Newby on an LT31 - some questions

[Funkateer Dave]

Hi All,

I've just bought a 1984 WV LT31 church minibus that I aim to convert into a camper - I'm brand new to it and (according to people who know much more about these things than I do) I've already made a couple of errors: i) I paid too much for the bus (I thought it was a bargain at £1600 with a genuine 34k, but apparently I could've got one a lot cheaper), and ii) I've bought a cast iron wood-burner that weighs a tonne (I may sell it on and go for a gas-bottle burner as the van is only a 2ltr petrol).

Anyway, I have a few questions:
Are there any wild site on the Isle of White?
Will it be cheaper to insure (hence re-register) the bus as a panel van or a camper van?
Has anyone seen an LT31 with a bed above the driver's cab?
If I go with a wood-burner, does anyone know of a simple water-heating system I could put around the flue?

Any help much appreciated.

Best,

Dave.

 

[ellisboy]

Hello Dave ! before you start any work on your van,take a look at the sbmcc forum. It's
£15 well worth spending. Regards Stephen.

 

[Deleted member 3011]

and ii) I've bought a cast iron wood-burner that weighs a tonne (I may sell it on and go for a gas-bottle burner

with either of these heaters, you need to be dead sure all the combustion gases end up outside. If you are not dead sure, you will be dead for sure.

 

[jogguk]

Are you sure it is a 2.0L petrol? I thought a 1984 should be the 2.4L 6 cyl engine my old '84 LT was, look at this engine hump does yours look like this? the older 2L hump is much bigger.

You can get the proper under-slung LT van water and waste tanks from CAK tanks (google them). Different from standard plastic tanks as they have a moulded in diagonal channel to accommodate the handbrake cable (both tanks fit along drivers side.)

Do not see why a bed in the roof should not work. I had this arangement in a LWB hi- top Bedford CF van, my wife struggled to get up to it though, had to stand on the sink unit! Only about 2 foot of headroom so don't sit up quick in the morming. I found it a good layout but disliked no windows to look out of.

John

 

[vwalan]

hi are you sure its a 84 .on an x plate that doesnt sound right . but a 2litre petrol isnt too bad uses the old audi 100 lump. think its really an 82. you maybe will never need another engine they were great those engines . also used in the porsche . but dont buy porsche bits . very expensive. hard to say if you paid too much . ,very low mileage but seems alot . is the condition very good . prices are all over the place these days . in germany they did use the 4 cyl lump for longer than the uk spec vehicles . enjoy it use it. cheers alan.

 

[vwalan]

hi are you sure its a 84 .on an x plate that doesnt sound right . but a 2litre petrol isnt too bad uses the old audi 100 lump. think its really an 82. you maybe will never need another engine they were great those engines . also used in the porsche . but dont buy porsche bits . very expensive. hard to say if you paid too much . ,very low mileage but seems alot . is the condition very good . prices are all over the place these days . in germany they did use the 4 cyl lump for longer than the uk spec vehicles . enjoy it use it. cheers alan.
ps .it does have the early bumper ,they finished in11/82. maybe tell us the chassis number . i can work it out from that.