[galpinos]

Cheers Dylan

He's got 2 small children so hes keen to get proper belts of he can fit/use child seats.

With my converted Bongo, I've got an A-frame bolted to the base which has been DVLA checked and approved. I haven't managed to get in touch with the guy who did mine.

[Paul B]

VW T4/T5 forums might be a good place to take a look.

[SA Chris]

T4 forum is a mine of good info. We got one 3 point and one lap belt fitted by a guy certified to do mods, but he is based in Cumbernauld, so probably not the most convenient.

[MattW]

Anyone know of a good garage in Sheffield to get seat belts fitted? Converting a T4 and took it to the garage i normally use and they had a fit about liability and won't touch it   

[SA Chris]

As above try the T4 forums.

[MattW]

Cheers, managed to find one out in Handsworth in the end called Clark and Partners.

[Bubba]

Not exactly camper van - I must have been pissed last night as I googled for "Berlingo Tuning"

Check this badboy:

[lagerstarfish]

Not exactly camper van

Doesn't matter.

I'm with you Bubs - any Berlingo conversion is worth a look.

 I've had a love of the Berlingo ever since they hit the hire fleet scene. I can still remember the first time I drove one and was gobsmacked by that HUGE windscreen - made me feel like I was flying a jumbo jet   

[T_B]

Anyone got any experience/thoughts on small vans?

I'm thinking Fiat Scudo or Citroen Dispatch (think a Berlingo will be too short to kip in as I'm 6'3).

Which engine?

I'm interested in something that drives like a car, is cheap to run, but which you can doss in the back every now and again and chuck a load of pads in.

I won't be doing any fancy conversion - just thinking about a simple platform above the wheel arches.

Anticipating spending around £4-5K.

[SA Chris]

richieb has got a Peugot partner with a similar setup to what you describe. I think he is away at the moment, so pm him.

[Johnny Brown]

I think clm's is a despatch. He hasn't done much of a conversion but it does the job.

[north_country_boy]

I'd look into a new style Volkswagon Caddy aswell Tom, quite a few about for £4-5k at the minute, much better build quality and reliability, and likely to hold
value way better than a french throwaway van....

[Johnny Brown]

Whatever you don't look at the transit connect, drives like a 7.5 tonner, whilst actually having no more space than a cinquicento.

[T_B]

Yeah, the Caddy looks nice but I wonder if it's big enough for me to sleep in - just 1.8m load length 

[nik at work]

In the interest of SCIENCE I've just had a quick lie down in the back of my Berlingo. I can assume a fully flat sleeping position as long as I lay along the diagonal. However as I am 9" shorter than you it us unlikely you would achieve a satisfactory nights sleep unless you are comfortable sleeping in a semi-foetal position (cuddling a teddy bear perhaps). However it would be possible to build a raised platform which went above the passenger seat (headrest removed) which would provide adequate length, however this would result in a narrow sleep zone (you would need to be VERY well aqainted if not traveling solo), would remove any passenger carrying capability (unless the bed platform was hinged) and is just going to be too much of a ball ache to implement.

So in conclusion your original prediction that a Berlingo would not satisfy your requirements has been confirmed, you need to look for something a bit bigger.

I hope this was helpful.

[dave]

just stick you feet in the glovebox tom.

[T_B]

So in conclusion your original prediction that a Berlingo would not satisfy your requirements has been confirmed, you need to look for something a bit bigger.

I hope this was helpful.

Very much so. I have a small fiancé to squeeze in there also 

[chillax]

Whatever you don't look at the transit connect, drives like a 7.5 tonner, whilst actually having no more space than a cinquicento.

I was in a mate's one of these at the weekend and he seems to quite like it. Good milage and lots of head room. His is an admittedly basic setup, boxes full of gear that he rolls a mattress out on top of, but seems to work pretty well for weekend trips to the Head and Ailladie and the like.

Bear in mind that he is a bit on the squat side, so if anyone's ever used the word "lank" while referring to you, its probably best to look elsewhere.

[Bubba]

Aye, echoing Nik's comments - no chance with a Blingo - i'm 5'10" and can only fit diagonally. Connects are even smaller and don't drive that nice.

[Johnny Brown]

Whatever you don't look at the transit connect, drives like a 7.5 tonner, whilst actually having no more space than a cinquicento.

I was in a mate's one of these at the weekend and he seems to quite like it. Good milage and lots of head room.

I get to drive plenty of vans through work. This is a real turkey.

I daresay if I'd made the mistake of buying one myself though I'd be trying to convince me and anyone else of its merits.

[Bubba]

Insane Blingo modification. Surely a waste of time on such a small van?

[T_B]

Insane Blingo modification. Surely a waste of time on such a small van?

WTF?! They must be short...

[Johnny Brown]

Genius. Jason Pickles has got a Berlingo with a neat little conversion.

[T_B]

Just had a look at a long wheel base Transit Connect - the front passenger seat folds right over and can be pushed down so that it's flat at the same level as the rear floor. Ingenius! Shame about JB's assessment on the driving as it looks perfect for the lanky doss.

[Bubba]

I drove a crap load of Ford vans last year for work - JB is right about the drive - not as good as the Blingo/Partner but sameish as the Vauxhall Combo (also avoid).

It's a shame because the recent full size Trannies are a joy to drive.