THE MOTORHOME PROJECT

John's latest project is to convert a BU32 Toyota Dyna furniture van into a stylish motorhome.

The truck was bought on Ebay for $1425 and the the budget for the project is $10,000 - which blew out to $35,000

The project was started in September 2006.

FEATURES OF THE MOTORHOME WHEN COMPLETE

1. 3B diesel motor (low mileage)

2. Twin fuel tanks

3. Fully insulated

4. Eaton house body

5. Wind deflector on roof

6. 5 speed gearbox

7. 4 burner gas stove with grill

8. Stainless steel range hood with light

9. Shower (hot and cold)

10. Toilet

11. Vent with fan in shower/toilet

12. 520 amp bank of deep cell batteries (8 x 65 amp)

13. Electronic battery conditioner to keep batteries in as new condition

14. Digital battery monitoring system (computer) with low battery alarm

15. 1000 watt Pure sine wave Inverter

16. 2 fridges 1 domestic 70 litre fridge and 1 x 3 way slide out chest fridge

17. Air conditioner

18. Fiama 45 awning

19. 4 seasons vent

20. Walk through from house to front cabin

21. Secret storage compartment

22. Huge hatch above bed (sleep under the stars or climb on roof)

23. Roof can be used as a viewing platform

24. Vent above bed

25. Window and light above drop down table/desk

26. Plenty of storage in twin cab

27. Automatic 30 amp smart charger for motor & house batteries

28. Auto charge solenoid (when the truck is running and the truck batteries are fully charged, the charge goes to the house batteries)

29. 160 litre fresh water storage (2 x 80 litre tanks)

30. Water tank level monitors for all 3 tanks (2 x fresh 1 x grey water)

31. 2x cartridge water filter system

32. 100 litre grey water storage tank

33. Garmin GPS

34. UHF 2 way radio

35. Heavy duty tow bar

36.  Bucket seats

37. Alarm system

38. Digital and keyed safe

39. 2 Spare wheels

40. Storage area for tables and other large things

41. LP Gas detector/alarm

42. Noise from motor fully insulated

43. Ladder for roof access

44. 2x 240 volt safety switches (mains and inverter power)

45. Air vent (like a snorkel) mounted on the bull bar to give the motor a better air intake

46. Low radiator water alarm and warning light

47. Brakes fully overhauled

48. large PVC pipe on roof to hold fishing rods etc

49. All cavities in cabin body (door frames etc) filled with expanding foam for strength and to stop rust (if there's no air it can't rust)

50. Extra large exhaust fitted to improve performance

51. UPDATE 2/2/09

52. 52" High definition LCD TV

53. Built in DVD and VCR Player/Recorder

54. Winegard automatic TV aerial

55. Electronic rust prevention system

56. Small Weber Barbeque

57. New tyres and wheel alignment

58. 3.5 KVA Honda Generator fitted

59. Carbon Monoxide detector fitted

60. Lambs wool seat covers (kept em when I sold the Lexus!)

61. Carpeted all floors

62. Reconditioned radiator

63. Fitted a new air conditioner (the previous one was fitted too low and only cooled from your feet to your knees)

64. Built in sound system in living area (VCR and DVD recorders and players)

65. Repainted the outside
     

The truck on Ebay

The twin cab means will will have extra storage for tools, spares and photographic equipment.



Loading the truck on the trailer,  notice the back of the Camry lifting off the ground.

Towing the truck with the Camry was a "bit hairy" so I ended up putting the Camry
on the trailer and towing it with the truck.




Inside the cabin



This where it will all happen




To get at all of the rust the doors needed to come off

There is a lot off rust that needs cutting out (drivers side above windscreen).



The windscreen needed to come out (with a hammer) to get at the rust at the top.



Lots of rust in the doors. It was a month's work to cut out all of the rust.

When the rust was cut out all of the voids were filled with expanding foam for strength
and to remove all air to prevent further rust.



Rough framing to see where everything will go



A doorway was cut in between the back and the cabin, a trapdoor was cut in above the bed for access to the roof.

The roof will be useful as a stable deck for taking photos. And the trapdoor will allow us to sleep under the stars,
making this a million star motel !!!



Flooring and ceiling with 4 seasons hatch in



The shower wardrobe and lounge, plus the hot water heater.

The lounge cushions were scavenged from a council clean up day and will be professionally recovered



The shower was bought from a house demolisher for $200 and repaired.



Trying the figure out the complex wiring.

The motorhome will have 12 volt power and 240 volt power from the mains (when available)
also a 1000 watt (pure sine wave) inverter with 8 deep cycle batteries for 240 volt power on the go.
Plus a 3.5 kva Honda generator, and a small solar panel for backup power.
When the truck is running, the truck alternator charges the two truck starter batteries.
When they are fully charged the charging automatically switches to charge the house batteries.
We also have a 30 amp smart charger for both battery banks.



There are 2 fridges, a domestic 240v under the sink and a 3 way chest fridge/freezer
slides out from under the stove.

Wide view (for photographers I'm using a Sigma 10-20mm lens)



Most of the wiring is done, all the gas fitting is finished, the other 6 batteries are under the floor in the twin cab.



Bought this old Dyna for parts ($300)

We will tow the yellow Suzuki behind the truck on an A frame

Update 20/2/07



Body sanded, wired brushed and etch primed.



2x Water tanks fitted (at rear), grey water tank fitted (other side) painting almost finished

The fuel tank showing is the 2nd tank (long range tank) We now have a windscreen



Roof / Deck almost finished needs paint and the main hatch hinged. Mounts for 2 gas bottles.
Roof since finished with non slip paint.
 

Also shown is Kate the Director of Finance!!!
To date: All power 12v and 240v is wired (the 240v comes from batteries, generator or mains)
and is working, all of the gas fitting is completed and the plumbing is done.

Update 26/07/07

.

.

The first and hopefully the last of any major dramas with Homer!
We were in Warwick Qld for the Jazz festival.
We had just started the motor and noticed thick black smoke coming from the inside.
I grabbed one of our two fire extinguishers and tried to find the fire in the black smoke.
It was coming from behind the stove inside the wall, the black (poisonous) smoke was from the foam insulation.
It was being fuelled by LP gas coming from a rubber LP gas hose that had been burned through
which is connected to the freezer. The freezer is under the stove.
After turning off the gas I emptied the other extinguisher on it then went outside and opened the back door.
Fortunately the fire station was only a few hundred metres away and they were on the scene within minutes
and poured more water into it.



The fire chief thought it was started by the safety switch (which was fitted by an licensed electrician).
Fortunately we are insured.
The lesson learnt: Don't run you fridge on gas when travelling (or for me any other time).



Update: 21 Aug. The fire damage has been repaired. The fire was caused by a perished hose to the stove.

Building a motorhome from a Toyota Dyna furniture van
THAT'S IT WE ARE NOW ON THE ROAD!!!

Lesson learnt
I wouldn't do a truck from scratch (too much work) I would buy an old motorhome and refurbish it.



2009 update


At the 2009 CMCA Rally at Wyalla South Australia (a new paint job)


Modified the interior with a new flat screen Hi def TV and I removed the microwave (I only used it once-to dry my socks!!!)


another view


Carpeted the rear cab


Carpeted the dash and made some seat covers


Catching up on editing some photos for a travel magazine

July 09 We have now travelled around 20,000 k's in Homer

Call: John Miner on +617 (07) 3290 4290 Mobile: 0418 772 720




                                                                                                               







All text and photographic images are copyrighted © John Miner 2004