I bought an SV - BIG Build thread
Discussion
Thanks for all the feedback on the audio. Totally agree. There was an issue with the mic in the initial piece, and then for some reason (problem in chair, not in computer) the audio track moved and came in at 100% not 50%.
It does sort itself after that, so if you stuck with it, it does get better, but I agree. The audio on this at the beginning is b*ll*cks. 4/10 must try harder
It does sort itself after that, so if you stuck with it, it does get better, but I agree. The audio on this at the beginning is b*ll*cks. 4/10 must try harder
Hello all, been a bit. Lots going on but it's all good.
Latest vlog out here:
Should be another one along soon including (I hope) the 1,000 subscriber special, where I'm bound to give something away in a Competition. Talking of which, someone won the Martini Porsche Racing baseball cap but never sent me their details. I'm sure it was someone off here.
Pics coming for those who don't YT. In the meantime here's a taster.
Latest vlog out here:
Should be another one along soon including (I hope) the 1,000 subscriber special, where I'm bound to give something away in a Competition. Talking of which, someone won the Martini Porsche Racing baseball cap but never sent me their details. I'm sure it was someone off here.
Pics coming for those who don't YT. In the meantime here's a taster.
Scrump said:
Cab interior is starting to look good. The chap fitting the carpet is making a neat job of it.
He is and I'm lucky to get him. He's a good mate and he's done half a dozen VWt4 & 5 builds. He's making way better a job at it than I am.Meanwhile I was off camera sticking the dodomat to the doors and making brews.
Bobberoo said:
Yep, another great update Project!!
Thanks both. Like I said in the video, it took a bit to get here and sometimes I was losing the drive. So I'm grateful to the Pistonheads folks helping me along, that support was invaluable, so thanks for the help getting to 1,000 subs. Edited by Projectblue51 on Friday 15th October 23:00
Whatsinaname said:
I’ve watched the latest video and it’s looking great! Personally I think the spot lights look better in the down position and finish off the front nicely.
Looking forward to seeing how the interior progresses!
Looking forward to seeing how the interior progresses!
Bobberoo said:
Also watched the latest on YouTube, agree with above that the lights look better down. 
Hey, thanks for the support and the comment. I agree with you both.For anyone who hasn't seen it, here's the link to the latest shennanigans.
Hello All,
Sorry about the delay, super busy. I have loads of footage of stuff just not had time to edit it and publish.
So what has been happening then?
Well, before we get to Rosie the Truck there is the matter of starting a business with some others to provide off road driver training to owners of similar trucks.
As part of that, I decided that rather than use my own truck, I needed another one specifically for that purpose. Having done some man maths I figured I could make it work with a number of additional revenue streams (all non goods, so no CPC etc).
Meet Arnie.
Same chassis cab (albeit this one is 2013 and done 8000km) but with a radio box body on the load bed.
The radio box is self contained and built within a standard container dimension, mounted using stock twist locks. It carries a PTO driven generator which pushes out 11KVA!
The extra weight and some revisions mean Arnie is a smoother drive than Rosie, although he is, and will remain utilitarian.
Unlike her ladyship who’s had a bit of remodelling.
Cab interior done;
The ply backboard needs carpeting, there is edge trim for the ceiling to fit and then the speaker boxes for the 6x9’s.
I’ve also sprayed all the cable trunking which looked shabby compared to the fresh carpet.
Finally for the cab the seats have been retrimmed. For some reason the camera always makes it look very bright orange, when it’s not that bad!
In the rear not as much has happened however stuff has been arriving and finally the build in the back can progress!
Water tank arrived and fitted perfectly as per design. Big relief because if that wasn’t right, it would have been an issue.
And finally all the bathroom parts arrived. This is the central room between the kitchen and the bedroom and it dictates where everything else will go. So it was important that this went in, so the rest could be worked around.
Folding sink arrived from France and is a work of art, but cost me £90 in import duty and VAT. Thanks Brexit.
Shower tray arrived from Spain yet cost me nothing extra as it was all included. Go figure.
This weeks work is to fit the plumbing, run pipes and figure how to get the grey water drain through the floor without hitting the steel internals of the hab box.
Meanwhile, back on Arnie, I picked up a used Clarke pneumatic mast, as none came with him. Just got to figure out how to fit that to him (once I’ve painted it NATO green of course).
Oh, and yes. I have a BV (boiling vessel) and stove and sleeping bag all in the truck ready… just in case, you know, it gets 4 minute warning type serious 😉
Sorry about the delay, super busy. I have loads of footage of stuff just not had time to edit it and publish.
So what has been happening then?
Well, before we get to Rosie the Truck there is the matter of starting a business with some others to provide off road driver training to owners of similar trucks.
As part of that, I decided that rather than use my own truck, I needed another one specifically for that purpose. Having done some man maths I figured I could make it work with a number of additional revenue streams (all non goods, so no CPC etc).
Meet Arnie.
Same chassis cab (albeit this one is 2013 and done 8000km) but with a radio box body on the load bed.
The radio box is self contained and built within a standard container dimension, mounted using stock twist locks. It carries a PTO driven generator which pushes out 11KVA!
The extra weight and some revisions mean Arnie is a smoother drive than Rosie, although he is, and will remain utilitarian.
Unlike her ladyship who’s had a bit of remodelling.
Cab interior done;
The ply backboard needs carpeting, there is edge trim for the ceiling to fit and then the speaker boxes for the 6x9’s.
I’ve also sprayed all the cable trunking which looked shabby compared to the fresh carpet.
Finally for the cab the seats have been retrimmed. For some reason the camera always makes it look very bright orange, when it’s not that bad!
In the rear not as much has happened however stuff has been arriving and finally the build in the back can progress!
Water tank arrived and fitted perfectly as per design. Big relief because if that wasn’t right, it would have been an issue.
And finally all the bathroom parts arrived. This is the central room between the kitchen and the bedroom and it dictates where everything else will go. So it was important that this went in, so the rest could be worked around.
Folding sink arrived from France and is a work of art, but cost me £90 in import duty and VAT. Thanks Brexit.
Shower tray arrived from Spain yet cost me nothing extra as it was all included. Go figure.
This weeks work is to fit the plumbing, run pipes and figure how to get the grey water drain through the floor without hitting the steel internals of the hab box.
Meanwhile, back on Arnie, I picked up a used Clarke pneumatic mast, as none came with him. Just got to figure out how to fit that to him (once I’ve painted it NATO green of course).
Oh, and yes. I have a BV (boiling vessel) and stove and sleeping bag all in the truck ready… just in case, you know, it gets 4 minute warning type serious 😉
RC1807 said:
Congratulations!
I've been out of the U.K. for years .... Which document *does* prove ownership now if it's not the V5?
The V5 is still the provenance of choice, but of course a vehicle may be 'owned' by the finance house. I guess proof of ownership is about who paid for it. I've been out of the U.K. for years .... Which document *does* prove ownership now if it's not the V5?
naturals said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what is this used for? Radio antennae? Data connection so you can stream Netflix and other "video sites"?
I know a lot of property photographers use these to get an interesting aerial view for pictures.
Well, without wishing to be pedantic, or sarcastic. It's a radio truck I know a lot of property photographers use these to get an interesting aerial view for pictures.
So the mast is for lifting an antenna up for better reception and transmission. Part of Arnie's function is to provide a command centre location to ensure everyone remains safe and that lunch arrives on time. It will also be acting as a the wi-fi hub for the site allowing customers to connect to the internet because cell phone coverage is sketchy. However you make a good point about the aerial view - so thanks for that.
ChocolateFrog said:
Congratulations.
Nice to know the project is still ticking along.
Cheers Frog, it's hardly been ticking but it's picking up speed now thank goodness. Nice to know the project is still ticking along.
Edited by Projectblue51 on Thursday 10th March 21:25
Hello everyone, sorry I have been remiss in bringing an update.
So collective catch up. Here's some of the stuff I have been doing in youtube link and also photo's for those not into youtube.
Linky:
Words and pictures:
Serviced both trucks. Paid an experienced expedition truck owner to come and show me what to look at how to maintain stuff. Bought all the service parts so I know what they are, what they look like and of course where they are found and how they
I realise that might be basic stuff but this is a whole new world to me. Although it's very similar to Land Rovers to be honest. Bigger, heavier but just as simple.
Wielded some power tools including an electric grease gun. Again, simple pleasures.
Tested the truck off road. This was partly to test the box on the rear and the torsion free set up and partly to test the course and prep with a company I am working with to train people how to drive these trucks off road safely. I can say much more because don't want to breech Pistonheads rules.
Lastly progress inside has been made. Shower floor has gone in and a major win with the battery frame. One of the server racks coming out of the other truck turns out to be almost perfect size for the batteries. So we have upcycled that into a very clever very sturdy battery bank. Also fitted the inverter next to it for both ease of wiring and easy checking from outside.
Hope you found that interesting, any questions do ask.
So collective catch up. Here's some of the stuff I have been doing in youtube link and also photo's for those not into youtube.
Linky:
Words and pictures:
Serviced both trucks. Paid an experienced expedition truck owner to come and show me what to look at how to maintain stuff. Bought all the service parts so I know what they are, what they look like and of course where they are found and how they
I realise that might be basic stuff but this is a whole new world to me. Although it's very similar to Land Rovers to be honest. Bigger, heavier but just as simple.
Wielded some power tools including an electric grease gun. Again, simple pleasures.
Tested the truck off road. This was partly to test the box on the rear and the torsion free set up and partly to test the course and prep with a company I am working with to train people how to drive these trucks off road safely. I can say much more because don't want to breech Pistonheads rules.
Lastly progress inside has been made. Shower floor has gone in and a major win with the battery frame. One of the server racks coming out of the other truck turns out to be almost perfect size for the batteries. So we have upcycled that into a very clever very sturdy battery bank. Also fitted the inverter next to it for both ease of wiring and easy checking from outside.
Hope you found that interesting, any questions do ask.
Edited by Projectblue51 on Saturday 30th July 00:22
Hello everybody - thanks for the comments and kind words. I'm stunned that so many people are both interested and care about what's happening in my life.
In an effort to bring you all up to speed here is a quick resume.
Sept 22 - Changed from a friend with skills doing the interior to a professional company.
Oct 22 - went to two funerals of colleagues who sadly died aged 60 and a bit (I'm 58 in a few weeks) - one from brain tumour. One from Cancer.
Nov 22- paid £8,500 to professional Company as deposit and towards materials for build.
Jan 22 - met up with a colleague who experienced the same to discuss loss, friendship, life blah blah. A few meetings and dog walks later and things looking more like dating than mutual support. Go me
Jan 23 - Truck returns to Motorcraft to have the lower lockers added to the exterior and some minor imperfection that was added to the rubbing strip by a brick wall. All I'm going to say there is tail swing is real
July 23 - Truck leaves MC to go to the Prof Co about 90 mins up the M1.Easier and cheaper to ship on loader than train + me drive + my time.
Aug 23 - new partner and I decided it was sensible to merge households and buy a bigger nicer house together. Begin house hunting.
Nov 23 - Travel 660 mile round trip to view truck at their premises (nothing has been done at all) and discussed plans. Told work would begin in Jan. Told prices had gone up and needed to suck a 20% increase up. Still a good deal and good work so accepted. Told further £10k needed in Jan to which I agreed.
4 days later received a Whats App message stating simply "I won't be doing your truck, I will return it to you with what's left of your deposit minus what I've spent."
So 12 months of agreement, positive discussions, ideas etc. and then bam. Out.
Plus side, got my truck back and portion of funds.
Motorcraft were amazing again, really helpful. Gave me a safe place to store it whilst I made a decision.
Long and short of it, the world and my life has changed since I began this project. Luckily for me, a lot of that is positive. Some people are not so lucky - there are plenty of these trucks for sale where someone has taken seriously ill and forced to come home permanently.
My new partner was very supportive, she said "it looked a lot of fun, but I just want to travel with you. In a truck, in a van on a plane. You do what you feel is right and I will come with you."
So I sold her for some camels...
Joke.
So I put the truck up for sale. I added up what it would cost for someone to build that truck to that standard and state of play and then knocked some tens off it. That's why it's priced as it was. Could you build it cheaper yourself? Of course. Assuming you had the space, the knowledge, the tools etc. But a professional build? No. And dont forget order books are minimum 12 months waiting. So that £105k buys a queue jump.
I had loads of interest. From America to New Zealand. South Africa, Germany, Greece, all over. Some cheeky offers as well as serious, but I chap put his money where his mouth is, paid a deposit and is flying in from the other side of the world next week to sort it. So next time a prospective buyer says "ah, you are too far away" tell them about this guy flying 15+ hours to view, do a deal and then the following day flying home. THAT is dedication
Anyway....
Im healthy, truck is sold, I'm moving house, and there is a hundred grand burning a hole in my pocket - life is awesome thank you. Remember Tempus Fugit - Carpe Diem folks
In an effort to bring you all up to speed here is a quick resume.
Sept 22 - Changed from a friend with skills doing the interior to a professional company.
Oct 22 - went to two funerals of colleagues who sadly died aged 60 and a bit (I'm 58 in a few weeks) - one from brain tumour. One from Cancer.
Nov 22- paid £8,500 to professional Company as deposit and towards materials for build.
Jan 22 - met up with a colleague who experienced the same to discuss loss, friendship, life blah blah. A few meetings and dog walks later and things looking more like dating than mutual support. Go me
Jan 23 - Truck returns to Motorcraft to have the lower lockers added to the exterior and some minor imperfection that was added to the rubbing strip by a brick wall. All I'm going to say there is tail swing is real
July 23 - Truck leaves MC to go to the Prof Co about 90 mins up the M1.Easier and cheaper to ship on loader than train + me drive + my time.
Aug 23 - new partner and I decided it was sensible to merge households and buy a bigger nicer house together. Begin house hunting.
Nov 23 - Travel 660 mile round trip to view truck at their premises (nothing has been done at all) and discussed plans. Told work would begin in Jan. Told prices had gone up and needed to suck a 20% increase up. Still a good deal and good work so accepted. Told further £10k needed in Jan to which I agreed.
4 days later received a Whats App message stating simply "I won't be doing your truck, I will return it to you with what's left of your deposit minus what I've spent."
So 12 months of agreement, positive discussions, ideas etc. and then bam. Out.
Plus side, got my truck back and portion of funds.
Motorcraft were amazing again, really helpful. Gave me a safe place to store it whilst I made a decision.
Long and short of it, the world and my life has changed since I began this project. Luckily for me, a lot of that is positive. Some people are not so lucky - there are plenty of these trucks for sale where someone has taken seriously ill and forced to come home permanently.
My new partner was very supportive, she said "it looked a lot of fun, but I just want to travel with you. In a truck, in a van on a plane. You do what you feel is right and I will come with you."
So I sold her for some camels...
Joke.
So I put the truck up for sale. I added up what it would cost for someone to build that truck to that standard and state of play and then knocked some tens off it. That's why it's priced as it was. Could you build it cheaper yourself? Of course. Assuming you had the space, the knowledge, the tools etc. But a professional build? No. And dont forget order books are minimum 12 months waiting. So that £105k buys a queue jump.
I had loads of interest. From America to New Zealand. South Africa, Germany, Greece, all over. Some cheeky offers as well as serious, but I chap put his money where his mouth is, paid a deposit and is flying in from the other side of the world next week to sort it. So next time a prospective buyer says "ah, you are too far away" tell them about this guy flying 15+ hours to view, do a deal and then the following day flying home. THAT is dedication
Anyway....
Im healthy, truck is sold, I'm moving house, and there is a hundred grand burning a hole in my pocket - life is awesome thank you. Remember Tempus Fugit - Carpe Diem folks
Bobupndown said:
Probably missed it in the thread somewhere but what sort of mpg does one of these do?
Everyone asks this because we are obsessed with mpg because of the tax we pay. Let me ask you a question first, and then I will answer. How fast is your house?
Now is the mpg still of interest
In all seriousness it’s 11mpg and about £400 to fill up.
But you have to alter your mindset.
You only do maybe 150 miles in a day. Some days you won’t move. Get somewhere good and you won’t move for a week.
Solar is charging the electrics. Water is being filtered in from a lake.
Just food to pay for.
Once out of Shengen no road tax, insurance is less and fuel is less.
Spinakerr said:
Good to hear the outcome had its positives - and really happy to read you are doing well otherwise!
I thought the lockdown 164 might have prompted an obsession with 90s Alfa Romeos, and you were retired to the Alps competing in Busso hillclimb events.
Of course, 100k means you can easily afford a nice new project for that new garage and driveway you have...right?
Yeah, I spotted a 147GTA for sale and was like ‘ooh’ I thought the lockdown 164 might have prompted an obsession with 90s Alfa Romeos, and you were retired to the Alps competing in Busso hillclimb events.
Of course, 100k means you can easily afford a nice new project for that new garage and driveway you have...right?
But there will be something. I’m almost tempted by a boat
- they have BIG engines. Two of them.
Fermit said:
Congrats on (nearly) everything going upwards for you. Maybe bring this thread to the attention of the buyer, so if they wish to they can post further developments?
Yep, I will do. My understanding is the next prospective owner is planning on having the inside completed and then setting off on their own adventure. I will point them here.
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