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I'm sKiZo, and my favorite color is blue ...


sKiZo
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Saw a 2011 Transit Connect XLT for sale, test drove it, and thought "this could be nice!" - drove it home that day.

 

High hopes for converting it into an overnite camper - I've seen some interesting plans and pics here and there that lead me to believe it could work for me. It's a panel van (no rear glass) and it already has a 1000 watt inverter and dual battery system installed. As is, I expect I could just jam my Aerobed in the back and do take out until I get further along in the build. Final results (hopefully) will include a convertible couch/bed, storage, and a mini kitchen with water and stove, as well as a porta potty for emergencies. Install slider windows in the rear doors and sides for ventilation, and a fan-tastic fan in the roof. The inverter is already rigged for solar, so a couple panels for keeping the batteries topped off as well. And speaking of roofs - already looking into popping the top for additional headroom.

 

Should be a fun project!

 

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16 hours ago, sKiZo said:

Saw a 2011 Transit Connect XLT for sale, test drove it, and thought "this could be nice!" - drove it home that day.

 

High hopes for converting it into an overnite camper - I've seen some interesting plans and pics here and there that lead me to believe it could work for me. It's a panel van (no rear glass) and it already has a 1000 watt inverter and dual battery system installed. As is, I expect I could just jam my Aerobed in the back and do take out until I get further along in the build. Final results (hopefully) will include a convertible couch/bed, storage, and a mini kitchen with water and stove, as well as a porta potty for emergencies. Install slider windows in the rear doors and sides for ventilation, and a fan-tastic fan in the roof. The inverter is already rigged for solar, so a couple panels for keeping the batteries topped off as well. And speaking of roofs - already looking into popping the top for additional headroom.

 

Should be a fun project!

 

 

Welcome to the Transit Connect Forum!  We'd love to follow your project, so please post up some stories and photos of your journey and progress along the way!

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OK - I'm done!  

 

transit-mods-v10.jpg

 

(In photoshop anyway) <G>

 

Exterior mods will (hopefully) include a raised roof, steps for the side doors, and some slider windows for ventilation. Solar panels and a FanTastic fan on top. Interior is still up for debate, but I got a good idea how I want that to go ...

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  • 1 year later...
On 4/27/2019 at 8:22 AM, Bill Jackson said:

How did you get the raised roof done? It looks really good.

 

Look below his picture, he said it's done in Photoshop ? But that top is from Fiberine - supposed to be great stuff, but talk about $$$

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  • 1 month later...

Old thread, and you're all right. The original pic IS photoshop, but I've had the body work done now. Hard part was finding someone to do it - all the pros said "oh nos - liability!! Wot happens if it blows off in traffic? And I told them how about if I tie myself to the roof and if it lets loose I'll be the first to know. Anyway - friend of a friend of a friend does custom work on racecars, and said he'd never done anything like that ... come on down!

 

Did a fabulous job I think, inside and out. I still gotta do some trim and such, but even now it doesn't look half bad. 

 

topper-done-05.jpg

 

Few questions about the windows - I got those from a fairly local dealer along with the roof fan.

 

https://www.teardroptrailerparts.com/

 

** Also got the top fan and stereo upgrades installed. Kind of on hold right now while I'm working on a couple other projects. Oh, and the hubcaps came off Amazon for $25 ... ;-}

Edited by sKiZo
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I like it. Got a nice easy fold away bed for it too. That converts easily into a lounge chair and just fits front to back. Half the width of the van, so I can still build some storage for the other wall and still have room to shuffle about.

 

PS ... haven't sworn off photoshop though - it's real handy for trying out ideas. Here's my latest tweak with some custom decals (since ordered and awaiting installation):

 

transit-dawn-patrol.jpg

 

(the decals harken back to the bad old daze driving my VW campers around. The Dawn Patrol rides again! Hiyo silver!!

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Well, there goes your ability to blend right in to the fleet of white vans downtown.  Now you'll stand out.  If you rob a bank or something, you won't get away with it.  Which is why every pickup I've ever owned was white.  When the cops are chasing me, I could always pull into a Home Depot parking lot, full of white trucks, and they won't know which is the truck I was driving.

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5 hours ago, Fifty150 said:

When the cops are chasing me, I could always pull into a Home Depot parking lot, full of white trucks, and they won't know which is the truck I was driving.

 

Here's a gear idea for such event: 

 

Soft-Ostrich-Rest-Pillows-Headrest-Sleep

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