Got this mad idea/project..is it even viable lol

HDI Dave · Post by **HDI Dave** » 18 Sep 2011, 21:25

Getting a bit bored of the Xant, itchy fingers, need a new spannering project, know what I mean?

Getting a few more rust patches/blisters,paint,brake disks look (-expletive removed-),sphere's are goosed, bushes, etc etc..

Been thinkin of a campervan project.

Put the old girl in retirement,but use her engine. There'll not be too much load on the new project,heck, I've had many Tranny's for hauling turf,diesels,2 litre petrols, even a 1.6 litre,(altho it wasn't up to the job!) But I reckon the 2.0 Hdi lump will be ample for a camper

Now I'm old school. I like the old Transit Mk 1,maybe even a Mk 2, or I always liked the old Bedford CF, twin wheelers...

'If' the Xant is looking too long in the tooth (apart from the engine, it's still stonking,at 190 ish thou miles

) near mot day, I'm thinking of getting another car.....an chopping the Xant!

eek, I run and hide now

My theory is,

Would it be viable,to say, get a Mk 1 tranny/Bedford CF...
and stick the Xant gubbins in it..

Still a fresh thougt in me head at the minute, but the main issue I'm thinking of is - transverse engine,would have to go Tranny pinto / Bedford way,ie straight.. flywheel/gearbox adaptation..

Waddya think guys

Dave.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Sep 2011, 21:34

Is it possible to find a MK1 or Mk2 Transit now, I guess your Xantia would be in better condition that most of those

I sometimes drive a 2000 Ford Transit 2.4D at work, its a LWB but with its 90-oddbhp its lively when empty but laiden its to be thrashed everywhere or it doesnt go. It is a bit on the crusty side too, id scrap it! Can't imagine there is much hope finding a decent Mk1 or 2 ...

This Transit might give you some inspiration ...

addo · Post by **addo** » 18 Sep 2011, 22:08

Bedfords rusted, even here. If you're going to mess with one, a 350-powered Dormobile on gas is more likely to be fun.

HDI Dave · Post by **HDI Dave** » 18 Sep 2011, 22:10

Now THAT's a Transit

haha, I did see that on Top Gear,cool

Funnily enuff, I've lately seen a few Mk 2's up here in Yorkshire, no Mk 1's or CF's

I'm in the lucky position of having the space in me back yard, and the time, (I finish work at 1pm ish

start at 4am,boo,but hey ho,there u go

) ) so owt could be possible,even an old nacker, off to buy a mig 2mor, as I only have an arc welder at the min!

addo · Post by **addo** » 18 Sep 2011, 22:26

Buy a TIG instead, and watch the queue of fairweather friends grow...

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Sep 2011, 22:34

Transits should be used as a tool and then thrown away ... is there nothing more interesting which takes your fancy and a HDI engine?

I would say a Type 2 camper, but then they are not cheap or immune from the tin worm.

HDI Dave · Post by **HDI Dave** » 18 Sep 2011, 22:46

Citroenmad wrote:Transits should be used as a tool and then thrown away ... is there nothing more interesting which takes your fancy

wesh your mouth out unkind sir,

tranny's are van man favourites!

you stick to yer sherpa's

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Sep 2011, 22:58

HDI Dave wrote:
Citroenmad wrote:Transits should be used as a tool and then thrown away ... is there nothing more interesting which takes your fancy

wesh your mouth out unkind sir,

tranny's are van man favourites!

you stick to yer sherpa's

If I needed a van it would be a transit, though I do have limited expereiences of vans and the Transit is the only one im used to. Ours at work has done 250K miles (how, I dont know as its maintenance is lacking) but it still works and drives far better than I would have imagined previously.

Get a old Type H Citroen van and HDI that

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 19 Sep 2011, 18:41

Get a old Type H Citroën van and HDI that Laughing Cool

My own thoughts exactly - they make great campers, and are far more interesting than VWs! if you get one with the side 'vending' hatch, you have a ready-made picnic servery / canopy. No idea if you'd get an HDI setup to fit, though.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 19 Sep 2011, 20:37

Why not go for a Relay?

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 19 Sep 2011, 20:40

Xac wrote:Why not go for a Relay?

That would be easy, Relays are HDis ...

HDI Dave · Post by **HDI Dave** » 19 Sep 2011, 21:44

What, would my lump just drop straight in?
That would be too easy,(I'm planning on takin me time with it,as I've the space, so time/problems are not an issue

)

Plus, a relay..there's no character!

Summat like this, altho they are indeed fetching silly money..I could do with an old nacker needing plenty fettling

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Mk1-Tran ... 3f0e12943e

Dad had one years ago, I loved driving it,and it's one of the few motors I still love the whole package/character,I love the old Fords, Escort Mexico's are another favourite....hmm,mebe a project there then,big pinto,twin 45's...the wife can rent a caravan instead! haha

Post by **CitroJim** » 19 Sep 2011, 21:58

HDI Dave wrote: Summat like this, altho they are indeed fetching silly money..I could do with an old nacker needing plenty fettling

One like this had a V8 put into it by Practical Performance Car a few years back. That was an ex-German Fire Service one too...

I'm in agreement with the thought of an H van conversion. You have the advantage they're already basically a front wheel drive van and they really do just ooze character from every seam...

HDI Dave · Post by **HDI Dave** » 19 Sep 2011, 22:09

yeah, I agree with you there Jim,

The H van one of them corrugated flat jobbies? If so,then yeah, again

Plus, Anice Rover 3.5 V8....

mmmmmmmmmm,thought of that too

but I couldn't justify spending 150 quid to go to Scarborough an back,even if it did sound luurverly

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 29 Sep 2011, 20:33

LDV Pilots came with an XUD lump, I bet the HDi would drop straight in. Alternatively you could use a Pilot as a donor for RWD gearbox/engine mounts etc.

My work Transit has a 110HP 2.2 litre 16V engine and it really flies, despite weighing nearly 3 tonnes with my gear on board. MPG is well into the 30s too, and that's with me driving it like a white van should be driven. I think a 110HDi would propel a Mk1 or 2 Transit along nicely, I believe they were a lot lighter in those days.