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Hi,
Have thought of a step van, the box shape is better to work on.
You tube have lots on there.
Also take look @ this, www.quirkycampers.co.uk , for some ideas.
Keeps us on the forum posted.

P.S.
insurancechoice give a discount to members of sbmcc.co.uk which in your case will cover the cost of membership and the sbmcc has tons of info & help on hand.

Try 'speaking' to  www.insurancechoice.co.uk, they may give temp cover to get a van home.
They are also good for self-build camper vans.
P.S.
If you have someone with an address outside Manchester!
I lived in 'northeast' Manchester for a time, but the van was registered at a friends in Scotland (small town).
Quote was a lot cheaper

This link may be of some use.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu7uRse3hi0
The Fuso Cantor are known to be reliable, (the Cantor is replacing the Vario in Europe) & more common in Oz, from 3.5t with a narrow body up to 7.5t wide body.

Hope this helps

If you are in UK, take a look at http://sbmcc.co.uk.
You can register as a Forum Guest for free. Tons of info!

I'm not sure if it is too late to reply.
However there is a site called:   http://www.toytowngermany.com
Here you will find an active expat community who are very help full on all sorts of issues.

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this. In the blog item posted on deadlocks.

I did the same on my van. However the lost key issue was solved by a combination car key safe. 
Hidden & locked under the van, in a plastic bag. After four years I just checked it & it's still OK.
like this,
http://www.the-bodyboard-store.co.uk/key-pod-5g-lock-box-combination-car-key-safe-1126-p.asp

try this link,

http://vandogtraveller.com/?s=Living+in+a+van+in+winter

Will you please post pictures of the rocket stove, when done.

This guy (who is on your side of the pond) has been doing it for some time & has quite a bit of content on his site. http://www.cheaprvliving.com
I just recycle as much as possable 

Hi,
Just like to add, As Tai-chi wanderer said a stealth mode van can have you parking anywhere. I left UK 2010 in a Sprinter, see pic, which was good at the time as a sole nomad.
However if there are to be couple of mates. You'll have the problem I got when I was no longer on my own.

Went for a box van, see pic, this gives option of water tanks under the floor (LPG tank when I get the €)
Being a square box easy to fit out. I refit my UK sprinter twice!
I keep't looking till I found one made of GRP & foam walls Ali box frame. It's a left hand drive & has a German green sticker.
Looking to put some horse stuff on the sides for the Stealth mode!
So good luck & good hunting.

[free]

A good place for self builds is SBMCC.CO.UK
You can register as Forum Guest for free & ask 10 questions. I think it's the Encyclopedia Britannica for self builds. There are lots of active members who live self build. I joined 4yrs ago, theres just so much stuff there. I'm on my second build & still go for back for info. If you have two email addresses, you may register twice!
Good luck with the conversion.

Maybe this link could help regarding insurance and a long term trip.
Just a good read anyway.

"Mark's trip halfway around the world and back in a Toyota Landcruiser"

https://overlandcruiser.wordpress.com

What about a chassis cab, less body work for rust (sills etc) loads space under for water tanks, batteries & a box is easy to fit out. Some are quite compact (less then 2m wide) for the smaller roads! Just my two pence.