Interesting journey. What did you do to prepare your van, and are you still convinced it is an appropriate vehicle for the conditions? Is the ground clearance sufficient and does the vehicle attract the wrong sort of attention?
There are a number of things I needed to do to make suitable. There are also a number of frustrations I have not yet resolved. But to make it capable of travelling pretty much anywhere I have seikel suspension fitted as well as underbody protection (the complete kit) fitted by Volkstrek/in Aberystwyth
Volkstrek also fitted reinforced two points on the front if I need to be recovered The weight and the underarm reduces the ground clearance slightly but there is still enough room to fit BFGoodrich tyres on steel wheels.
The tires (245/65 r 17) are heavy and too big to fit in the spare wheel recess! Thereforethe spare goes on the bike rack on the back . You can buy rear wheel carriers from various bars but they are very expensive so I made one using dexion angle and a Land Rover discovery two spare wheel carrier Also on the back rack I have mounted a pellibox This all starts to weigh quite a lot but is within tolerance and no heavier than for mountain bikes. Nevertheless I have upgraded the gas struts again done by Volkstrek which perform well except in very cold mornings
I have also had a rear bumper manufactured carry two Jerry cans. It is detachable and welded to the tow hitch and stabilised with two bolts into the frame behind the bumper
I made a lower profile stronger pair of roof bars on which I carry a spare tire but not much else as I’m worried about the powered Roof.
Finally I have a small rack on the bonnet to carry waffle boards
Internally I have removed the bed as it insanely heavy and consumes usable space . Instead I have made A plywood lining and use stackable cases to form a single bed using a seat back and seat base (both made by me) . This gives me much more storage in the single bed is good. Only two problems are there no seat belts on the back and the rear bench is slightly high for a tall person
Other minor modifications include an extension an other minor modifications include an extension for the 240 v and 12 V power supplies , Window tinting, lightbart on the front and in magnetic brackets on the side for led lights
And that is about it!