My VW Transporter T5 camper build

[SwissJonese]

Impressive stuff LeighW, we are in the final stages of getting our T5 converted by a professional company. There was a delay because the gas hob had a valve issue when being inspected by the gas fitter. In fact 2 units failed so might be a duff batch, this worried me big time. Do you have a carbon monoxide checker in your van?

[LeighW]

I have a small free standing battery operated one that I take.

Make sure that the converter has put gas drop out vents in the floor as well. What make of hob is it?

[zulash]

I am looking for a VW Transporter van to turn into a camper (ish). I am just wondering if i buy one with twin back doors... can a tailgate option be fitted or are the hinges etc. totally different.? Vans with twin back doors seem to be a lot more available.

[zulash]

zulash said:

I am looking for a VW Transporter van to turn into a camper (ish). I am just wondering if i buy one with twin back doors... can a tailgate option be fitted or are the hinges etc. totally different.? Vans with twin back doors seem to be a lot more available.

Sorry... i never thought... you're all away for the weekend in those stunning vans. Let me know next week. I'm going to need an awful lot of advice judging by this fantastic example! Good man.

[Philplop]

Yes, you can change from twin doors to a tailgate relatively easily. Not the other way around though.

[zulash]

Philplop said:

Yes, you can change from twin doors to a tailgate relatively easily. Not the other way around though.

thanks... i thought hinges etc. would be a nightmare.

[SwissJonese]

LeighW said:

I have a small free standing battery operated one that I take.

Make sure that the converter has put gas drop out vents in the floor as well. What make of hob is it?

It was a SMEV 9222 unit, and yep they put in drop out vents in the floor. All fixed now and we made a cuppa in it yesterday in the Brecon Beacons

zulash said:

I am looking for a VW Transporter van to turn into a camper (ish). I am just wondering if i buy one with twin back doors... can a tailgate option be fitted or are the hinges etc. totally different.? Vans with twin back doors seem to be a lot more available.

Why would you want to change the twin doors for a tailgate? My converted T5 has twin doors and I actually prefer it to tailgate as I can park closer and still get the back doors open enough to get stuff out. Yes there are a lot more twin doors than tailgates vans around.

[LeighW]

SwissJonese said:

It was a SMEV 9222 unit, and yep they put in drop out vents in the floor. All fixed now and we made a cuppa in it yesterday in the Brecon Beacons

Excellent, glad you're enjoying it! Same hob as mine

Ditto on the rear twin doors. Most people prefer the tailgate, but not me, it's much easier in parking spaces to open the doors. You could argue that the tailgate looks better, but I can't say it bothers me.

[MrDan]

Just wanted to comment and say thanks for such a great thread.

Im currently converting my T5 SWB and this thread is a godsend! Great work.

[LeighW]

MrDan said:

Just wanted to comment and say thanks for such a great thread.

Im currently converting my T5 SWB and this thread is a godsend! Great work.

Thanks. Good luck with your build.

Latest money thrown away invested, new Sachs clutch and DMF, and I've also swapped the very poor standard front speakers for some Pioneer TS-H1703 components. A massive improvement in sound, and all hidden behind the factory grills away from prying eyes.

[SwissJonese]

LeighW said:

I've also swapped the very poor standard front speakers for some Pioneer TS-H1703 components. A massive improvement in sound, and all hidden behind the factory grills away from prying eyes.

I agree the standard speakers are truly awful, cheapest waffer thin speakers.

I almost bought the same speakers as you but instead I went a bit mad on the sound system. Upgraded to Hertz 2 way in the front, Hertz 6x9 in the back linked to a JL Audio Amp. The headunit is a Pioneer AVIC F77DAB + Rear View camera as I don't have parking sensors. The sound is very clear (it plays FLAC Audio) and can be very LOUD if needed, alternator is taking a bit of a hit charging the main battery, leisure battery and my 700watt amp

[LeighW]

SwissJonese said:

I agree the standard speakers are truly awful, cheapest waffer thin speakers.

I almost bought the same speakers as you but instead I went a bit mad on the sound system. Upgraded to Hertz 2 way in the front, Hertz 6x9 in the back linked to a JL Audio Amp. The headunit is a Pioneer AVIC F77DAB + Rear View camera as I don't have parking sensors. The sound is very clear (it plays FLAC Audio) and can be very LOUD if needed, alternator is taking a bit of a hit charging the main battery, leisure battery and my 700watt amp

Probably spent slightly more than me then. I just have pioneer 6.5" 2 ways in the rear, and it does sound nice for a non-amp setup. I have wired the stereo to the leisure battery so I don't have to worry about flattening the starter battery when parked up. Any pics of your converted van?

[Fluffsri]

Looking good!

I've just finished the floor in mine and in the process of a one piece headlining. Last weekend a Pioneer head unit, RF amp and a pair of Audison components went in. Sounds so much better.

[LeighW]

As we're off to the Highlands later this month, I've been looking for a way of being able to open a window at night while keeping the evil Scottish midges at bay. I found a company that makes mosquito screens for T5s, but they couldn't guarantee that they'd keep the smaller midges out, so I made my own using a sheet of 'midge spec' mesh, and some lengths of magnetic flexible tape. It fits nice and flush, so hopefully it'll work! The hems still need tidying up, but I'm pretty happy with the result.

Edited by LeighW on Tuesday 8th August 16:19

[eric twinge]

Great thread and build, you must be very proud.
I've been looking at Hymers and all T type VW's, I just can't believe (well I can actually) the prices involved, eye watering!
Looks like I will be stuck with my tent

[zulash]

I did eventually find & purchase my T5. It's a LWB 1.9 102 It also has rear barn doors (which are staying barn doors). I Just had privacy glass fitted.. back doors and sides (1 slider). Picked up an excellent set of 20'' range rover Stormer alloys with very good tyres on Ebay (£500). Had the interior insulated & lined with led's in roof last week also leisure battery and hook up point fitted. Still got to make decisions on interior & bed etc. expense got a lot to do with it!! as i'm paying for it to be done, no way have i got the patience or knowhow... not to mention time, to do the work that the OP did. PS all work done so far by 'Lakeland Windscreens' Kendal. I will get some pics of interior later. It's raining ... not going out there!

LeighW said:

SwissJonese said:

It was a SMEV 9222 unit, and yep they put in drop out vents in the floor. All fixed now and we made a cuppa in it yesterday in the Brecon Beacons

Excellent, glad you're enjoying it! Same hob as mine

Ditto on the rear twin doors. Most people prefer the tailgate, but not me, it's much easier in parking spaces to open the doors.

[zulash]

Hi there, did you ever get your van lowered? I'm just having mine converted at the moment & and it looks like it could be dropped 50mm. I'm wanting to know the best way to do this without spending a fortune.

LeighW said:

Next job was colour coding the bumpers. Fortunately I have a mate who is a very good sprayer, so once I'd removed the bumpers (what a pig the front one is!), they were off to him for painting. He made a cracking job, and the van finally stopped looking like a builder's van.

[LeighW]

zulash said:

Hi there, did you ever get your van lowered? I'm just having mine converted at the moment & and it looks like it could be dropped 50mm. I'm wanting to know the best way to do this without spending a fortune

No, I decided to leave it standard, the weight of the convesrion dropped it quite a bit! Plus it rides nicely, the tyres don't rub, and I don't have any worries with grounding it when we're off camping in it. Assuming your shocks are in good condition, the best value way of lowering it would be with H&R springs. If you contact Merseyspeed (merseyspeed.co.uk) and tell them what spec your van is they'll recommend which kit to go for, as there are varying spring rates/stiffnesses to choose from.

[zulash]

Thanks very much 4 that. I actually have H&R springs in my Ebay watch list! I am leaving the lowering til last.... once all the added weight is in. You have to admit ..you see a lowered van coming towards you... they do look the Dog's Danglies!

[AyBee]

Leigh, did you ever consider the Mercedes Vito for your conversion? For comparable mileages, they appear to be much cheaper than the T5...