork / had it been sign written and basically I was told yes mate loads of tread (near legal limit !!) no dents on bodywork (large dent in tailgate / few out dents luckily where the windows will be) and no mate not sign written or yes it bloody was and you've used a scraper to take em off !!!

But it's as solid as a rock, interior is superb in keeping with miles / it drove ace all the way home (slight pull on steering but nowt else) Very noisy due to the 2.5 d engine but none the less I loved it.

I didnt want a rebuild project in that I didnt want a rotten bodyshell. And this is solid - Yes .. Even the spare wheel is new and unused / came with all manuals 1 key fits all locks etc etc..

So the plans

Well I want it as a camper as per title hence why I wanted the LWB (slightly longer - 400mm) and slightly higher roof (I don't want a pop top due to leaks / noise / heat loss etc)

I might need some help with minor mods planned so any help greatly appreciated. Anyways have some pics









This is the camper idea - This was a delica I spotted in local Mitsubishi garage and owner let me take pics..





so next plans / I'd souced some glass from a delica however i didnt realise that Delica bodies are differant to the van and basically they are no use - curse word !! so I've had some made up which should be due this week. I've also ordered a rock and roll bed specifically for this van and again that is due very soon. So i'm hopeful that I can start the interior build.

I've obtained a central locking kit and electric window motors from the same Delica and a Delica rear bumper (not sure i'll fit that) so not a wasted trip stripping the Delica.

Only other jobs i've done is fill the inner panels with waxoyl before I start trimming it.

I'd love some better wheels (or band the originals) and I need to update the upholstry but thats it.. I also plan to lower it but not sure how much the weight of the conversion will naturally drop it so will wait till thats done before attempting any mods. ..
More to follow soon hopefully...

[stefan]

That is a very clean van, none of my work transits are that clean and they are all 11 years and younger.

[willowandmikey]

Nice van can't wait to see the conversion come along

[regcheeseman]

Damn nice start to the project, gotta love honest sellers - at least despite the lies it looks like a good solid base.

Making me yearn for a slammed J van more and more...

[Anglevan]

At that time of purchase I was a bit miffed especially with the sign writing however what a differance a year makes and these have vanished. whats left are just heaps. Theres one on ebay at mo that looks like it's been to the moon and back and it's for more than I paid for this. Overall I'm very pleased I bought it when I did..
Hopefully I will have an update soon. I'm told the glass arrived just before christmas and I've also collected the rock and roll bed. No pictures as my mate who collected and delivered to the camper place forgot to take pics ..
Going to visit it in the new year so may have an update (MOT runs out in a week and I think I only did 350 miles in it !!! oh well will get used when on the road.

[olig]

That looks a really sweet van ,much tidier than my tea bag. Can I ask where you have sourced the glass from? Was it expensive? I want opening rear windows in mine but cant find any Vauxhall Midi buses being broken for parts anywhere. Sri lanka seems to have seems to have lots of them...maybe if I can sort a 'holiday' there, I could spend a couple of days searching and send myself a set home.

I'll get those pics of my Midi interior once I can get it out of the garage. I've been busy sorting the rust on the drivers side and cant get to the side door

[conrad]

oh i so want to make myself a little camper.... so many things to do so little money argh!!!

How did you manage to get a van that old that looks so tidy? Vans like that get serious abuse over here, it's rare to find anything anywhere near as tidy as that

[Anglevan]

Dec 31, 2012 16:57:25 GMT olig said:

That looks a really sweet van ,much tidier than my tea bag. Can I ask where you have sourced the glass from? Was it expensive? I want opening rear windows in mine but cant find any Vauxhall Midi buses being broken for parts anywhere. Sri lanka seems to have seems to have lots of them...maybe if I can sort a 'holiday' there, I could spend a couple of days searching and send myself a set home.

I'll get those pics of my Midi interior once I can get it out of the garage. I've been busy sorting the rust on the drivers side and cant get to the side door

Cheers for the comments - The glass was sourced from this company. www.cheshirevehiclewindows.co.uk/
All they need is a template. More common vehicles like the VW's Transits etc they have in stock. I've ordered opening windows for the 2 sliding doors and a fixed glass for the n/s/r 1/4. I've not got the bill yet so cant advise price yet. They offered 3 tints I went for the lightest as I don't want it to look like a hearse.. ;-)

oh I so want to make myself a little camper.... so many things to do so little money argh!!!

How did you manage to get a van that old that looks so tidy? Vans like that get serious abuse over here, it's rare to find anything anywhere near as tidy as that

Just luck and I was prepared to travel. A quick call and batter over the phone and deposit left. Van mine. I knew it would be snapped up quick so I just jumped it. Not seen one as clean since so know I got a good deal..

Appreciate you will be wanting some pics soon, i'll pop by the unit where it's being converted soon and see what progress is ..

Oh the rock and roll bed was sourced from these people --- very good service.. www.jdsmetaltech.co.uk/ he madesure would fit my van and gone for seat belt option

[Anglevan]

Ok - think it's time for an update.
It's been 2 years since I purchased this van and not much has happened. To keep it simple the original company that agreed to do this for me let me down big time and despite it been at there place for 18 months the grand total of sweet ..... all was done on the van.
I kept chasing but then realised it wasn't going to happen so one day my mate agreed to collect it on a trailer (as it was out of MOT) and kindly brought it home for me (some 70 miles)
The company is no longer which I'm glad I collected in time and on a plus side they did keep it inside so I basically had 18 months free storage.
This meant I could crack on with my Anglia turbo project (that will have to be another thread)

So I've been pestered by my wife to get the van done asap and as an incentive I've booked a ferry for the end of July so that's my deadline.

SO lets bring this up to date.

Regards the windows, the original company that agreed to make them, supplied the wrong ones, I wanted openers in the doors.So they were sent back and I sourced these from a Delica - Sadly due to they way the van is constructed you cant use these in the van. Plan C, just put hand in pocket and buy some Seitz windows - Due to size I was limited and next size up was too big but he ho...



Started on insulation and stripped original headlining out - no roof vents or pop up roof as too complicated, and we want it as a day van



Then on with insulation sourced from Screw Fix - basically it's bubble wrap but foil lined, very impressed with it and cheap.



Then started to recover the original headlining, sadly ran out of material but you get the idea.



Then remembered to fit the electric socket



Then insulated the panels (after filling them with waxoyl) that thick black cable is 7 core tow cable - cheapest way to run cables front to rear.



Insulated the N/S - Also ran wires for speakers etc.



Realised some of this is out of order but you get the gist.



Bonded slats onto floor and drilled holes for the rock and roll bed - spaced so wouldn't collapse when bolted. I also bolted the supports for the rock and roll bed to the floor so that it made them captive



That i'll do for now but you get the idea. more updates soon

[Anglevan]

well I have the pictures slightly out of order so will try and pull them back in line.

Placed spacers in the floor ready for the rock and roll bed.


Then packed floor with insulation, was speaking to campervan builder I know and he said this was the best stuff, they don't use it due to elf and safety etc etc. But said as a good allrounder it would be fine. I also sprayed waxoyl on the floor prior just to protect the steel



I then bonded the wood ply and screwed down onto the slats.

All floor now down



Then started to line the walls - I used Apollo adhesive which again appears to be the best to use



ANd retried the rock and roll bed



Then onto the windows - I ordered a mini bus window for the n/s/r 1/4 and 2 seitz windows for the sliding doors, ones a top opener and ones a slider.

Did lots of measuring and then went for it and cut em out. I had the bond the 1/4 glass window in due to the shape of the van being different to mini bus but it looks ok.







Then onto the doors







ANd finally bought these off ebay - £160 with brand new tyres (tyres are no good for the camper but are a direct swap for my wifes car so I have a spare set for her car. I need to get correct 6ply tyres just not decided on size yet. Original are 185 80 14 and these are a 7j wheel 15"

Next step to carpet the inner n/s 1/4 and start fitting the interior...

[regcheeseman]

Glad to see some progress at long last, windows look good, as does the trimming inside. Keep the progress going.

[Matt Hesketh]

Love this, got a proper itch for a camper project at the minute.

[Anglevan]

Thanks for the feedback - to be honest building a camper has always been on my bucket list as well as other stuff. I've never done owt like this before so I am learning as I go along.

Anyways time for an update. Now that it has windows it does make it a little brighter to work in.
Started to trim the n/s panel and arch now.

So this is what we begin with (I've applied the pads for a bit of deadening)



Then after watching a how to on you tube we have this



Then the side panel - sorry for minimal pics - it was a warm day and I was battling with the glue
First laid the carpet against the panel after applying glue to the upper edges



Then after about an hour of applying glue / stretching / glueing / trimming we have this



All the van access panels were individually trimmed (and insulated)



Only the panel on the left is used (the brand new unused jack and tool kit are in their).
Then trimmed the upper rear cant rail



ANd started on the 'b' post etc.





And remembered to finish off the other side of the electric input socket - Ready to be connected to the PMS unit.



Tailgate waxoiled and inner supports glued back to the skin



And insulated



Then trimmed using parts robbed off a Delica



Bulkhead trim refitted (still need to insulate behind but just wanted to see how it fitted





Next is to line the floor with lino type material - I still need to get some more roof lining material as I ran out as I need to finish the roof off. I still need to trim round the front of the van but that can wait. Will get the new tyres fitted to the alloys so that these can be fitted (it removes em from the back of the van where they are now) Then it's on with the planning of where stuff is going and making the cabinets. I'm, no joiner so that will be fun...

[e30325itouring]

Looking good, side panels look very professional.

[trimtechniques]

This is looking good... Bookmarked!

[Anglevan]

Not had chance to do much on the van as time is restricting me at the moment. However I did manage to finish the floor. Used industrial lino (just like normal lino but it's a little grippy - helpful when wet)

Before


and after



I'm also waiting on the wheels to come back with the new tyres, I'm awaiting samples for the rock and roll bed covers and then will order those and I've ordered a hammock to across the front seats for my 6year old to sleep across. Oh and we've ordered the material for the curtains so lots happing in the back ground just not actioned yet.

I was also wanting to get the back end built up again after I stripped it 18months ago to straighten the rear bumper which was badly twisted.I was intending to fit the Delica step however I had a change of heart as I like the standard look. Anyways after a lot of tickling the bumper is now straight and ready for paint. For before shots see first posting





Next is on with the units and plan how I want stuff etc.

[Anglia68]

I'm loving this build and the quality of your work is pretty impressive.

What sort of carpet are you using for the sides because it seems to be very good at following all the ins and outs superbly well?

[Adambt]

Nice build, I always thought an L300 would make a cool base for a camper and you're doing a much better job of it than I ever would!

[Anglevan]

Cheers for the feedback - I keep learning as I go alone and I can see this being an evolving project.

The wall carpet was sourced from Harrison trim supplies @ Cleakheaton Bradford, they sell on ebay (just search camper carpet) however I noticed they were quite local to me so I popped in and great bunch of guys. Really helped me out on all the materials I needed.
However I didn't use there spray on glue as I'd read bad reports on it and have been told the best you can buy is Apollo (must be heat resistant, you cant use just any glue)
I'm on my third 1 litre tin but it's not too expensive. To get into all the nooks and crannies I used the handle of my scissors which worked well. And to do the wheel arch tubs I just followed a tutorial on you tube.



As a side note my mum found this in a box while sorting stuff out so will be placed on the van somewhere - have to have the odd old sticker on the van



And had a delivery today - only minor but I ordered some correct pre 2001 plates (much prefer the font to the newer style) The plate means nowt to me as it came with the van but my wife likes it and wants it to stay

[Anglevan]

Finally called off at the trim place to obtain some more cloth to finish the headlining. Just needed to retrim the supports and fasten them in. I also wired the lights in - purchased some LED strip lights from Ikea - very bright so should be ok.

I still will trim round the front a pillars etc however that can wait till I get the screen done (couple of chips in it so could do with a new one)



I will trim or colour the top of the inner tailgate so the white is not showing - again a future job.



Wanted a change so had a go at cleaning the front seats - should have seen the muck that came out - need another going over but i'll take them out for that and properly clean the cab area - not bad for a first attempt

Before


After





Fitted my tyres - purchased some Bridgestone 195 70 15 tyres - I'm not keen on the window look so I am going to black the sliding door section to make it look bigger - I also plan some more satin black around the door frames just for a different look.



Wanted a change from trimming so as the night was good had a go at polishing tailgate so that I could fit the MITSUBISHI decal that IOW Graphics made up for me



Spot the reverse camera







And this taken from a brochure so that I got the decal in the right place

And finally - had one major hurdle, where was my 6 year old daughter going to sleep. The twin seat folds flat so I thought of placing a mattress across the seats however I was worried she would slip off or knock the controls. Quick internet search found that a guy on ebay was making hammocks' for the VW / Bongo / Transit etc. A few emails and he agreed to make one to my measurements as the ones he had would not fit mine.
The new hammock arrived the other day - dead easy to make up (and store) very light and it's perfect, my daughter loves it. So that's her bed sorted. I've ordered the cushions for the rock and roll bed (from Pennine interiors at Alfreton) And they said they would be ready in a couple of weeks.



So until next time folks - cupboards and wiring next - then MOT and TAX !!!!