New to VW's and Vans!

[Sharmalini]

Hi......

I'm picking up a 69 Dormobile tomorrow night and I have little to no knowledge of anything camper related. Basically my wife passed away at the end of March at the age of 29 and it was one of our things to to buying a camper. soooo I've taken the plunge and done it and cant wait to get out and take my little daughter away in it.

All in all its in very good condition, its mot without the odd bit of rust here and there but all the suspect areas(buying guide) are solid and free of rust. The interior is a little tired and I have planned to re-trim the seats etc, leisure battery, fridge and possibly replace the units and the pop top canvas could do with replacing.

My main question.............is it a big no no to start replacing bits for non original parts? Such as the front seats to something more modern, the units to something slightly different?

 

[Skidsurf]

Welcome!!
Its your van so do as you like, non original parts can hurt the value at the top end i'd say but as long as your not doing anything that cant be swapped back later its ok.
If you swap your seats, keep the original ones for if or when you sell in the future.
hope you and your daughter enjoy it.
Mike

 

[mattd1984]

Hi Pete

Welcome aboard mate. You will find lots of great people on this forum. You can easily spend hours looking through peoples post / searching for stuff to read up on. If you need anything give me a shout

Matt

 

[Sharmalini]

Hi Pete

Welcome aboard mate. You will find lots of great people on this forum. You can easily spend hours looking through peoples post / searching for stuff to read up on. If you need anything give me a shout

Matt

I'm here on your recommendation!

 

[Sharmalini]

A R Pounds in Baldock seem cheap for the seats etc but i'm toying with putting in something similar to this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luxury-Seat-conversion-VW-Camper-T2-T4-T5-Mercedes-sprinter-pair-of-seats-F26-/251640134847?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a96ebbcbf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Due to needing a child seat i'm also not too keen on the belts in the front!

 

[Trikky2]

Welcome to the forum.

As already posted, unless you have a concours or museum bus then changing the seats will not affect the value and if they are good ones might even increase it.

Many buses have had the seats changed, not only because they got old and worn out but also because the original seats were not very good. Ok for a commercial back then and short runs but compared to modern seats they are appalling - especially on long runs.

I ran the stock seats for many years but when I finally changed them I was astonished at how the whole bus felt completely different and how it was now possible to be comfortable on long runs.

 

[chad]

Welcome aboard

Sorry to hear about your wife.

As already has been said if you do change anything, like seats, keep the old ones as if you do want to go back it can be very difficult and expensive to get original items.

I've been on here a couple of years now and have had an enormous amount of help and advice from the other 'Earlybayers'.

Cheers

 

[Trikky2]

A R Pounds in Baldock seem cheap for the seats etc but i'm toying with putting in something similar to this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luxury-Seat-conversion-VW-Camper-T2-T4-T5-Mercedes-sprinter-pair-of-seats-F26-/251640134847?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a96ebbcbf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Due to needing a child seat i'm also not too keen on the belts in the front!

Two things

- don't forget the Dormobile has the cooker behind the seat. You have to either mod the seat to cope or change the location.

- check the height of the seat base. Many seats are too thick and will raise you up too high.

 

[mattd1984]

A R Pounds in Baldock seem cheap for the seats etc but i'm toying with putting in something similar to this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luxury-Seat-conversion-VW-Camper-T2-T4-T5-Mercedes-sprinter-pair-of-seats-F26-/251640134847?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a96ebbcbf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Due to needing a child seat i'm also not too keen on the belts in the front!

I would definitely fit some 3 point seat belts if not already fitted. These can be put in the back also depending on where you want your daughter to sit.

 

[Sharmalini]

A R Pounds in Baldock seem cheap for the seats etc but i'm toying with putting in something similar to this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luxury-Seat-conversion-VW-Camper-T2-T4-T5-Mercedes-sprinter-pair-of-seats-F26-/251640134847?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a96ebbcbf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Due to needing a child seat i'm also not too keen on the belts in the front!

I would definitely fit some 3 point seat belts if not already fitted. These can be put in the back also depending on where you want your daughter to sit.

She will probably be in the front for a while. Yeah I deffo want to put some 3 point belts in.

I've seen a couple of vans with similar seats in.

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

Hi and Welcome

If you want a hand with the three point belts feel free to give me a shout 01273 440 000

[email protected]

You'll get a discount being a member of this forum!

 

[montypsx]

I've got a dorma and when I first got it I was going to change everything. That was three years ago and I ant changed owt inside ( sorry just seat belts)and the interior has really grown on me and I love it. Try it and see. Cheers Phil

 

[thejinx]

As the saying goes. Your van your rules I have a Dormy I have kept the original seats, ripped out the cooker got rid of the units in the back. I replaced the 3/4 RR bed with a full length one from Rusty. Haven't decided on a new unit but when I do it will be cool (as far as I will be concerned). Don't worry about resale value just enjoy your bus.

Ps if your bus is mint my'n wasn't. Then have a good think before doing the above.

 

[user 20733]

As you are starting out, the first thing you need to do is check and probably change all your fuel pipes (or get someone to do it go you). Modern fuel eats through rubber pipes faster so old lines can perish and cause an engine fire. Do not buy braided hoses as you cannot see the state of the rubber inside. Get an engine bay auto fire extinguisher to be safe - also one for in the cabin, you are cooking after all. On the safety front, buy a battery powered carbon monoxide detector. Not expensive but will save your life in the event of a leak. Please don't think I am scaremongering, but keeping new owners safe and aware.