VW Crafter - Campervan Conversion

After spending the last two summers camping (tent) with the kids I made the decision I can't face much more packing away of the gear - mainly the tent. So I purchased a van partly converted to use instead.

However the quality of conversion was appalling to say the least, rusting floor, leaking rooflights, etc but it was cheap (for a VW)

I therefore spent the initial part of the work trying to fix the rust and stripping out the interior.

The brief was no a full on conversion with shower, toilet, kitchen etc but also I didn't want any seats which converted to beds or clever drop down beds, etc. I wanted the beds to be made and no faffing when we got to our destination.
What makes it more challenging is I have four kids and also wanted the ability to bring a guest (kids friend)
So seatbelts for six and sleeping for six, maybe room for a fridge and reasonably cool! My design is the three front seats swivel and an additional row of seat behind with a fold up table. And two king size beds at the rear on two levels. The materials will be carpet to the rear walls and ceiling and birch plywood to the front half of the space. Just completed the window frame which was made from olive ash wood and took ages due to the glass/wall curves.
There will be a solar panel on the roof and the MPPT, DC to DC, leisure battery and associated electrics are located under the passenger seats and diesel heater under the drivers seat.

I'll attach some progress photos.

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Progress 1

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Progress 2

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Quite the project! Looks like you've made a decent start with all the insulation/pannelling. Any full pictures of your base van? I've got a SWB T5.1 conversion, & part of me wishes I did it myself (though I'd never have the time/space to).

Good start! Nice job on the window frame

Its been a lot of hard work but nice now to be doing the nice stuff, I don't think I have apart from the build progress photos.
Nice van yours, I had a 2008 T5 which I owned for 10 years - it insulated and lined it and had the caravelle seats fitted in the rear. It was great and sold it for more than I paid for it after 10 years!

thanks. I am quite pleased with it

Looks like you're making great progress on this. Nice work!

Impressive stuff

thanks everyone, nice to hear some grown up views - my kids are getting a little bored at how long its taking...

Bit more progress

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Bit more progress

Double post

my kids are getting a little bored at how long its taking...

Well you're a damn sight faster than a mate of mine with no kids who's been doing something similar to a van. Very nice details around the windows etc, will be interesting to follow.

Thanks. It’s amazing the time it takes.

Bed decks in and second row of ford torneo being fitted

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Really nice work!

For some reason this came to mind: https://a1props.com/product/morgue-tray-in-wall-slider/

Thanks. They would be great to get some peace from the kids!

Seats and ladder in

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