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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 - $15,000 (update 26/7/07 blown the budget by at last $5,000!)
The project was started in September 2006.
When completed John and his ever patient wife Kate will set off on a around Australia trip to photograph a different side of
Australian life.
FEATURES OF THE MOTORHOME WHEN COMPLETE
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3B diesel motor (low mileage)
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Twin fuel tanks
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Fully insulated
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Eaton house body
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Wind deflector on roof
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5 speed gearbox
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4 burner gas stove with grill
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Stainless steel range hood with light
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Shower (hot and cold)
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Toilet
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Vent with fan in shower/toilet
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520 amp bank of deep cell batteries (8 x 65 amp)
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Battery conditioner to keep batteries in as new condition
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Digital battery monitoring system (computer) with low battery alarm
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1000 watt Pure sine wave Inverter
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2 fridges 1 domestic 70 litre fridge and 1 x 3 way slide out chest fridge
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Air conditioner
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3½ kva Honda generator
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Fiama 45 awning
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3 seasons vent
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Walk through from house to front cabin
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Secret storage compartment
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Huge hatch above bed (sleep under the stars or climb on roof)
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Roof can be used as a viewing platform
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Vent above bed
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Window and light above drop down table/desk
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Plenty of storage in twin cab
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Automatic 30 amp smart charger for motor & house batteries
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Auto charge solenoid (when the
truck is running and the truck batteries are fully charged, the charge goes to the house batteries)
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160 litre fresh water storage (2 x 80 litre tanks)
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Water tank level monitors for all 3 tanks (2 x fresh 1 x grey water)
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2x cartridge water filter system
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100 litre grey water storage tank
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Garmin 2610 GPS
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UHF 2 way radio
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Heavy duty tow bar
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Bucket seats
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Alarm system
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Digital and keyed safe
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2 Spare wheels
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Storage area for tables and other large things
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LP Gas detector/alarm
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Noise from motor fully insulated
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Ladder for roof access
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2x 240 volt safety switches (mains and inverter power)
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Air vent (like a snorkel) mounted on the bull bar to give the motor a better air intake
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Low radiator water alarm and warning light
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Brakes fully overhauled
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large PVC pipe on roof to hold fishing rods etc
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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)
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Extra large exhaust fitted to improve performance
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
We have named the truck Homer, as in our Homer way from home!
Been a bit slack of late working on the truck, however I have all arranged all the compliance issues
(what a nightmare) for Homer and we are now registered and running.
Lounge covered, fold down desk/table finished, curtains 1/2 finished, New TV aerial with auto tracking
and a new microwave because the last one didn't bounce when it hit the floor!
The storage area under the lounge can be accessed from inside or outside
Bull bar and wind deflector fitted, plus the UHF radio and map storage (above radio).
The air scoop is on the bull bar (fitted after this photo was taken)
Bucket seats (reclining), UHF radio, Cabin light (under UHF radio), Radio/CD player, GPS fitted, and clock and compass.
The top of the engine compartment has been lined with lead sheeting to reduce the engine noise.
Underneath the floor is nine batteries plus tools, spare parts and other bits and pieces.
The safe is bolted to the floor.
The generator is on the roof
We survived our first night in Homer.
29 July 07 update
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, I'll run mine on 240v).
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. UPDATE 28/8/08 
AFTER 
BEFORE 
ORIGINAL 
THE NEW LOOK 
REMOVED MICROWAVE (NEVER USED IT) NEW FLAT SCREEN TV
WE NOW HAVE WIRELESS INTERNET
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