Ultimate commer
- Thread starter Richard_G
- Start date
My dream Commer, as like mostly everyone else, is my own... with some changes 
4/6 Cylinder engine swap, not sure on Inline or V yet. I have a few choices/ideas,
probably turbo either way though (Unless it's the Alfa Busso V6, then NA )
Air suspension all round, with up-rated brakes (Obviously)
And a re-design of the interior, I've found a few things I don't like with how mine is set out,
Thinking of making Rusty a 7 seater with 3 in the front, then 2 sets of 2-seater bench seats.
I wish I had a side door, wonder how hard it would be to graft one in...
4/6 Cylinder engine swap, not sure on Inline or V yet. I have a few choices/ideas,
probably turbo either way though (Unless it's the Alfa Busso V6, then NA
) Air suspension all round, with up-rated brakes (Obviously)
And a re-design of the interior, I've found a few things I don't like with how mine is set out,
Thinking of making Rusty a 7 seater with 3 in the front, then 2 sets of 2-seater bench seats.
I wish I had a side door, wonder how hard it would be to graft one in...
Doug
Member
My dream Commer, as like mostly everyone else, is my own... with some changes
4/6 Cylinder engine swap, not sure on Inline or V yet. I have a few choices/ideas,
probably turbo either way though (Unless it's the Alfa Busso V6, then NA
Air suspension all round, with up-rated brakes (Obviously)
And a re-design of the interior, I've found a few things I don't like with how mine is set out,
Thinking of making Rusty a 7 seater with 3 in the front, then 2 sets of 2-seater bench seats.
I wish I had a side door, wonder how hard it would be to graft one in...
hi Dan - what are your engine swap ideas ?
OK then...........................
I'd have to buy Peggy back and take out the mobile kitchen stuff. Totally gut her in fact. Then....
Engine: 3 litre straight 6 BMW Turbo diesel
G/box: 6 speed from the BMW
Drivetrain: Uprated to suit the power
Brakes: Likewise.
Supension: Likewise.
Power steering.
Air-con.
Body/interior: Delete the rear door and fit kitchen across the back.
Delete the short bench seats behind the cab.
Move the pull out double bed (the long one!) forward to where the bench seats were (leaves room at the back for the kitchen bit).
Create a side door just rear of the front passenger door.
LED lighting throughout.
Exterior: Tow bar and electrics.
Automatic levelling system.
I'd have to buy Peggy back and take out the mobile kitchen stuff. Totally gut her in fact. Then....
Engine: 3 litre straight 6 BMW Turbo diesel
G/box: 6 speed from the BMW
Drivetrain: Uprated to suit the power
Brakes: Likewise.
Supension: Likewise.
Power steering.
Air-con.
Body/interior: Delete the rear door and fit kitchen across the back.
Delete the short bench seats behind the cab.
Move the pull out double bed (the long one!) forward to where the bench seats were (leaves room at the back for the kitchen bit).
Create a side door just rear of the front passenger door.
LED lighting throughout.
Exterior: Tow bar and electrics.
Automatic levelling system.
Park up. Push the button and the living quarters are set level (needed for the gas fridge apparently).
Saves messing about with manual jacks and spirit levels!
Wld it nt be handier just putting a tilt tolerant fridge in. Ive grown up with motorhomes and the early ones were terrible trying to get urself level or keeping vents out of direct wind to eliminate blow out. When we park up in our own motorhome we arent fussy n leveling, even to the point of the water nt draining away in the sink and we never have a prob with the fridge!
Doug
Member
Yes! You could add rollerskates to each levelling foot and call them stabilisers !
A level van also helps stop you roll out of bed!
Jostein
0
I know I shouldn't say this, as you might think that I had lost my interest/enthusiasm/devotion/love for our Bluebird Highwayman - which would be so far from reality as you could possibly get.
But my ultimate Commer would be an early 60s Maidstone (or Caravan/Caravanette as they were called in some export markets). To me, they are the brilliant, practical vans both from a "people mover" as well as a camper perspective, as the interiors are simply ingenious - and made with high quality fittings and materials. And the layout is just fantastic and so well planned. All this within the standard van/bus body, avoiding the bulk of the coachbuilts. The best compromise if you can live with it. Certainly not as roomy as the coachbuilt variants, but more beautiful as they are standard vans and sufficiently rare to be very desirable. I love them!
But my ultimate Commer would be an early 60s Maidstone (or Caravan/Caravanette as they were called in some export markets). To me, they are the brilliant, practical vans both from a "people mover" as well as a camper perspective, as the interiors are simply ingenious - and made with high quality fittings and materials. And the layout is just fantastic and so well planned. All this within the standard van/bus body, avoiding the bulk of the coachbuilts. The best compromise if you can live with it. Certainly not as roomy as the coachbuilt variants, but more beautiful as they are standard vans and sufficiently rare to be very desirable. I love them!