Citroen relay conversion - completed at last- Pic Heavy!

[twosugars]

Thanks Betty, there's nothing like knowing that it's all your own work. If something breaks, you know how it went together and how to fix it! Plus, it's tailor made to your own requirements.

Meanwhile, the "Escape Module" is still evolving. 3 metre long fiamma F45 wind out awning on fiamma Ducato mounting brackets. I did think about the F65 but it would foul the canoe bars on the roof. Didn't bother with the £70 fiamma rain guard that stops rain running down the back of the cassette in in the door.

Bought a length of 2" plastic right angle from b&q (found it in the hardware aisle with the lengths of metal bar and flat steel and ally) and with a bit of sikaflex it drops down behind the cassette and clips in against an extruded aluminium ridge on the back. The other leg of the plastic angle sticks to the van roof. Looks smart and £60 saved.





Woo hoo! Canoeing in glen affric and on loch awe in two weeks! :banana:

 

[twosugars]

Love the map in the kitchen!!

Thanks Sentient, it's a vynyl tablecloth bought off the roll at dunelm mill sprayglued to a ply backing with dark green screwcaps hiding the fixings. I wanted something wipe downable behind the cooker and sink.

 

[caminoman]

windows

Hey twosugars. I've just bought a 2008 relay and have been fretting over whether to buy bonded windows for it. I can't get my head around the cutout for them and whether I'd have to cut through the 7" upright in the middle of the van to fit the long slider. I spoke to Vanpimps today, then saw your post when I got home. Interesting to see your link to their trade site! It's been really interesting to see pics of your conversion and love the more recent photos of your travels too. Any reassurance on window fitting would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[n brown]

just had a proper look at your pics. excellent job with good ideas, lots packed in but a good use of space so still room to sit around . well done !

 

[Dowel]

Like this, lots of good practical ideas nicely done. You deserve to relax and enjoy now.

I really like the map but absence of polar regions would get to me. I know it makes sense in respect to the pattern repeat but can't help it I am just too picky.

 

[Grimola]

Very nice - and excellent use of space, unlike mine which I converted last year (1st ever conversion). I have the older 2005 boxer minibus. and looking back, there are many things I would have done differently (wish I went for a rock n roll bed! )but I was a complete novice with very limited DIY skills so learnt as I went along. I guess it will never be finished as there will always be something I want to add or change. Did you stick to your budget - I seemed to have spent twice as much as originally planned!

 

[twosugars]

Very nice - and excellent use of space, unlike mine which I converted last year (1st ever conversion). I have the older 2005 boxer minibus. and looking back, there are many things I would have done differently (wish I went for a rock n roll bed! )but I was a complete novice with very limited DIY skills so learnt as I went along. I guess it will never be finished as there will always be something I want to add or change. Did you stick to your budget - I seemed to have spent twice as much as originally planned!

I went over budget on a couple of bits, the fiamma awning was one but it was worth it for the shade on a hot day!

I learnt a lot from my first vw transporter conversion but there are still things I look at and add to.

 

[alwaysared]

there's nothing like knowing that it's all your own work. If something breaks, you know how it went together and how to fix it! Plus, it's tailor made to your own requirements.

Couldn't agree more, I wish I had the skills to do one, great conversion by the way.

Regards,
Del

 

[twosugars]

Hey twosugars. I've just bought a 2008 relay and have been fretting over whether to buy bonded windows for it. I can't get my head around the cutout for them and whether I'd have to cut through the 7" upright in the middle of the van to fit the long slider. I spoke to Vanpimps today, then saw your post when I got home. Interesting to see your link to their trade site! It's been really interesting to see pics of your conversion and love the more recent photos of your travels too. Any reassurance on window fitting would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Cutting the window holes was nerve wracking! Cover the whole panel in masking tape on the outside to give you something to mark out the pattern on. I bought a pair of draper hand panel nibblers online for about £18. Hard on the hands, but much easier to control than a disc cutter which can heat and warp the panel. The instructions which came with my windows were spot on, but the instructions here are just as good.

Installation Advice (windows)

The Glazers suction handles are an absolute godsend when it comes to offering up the window and stops you getting covered in the black sealant. Also, the sealant is much thicker than silicone sealant. Make sure your sealant gun is strong enough to squeeze it out. My cheepo b&q gun snapped. Maybe warming the tubes in warm water might help?

A couple of days after I'd fitted the window and the glue had fully cured, went round the top and sides outside with a thin bead of clear silicon sealant to stop any rain running down and sitting on top of the black glue/sealant behind the glass. Probably not essential, but I'm happier with it.

If you have any black sealant over, it is brilliant for glueing timber battens to the inside of the roof to support your roof lining and celutex insulation!

Hope this helps!

Chris

 

[n brown]

as someone with an aversion to tools that are driven by hand ie nibblers, disc cutters using 1mm blades don't get hot enough to distort metal, or you can use a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. if you use either of these , cover all nearby paintwork and glass in cardboard or cloth to protect from hot swarf. also if using a jigsaw wear a scarf to stop the red hot particles tattooing your chest and neck

 

[twosugars]

With my shaky hands they don't let me play with power tools!

 

[1888]

as someone with an aversion to tools that are driven by hand ie nibblers, disc cutters using 1mm blades don't get hot enough to distort metal, or you can use a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. if you use either of these , cover all nearby paintwork and glass in cardboard or cloth to protect from hot swarf. also if using a jigsaw wear a scarf to stop the red hot particles tattooing your chest and neck

Prefer the jig saw myself. Never used nibblers but this was my attempt with a disk. See bottom right and top. Much better control with a jig saw. I was using boat windows so had a large lip to cover that mess. This time round i am covering over rather than cutting out what should be more straight forward though.
I am ordering a welder come Friday and going to teach myself a new skill. Should be a laugh if not anything else