Full fiberglass body on a standard van.

[One Awesome Inch]

Interesting concept but attaching firring strip to the walls might be tricky. Don't know where I'd put the bed either due to no side door.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/cto/5357380753.html

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I have seen these before and thought they would make great conversions I like the attempt at aero dinamics but falling a little short, the back side shape should come closer to a teardrop but would be an issue for the door for tradesmen, a man door could be installed either on the side or in the back lift up door, I would go for the side then work out an addition on the back tailgate to make it more aero, and use the extra space from the inside for storage or my feet from the bed, windows would be easy to install, either rv or boat windows. The way I would do the interior would be like my Kurbmaster, no furing stips, glue the foam board in then the pannelling to that, intstall the permanent furniture, cupboards and ceiling in a way that holds the sides up, mechanically, I am sure there are reinforcement stips inside as well that you could screw randomly to reinforce the walls. and hold cupboards etc.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Interesting. The thing that would concern me is having a side door added. If not done properly it could be a big headache.

 

[MrNoodly]

There's a version of these with more standard swinging rear doors instead of the big hatch.

 

[MrNoodly]

Don't know where I'd put the bed either due to no side door.

You could run the bed lengthwise.

 

[WriterMs]

I love the look of this. With swing doors, it seems to me it could be an awesome home. Winddows/screens in the back doors and maybe another added in the pass-through door for cross ventilation and a bit more light.

Not that I'd be buying one, but isn't this sort of fiberglass body a type that should be rugged for rough-road travel?

 

[Oberneldon]

With doors - V-165 - Maranda

Lightweight compact truck fiberglass camper shell

http://paulmaranda.com/en/mobile-workshops/v-series/v-165

 

[BigT]

Interesting rear door idea, but would make putting things on the roof (rack, solar, etc.) a bit difficult.

 

[Mobilesport]

Looks like the company Unicell would sale a van body if you already have a van chassis  , you have to call to get price .
I dont know if they would let you pick it up and install yourself to save labor cost.
They have different door options , you wouldn't have to modify/add door.
http://www.unicell.com/UnicellVanBodies/HowtoPurchase.aspx

 

[Gary68]

with fiberglass anything is possible just wear the right respirator or whoo hoo

 

[SoulRaven]

Back in the 70's, Popular Mechanics & Mechanics Illustrated had plans to build quick & dirty, yet cheap & sturdy custom car/van bodies. I think I would dig up some of those plans and build EXACTLY what you want...

Look up the Phoenix Van for an example.

 

[Raven+Squid]

with fiberglass anything is possible just wear the right respirator or whoo hoo

This right here. Doesn't take much time to learn on practice pieces/projects. Designing the reinforcement/door jam-frame and picking the the correct door would be the key.

Good luck.

 

[Mobilesport]

This right here. Doesn't take much time to learn on practice pieces/projects. Designing the reinforcement/door jam-frame and picking the the correct door would be the key.

Good luck.

A few months ago I seriously thought about building a big fiberglsss box ,  I went through 3 cans ($16 a piece ) just playing around with it. 
Pretty easy to work with but if i ever decided to go ahead with a full  big project  I think I would try to buy fiberglass panels  and then only glass all the corners to try and  make it less work. 
My main concern is by the time I factor in all the fiberlass and materials  would it be cheaper to just buy a box?
Also I imagine it will take much more time then I anticipate.
Btw the project I was playing around with experimenting with I had to scrap , well 70% I scrapped and then I have a piece I kept that fits my hihtop roof , I might use it in the future amd add to it so not a total loss and I definitely know how to work with it now.