Hi all, this is my first post on here, just discovered this site and I think it's great, especially love the how to articles, they're really clear and helpful, I was wondering how easy it would be to instal my own windows, now I'm looking forward to cutting big holes in my van!
Anyway, I've just bought an Iveco Daily and am about to embark turning it into a camper. Obviously just at the planning stage at the moment. It has a double bench seat rather than a single seat for the passenger, and a solid panel seperating the cab from the back of the van. I would like to remove this panel to create more space and make it more sociable if I have people travelling in the back (the rear dimensions are 2.6m by 1.8m), but I'm not sure if it will give any extra space in the back as I don't think there's much I can do with a double bench seat. I might take it out in the future and replace it with a single swivel seat (is this easy/possible?). Another option is to just cut out part of the panel and instal a window.
What do people think is the best idea? I assume if I'm going to remove the panel it's best to do it now while the van is still an empty shell?
Thanks,
Mike
Hey M, it's a bit of a trade off, isn't it. Having the cab opened up will improve the living space, give more light and is more sociable but the double cab seat is restrictive. I think the question to answer is the seat one. If you can get a single then you will be able to swivel it and suddenly removing the panel is a really good idea. You 'should' be able to do this altho I don't know for sure on an Iveco, it depends on the rails and how they are fitted.
If you've got loads of other stuff to do and decide to keep the bench seat, I'd just leave it as it is and make the most of having an easier space to insulate and keep warm. Your right that it's best to do any structural stuff at the start altho you it wou;dn't be impossible take the panel out in a few years just a bit messy. Depends if you could future proof it and avoid fixing anything permanently to it? R