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Fiat Ducato camper build

colm_mcm · 2019-05-19 21:53:05

Myself and my friend decided last year after selling the Transit camper Build thread here that the next one should be bigger and better. The transit crammed a lot into a small space but had a few shortcomings in terms of load space and amenities. It was obvious that it would have to be a Ducato (or Relay or Boxer) as they…

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#352 02-04-2021 10:06pm

colm_mcm

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So the bed folds up if you need a big boot

Also relocated the door handle to high up

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#353 05-04-2021 5:23pm

colm_mcm

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Quick job today, still a little finishing to do on this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQvphtKRIoY

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#354 11-04-2021 8:11pm

colm_mcm

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Bit more shower/toilet stuff today

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#355 25-04-2021 9:05pm

colm_mcm

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Did the lino on the raised floor today. Used a router bit to get an exact cut.

Still needs to be stuck down in the corners

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#356 26-04-2021 9:43pm

colm_mcm

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colm_mcm wrote: »

You can see from this photo how bad the glue from the signwriting had soaked into the paint. We had used tar and glue remover on this before but it was too embedded

Spent a few hours with a DA polisher this evening doing the panels that had sign writing on them.

Before

After

There were a few light scratches on the passenger door that looked a lot worse than they were

Before

After

The whole van will get a compound and polish one of these fine days. For now I’m happy enough with that!

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#357 01-05-2021 9:58pm

colm_mcm

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Finally got the floor finished today. Delighted with it.

Ready for the rear seats to go in now. They’re back from the upholsterer so can fit them soon.

The seat base got a final coat of paint

Got a lot done on the utilities side of things too. Additional drop-out vent and drain valve for the plumbing fitted and that area trimmed.
An awful lot of tidying with wiring that’s not worth showing.

RGI installed the gas manifold a few weeks ago too

Oh yeah. Installed a second rail so we can take the table outside if we want

Starting to see the finish line.

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#358 01-05-2021 11:16pm

Gloomtastic!

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Looks like you’ll be just in time for inter county travel. Fingers crossed. Well done, you’ve done a fantastic job. So much good work.

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#359 02-05-2021 3:32pm

Reggie 365

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Fantastic work.

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#360 04-05-2021 10:48pm

colm_mcm

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Fitted the VW rear seat for the last time tonight. It matches the other seats now too.

Also fitted a safe underneath, just cos

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#361 04-05-2021 11:56pm

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#362 05-05-2021 7:51am

colm_mcm

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Let’s hope any would-be thieves don’t have an impressioning tool.

Great contribution as always :rolleyes:

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#363 05-05-2021 2:31pm

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Or a battery power angle grinder or a crow bar.

Unless it's a dummy safe...that's probably the most effective use. Hide the valuables in the spare tyre.

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#364 05-05-2021 2:40pm

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colm_mcm wrote: »

Great contribution as always :rolleyes:

Great to be appreciated.

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#365 05-05-2021 2:43pm

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Here's a more traditional entry method...it really shows the build quality of those things.

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#366 08-05-2021 7:42pm

Buford T Justice

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You really don't like that safe do you?

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#367 08-05-2021 11:42pm

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Defending my position is all.

I took the "great contribution as usual" remark to be a misunderstanding in the difference between peeing on someone's corn flakes and telling it like it is.

I would not call it a safe because you can open it with a drill and a hole saw. I've nothing against it other than the compunction to point out it's a false promise.
I think a lottov the time people think I'm going off on one and making false accusations about "reputable manufacturers" that can't be true because I'm some lad on tinternet with an opinion and they're a major manufacturer...because that's evidence enough for them...

When one actually relies on the equipment in this market the frequency one finds mutton dressed as lamb is highly disparaging...funny thing is most people rather I keep it to myself.
They have their reasons although usually when I ask would they fit it to their house they think I'm mad.

QED...easy target...would you put a gas fridge in your house? If it's not good enough for a house why is it acceptable for a camper when it's 5 times more expensive to buy, ten times more expensive to run..and not reliable...ya know...

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#368 09-05-2021 9:11am

Silent Running

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I think people are missing the point of the safe. It's not to thwart international diamond thieves. It's to stop the little scrote that broke the window with a stone from escaping with your passports and other valuables.

For that purpose, it's perfect... up until the time the little scrotes come equipped with battery powered circular saws with a metal cutting blade.

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#369 09-05-2021 5:10pm

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I've never met a thief nor opportunist nor a customs agent nor festival security smart enough to look for anything in a spare tyre.

What's to stop them prying on the safe and just taking the safe contents and all?

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#370 09-05-2021 5:47pm

Silent Running

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Sir Liamalot wrote: »

I've never met a thief nor opportunist nor a customs agent nor festival security smart enough to look for anything in a spare tyre.

What's to stop them prying on the safe and just taking the safe contents and all?

With they pry bar they keep down the leg of their trackie bottoms?

Again, the purpose is to stop the local opportunist Anto from getting anything other than biscuits and snacks.

The quicker they can get out of the van with anything they can grab, the less chance of them getting a severe beating if the owner appears at the door, trapping them inside.

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#371 09-05-2021 6:12pm

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Silent Running wrote: »

With they pry bar they keep down the leg of their trackie bottoms?

What do you think they used to enter the vehicle?

I take it you haven't much experience with life on the wrong side of the tracks.

For the security that thing offers you could hide the valuables 100 other places without painting a target on them....ya know?!

{Edit} It's a lot like security studs (wheel locks) on wheel rims. All yer doing is advising the person determined to take yer rims to also break yer boot latch.
I get rid of them they just slow me down.

Same with computer passwords.
I can hack a windows password in 5 minutes all it does is serve to slow me down everytime I boot the machine. I don't bother with those either.

As I say it's most useful as a decoy.

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#372 11-05-2021 12:42am

ratracer

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Back to the excellent project please......

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#373 13-05-2021 10:36pm

colm_mcm

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Before

During

After

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#374 15-05-2021 12:17pm

colm_mcm

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Too wet to do anything outside today, so sanding and oiling the wood bits

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#375 15-05-2021 6:31pm

colm_mcm

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3 coats later

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#376 17-05-2021 10:12am

CJhaughey

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Nice job on the steering wheel, did you buy the complete wheel or fit a leather cover?

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#377 17-05-2021 10:21am

dzer2

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CJhaughey wrote: »

Nice job on the steering wheel, did you buy the complete wheel or fit a leather cover?

Oh I was looking at the dials

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#378 17-05-2021 10:26am

colm_mcm

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CJhaughey wrote: »

Nice job on the steering wheel, did you buy the complete wheel or fit a leather cover?

It’s a leather cover that you have to stitch. My mate did one on the Transit camper before so had a bit of practice!

dzer2 wrote: »

Oh I was looking at the dials

The dials came a few months ago, but it was the only ‘before’ picture I could find

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#379 17-05-2021 10:46am

CJhaughey

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That is a great mod, the stock wheel is actually pretty slippery and leather would be a lot nicer.

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#380 17-05-2021 12:01pm

iwillhtfu

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I've just went through the entire thread there. excellent work Colm it looks amazing. A pity you have to lose some space with the rear seats but I'm guessing they're a necessity, will there be any issues with insurance as they're not factory fit?

The fit and finish though is very good. Hopefully many an adventure had in it.

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#381 17-05-2021 1:54pm

Mango Joe

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This thread is such a pleasant browse - There's something almost mesmerising about watching all of these intricate pieces slot together so expertly and precisely.

Thanks for making it all available anyhow.

I noticed that when the two of you had posted your last thread that it ran post after post and suddenly it was up for sale https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin//showpost.php?p=108342774&postcount=143

I originally thought it was something ye built lovingly for your own personal use for the next decade.

Is this a hobby or a purely commercial undertaking?

Do you just really enjoy working though these projects and the sale is a nice bonus afterwards?

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#382 17-05-2021 8:25pm

colm_mcm

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Mango Joe wrote: »

This thread is such a pleasant browse - There's something almost mesmerising about watching all of these intricate pieces slot together so expertly and precisely.

Thanks for making it all available anyhow.

Thanks, we aren’t experts or professionals but we are taking our time and doing it as well as we can.
Both of us are a bit obsessed with ergonomics, packaging and finish of things so this is a great way for fellas that have desk jobs to actually take something from a design right through to a real thing.

Mango Joe wrote: »

I noticed that when the two of you had posted your last thread that it ran post after post and suddenly it was up for sale https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin//showpost.php?p=108342774&postcount=143

I originally thought it was something ye built lovingly for your own personal use for the next decade.

Is this a hobby or a purely commercial undertaking?

Do you just really enjoy working though these projects and the sale is a nice bonus afterwards?

It’s purely two mates building stuff, it definitely isn’t a money maker. If it was it would have been built a lot simpler and quicker! If it wasn’t a camper it would be a classic car or something.

I enjoy building them as much as using them, the Transit did some festivals and went abroad, it was coming up to the winter and it just kinda make sense to move it on. The plan was always to do another.

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#383 17-05-2021 8:31pm

colm_mcm

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iwillhtfu wrote: »

I've just went through the entire thread there. excellent work Colm it looks amazing. A pity you have to lose some space with the rear seats but I'm guessing they're a necessity, will there be any issues with insurance as they're not factory fit?

The fit and finish though is very good. Hopefully many an adventure had in it.

It’s actually roomy enough with the front seats swivelled and the double seat there. The next step is to incorporate a bed into the front too.

No insurance issues with the seat as it’s a VW part, once SQI is ok with it then insurance are too.

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#384 11-06-2021 8:24pm

colm_mcm

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Testing out the fridge

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#385 11-06-2021 11:03pm

Gloomtastic!

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Well done!

A rival at 2 O’Clock. Let the competition begin.........

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#386 22-06-2021 4:35pm

Henry Ford III

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Fantastic work Colm. Very impressive.

p.s. Have you seen what Vanderlust do in Ennistymon?

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#387 22-06-2021 8:18pm

colm_mcm

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Henry Ford III wrote: »

Fantastic work Colm. Very impressive.

p.s. Have you seen what Vanderlust do in Ennistymon?

Thanks!

I’ve been into Vanderlust a few times alright, it’s only over the road.

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#388 24-06-2021 12:52am

Sexual Chocolate

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colm_mcm wrote: »

Testing out the fridge

Keel, Achill ?

Only back from a campervan trip myself. Strongly considering going down the conversion road like yourself now.

Found the Ducato a nice drive as well so may look towards one of them or a Transit.

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#389 24-06-2021 1:24am

Buford T Justice

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Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Keel, Achill ?

Only back from a campervan trip myself. Strongly considering going down the conversion road like yourself now.

Found the Ducato a nice drive as well so may look towards one of them or a Transit.

Transit you say........

Checkout my sig

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#390 24-06-2021 7:17pm

colm_mcm

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Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Keel, Achill ?

Only back from a campervan trip myself. Strongly considering going down the conversion road like yourself now.

Found the Ducato a nice drive as well so may look towards one of them or a Transit.

Yeah, it’s a lovely spot and a great site.

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#391 24-06-2021 9:11pm

Sexual Chocolate

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colm_mcm wrote: »

Yeah, it’s a lovely spot and a great site.

We were originally booked into the Westport house but said **** it we'll go Achill instead. Annex pub up the road as well was great craic.

If you didn't go with the Ducato what was your second choice excluding the Boxer or Relay ?

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#392 25-06-2021 9:08am

colm_mcm

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Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

We were originally booked into the Westport house but said **** it we'll go Achill instead. Annex pub up the road as well was great craic.

If you didn't go with the Ducato what was your second choice excluding the Boxer or Relay ?

It was literally those 3!

I guess Crafter/Sprinter or maybe Master/Movano/NV but you’re losing the width in the back so layout wouldn’t work.

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#393 15-07-2021 8:59pm

colm_mcm

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Finally fitted the last wall to the toilet/shower. Put an LED quadrant strip light vertically in the corner. Still need to silicone the joints, but we’re getting there.

also got the tambour door fitted. Makes a huge difference to how complete the van feels.
The underslung tanks are finally in too, and we got the courage to test the blown air and water heater systems. Thankfully they both work!
Still a bit to do, mainly finishing off small enough details, it’s a fully functioning van now though which is a huge relief.

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#394 16-07-2021 4:34pm

ratracer

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I can't leave Boards.ie until I see this project finished!! 🤣🤣

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#395 16-07-2021 8:18pm

colm_mcm

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Same!

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#396 17-07-2021 7:14pm

colm_mcm

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Slide-out table needed testing.

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#397 19-08-2021 10:56pm

colm_mcm

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Finally got the shower toilet room finished 😄

Actually, still need to fit the receiver for the tambour door, which is why the cabinet door doesn’t go all the way across.

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#398 19-08-2021 11:04pm

colm_mcm

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Went on a lovely tour of the north east for the last 6 days.

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#399 19-08-2021 11:08pm

colm_mcm

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Good example of how the folding bed works when you want to move something big. We needed to move 7 internal doors, not a bother!

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#400 19-08-2021 11:10pm

ratracer

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Great that you finally get to enjoy the van after all the hard work!
looks great 👍

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#401 19-08-2021 11:13pm

colm_mcm

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There’s still a few small jobs to do but not important ones. Heading off again tomorrow - it was a long time coming to this point!

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