Making A Rust Bucket Vario Into A Luxurious Camper starts here
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2023
- Taking care of the rusty old van is the first stage of converting this Mercedes Vario into luxury camper van
Everything i use in my camper van you will find here in my Amazon Store www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvan...
Camper van build parts list
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvan...
Beck's Channel / @sacredtraveller
Bluetti power bank that i use in my van shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=180121...
I use this scanner to keep my sprinter running and on the road
iCarsoft Professional Multi-System Auto Diagnostic Tool
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buy me a coffee and i will send you a sticker . your support is really appreciated www.buymeacoffee.com/BigVanSm...
Beck's channel / @sacredtraveller
If you are interested in renting a space in the barn then please email
me @ melpettipher@msn.com
Treasure hunting equipment I use
Minelab Equinox 800 Metal Detector amzn.to/3AwjKCP
Minelab Excalibur II Metal Detector amzn.to/3Mid9zt
Garrett Pro-Pointer at amzn.to/3KBxIYI
Evolution 360 Sandscoop ebay.us/wel24d
Scubapro Nova Scotia Semi Dry 7-5 mm amzn.to/3xaVC71
Crewsaver Crewfit Sport Non-Harness Manual Life Jacket amzn.to/3NjSz3l
Beginners metal detectors i recommend
Minelab X-Terra Pro Metal Detector amzn.to/3BRoP9J
Nokta Makro Simplex ± metal detector amzn.to/3WsxKIg
Filming equipment that i use
Sony Alpha ZV-E10 | APS-C Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Vlog Camera
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Sony E 11 mm F1.8 | APS-C Wide Angle Prime Lens (SEL11F18)
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Zhiyun Crane M3 Gimbal 3-Axis Handheld Stabilizer
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GoPro HERO 9 Black amzn.to/3xobLpJ
DSLR Microphone amzn.to/3mFgfTT
Heavy Duty Video Tripod with Video Fluid Head,
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SOONSUN Dome Port for GoPro Hero 10 Hero 9 Black amzn.to/3xjtuia
I use this scanner to keep my sprinter running and on the road
iCarsoft Professional Multi-System Auto Diagnostic Tool
amzn.to/3Ly6JgQ
US amzn.to/32IPAPj
here's a link to my woodstove (affiliate link)
cubicminiwoodstoves.com/colle...
Revolution outside Laundry Locations
www.revolution-laundry.com/ou...
#vanlife #bigvansmallworld #rvlife #melsvanlife #melsvanworld #vanlifeuk - Навчання та стиль
So looking forward to how Dragonfly is going to progress!. 😊 ☯️
Thank you 🙏
Top van 😎
Hi Mel congratulations on your new project
Thank you! 😊
Got yourself a ready made a dome hole!
Good man, im restoring a Mk1 Mercedes vito.
Mercedes Engines just keep going and going. Vario is one of the best Design vans Mercedes ever made.
They Remind me of DHL drivers driving with the doors open living the dream. 👍🙌
Couldn't agree more!👍😊👍
7:49 looks like a yellow submarine 😅
No rust 🎉 are the best two words, but we're taking no chances with these Mercedes beast. Have fun with the renovation. We look forward to the next video. 👍
Thank you 🙏
leave a quarter of the bulkhead in and attach your woodstove to it ona shelf that you can weld in place
Great motor these 814s drove many of them in minibus variant over the years absolutely bullet proof.
Thanks for the confidence boost really appreciated 👍🤓👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld one occasional fault can be the compressor for the brakes. This can be fixed easily by bolting on a slave electrical compressor to feed air brakes. As if that goes its an engine out repair. Fingers crossed that is OK on yours.
Cant wait to see this creation to completion 😍
Thank you 😊
Mel youcould put unslung tanks before the floor ! Just a thought.
This will make a fantastic camper or a home for you and I love the old Mercedes.
Im still undecided whether I’m doing the right thing or not 😬
Looking forward to seeing wot you mite plan for your big Hole in the roof mel. I think a nice glass Dome. Or sumut mel
We shall see
My dream van love these
This is literally what i need - a place dry under cover to work from, clean all underneath, treat , paint & waxoil, along with weld new sills both sides & bits & bobs...finding somewhere & where i can do the dirty work, but pay for help with welding & lil jobs that need doing, bonnet catch, windscreen water pump, door handle...is been sooooo hard to find in the midlands !!
Send me an email
Really looking forward this this build. Your previous vans were no where near as big, so your potential for your new home is "huge" , and without the usual weight restrictions for your build. All the very best.
Thank you 😊
Hi Mel looking forward to this Project this is going to be a good one be safe
It sure is 🤞
Good basis for your van and stating with the floor up will give you peace of mind Mel 👍🏻looking forward to watching this project
🏴👍🏻
Thank you 😊
loving the wiggle Becky, girl after my own heart.😁
Lol 👍
_NICE ONE!_ Got my '98 - 614 bus in bits right now. Lots of welding in a damp drafty barn. Hardest part is finding motivation!
You can do it 👍🤓👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld Spent the afternoon under there grinding welds ... . . _NICE!_
Major-league jealous of yours, make sure to get some good quality clear wax all over it before venturing out and it'll last forever. Don't trust that factory underseal - it is rubbish, mine had rotted away behind that crap where the water had been creeping in and remaining. Their seam sealer is dreadful too. Especially where the front wings connect to the inner panels. Inject wax in from the roof gutters down into the scuttle and wings etc. _CHEERS!_
Cracking van that Mel...
Thank you 😊
Love the new Vario, hardly any rot for its age, especicompared to that other cherry picker you looked at. Rotten as an apple. I totally agree, when it comes to vehicles. Old simpler tech, combined with low miles. I stopped working on vans upto 7.5t when they became like bloody starships. The K.I.S.S. principle, Keep It Simple Stupid, cant go wrong, easy to diagnose, simpler to repair, less to go wrong!
Good to see how happy you are with your new home project. Crack on
Thanks 👍
You lucky bunny Mel , that 814 is definitely the best vehicle possible to turn into the home of your dreams , well done you , looking forward to watching the build
Thanks 👍
It looks like a nice square box. Where I grew up they had loads of these with high tops on the local bus routes.
A great find Mal. This is going to be fun to watch. Take care.👋
Thank you 😊
I has a 308d mercdes luton. There built proof .strong metal bot like the sprinters now rust
Good stuff Mel, exciting times! New van build, can't beat it.
So glad you are back doing a build.I watched all your Sprinter vids from when you bought it an auction.That inspired me to do a self build conversion on an LWB Sprinter.ONWARDS and upwards make it amazing Mel I am sure you will
That is awesome thank you for letting me know I’ll do my best with the vario 👍😊👍
Looks fabulous. Carnt wait to see you doing all up mel. Be save stay save.
Thank you, I will
If you keep the same size tires, it looks as though you could reduce the size of that wheel well considerably.
Yeah but I want to keep the van as standard as I possibly can
Hi Mel, good work as ever, apologies if youve already explained but is this van conversion for your personal use, as you often say you'd like a larger van when Mary expires etc.
Also the ' Crane ring'/aperture/ hole in the roof is crying out for a novelty addition. I suggest a periscope, so when your parked up you can check out the neighbours etc.....
Up periscope!
I was thinking something similar! May a clear conning tower hatch to access the roof and scout for u boats !
Haha that’s brilliant 😂👍
Ok now you're talking !! . something to actually get excited about !! great project . great van . potentially iconic conversions if you do it right . I'm already hooked
Thank you we will do our best 👍
Maybe best to have etch primed the floor members and then gave a coat of chassis paint, and under seal as well as spraying wax oil into the chassis legs etc. Really great condition! Think you could’ve ground back that circular aperture back an inch or two to keep it sane depth as cross beam?
I was thinking the exact same thing. I would go to town on the chassis while he has the floor up. And agree with your comment on the round roof. Just take it down a bit. 👍
Don’t worry I’m on it 😊👍
Looking Good so far, tidy van 👍🚐🐕👊
Thanks 👍
Exciting times ahead. Ideas, bulkhead might be suitable to use as shower walls. Also you can often get free steel from motorcycle shops, the shipping cases bikes come on. Looking forward to your build videos.
Thanks for the info that’s awesome
Awesome video my darling - you've worked your socks off since she first arrived xx
Thank you my love 😍
Wow Mel, that van looks great. Looks like you've got a really good van there. I agree with your idea of buying the older simpler vehicle. In fact I am actually quite jealous. I wish it was my project.
Yeah I’m over all that tech stuff right now I’m going back to old school 👍🤓👍
👍👍👍👍
Golden rule of Curust or any other rust converter. Don't dip the brush in the bottle, you'll introduce rust to the bottle and when you go back to it, the whole bottle will be off. Pour a little into a plastic container and work from that instead.
Also, get a guard on your grinder 😅
Don’t worry I used 3 bottles in one day lol
@@BigVanSmallWorld nice one. Once saw someone dipping their brush in a 5L bottle of it 😳
Oh, meant to say, if you get another roll of welding wire and don't do a lot of welding. Give it a good spray of silicon. It stops the rust on it but, just burns off when you welding, also stops wear on the liner.
It's nice to see you both happy, enjoy your new to you van.❤
Thank you! 😃
New van build. Exciting times ahead
Thank you 😊
Looking forward to this series
Thank you for the encouragement 👍🤓👍
Mel you look happy as a pig in you now what, I know that feeling! looking forward to the build! Good luck👍
Thanks 👍
Good start Mel looking forward to next week already 👍
Thank you 🙏
id say you had a good deal there mel better than the deal that was on the table in merthyr well done
Shame I can’t post some pics here of my friends Vario cherry picker he converted. You would live it
That’s is a shame 👍
Phenolic plywood - Fen oh lick (buffalo board, wizza ply, hex board) without doubt the most indestructible of all ply ever
I got some on order 👍😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld The best and the most expensive!! 👍😀
That is an awesome project. Once I do the rehabilitation of our abandoned farm in Spain, doing a project like this one will be my next priority. Can I ask which year is this old lady? Will be following closely the project :)
Sounds great! It’s 2005
Truly looks amazing and so worth the find bud so happy for you ❤ love to have one but I need to get a 7.5ton license tho :( looks amazing bud look forward one day to see this at a show ❤
Shame you can’t get a round sky light to go through the circle hole at the top that be soo cool :)
Brill mel , zink undercoat then paint black will never rust then treat with lanugaurd every year👍👍
Thank you 😊
Mel if you are going to use unistrut on the roof , they do a shallow version about half the depth . Good luck with this new venture.
Thank you 😊
Brilliant Mel looking forward to this always enjoy your builds. And it looks like your in your element mate
Thank you! Cheers!👍
Awesome vid as usual. Be awesome if you could make the ring into a sky light.
Loving the vibes, you both looked so pleased, happy for you mate 😊
Thank you 😊
Great video Mel thank you keep them coming
Thank you! Will do 👍🤓
You should make the circle area a feature ie a circular L.E.D light 😁👍
Cool idea!
Thought you might like the idea 😁👍 rather than covering it over etc… may as well make use of it as part of the interior lighting 👍
Well good I use to drive one of those new back in the days for a waste paper company wish I had it now I will look forward to you converting the van
WORTHWHILE FIX & BUILD WITH PLENITY OF CONTENT AHEAD . THE METAL WORK & WEILDING CAD CARDBOARD TEC
Thank you 😊
Everything i use in my camper van you will find here in my Amazon Store www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvanworld
Camper van build parts list
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvanworld
Beck's Channel www.youtube.com/@SACREDTRAVELLER
Great video as always
Appreciate that
Good start Mel, I remember the wheel arches on my 814 were rotten all the way round but after a little playing and welding everything was tickty boo!👍
Nice work 👍
That's a nice solid example, should make a great camper mate. Looking forward to following along with this one. With regards to the hole in the roof, I would cut it out and place an air vent or roof hatch.
Thanks 👍
Nice one Mel, looking forward to this build, you've definitely got yourself a beauty 👍
Thanks 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld Just seen your members only,. It prompted me to unsubscribe. 🤣
Great rig, subbed!
Thanks for the sub! Really appreciate your support 👍🤓👍
Love a van build
Thank you 😊
Re subbed Mel , love your build vids , especially on an old bus like this . Great vans if I remember with tons of space . first job is chuck that tacho away , I am sure you have seen enough of those 😉
Thanks for the sub! Really appreciated the tacko is part of the Speedo so has to stay
Great stuff Mel,
When planning the layout,make sure to plan where the Cubic mini is going and build around that Ha ha 😂😂
Oh definitely got to have the cubic mini stove in there 👍😊👍
Yep the new micro camper is coming along nicely,are you sure you going to have enough room in there 😂😂
HI ,just a thought when you edit your video maybe not put music playing while you are talking , going to be a great van when done well done on your purchase
It’s because of the inconsiderate people in the barn paying music that I have to overlay with copyright free music to mask over it. We have tried to ask them not to play music but our request lead to arguments
Van's in great condition compared to that one you went to see jn Wales - just a thought , have you looked at the final drive ratio ? These utility trucks often had a lower ratio diff fitted which is fine for local stuff but not so hot on the motorway.
That’s a great point I haven’t actually driven it yet but I’m sure it will be fine and it’s something I can change in the future if need be 👍😊👍
This is gonna be an awesome build,it's gonna be a small apartment on wheels 😁👌👊
Hope so!👍
Another ace video Mel, I always put my rust treatment in a separate tub when I'm using it an never dip into the original tub it messes it up, not a fan of the gel I think it's rubbish tbh, keep up the good work looking forward to this build 💪🏻
Thank you and don’t worry I used all the tub in one day 👍
Well impressed. Not sure how old those brake pads are so be mindful of the chrysotile asbestos just in case. Wear a good mask when changing maybe wet them up? No idea not an expert 😊
Great point! Thanks
Hi Mel: Really looking forward to watching over your videos with your newly purchased Vario. I'd be interested to see what fixtures you will use for fixing down your plywood flooring. Have you taken thought to actually implement a center door in the dividing panel behind your seating as opposed to cutting it completely out. If you cut it out completely I think you mite regret it later because most Vario owners end up building a partition wall like I will be doing. Its just a thought for you. enjoy buddy Steve from Manchester.
Thank you 😊
4:30 mins into this might want to get them inners tyres checked, as starting to crack, unless this has already been highlighted in another video!!!🤔
I’ll be replacing all the tyres
Great start Mel! Your due diligence on the purchase has paid dividends. Whats the plan on the rust in the lower panels areas?
Tie up those hoodie tapes or cut them off before one of them raps itself around that angle grinder....... sorry, i couldnt not see it !🤪
Oh mate you are not wrong Bex is always telling me off for that 😜
Oh good, another van build project. I am excited and looking forward to following this one. Promise me you won't cover every flat surface in 4 way stretch or T&G 🤮
I’m not promising anything 😂👍
Watch out for the lowish roof height in the Vario, you don't have much height to play with!
Will watch with great interest!
👍🏴
Thanks for the tips!
Do a history check are you selling the sprinter Mel I have actually been on a vario mini bus which wasn't very nice be very careful of the reeves ger it crunches some times
1st!
Love ya Mel
Love you too 😊👍
Looks in good fettle tin worn an issue on some Vario`s . any idea what they do to the gallon in real life?
I have no idea 🤷♂️ but I’m sure I’m going to find out 👍
Hey Mel quick question not about the vario but about eco flow delta 2 is the 1800 one powerful enough to change a 625 wh ebike battery or would I need to plug an inverter into it
Thanks
I don’t know 🤷♂️
Great video mel 👈 Would the van have had a wood floor from new ?
Thank you and yes that’s how they are made 👍
Hey Mel great video like allways and quick question lol is that new to you van going to be your new home or is it just a project keep up the good work
Yeah hew home 👍
Mary's plotting her revenge...
What could it be next 😂
Lol 😂
R you keeping them little window s mel from the Bulkhead mel .
No there be coming out 👍
I came to the comments to say that ring is crying our for a gigantic skylight or something.
Oh it’s getting one 👍😊👍
What MOT class is your Vario please? Great videos 👍🏻👍🏻
HGV at the moment
Vans in great condition but i wonder what the fuel consumption will be with that engine.
I’m not worried about fuel as I don’t travel much
So how did you come about finding this vario?
The previous owner reached out to me
Mel am i right in thinking that the Varios didn't have metal structural floors from new but instead plywood floors?
Correct
No A-team music for the welding?
:)
lol
Mpg. Is the problem with that yolk it will rob you
I’d rather have bad MPG than pay rent 👍
looks like a peach of a vehicle . how much did you pay for it ?
Will you be going with a bigger fire in this build mel and will you be putting a shower in now you have the room for it?
Yes and most definitely 👍
I NEED the colour code off this van Mel ??
Me too
@@BigVanSmallWorld 😅
Please don’t jack up under a spring. This can cause problems and/or failure due to stress fracturing.
Oh really i didn’t know that thank you 😊
Just had another thought, especially when recent videos have converters ADDING a bulk head .... you mentioned removing yours from your latest beast, but why not try leaving it in place but cutting a door so you still have a walk through. Much safer protection from possible flying objects.
That’s a good point
We think you're doing a great job on the van and really enjoy your videos, but please don't play music whilst you're talking, we can't make out what you're saying as the music is louder than you.❤❤❤
Sorry about that the problem is people playing music in the barn so I have to mask it over by playing music that’s not copyrighted
@@BigVanSmallWorld all is forgiven 😂❤️🚐
Mel, as far as i know on vehicles, over 3.5t pads and disc must be replaced together. e.g. if you would take your truck into any garage, they will refuse to replace pads without discs.
Sorry but that's not true.
@Mike_Shaw depending on manufacture, the break discs last approx. 50k miles. The break pads up to 70k miles. So if you put new pads on old break disc chances, are you end up with cracked disc on the side of the road.
I’m just doing what I can to make it road worthy at the moment and get it through an MOT so I can actually drive it and then decide how much money I want to put into it or if it’s worth it or even if I like driving it. If I decide to go all in i will probably end up changing all the brakes including the callipers
Is it euro 6 ? If not a total waste of time to many clean air zones and ulez about cost you £100 a day
Haha it’s HGV so don’t matter 😅👍
Yeh not ulez but Lez then
looking good mel
your background music is way too loud its not good for deaf people like me with aids in
really sorry about this, but sadly we are having to put music like this over our videos from now on - due to music being played at the workshop...apologies! Hope you can use the subtitles as well to help?