You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Looking for recommendations (or who to avoid) for someone to convert the back of my Transit Custom. Want to sound deaden, insulate and carpet the back, add some power and lights too.
I'm based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Thanks.
peakvanconversions - based in Tideswell Peak District
07767 406030
Ian Pollard
Rider and van converter extrodinaire
You could try Malcolm in Sheffield:
Parked at side of a guy at a PMBA Enduro who had his done at a company in Penistone and was well impressed with what they had done
https://www.firthcampers.co.uk/
Damn I hate these threads, always open them and start thinking about how great it would be to have a camper van...
Not tempted to have a crack at some of it yourself? Sound deadening is a case of peeling off the backing and slapping it on panels that reverberate, seems crazy to pay someone to do that. Unless of course you have zero free time to spend.
Im very tempted to do it myself, but i also need windows putting in it and probably would need to buy a few tools etc, then when you add in the time it would take me, it might be best to at least understand what a talent professional could do before i have a go!
We’ve already insulated and deadened ours and we’re starting work on the carpet next. We’re going to be putting our own windows in too but we’re lucky in that we’re both very hands on and have a lot of great to try it. I figured you could at least do some parts yourself and then pay for other bits.
Sound deadening is very easy.
Window fitting is pretty simple too as long as you are organised about it. Only need a nibbler/recip saw and a good quality mastic gun.
Carpetting is more of a fiddly job mind.
Things I learned from self converting a panel van:
1) Carpeting, especially around wheel arches, is a b@stard
2) Measuring/marking/cutting/finishing the holes for windows is easy (with a nibbler, as above)
3) Putting windows in is easy. Putting windows in that don't leak is not so easy.
If I was doing it again, I'd happily pay for someone to jobs 1 and 3.
When I did the windows in my Trafic I used a nibbler which was nice and slow, also the nibble ran around the inner skin and sort of guided itself. On the side doors I had to use a recip saw to cut where the reinforcing bars are. It was scary how easily it cut through the two skins and I can see how you could go horribly wrong if you used one to do the whole cutout.
With regards to being leakproof I guess that it helps that I do a lot of mastic work (usually at height, hanging from ropes!) so that was the bit I was most comfortable with but as long as you keep the gun nice and level and get a good bead with no gaps, starting and finishing at a bottom corner, you should be laughing.
Get the locks changed while you're at it ... my Custom was stolen off our drive by using a 'tumbler' type key available on Amazon FFS
Carpeting is the easy bit. Cutting the windows out is the scary bit.
We are Leeds based and getting our T6 done by Andi at Not Just Campers in Wakefield on recommendation of a friend who has had two done by him. Check out his social media - he certainly does more than VWs. He’s been a great help in the lead up. 8 weeks to go (we need to save the rest of the money) 😀😀
www.notjustcampers.com
We looked at doing it ourselves but by the time you cost in time, screws etc, tools against the trade price professionals get stuff at, it didn’t really add up. Plus I want to spend weekends using it, not building it.
Firth Campers make the vans for Auto Campers, they are excellent. Auto Campers are owned by Roy Wood Transits near Reading. They've been importing Westfalias and making their own vans for years. They know their onions!
A friend recently used Mandale over near Keighley and they were very happy.
Don't use VanTrim in Otley, absolute charlatans. Exploria in Halifax are expensive but very good at what they do. Skipton Car Radio ( not in Skipton anymore) could do what you are asking for, and there are a couple of guys who work for Harrison Trims who do that sort of stuff as a side line, and are very good.
There is the camping and caravaning show at the SECC Glasgow early feb. There are usually a few converters on show plus a whole hall of campervans for ideas.
It could be worth a day out - should only be a couple of hours drive.
Yeh id heard to avoid VanTrim in Otley! I was looking at Crystal Custom Campers in Leeds too.
I had the locks changed as soon as i got it, the standard Ford lock is awful.
Skipton Car Radio are now in Sowerby Bridge near the swimming baths.
They upgraded the stereo in our Transit. Good people to deal with