Introduction + pics of my camper conversion

[APvanMan]

Hi awesome Delica owners! I've been on here for a few months and am just now getting around to posting an introduction. I've already used this forum a ton as I've been working on my van and converting it to a camper van. I am from South-Eastern PA. But I've also had the van stationed in South-Central KY for this summer, when I was living there.

I bought my Delica in December 2018 from a friend of a friend in Vancouver B.C., with the plan of converting it into a camper van. The plan was to travel the US for several months with my wife, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and exploring the country. I worked on the van conversion for about a month this summer and we left on our trip in August. We've been all the way up the east coast, into Maine, and are currently in Wisconsin and heading west (planning to make it all the way to the coast).

So far I've had a seized front brake caliber, after which I replaced the front brakes, rotors, and brake lines. A couple weeks ago, I overheated and ended up discovering I had a cracked cylinder head. So I ended up replacing that, the gaskets, and the water pump, oil filter, oil and coolant. The more I dig into this rig, the more I love it and love working on it, but am also frustrated with finding parts. However this forum has been super helpful in trouble shooting issues, finding parts, etc. So thank you all!

Here are some pictures of my Delica. I did not add much to the exterior other than:
- Eight gallon water tank made from PVC 6" PVC pipe
- Had the front bumper powder-coated

However, on the interior, the van was pretty much stock when I bought it. I made everything from scratch in my uncle's wood shop (except the cushions which were made by a local furniture shop). Things that I added:
- Removed rear seats and installed wood floor (1/2" oak grain plywood - stained and varnished)
- Couch that slides over to become a bed. With slide-out kitchen in the back and 2' x 2' sliding drawer in the front
- Slide-out kitchen: removable Corian countertop with removable sink insert and insert spot for propane camp stove.
- 10" x 4' cabinet with bypass sliding doors and shelves in front and live-edge wood counter top
- Small cabinets above countertop with hinged doors
- Cabinet box with auxiliary battery, connected to starter batteries through isolation solenoid. Auxiliary battery runs to fuse box, which is connected to the inverter
- Custom wooden flower box on front dash with live-edge front
- Curtains over all windows

 

[APvanMan]

The rest of the pics!

 

[Growlerbearnz]

Wow! That's an awesome fitout! I especially like the slide-out kitchen with extra bonus drawer. Very Alien. ;-)

I like how you've taken "we don't need no stinking airbags" to the next level: actual honest to god cactus and spiky succulents on the dashboard. Drive carefully, or else!

 

[bikerjosh]

Nice job, love that slide out stove and bonus drawer. Great skills.

 

[jpmustblaze]

Good work!

 

[detroadster]

Totally cool! That succulent planter is outrageous. I absolutely love it. Cool idea with the PVC pipe water storage!

 

[Vamily Man]

My wife is diggin the succulents! She’s a huge fan of them. Nice conversion, real clean I like that.

 

[bikerjosh]

Quick question, where did you get that light bar mount? Pretty sano and lower profile, than my old standard of Yakima 1A towers, cross bar and bar mounts.

 

[APvanMan]

I got them from Vanagonlife.com. He’s a guy who designs and makes all kinds of custom stuff for VW’s. he designs these specifically for a Delica. They’re listed on his website. Kind of pricey but super high quality, easy install, and a perfect fit.

Delica Light Bar Brackets — VANAGONLIFE

Born in the Pacific Northwest, these CNC laser-cut, formed and TIG welded for precision fit, and finished in a black wrinkle powder coat. 100% designed and built in the USA. Fully adjustable and absolutely no drilling into any part of your beloved van is needed! Offered for a 50" s

www.vanagonlife.com

 

[bikerjosh]

Thanks @APvanMan , they are very cool, spendy, but cool.
Where did you end up running the wire for power through into the van? Thanks

 

[sk66]

How's the stove plumbed in?
I bought a Coleman Triton to replace my oversized/overpowered stove, but I haven't yet figured out how I'm going to connect it to a larger remote tank.

 

[APvanMan]

Thanks @APvanMan , they are very cool, spendy, but cool.
Where did you end up running the wire for power through into the van? Thanks

I removed the panel where the bar is attached to right inside the passenger door. I ran the wire back along that panel and down inside where the seat belt is attached down to where my auxillery battery is. It worked out OK, but it was kind of tough to fish the wire through.

How's the stove plumbed in?
I bought a Coleman Triton to replace my oversized/overpowered stove, but I haven't yet figured out how I'm going to connect it to a larger remote tank.

I just run the stove off of the quart propane cans. It would be nice to have a bigger tank somewhere, but I didn't want to worry about running the line and housing a larger tank.

 

[sk66]

I just run the stove off of the quart propane cans. It would be nice to have a bigger tank somewhere, but I didn't want to worry about running the line and housing a larger tank.

So that's just the storage location?
You showed it set up, so I thought maybe it was plumbed in/working there. I suppose you could drill an access hole in the drawer front for the regulator... let the small bottle hang or set it in the sub drawer. Probably have to move the handle, or make the drawer pull an oval slot instead.

 

[APvanMan]

Yes it's the storage location, but I just have to pull it front an inch or two to screw in the fuel inlet. Then I just open the sub drawer and set the quart-sized propane bottle in there while I cook. It works pretty well.

 

[John papa]

Again...Wow, what a super sweet build out.... Wow. so nice.!!! How did you connect the high cabinet over the counter top?? I like how you kept the head liner. I think you have given me just the ideas and motivation to create a master pice. Although you have set the bar pretty dam high. Got any photos of the install??? Thanks for posting... Lovely, wonderful, delightful... Wow Zee wow wow.

 

[APvanMan]

Again...Wow, what a super sweet build out.... Wow. so nice.!!! How did you connect the high cabinet over the counter top?? I like how you kept the head liner. I think you have given me just the ideas and motivation to create a master pice. Although you have set the bar pretty dam high. Got any photos of the install??? Thanks for posting... Lovely, wonderful, delightful... Wow Zee wow wow.

Sorry for the super slow response! Thanks for the compliments!

I mounted the cabinet above the countertop with two steel L-angle brackets that I welded up. I removed the handle that was attached there and screwed the brackets into the holes that the handle was fastened by. It works pretty well, because that handle is attached to the frame of the van. I'm not putting anything super heavy up there so it's held up pretty well. I thought about putting another bracket closer to the front of the cabinet, but didn't think it was necessary after testing off the initial two brackets.

Here are a few more action shots of the install

 

[APvanMan]

 

[APvanMan]

And a few more...

 

[John papa]

Thank you a bunch... That has set the standard, nice wood working.. My task is to leave the middle seat, create a kitchen in the rear. Make the bed high using the middle seat has a support for the bed. And still be able to sit 4 people in the the rig.Time will tell.

Thanks for taking the time to share with me your ingenuity!!
Best to ya
John

 

[MandyCandyBeth]

Plants in the car!! I love it! I put a succulent bed in my Forrester, tricky in the dessert... When I had the windows down I lost all my soil! I cover the soil with clay now. I am curious how yours will fair on the dash, as mine have shriveled in the window before I made a window cover.