New conversions- cost

damp brown · 2024-10-14 22:16:59

Hi all, first time posting. Name isn’t “damp brown”, that was an autocorrect when signing up, but it’ll do for now.

I’ve been eyeing up a Mk1 Scudo camper and Mk1 Expert camper, both already converted to a high standard, professionally, with pop top and electrical hook up etc. I’m struggling to get even ballpark estimates out of conversion companies. Has anyone paid to have one of these converted recently or are you all handy enough to DIY!? The alternative is to find a good solid base van and do it myself, very, slowly.

Casper · 2024-10-14 23:15:17

DIY mate. On my third conversion and i have changed the internals around a few times to sort out first trip snagging. I have no electrical skills yet managed to put in 240v hook up, consumer box and plug sockets. Fit solar panels, controller, leisure batteries and split charger. Wire in the full 12v system and gas n water plumbing. Plenty you tube videos and how to guides out there

Last edited by Casper (2024-10-14 23:17:39)

damp brown · 2024-10-15 05:41:38

Casper wrote:

DIY mate. On my third conversion and i have changed the internals around a few times to sort out first trip snagging. I have no electrical skills yet managed to put in 240v hook up, consumer box and plug sockets. Fit solar panels, controller, leisure batteries and split charger. Wire in the full 12v system and gas n water plumbing. Plenty you tube videos and how to guides out there

Thanks, DIY it is then! It will be my first but I’m pretty good at following YouTube videos and I’ve got a very handy mate who wants to convert his VW and he suggested little working parties where we’re working on them together. Next question! I’ve been looking for ages trying to find a van I really love that isn’t £30k and only settled on mk1 Dispatch/Expert/Scudo fairly recently, so I don’t know the market well yet - how often do really good condition, low miles vans come up? There’s a very low mileage, ex police Expert available currently but it’s £5k + vat. Seems a bit steep but also from what I can tell it’s fairly unique.

kenbw2 · 2024-10-16 00:20:33

I'd say it depends on your definition of "really good condition" and "low miles". These engines will run for 200,000 miles but of course they're at best 17 years old and will have the signs to match.

Couple of WAVs just appeared on the forum, they've got really good deals by the looks

£5k seems steep *could* be a good deal if its pros are worth it to you, but it could be a case of trading off risk for a lower price

That said, if you get the 1.9 engines there's very little to go wrong. The 2.0s are good too but a little more complex

Body components are common throughout, but easily dealt with

Watch out for rust. Rust isn't terminal, but can be a cat-and-mouse chase (I speak from personal experience...)

OAT · 2024-10-16 18:56:52

You would be paying £2000+ for a pop top!

damp brown · 2024-10-16 19:40:28

kenbw2 wrote:

I'd say it depends on your definition of "really good condition" and "low miles". These engines will run for 200,000 miles but of course they're at best 17 years old and will have the signs to match.
Couple of WAVs just appeared on the forum, they've got really good deals by the looks
£5k seems steep *could* be a good deal if its pros are worth it to you, but it could be a case of trading off risk for a lower price
That said, if you get the 1.9 engines there's very little to go wrong. The 2.0s are good too but a little more complex
Body components are common throughout, but easily dealt with
Watch out for rust. Rust isn't terminal, but can be a cat-and-mouse chase (I speak from personal experience...)

That one went quickly so I’m guessing it was decent. Just viewed a mk1 Expert this afternoon, something like 25k on it, non turbo, looked mint in the advert but had a look underneath and looked pretty darn rotten. No indication on previous MOTs I should expect that extent of corrosion.

damp brown · 2024-10-16 19:41:33

OAT wrote:

You would be paying £2000+ for a pop top!

Quotes I’ve seen recently are newer £4k! (With fitting). I haven’t shopped about much but would want to go reputable with a pop top.

Pathfinder100 · 2024-11-15 17:52:27

Rust removal is one of those first jobs you have to do. I spent possibly a week doing mine, but never had any issue with corrosion on the MOT's, so obviously worked. But after three years the sills are starting to rust on the edges again. Worst place on my van is the two back pillars. I cleaned them out, but couldn't paint them properly, not even with a can of spray paint. I also didn't remove the back bumper, so no idea what state it is in behind. But almost everything on the underside got two licks of black hammerite. The inside of the van also got a coat as well.

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#1 2024-10-14 22:16:59

New conversions- cost

#2 2024-10-14 23:15:17

Re: New conversions- cost

#3 2024-10-15 05:41:38

Re: New conversions- cost

#4 2024-10-16 00:20:33

Re: New conversions- cost

#5 2024-10-16 18:56:52

Re: New conversions- cost

#6 2024-10-16 19:40:28

Re: New conversions- cost

#7 2024-10-16 19:41:33

Re: New conversions- cost

#8 2024-11-15 17:52:27

Re: New conversions- cost

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