Interior Transfer

Hi all, I've been cogitating over an idea, and seek thoughts from those more experienced.

I have a 1999 Duetto, based on the MK5 100 LWB Ford Transit. The Autosleeper interior is still in great condition, as is to be expected. The base vehicle has previously undergone extensive welding to repair underneath and rear suspension, and is in need of further work to front wings, sills etc.

I know more modern Duetto's are built on the Ford Transit MWB models, with a shorter interior length.

My thinking has been around the idea of buying a Transit LWB high top, about MK7 era, and transferring the interior from mine into the newer vehicle. Before commencing the work I have the opportunity to fully treat the interior/exterior against corrosion so the bodywork should outlast my needs.

I appreciate that the interior will not be a straight swap, there would be some fettling involved, but overall the end result should be a very useable, AS hybrid.

Any thoughts or suggestions anyone, or am I plain mad?

Jollywalker

Certifiable I'd say, but it's an intriguing idea!

If you could make it work it would be a great project for the summer, and what a talking point for years thereafter!! You would (of course) post regular update photos so we can all have a laugh see how you are progressing.

But seriously - why not! If you fancy the project and think you can do it, go ahead and good luck. You never know what you can do until you try.

A lot of self build motorhomes are built by combining a delivery van (or crew cab van for the extra windows) and the insides of a writen off caravan. That normally results in a lot of unused wires as the requirements are slightly different. Starting from a motorhome SHOULD result in a slightly easier build.

If you want some assistance with a self build, check out the Self Build Motor Caravanners Club, a club I am no longer a member of.

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If you're good at that sort of woodwork, it's certainly possible, but please don't underestimate the difficulty of dismantling A/S interiors. They assemble things in a way that suits assembly, ~not~ disassembly. I took out part of the interior of my previous van (a Flair, so pretty much a SWB Duetto) and I didn't enjoy the process.

The Mk7 Transit is a smashing motor and conversion is well worth doing if you feel confident, bear in mind what has been posted in respect of dismantling

Much better to sell the duetto and start from scratch I have been looking at this as no one makes a van perfect for our needs. You can get a brand new ducato lwb van for about £16000 and buy a lot of the interior in kit form 
I would like something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/rs-motorhome-/201784848862?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=i53DnEWi2bzzPv4ZScIxknTMCrs%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc