The time has finally come: The floor of my van needs welding
That means having to remove everything out of the van. I mean everything.
This post probably highlights the very worst thing about living in a van. Let me show you…
Also see: VIDEO: Dismantling my van-home
I found some rust. And then some more.
It’s going to need welding
But there’s a problem…
The inside will have to be removed. My whole home. All of it.
So I started with the most difficult bit: the bathroom
Trying to remove things in big chunks
That’s the bathroom and kitchen gone
But some things will need to be rebuilt
This is a view I never expected to see again
And that’s the floor out ready to be welded
It’s actually not that bad
It’s a lot of effort to remove everything but it’s worth repairing, because it really isn’t that bad – just these spots around the rear arches – and most of the floor is decent. The chassis is still totally solid and well protected, and it still passed it’s MOT first time.
The difficult part is finding a welder who is able to do a job that’s going to last, rather than a quick patch to see it through another year. I’ll do some follow up posts with the progress.
Has anyone else had to do this with their van? I’d be interested to hear about it in the comments …
Also see: VIDEO: Dismantling my van-home
I have to say Mike….when I first heard about you & your plans….. I groaned when I saw the vehicle you had chosen: The LDV has always been a ruster.
To put it mildly.
Still, what’s done is done. I guess the priority for anyone thinking about following your lead would be to select a vehicle with a better reputation for resisting rust….or at least: Blitzing the anti-rust protection before starting on the conversion…..save time and effort at a later date.
Of course, that’s hindsight….none of us are blessed with it!
For those attracted to vehicles with FWD….the attraction of course is the lower floor height in the rear….. a word of caution: I bought a Renault Trafic diesel many years ago…..I absolutely hated it. It was the most sluggish diesel I have ever driven, the gear change was awful, the handling worse.
Prior to that I always had Transits (all RWD) dating from 1985 through to 1998.
Chalk & cheese I can tell you. I have since driven FWD transits….great but (at that time) there was a weakness in the Renault diesel engines they were using.(Renault…again!)
Good luck finding a decent welder-person….It’ much easier these days with MIG & TIG of course…..Why not investigate on YouTube & teach yourself?
I’m an old school stick-welder….(not good for thin plate on vehicles though),
but if I was younger, I’d get myself upgraded!
Good Luck. Stay Safe. Best regards: Steve.
Mine has needed bits every year for the not. I did the chassis myself the first year but got a good local fabricator to do the arches and sills……they all go there sir. Only removed the bits near where welding and got away with it. Ldv convoys love rust
Yep. LDVs love rust. Just have the front end of mine rebuilt. £500 still a bargain compared to finding a new van and doing another conversion.
When I first converted it the rear wheel arches had gone in the same manner as Mikes
I travel vicariously with you. I recently had to get rid of my 22yo Cirrus because of transmission problems. .Plus, it was starting to nickel and dime me to death. I found an 11 year old Camry for a good price, only 52,000 miles, and my mechanic said it was a “clean” car. I love having a working radio again. And heat and air. And good gas mileage, compared to my old six cylinder. I hope your welding repair holds up over the years. Stay safe. Chris
Hey Mike, your video link at the bottom of your article isn’t working. Doesn’t lead to anywhere.
Thanks for the update! Rust-proofing is most definitely at the top of my list if I ever get around to making my van life a reality.
Oh thanks, I’ve fixed it now. Yeah with old vans rust proofing is just an on-going thing I’d say. Best of luck with you van
I seem to have welded more LDVs than anything but you’re absolutely right when you say you need it done properly rather than a 12 month patch up. Doing it properly, these awesome vans will last a lifetime. I wouldn’t have any other as my home. Sorry I didn’t spot you needing assistance mate else I’d have offered to do it for you. Ironically our YouTube video tonight is all about welding a Convoy with more holes than a siv. Glad you found a good bloke to get it sorted though. See you on the road soon. Rich, BeyondTheVan.
Ohh thanks for the offer though Rich. That would have been really really helpful actually but good to know you’re around. Cheers!