Vlog 1: Introduction to my Toyota Proace camper conversion build (Peugeot Expert / Citroen Dispatch)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ย. 2017
- Welcome to my attempt at a DIY campervan conversion, taking a Toyota Proace panel van as the base. This series of videos will document my no doubt chaotic attempt to self-build it into a luxury mobile RV albeit on a tiny scale.
If you liked the video and wish to leave me a tip, thank you!
www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns
Web www.vandemonium.co.uk
Twitter / vandemoniumuk
Watch Cruising The Cut at / @cruisingthecut - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
This was six years ago? As someone who enjoyed cruising the cut, I never knew this existed. At least I can binge all the videos now
Haha welcome to this channel 😀
Here we go he's fooled me into watching a van now lol
good stuff
Exactly.
Well that's bloody great just gearing up for a narrowboat now I have to get a camper van 😆😉👍subscribed.
I'm thinking about packing up here in New Zealand and getting a narrowboat
Well we're so pleased to be here for your very first video, instead of playing two years of catch-up. :) Can't wait to see what you transform your van into, David!
Haha, welcome! Oh my, everyone seems so excited by this and I just hope my funny little camper conversion isn't a total disaster :-(
Just finished binge watching Cruising the cut and now to start here....
This will be fun! Thanks for the invite to watch!
Fun - or a disaster!
FINALLY hopping over from 'Cruising the Cut!' Following your escapades up to the present time should be fun! 😎
Welcome along!
@@Vandemonium 😎
So pleased to find your channels and thank you for numbering your videos, it makes it so much easier to binge watch
Just came over from Cruising The Cut....which I have been binge watching for several weeks now and fear I will run out of videos (I gasp in horror at that thought and have slowed my binging purely to savor longer!). Having discovered this channel, I can now say with certainty, next to, (or possibly more than!) Tony Robinson, I will binge watch any video you make apparently! It's your voice, your humor, your expressions....the realness...the calmness of your voice! So here I am...binge watching about something I had no idea I was interested in! THANK YOU!!!
Haha thank you 😀
Just came from cruising the cut channel
It’s going to be so interesting watching the van change from a work vehicle to a holiday home on wheels. Thank you for sharing your van conversion with us.
Haha, it's a "what not to do" guide :-)
So kind of a tutorial then..... :-)
Ha!
Have got my tea and biscuits and all set to go good luck with the van
Good plan
Loved "Cruising the Cut" so really glad to see you've started a new series. I'm planning on getting a van conversion soon so this is ideal.
Haha cheers but not "new"; this was four years ago 🤣👍😀
Thank You for the effort filming all this things!
Congrats on the new wheels! Can't wait to see your plans for it.
Hmm, now where could I learn all about 3D computer-aided design modelling?? ;-) ;-)
Just subscribed . Never knew till you said it on your other channel. I can see why you were a reporter. You do a very good job. Love how you didnt have any knowledge of either topics but you did a lot of research and dive in and are not afraid to do it and show us. The good and not so good. Very well done sir.
Thank you
Great news David! I am slightly obsessed with camper van conversion channels and have followed you on CC for years, so you've just made my day :-)
I'm obsessed with them too (though many of them are utterly terrible!); thanks for tuning in.
Just like Cruising the Cut, I admire the quality of the video and sound on this vlog.
A great sized van for a first conversion. I bought an earlier Australian Toyota HiAce van when I first left secure employment to work as a Geologist. My conversion was very basic with a platform bed with storage under and a very simple 12V wiring addition to run my little Waeco electric freezer. Being in Australia, insulation was not a priority for me although it would have been useful at times.
The High Ace was an unbelievably useful vehicle to own and it doubled as a normal van about town much of the time. I sold it to the local bike shop earlier this year and I've repurposed much of the woodwork as homes for my bees.
Good luck with it all.
Thank you; that is encouraging. I suspect mine will be along similar lines.
That looks brilliant, really looking forward to see this develop!
Thank you :-)
I am all current on CTC so now I must get more of my David fix on Vandemonium...I really enjoy the way he narrate/tells a story as we share a small bit of his day!
Oh goody, more interesting vlogs! Having followed you on Cruising The Cut since episode one, I'm looking forward to watching your new adventures! 😀
Hello there! Welcome to the new channel :-)
Wahey!!! :) I love that you've got yourself a Proace. Our first Mazda Bongo broke down the day we packed it to go on our Summer holiday, so we ended up hiring one exactly like yours to secretly camp in it for a week in Wales a couple of years ago. Although it wasn't kitted out (yes, it got a bit damp in there), we loved how reliable it was, enough space and two sliding doors.
Sadly when we got back, we started looking to buy one and they were rather dear in 2015 and the HiAces were too old for me to trust them. I would never buy an import again (not many know how to fix them) so we ended up going for a cheaper vito instead which we love. I'd much rather have a good commercial van to convert than pay over the odds for a camper.
Wahey indeed!! Thanks for that, it's reassuring to hear from someone who's actually used one even if not converted. I'm getting a bit worried about it already as the headroom is so limited - I knew that when I bought it of course - that it leaves little space for any depth of insulation. But heck, as long as I cover "some" of the walls and most of the ceiling I reckon that's better than nothing.
I received the bonded windows for the sides today and my new cordless jigsaw. Now I just have the absolutely terrifying prospect of cutting out the holes. At least I'm only doing the doors, so I can get a replacement if I cock it up!
You're braver than us!!! Will look forward to seeing that video. We need to buy some for the back sections but just as fake windows as when we pulled up the ply floor, we accidentally dented the back parts (where windows would go). I'm worried about not having the strength to do it and would need to buy those glass suction holders.
A low roof doesn't bother me that much but I'm 5"4 - it does my fiance though who's 6ft. We have been talking about getting a pop top since we bought ours, but what puts me off is finding someone reputable and affordable. I've heard a lot of stories about leaking on rainy days but you could always buy a changing toilet tent (although not great in windy conditions) or a side awning for campsites.
Looking forward to how it goes! :)
Having dented them, that sounds like an ideal excuse to cut them out! Yes, I'll be buying window sucker things, you can borrow, I'm only down the road from you ;-) 5'4" is a very sensible height for a campervan. And the poptops are absurdly costly.
Just cruised over from the cut
Welcome!
Me too
How wonderful!! This is going to be fun watching you convert to a camper van. Can't wait.
It may be a triumph! It may also be a disaster. Either way it should make for good viewing :-)
Finally made it came over from Cruising the Cut looking forward to this series
Looks like a great excuse to buy more tools. Have fun. Looking forward to seeing the plans.
You're dead right - I'm using it as a massive excuse to buy power Things!!
This came up in my daily feed, David, had never seen this one! Awesome as usual. So this is where it all began.... Cheers.
TH-cam is so random sometimes!
Very much looking forward to this series of vlogs just as much as your boating vlogs.
Crikey, no pressure then :-)
This sounds super exciting. I can't wait to see what colors you choose for the upholstery. (upholstery is one of my favorite hobbies)
Haha, probably a nice blue maybe, to match the boat?
Good luck with the project and welcome to one of the most practical lifestyles on the planet :-)
Thanks Rick! You wouldn't believe how many people have told me I must watch your channel (I already watched a lot of them)
I had no idea you had this channel. Just found out through your recent Merry Christmas video on Cruising the Cut. Very excited to see your adventures in 2020 on both channels!
Same! Feeling fortunate this evening!
This is happening. I'm excited to watch this new channel of yours!
Thanks Julie!
As long as you keep the narrowboat, i do like the way you do your vlogs.
David, very much looking forward to this additional adventure you're on!
So am I!!
A follower from across the pond. I have enjoyed the Cruising the Cut since the beginning. Good luck with your build.
Thank you :-)
Just wonderful. My previous dream plans were about camper vans, then I discovered your channel and you got me hooked into narrow boats, and now you're starting with camper vans. I'm confused now, will need to sort out my fantasies* :D
* humor!
I say, steady on....
Subscribed immediately knowing full well that between this vlog and the Cut I may never sleep again. Good thing I'm retired! Looking forward to it all, David. I know at this point the van is long finished but it's just easier to type in the present.
How.d just came over from cruising the cut can't wait to see what you have done when you're not on the water I'm hoping it will be as exciting as cruising the canals great Channel cruising the cut
Did a shagadelic conversion in 82 on a 79 GMC long wheelbase panel van. Found full size templates back then. Cut in picture windows and roof vent, flat packs not invented yet. Good Luck and enjoy.
Thanks
Have a good long chat with Country House Gent before you make too many mistakes with your van. Kevin lived in and fully re-built a T3 Volkswagen camper van immediately prior to going for a new life afloat. I have been with you since day 1 on cruising the cut and now here I am again! You can't get rid of me.!
Hello!! Thanks for hanging around.
I love the name Vandemonium! I am looking forward to watching you transform the van.
It involves cutting holes in the metal! It's terrifying....
Holy shit. I've been following you for a while now and this is the first time I've heard of this channel!! I'm so late!
Welcome along! :-)
It's funny, because I started watching boating vlogs to get ideas for when I rebuilt the interior of my camper van. One thing leads to another.
Now it's come full circle.
Looking forward to watching your progress. :)
I find the camper / caravan world is much more advanced than on boats. Simple things like windows with built-in blinds and insect nets, you just don't see those on boats!
The most adventurous I got was cutting a hole in the roof to install a pop up vent. I decided not to install windows because of budget restrictions. I'd rather spend the money on another auxiliary battery and a tiny 50lt 2 way fridge/freezer.
Parts for self builds are so expensive here in Oz. :(
Same here - especially those fridges :-(
I chose an upright fridge, rather than an engel or waeco which have lids. That way I can keep and use my camp stove on top. Using a non skid mat underneath, it doesn't move at all. I did a half loop of Australia this year, and even over rough dirt roads, it stayed in place.
Good system!
have to follow you in this.Have followed your crusing the cut videos so....why not.You make intresting videos ,so i look forward to see this
Thank you
So you have already dominated the narrow boat genre now your gonna bring your informative and visually appealing videos over to camper van channels "Damnit all". Looking forward to the new channel & videos.
Haha, let's see how it goes :-)
David, didn’t have a clue about this channel. Awesome. Means I got more to watch 😊
Entertaining, interesting, and informative. Using your broadcasting skills, is our gain.l Wish you every success, and look forward to enjoying the ups and downs. Living in an off grid van myself, free choice, or somewhat thrust upon me, since the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Learning to stay warm, rather than get warm. Mifi has really made this a reality, as you can shop, pay bills, look for work etc etc.
Thank you. It's good to know you have found a creative solution and are making it work after that tragedy. Best wishes.
Ahhh … any car modification/conversion video always put a smile on my face. Great channel!
Greetings from Greece David. Thoroughly enjoying your 'Cruising the Cut' vlogs and it looks as though this one will be just as great. Keep up the good work!
Love cruising the cut. My son has just bought a caddy maxi and wants 'dad' to convert it for weekends away so looking forward to this channel. Best of luck with it.
Haha, that's very decent of him!! ;-) Cheers
So pleased to find this as I will be buying a Proace for my next vehicle and making it into a camper. Love your canal videos so this should be great. Thanks. Andy UK
Cheers! Hope you have fun with your conversion.
Dear David, I just came over here from Crusing the cut :)
Now I have to catch up on two sets of videos. I foresee my productivity dropping and my tea consumption increase... oh well :) nice video. I enjoyed watching it.
Welcome along!
Of course and as always, very much looking forward to this project
Good to hear; cheers
Ahhh I'm so happy I found this. I followed you on cruising the cut during my boating days and have now just bought a Peugeot Expert to convert. Great minds 😁
I enjoy Cruising the Cut.....looking forward to the van conversion videos!
I'm terrified that I'll make a total pigs ear of it now and show myself up to the world... still, nothing ventured eh?
I'm really looking forward to this vlog starting, I've really been enjoying cruising the cut.
Great; thank you
I have followed you along with cruising the cut almost since the beginning and now can’t wait to follow you along here as well. Cheers
Hi. Thanks for tuning in here too :-)
Yes i,m from Cruising the cut, another great Channel to watch.
Love Cruising the Cut and look forward to this DIY video series.
Thank you.
Going to watch all of these in order , I really like how you speak so clearly and great camera work in my opinion these are really enjoyable to watch .
Cheers Brendan!
I can't wait to watch your campervan conversion. i love cruising the cut, and look forward to watching how you progress with the van conversion. Good luck!
Thank you
Years ago I as working on a job and the inspector had a Ford van with an aluminum boat on top. One day I noticed that the boat had screws every few inches into the top of the van . He explained that they wanted $800 for a raised top van, and he got the boat for less than $200, so he just sealed it screwed it down then cut the top out of the van . Didn’t look bad and everyone thought he was a diehard fisherman . I guess the trick would be finding one that fit your van, and being real careful on launching 😂 LOL !
Love your dry humor. Very enjoyable video, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Having done exactly what you said and come over from cruising the cut, I’m looking forward to watching your camper van videos.
If they are even half as good as cruising the cut, it will be a great watch!
Good luck David
Thank you and welcome along
Met you Tuesday many thanks for helping me to make my mind up.
David,
I am looking forward to more DIY from you on the Van as well as on the cut. I greatly appreciate you work on the blogs. Keep it up!
Thanks John!
Well David here we go again. Looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing! KANSAS USA
just started watching this from your cruising the cut videos! very good fun to watch on an evening!
Thank you!
My camper van conversion would involve a bucket and a folding camp bed so I'm looking forward to seeing how someone with a bit more ambition realises their plans. Cheers.
Ummm ... it'll probably be a bucket and a folding camp bed ;-)
Very Excited to see this conversion.
And then I skipped ahead and saw your Camper conversion Demo. It looks Great and the portable toilet can be right handy. Good Job. Now I will follow your adventures on land. I gotta say that I DO Love the NarrowBoats.
Great idea. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished camper.
Thanks
This is the second time around watching your van build. These are very entertaining, in many of them I was hysterical laughing . Looking forward to watching again
Jumped ship, I'm here now. Good to see you with a new project David. Still enjoying your Cruising the Cut vlogs too. Looking forward to your progress on this one too. Good luck.
Good to have you here. Cheers!
I came from Cruising the Cut, loved it! Sure I'll love this too... Subscribed!
I’ve just come over from CC as your delivery and content is brilliant. I am just about to convert an LT45 so am very excited to see how you get on. Thanks for two great channels.
How have I only just found this channel after watching cruising the cut for so long, got a lot of catching up to do now 😅
Welcome along!! 🤣
@@Vandemonium thank you I'm sure I will enjoy just as much as cruising the cut
I just, about 8 minutes ago, stumbled upon this here channel!
I must have missed you mentioning it on the narrowboat channel, from whence I came.
More entertainment, and I really like your style, is always welcome. I am an accountant and author, so I have no clue whatsoever about what you're about to do in these vlogs - or rather, what you've done in the past very nearly 3 years. So, again, lots of good entertainment coming my way. Yay! ;-D
Wow! Looking forward to your new adventure!
Thank you
I am looking forward to your build !!!
Thank you
I'm also here from CtC and very much looking forward to seeing how your project progresses.
Thanks, ASCII Terminal :-)
Oh my gosh! Love the engine sound at the beginning,
Confession time: that's a TH-cam sound effect :-(
Just found out you are doing this channel...hey..great idea...I shall enjoy watching the process of your building vlogs...enjoy..now gotta watch to catch up on these blogs....thanks David...xx
I've came over from "Cruising the cut". The nice chap there told me about you. Was he your twin:)
A van conversion is something I am considering so will watch your progress with interest.
Sandy
That man over on CtC is an idiot, I disown him completely ;-)
LOL
This should be very entertaining and informative at least with two channels you now have more than enough to keep you busy over the winter. I am looking forward to your build getting started. Good luck and God bless you and your endeavors.
Bud
Oh, I am going to be so ridiculously busy! Thanks for the good wishes.
Doing my Dispatch now, I was feeling a bit lost today and just find you and your videos make me feel 'I'm not alone'!
I watch already quite a few, I definitely gonna keep watching these days your vids to catch some ideas and I want it to say I really like the way you though about of how doing the van, I though most of the same things like you - like the sh**ty standard weird wiring and corners everywhere. Also, I laugh so much when you said the van is fighting back in another vid, LOL! I love your vids! Thank you very much for sharing in such organized way and made it so entertained!
Excellent! Thanks. Best of luck with your conversion.
Well well..fancy meeting you here..lol ..I love seeing how different UK cars are to our US versions. Will be binge watching this as well.
Great choice of van, sir! Looks like a great project and I wish you all the best, thank you for sharing this journey too!
Thank you! I must say I rather like the van, camper or not!
So cool, thank you for sharing your video. Good luck with your campervan project. Looking forward to seeing more vlog.
Thank you
And it's me, that guy with the '96 Xplorer, having popped over and subscribed from "Cruising the Cut", so I'm looking forward to another vlog from you that I can relax with after work and a G&T. Cheers!
Hello here too!
Your anchors shall soon be aweigh, for the seas are a siren's call we must obey. But roads are kinda fun too! Just finished your cruising the cut vlogs now on to your new adventures! (At least for me. ) happy vanning be safe out there.
Looks to be an excellent platform for your project! I look forward to watching your progress! Cheers! and good on you!
Thank you Brian. It's compact but should be a fun project regardless.
Yes...I am following your adventures from Cruising the Cut.
Welcome along!
Came from the cut myself...
..after a dozen episodes..
I started from no. 1
Just like ctc...
Enjoying from Canada.
I suggest putting the cooking area in the back in a way that would allow you to cook STANDING UP from the outside on nice days
Fear not, that idea is already in hand!
Excited to see the transformation of the van. ;-)
So am I!
Looking forward to this, have a small 2 berth campervan myself.
Hope it's of interest!
Popped in from Cruising The Cut. Subscribed!
Nice one, cheers
We!come to van life David, looking forward to your build.
Cheers Ken
High just popped over from CC looks like fun ahead !!