Peugeot J9: Convert a van

A large number of us are currently quieter. Then you can of course go on Netflix. But that is escape behavior. If there is still a flight, then run forward with dirty hands, into summer. For example, you could make your own camper or food truck. We prefer a food truck. Then at least you always have something to eat. And sleep? You should do that in a real bed. The Peugeot J9 that we have at Gerard Kramer from Wolvega is an outsider in Gerard's collection. It's a van, a utility vehicle. And a project.

The Peugeot J9

The predecessor of the J9 was the more rounded Peugeot J7. After a technical update and modernization of the body, the J7 became Peugeot  J9, and externally recognizable by the sleek black bumpers, larger rear lights, a sliding side door and a modified roof. The J9 was supplied in various heights and lengths with a permissible maximum weight ranging from 3,1 to 3,5 tons.

De Peugeot  J9 was available with: 1618 cc or 1971 cc petrol engines and 2122 cc or 2304 cc diesel engines, which came from Peugeot 504 stocks. Later in the J9 also the 2498 cc diesel engine from the 505 was available. The J9 had front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.

More of the same

The gearbox of the Peugeot  J9 was broadly the same as that of the J7, but had longer gear ratios for lower fuel consumption. In 1987 a 5-speed manual transmission became standard. In order not to make things too lethargic, the chassis cab and extended variants were shortened gear ratio.

After official production ended in 1991, Karsan from Turkey continued licensing until 2010.

The purchase of such an ex worker as the Peugeot  J9 is not without risks. Often these types of cars have traveled many kilometers without getting the appropriate maintenance reward at a later age. While cars, like people, require more maintenance as they age. Many of these classics are also heavily gnawed by the elements, parking damage and rustworms. On the other hand: A healthy specimen is about as difficult to assemble as a brick and is about as reliable. However, you should not be in a hurry as a bus driver and there are versions that are not motorway-laden or converted. Or with the 100 km / h rule: hardly being highway-proof. Think of travel speeds between eighty-eight kilometers per hour. But we are not in a hurry. So that makes a difference.

Building vans

Such a van is a good starting point. You can do anything with vans. And a lot can go wrong if you do that in your open-mindedness. So think first, and make a plan. Then watch where you drill and saw. Uprights in the side of the superstructure are not only there because they are so nice and annoying in the way. They are part of the car's structure. Work on the electrical part also needs to be done seriously. You can find all kinds of useful information about this on Youtube. But the big problem with enthusiastic, but not very skilled bus builders is leakage. Windows, hatches and vents can be just as many sources of moisture in the interior. Of course, everything - or almost everything - can be solved with silicone sealant and more silicone sealant. But that is a weakness. So consider carefully whether changed body panels are sensitive to rain.

But when you have made your own bus like this, you can be proud. And we can provide a few tasty recipes when the bus becomes a food truck. If it becomes a camper, we would like to borrow it.

Maybe also interesting to read:

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• VW van
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• 100 years Citroën. The company car history. Part One
• 100 years Citroën. The company car history. Part 2 (slot)