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Post by kiwidave on Apr 21, 2009 15:19:35 GMT
Hi all, Well it seems you can't keep a good Romahome down, I have just managed to obtain a mark 5 free spirit body for Bilbo ( I really don't know if I can keep calling him that as he has had a truck change and a new body now ). I always liked the mark 5's and I found one one a 1988 Bedford that the truck was a little rough but the Romahome is in fantastic condition. He now has Blown gas heating ( yes I am getting soft ;D ) a full three way fridge and all the original curtains and upholstery. I have taken my old mark1 of the Dihatsu and positioned the mark 5 for the fitting, and will be doing the final fitting tomorrow. I am also planning on cutting the underside covers that go under the truck tray to make them fit the truck. I will post so pic's as soon as I am done. Ellie, I know that you cut the bottom covers, how much of a hassle was it? Talk soon, and see you all at the meet. Dave and the new improved Bilbo ( the six million dollar van  ) |
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Post by sunshine1 on Apr 21, 2009 20:14:31 GMT
Hi Dave, Congratulations! Have I now got the oldest demountable 1988 mark 2! I love my original interior. And apart from thinking of swoppping the curtains for blinds, only due to them being a dog hair magnet. The skirting fixing, was just cutting and revioting in certain places. They look more finished with them on and You retain the the locker spaces! What you doing with the original Bilbo? Sunshine1  Ellie |
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Post by kiwidave on Apr 21, 2009 21:20:39 GMT
Hi Ellie, Yea I agree I think that Bilbo "2" will look so much better with the skirts on ( oh gosh, I've got a cross dressing camper ;D ) and I will just take it slow and try to get it right. Bilbo the first is going to be sold on eBay very soon, I am going to put him up at a £1.00 reserve and just take what I can get for him. The Rascal pick-up that the mark 5 was on has a full service history but is showing it's age so it will be interesting to see the outcome of the auction. Going down to mildenhal next weekend so have to have Bilbo "2" up and running by then, busy weekend ahead I think  What did you use to cut the skirts with? Dave |
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Post by sunshine1 on Apr 22, 2009 13:53:04 GMT
Hi Dave, We cut the skirting with a junior hacksaw. Not hard at all! Just a case of splicing in several places to over come the wheel arches and petrol tank holes As they are in different places on the diahatsui. Good luck with the sale of Bilbo 1, you should do OK! Seen several recently in very good nick for nearly 5 grand. If you were going to save him has a donor vechicle, I would have asked to purchase a window. Has ours has a crack in it, but apparently been siliconed for the past ten years and hasn't got any worse. Think it had been someone heavy handedly opening the window. At some point will have to try and find a replacement. Will try and post pictures of the skirting looks good! Sunshine1 Ellie |
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Post by marc4242 on Apr 23, 2009 12:49:08 GMT
Hi All
is there any documentation anywhere on what the different body 'Marks' are, eg difference between Mk1, Mk2 etc. I'd like to know what mark my pod is. Especially as I think I may switch the pick up to a Hijet sometime.
Marc
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Post by kiwidave on Apr 24, 2009 18:38:23 GMT
We cut the skirting with a junior hacksaw. Not hard at all! Just a case of splicing in several places to over come the wheel arches and petrol tank holes As they are in different places on the diahatsui. Will try and post pictures of the skirting looks good! Hi Ellie, Well it's crunch time now for the skirting, I am planning to make the first cut tomorrow  If you do have a pic or two that you could post to give me a idea of how you did yours that would be cool. Did you cut sections out of the wheel arch to make the petrol hole fit? and did you cut the wrap around flaps of from the end? Sorry to be a pain, but I am only going to get one shot at this Cheers Dave |
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Post by sunshine1 on Apr 24, 2009 20:34:13 GMT
Hi Dave, Your no pain so don't worry! Near side My near skirts,Consist of wheel jack holder and inspection cover for hook up electrics. To to beable to utilize these again. I had to cut a mid section out which was luckily over the wheel arch which I spliced together. Braced for strength.I then butted the wheel jack caddy up to the front of the cab.And inspection cover just wrapped round the rear of the van lights. I bolted it on from the top of the pick up. Note I had to do this with the body off! And gave it extra support with bolts and rivets attached to sub frame. This looks very neat. Off side. More tricky! Just trims and petrol hole! Simply position, the cut out for petrol hole and measure to fit. You will find most you have to cut off ,is to the front of the cab. Best tool to use to use junior hacksaw, You find you will have to do little nicks and cut here and there to fit under flat bed of pick up and especially around the metal wheel arches. Under the wheel arches, there is a good 1 and half inch gap from the body to the top of trim. This seems to be flimsy and to strengthen it I dropped a bolt in. Which I encased in a cut off from a plastic water pipe , which you can't notice. If you have a steady hand you won't see the joins. Finally when dropping the bolts in from the top,we strengthen the casing with drilled wood washers. on the under side. You can't see the attachments. Will post this and try and attach photos now! Sunshine1 Ellie |
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Post by kiwidave on Apr 24, 2009 20:40:43 GMT
Splicing, Dicing, Cutting, Rivetting........ Oh Shivers what have I let myself into  How do you feel about a quick trip to Hatfield LOL ;D Thanks Ellie, you are a star for all the help. Dave |
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Post by sunshine1 on Apr 24, 2009 21:20:20 GMT
Hi Dave, Tried to image shack them! Didn't understand where I was meant to send them! Gave me Face book ,Twitter, bebo etc. So I have emailed them to you! Maybe you could unload them for future interest! If any probs will go out with camera and tape meaure in daylight to help! Sunshine1  Ellie |
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Post by kiwidave on Apr 24, 2009 21:23:35 GMT
Thanks Ellie,
Will see what I can do about getting them posted.
Cheers
Dave
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Post by Graham on Apr 25, 2009 8:07:43 GMT
Tried to image shack them! Didn't understand where I was meant to send them! Gave me Face book ,Twitter, bebo etc. So I have emailed them to you! Maybe you could unload them for future interest! Hi Ellie Imageshack has become a bit of a pain it has changed recently and it seems harder now to upload pictures, Dorsetdimension had problems too, she'll be glad it's not just her. I wrote this brief description of how to do it if it helps. 1. If you can see the "upload an image" box just above where you are posting click "browse" 2. Find the image in the window thats opened I usually put my images on the desktop before I get to this stage to simplify matters. 3.Click "Open" 4. Click "Host It" next to "browse" 5. A new window will open, go to the top and highlight the text in the "direct link to image" box 6. Go back to your post window and click the little image icon which is 4th from the left above the smiley faces. 7. Paste the text you copied in between the two img codes. 8. Say a prayer and click preview at the bottom of the post box, if your picture appears don't forget to click "Post Reply" |
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jiffyman
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
CAMPING?? We'll be there in a Jiffy
Posts: 53
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Post by jiffyman on Apr 25, 2009 8:24:20 GMT
I always use photobucket.com , then copy and paste the IMG tag, and have never had any problems really |
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Post by sunshine1 on Apr 25, 2009 12:21:30 GMT
Heres trying Graham! Hope it works! Skirting on Sooty! Sunshine1 Ellie |
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Post by sunshine1 on Apr 25, 2009 12:25:54 GMT
Hi graham, Can't do it!  Everytime I think I have it uploaded. (have letters in box,,and viewed it )It doesn't appear! Will ask him him doors, when he comes back home!- Shock horror hes been allowed out. He has less patience than I do! So lap top may be in fish pond by teatime. Cheers Graham! Sunshine1 Ellie |
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Post by sunshine1 on Apr 25, 2009 16:53:01 GMT
Hi graham, I have mastered it!..... But the pictures are huge in the preview? Any ideas why? Sunshine1 Ellie |
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Post by Graham on Apr 25, 2009 16:56:07 GMT
You will need to make them at least 50% smaller, if you have an image manipulation programme e.g. Photoshop you should be able to do it.
Don't throw the lap top in the pond, think of the fish. ;D
Graham
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Post by marc4242 on May 2, 2009 20:00:19 GMT
Hi Dave
How's Bilbo getting on, all done now?
Marc
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Post by kiwidave on May 2, 2009 20:10:41 GMT
Hi Dave How's Bilbo getting on, all done now? Marc Hi Marc Nearly there, will be complete by next weekend ( ready for his first outing with new body  ) I have just finished ( about 10 mins ago  ) installing the 240v system and the new leisure battery as well as wiring the fridge for 240v. I ended up getting a local body shop to do the skirts for me as I kept looking at them and thinking.... SH^%$ I only get one shot at these and one wrong cut and it's all over, so for £70.00 he is fitting them for me, this will be done on Wednesday and then thats Bilbo done. I will be posting some pics when he is finished. Cheers Dave |
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Post by marc4242 on May 4, 2009 9:00:37 GMT
Hi Dave
I'll be interested to see the photos. How long has it taken you to do the transfer? At the moment my pod is on a Rascal but I occasionally think it would be nice to have the awesome speed and power of a Hijet. I would have no idea how to transfer the side skirts to the Hijet though, nor how to replicate the power feeds to the pod.
Marc
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Post by kiwidave on May 4, 2009 9:58:01 GMT
Hi Dave I'll be interested to see the photos. How long has it taken you to do the transfer? At the moment my pod is on a Rascal but I occasionally think it would be nice to have the awesome speed and power of a Hijet. I would have no idea how to transfer the side skirts to the Hijet though, nor how to replicate the power feeds to the pod. Marc Hi Marc I will post the pic's this week, I know what you mean about the speed and power of the hijet, when I bought Bilbo's new pod, it was on a rascal and I drove it 200 miles to get it home, boy did I miss my Hijet then As I said, I decided to have the skirts done by a shop as for the £70.00 I think that they will do a better job than I could ( yes I am chicken about stuffing them up One wrong cut and it was all over so give it to the pro's ( I hope  ) ) If you do decide to change you truck over, please let me know and I am more than happy to come and give you a hand, the electrics arn't as bad as they look, just takes a little time, and it would be a great excuse for a weekend away . Cheers Dave |
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Post by kiwidave on May 4, 2009 10:04:05 GMT
Hi All is there any documentation anywhere on what the different body 'Marks' are, eg difference between Mk1, Mk2 etc. I'd like to know what mark my pod is. Especially as I think I may switch the pick up to a Hijet sometime. Marc Hi again Marc, Just wondered if you found out which pod you have? Things to look for: Do the windows on the side open? Are the square or are they a funny shape? ( kind of cut off ) Do you have little fold down tabels by the sink/cooker If yes, are these held by chain or a plastic bracket? I would be really keen to see a pic if you have one? Cheers Dave |
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Post by marc4242 on May 4, 2009 20:16:18 GMT
I still don't know what Mark our pod is. The windows are trapeziums, and they do open. Yes, I have fold down tables, supported by flimsy plastic brackets (I want to replace these with aluminium ones but don't know where to source them).
I shall now go try upload some pics ... hmm, wimg doesn't seem to want to know; I'll zip them and pm them to you.
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Post by jayjay on May 4, 2009 20:42:55 GMT
Have I now got the oldest demountable 1988 mark 2! Sunshine1 Ellie Nope Sunshine - I think (only think, mind, from what I've heard and read) that mine is a Mark 1! Old as the hills, and is looking it these days! LOL! |
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Post by kiwidave on May 5, 2009 6:30:27 GMT
I still don't know what Mark our pod is. The windows are trapeziums, and they do open. Yes, I have fold down tables, supported by flimsy plastic brackets (I want to replace these with aluminium ones but don't know where to source them). I shall now go try upload some pics ... hmm, wimg doesn't seem to want to know; I'll zip them and pm them to you. Hi Martin, Got the pic's through, This is the mark 5 Free Spirit, it was the last of the Romahome demountables made ( to my limited knowledge ) This is the same model that I have just fitted to Bilbo and that Ellie ( Sunshine1 ) has fitted to her Dihastue ( sootie van ), if you can make the meet, both these units will be there and I am sure I speak for both of us when I say that we would love to answer any questions. As I said in my earlier post, if you do decide to change your pod to a latter Dihatsue please let me know and I would love to give you a hand. I did look at the Honda Acty as another source of pick-up, but to fit one of these onto the Acty you have to chop off all the front bit under the lutton, which is something I didn't want, were as they fit sreight onto the HiJet. I hope you don't mind, but I am going to try and upload the pic's for everone else to see, so here is Marcs Mark5 Rascal Romahome ( I hope ) Cheers Dave     |
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Post by ant on May 5, 2009 7:10:59 GMT
Hi Dave
The pics are indeed a Mk5, but the "Freespirit" body was the last Romahome demountable, it was designed to fit the Diahatsu Hijet. The body was very similar but different! the windows were however interchangable. Not many Freespirits were produced, I think the last of them were in 1999/2000.
I doubt there are any pods about looking for another chassis yet.
Ant
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Post by kiwidave on May 5, 2009 11:19:51 GMT
Hi Dave The pics are indeed a Mk5, but the "Freespirit" body was the last Romahome demountable, it was designed to fit the Diahatsu Hijet. The body was very similar but different! the windows were however interchangable. Not many Freespirits were produced, I think the last of them were in 1999/2000. I doubt there are any pods about looking for another chassis yet. Ant Hi Ant, What was the difference between the mark 5 and the freespirit? I bought a mark 5 which I think is the Freespirit as it fitted streight onto my Hijet. It was advertised as the free spirit, so I would be interested to be able to tell if it was. cheers Dave |
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Post by ant on May 5, 2009 16:42:02 GMT
Dave.
There was very little difference to the body moulding. I think the Freespirit had its fridge exhaust on the rear rather than the side, it also had the later moulding that contained the the cooker and grill, rather than the older Flavel vanessa unit ( which is actually a better cooker I think) that was screwed down. All the freespirits had a Burgundy and teal green stripe along the bottom edge of the body.
Ant
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Post by marc4242 on May 5, 2009 18:14:40 GMT
Dave, I don't mind you posting SD's (Snowdrop's) pics up at all, not even Boris (Boris is the spherical thing, he forms part of our lighting 'system' at festivals (it's all AA battery powered)). Thanks very much for the kind offer of help, I may well take you up on that some time, although the Rascal will get its MOT tomorrow and I won't sell the Rascal base until after the festival season.
Ant, interesting your point about the Mk5 vs Free Spirit. I guess I could do with establishing if my pod is different from Dave's.
Dave: do you have the burgundy stripe or other indications that Ant mentions?
Marc
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Post by kiwidave on May 7, 2009 19:53:30 GMT
Hi all, Hope anyone at the meet allready is OK. I will see you all there tomorrow Anyway, just thought I would post some outside pic's of Bilbo with his new body and skirts on. I recon he looks awesome ( but I would ;D ;D ) I will take some more pic's soon and post them. but here's Bilbo.....    And the new electrics install next to the bog...  See you all tomorrow Kiwidave and Bilbo |
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Post by Graham on May 7, 2009 20:28:37 GMT
Hi Dave
Bilbo is looking in fine fettle, you've done a great job. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Graham
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)
) installing the 240v system and the new leisure battery as well as wiring the fridge for 240v.
) )