Van Conversions: Racking, Chassis and Bespoke Bodies

We cover the two main conversion jobs. Panel van fit-outs include modular racking, shelving, drawer units, bulkhead partitions, floor plating, 12V and 230V power and internal LED lighting, using racking brands like Bott, Sortimo and System Edstrom. Chassis cab body builds include Luton boxes, dropsides, tippers, refrigerated boxes, welfare shells and tail-lift fitment. Additional work such as livery, signwriting, tracker install, beacon fit and Chapter 8 chevrons is handled in the same build slot. You spec the vehicle, we coordinate the chassis, conversion and delivery as one package.

Yes. Chassis cab body builds are a core part of what we supply. A chassis cab is a bare vehicle: the cab, wheels and engine without a load body. We supply the chassis from the manufacturer you want (Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Iveco Daily, MAN TGE and similar) and book it straight into an approved body-builder for the body type you need. Luton boxes, tipper beds, dropsides, refrigerated boxes and welfare shells are the usual builds. Gross vehicle weight runs from 3.5 tonnes on a standard driving licence up to 7.5 tonnes on a C1 category. Paperwork, type approval and first MOT are handled before delivery.

Lead times depend on the chassis and the conversion. A stock panel van with a standard racking fit usually leaves the workshop inside 2 to 3 weeks of order. A chassis cab with a Luton body, tipper or dropside typically runs 6 to 10 weeks from chassis delivery to finished vehicle, because the body has to be built and mounted after the chassis arrives at the body-builder. Refrigerated conversions sit at the longer end of that range due to insulation and fridge unit fitment. We confirm the build slot at the time of order and keep you updated on chassis delivery and body completion dates.

Yes, and that is the route we recommend. Fitting racking before delivery means the van arrives ready to work, the funder signs off the modification up front, the cost sits inside the monthly payment on contract hire or the total invoice on hire purchase, and the warranty paperwork reaches you with the keys. If you lease the van first and add racking afterwards, any modification has to be approved by the funder and the end-of-term condition rules apply. We fit racking from Bott, Sortimo and System Edstrom, sized around your parts, tools and usual job list.

Yes. Refrigerated conversions are built across three main temperature bands: ambient chill (0 to 5 degrees) for florists, fresh produce and bakery work, chilled (0 degrees) for food distribution and pharma, and frozen (minus 18 to minus 25 degrees) for ice cream, frozen food and cold chain work. Multi-compartment fridge boxes with separate temperature zones are also available for mixed loads. The box is insulated, sealed and fitted with a refrigeration unit sized to the chassis and the duty cycle. Data loggers, night blinds, rear step entry and side door access are specified at build.

Yes. The chassis warranty runs as standard from the manufacturer (typically 3 to 5 years depending on brand). The conversion warranty runs separately from the body-builder or racking fitter, usually 12 to 24 months on the conversion work. On refrigerated builds, the fridge unit carries its own manufacturer warranty from Carrier, Thermo King, Hubbard or GAH. We supply all warranty paperwork at handover and point of contact for each element (chassis, conversion, fridge) so you know exactly who to call if something needs looking at.

Yes. Converted vans are financed on the finished vehicle value rather than the bare chassis. Hire purchase is the common route for converted vans and HGV body builds: fixed monthly payments against a clear ownership end date, the full VAT reclaimable by VAT-registered buyers on delivery, and the vehicle sits on the balance sheet for capital allowances. Contract hire and finance lease are also available where the spec is standard enough to set a residual value. We arrange the finance alongside the build so the vehicle is funded, approved and scheduled before the chassis goes into conversion.