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May 23, 2012, 08:51:11 PM
 
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Author Topic: Rascal damsal in distress.  (Read 380 times)
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miss sparrow
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« on: July 23, 2011, 01:47:58 PM »

Hello I've just bought my first bedford rascal panel van after owning old landrovers for many years! He [the rascal] is a 1987 really cute blue one which I plan to go camping in later this year. Unfortunately one of my dogs hates it because he likes to look out of the windows while travelling, and I must admit I miss the allround views too, so I'm desperate to find some opening side windows to restore harmony-can anyone help me please? I dont have computer access at home so to anyone replying it may take a few days before I respond-many thanks from Miss Sparrow.
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teaspoon
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the starting point


« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2011, 08:29:13 PM »

the sliding windows are like hens teeth to get hold of,,,, there going to cost a few quid, unless you find a scrappy with one in,,,,,,,,,, oh yes, welcome to the club,,, hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it,,,,,,,,, where abouts are you,, im near northampton.
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miss sparrow
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« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2011, 02:40:30 PM »

Hmmmmm... thanks -  thats just what I was afraid of. Having priced some new ones up they're going to cost more than the rascal did! Oh well, praps I'll hang on for a while and look for a hens dentist.....  Nice of you to reply, I live near walsall in the w.mids.
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Ruth
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« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2011, 11:04:45 PM »

Welcome  Smiley
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old hippy
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eeyore


« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2011, 07:47:53 AM »

welcome you know why the chicken crossed the road to see the dentist but he pased his flat mate on the road
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I  OWN  REAL RASCARRY  NOT A CARRY NOR A RASCAL BUT A HYBRID
townsman
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« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2012, 02:44:15 PM »


I had side windows fitted professionally. And paid the pernicious car tax in force at the time...

The following link should get you to a sliding window supplier

http://www.leisurevehiclewindows.co.uk/

Get dark tints fitted, as these help in car security.

If you are building a camper then you could get away with just a near-side door fitting, this will help contain costs and improve vision at oblique junctions. Although the professional driver approach of just left of the crown and well out from the kerb, plus stopping square to the main carriageway, (not the Give way/Stop marking,) should help your driving safety; before you fit the window(s).

The limited vision normal in vans demands a different driving technique and too many drivers buy vans and treat them like cars, only to cause mayhem because they never learn to 'drive' using the mirrors properly...it's the first thing you get taught when learning to drive LGV and PCV vehicles.

Replace the interior lighting with a mix of Fluorescent AND LED sources. A second leisure battery is a must, the original underfloor fitting is just about large enough for starting and perhaps an hour or two of original fitted radio use. I had the 'heavy duty' battery fitted from new but it is only about 5amp/hr larger than standard enough to ensure starting on a UK freezing morning.

The standard item will not survive an extended evening of  'entertainment' if this is accompanied by LED TV and satellite dish; add in enhanced CD/DVD/FM/DAB Radio and perhaps laptop or tablet pc use. The short cut of  parking on a slope and 'bump-starting' is fraught on a grassy field with the added risk of being stuck at the foot of the slope...

Standard 4x2 Rascary's are not good off-road vehicles. There used to be a 'locker diff' that suited the Suzuki SJ-410 Jeep and this might be adaptable for use on a Rascary making the standard van a little more able in slippery conditions. Those with grey imports may have 4x4 as standard... It is possible to fit tyres from a quad to a Rascary but these are not street legal and will need a suspension raise to get enough bounce clearance with the consequent interesting changes to ride and road holding/handling.

A two berth Camper will require an exterior 'extension' tent as you'll need somewhere to stand to make up stow the bed not nice to do on a damp campsite field before breakfast. There are 'zip round' tailgate tents too which means you can cook breakfast in comfort if you fit under the tailgate when it is raised.

Make sure that any furniture fitted is properly secured to reinforced areas of the floor PLUS fitting some spreader plates under the floor. The latter will require the dropping of the exhaust system AND the heat shield etc. Short cutting here may seem preferable in cost and time, but having cabinetry and its contents come loose under heavy braking really will take the joy out of your weekend breakaway.

You may also need a trailer to carry the side/rear extensions, Barbecue and fuel, dog bed, wet weather gear, surf/body-board, and anything else that won't fit inside once the bedding. kitchen, food stock, leisure power supply are installed in the van...any space that is nominally 6' x 4' is soon occupied. There are times when a 2 berth tear-drop trailer-caravan would make more sense. And fit the van as a pic-niker with an simple 'mushroom' table with a couple of seats and perhaps a wash-stand rather than a full kitchen.

IF you are a naturist and follower of Zen living then a Rascary camper may suit otherwise perhaps a slightly larger base vehicle may make more sense...
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old hippy
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eeyore


« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2012, 05:23:24 PM »

dont have to step out outsde mine to mke up beds and i have a porto loo as well in mine ok storage space bit tight but can do if pack properly includes two chairs small table and large lesuire battery and ten lts of water {ok took off piano hinge to make it easier to do bed } and also small fridge that is without putting up poptop
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I  OWN  REAL RASCARRY  NOT A CARRY NOR A RASCAL BUT A HYBRID
J J 007
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yep


« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2012, 08:06:42 PM »

not a short version then
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smookin                   those that care don,t matter those that matter don,t care
old hippy
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eeyore


« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2012, 10:12:27 PM »

well you seen mine jj didnt think they did a long wheel base version
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Pirate
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« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2012, 05:39:43 PM »

Quote
didnt think they did a long wheel base version
How about a bambi  Grin
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old hippy
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eeyore


« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2012, 06:20:20 PM »

mines a rascarry as you can see by my avatar a rare beastie with sidelight besiide headklight like chops pick up
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I  OWN  REAL RASCARRY  NOT A CARRY NOR A RASCAL BUT A HYBRID
beefy
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« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2012, 07:36:50 PM »

miss sparrow: could you not use a similar side window that is used on old landrovers? like the ones used in the full "van" cabs on series and defender sides? cut the rubber down and cut the perspex window down to suit?

teaspoon: where in northampton are you? in just south of towcester, its always good to find your nearest other enthusiast... Smiley
only got my first rascal on thursday and have plenty of plans!!

we are having our 38th van nationals show near buckingham on the last weekend in june...  van fans not to miss!! all welcome!!

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NSVA.co.uk
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teaspoon
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the starting point


« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2012, 08:17:41 PM »

im  in daventry,,, must find time to meet up,, im trying to get my boss to allow us to bring the works transit to the show
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beefy
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« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2012, 08:41:45 PM »

well if he needs more persuasion, the Transit van club will be there too! i will have my custom mk2  as well as lil rascal there too Smiley
www.nsva.co.uk
or facebook search "nsva"
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NSVA.co.uk
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Vandrederic
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WWW
« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2012, 06:20:23 AM »

Welcome to the site!

As I believe others have said, you could try some custom non rascal specific windows?

Pherhaps some port hole style ones that you see on some customised vans Smiley
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-Van, the man with a rascal van.
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