My VW Transporter T5 camper build

[LeighW]

Getting to places like this makes all the hard work worth it. You can just about see the van in the layby...

Clachan Duich Bridge by Leigh_ W, on Flickr

[LeighW]

Rosscow said:

s3fella said:

This looks fab, but you know that.
What I'm scratching my head about, I really don't get it, is how the swivel double seat works? How is there room to swivel?

Does it pull back first into the rear, then swivel, and return to position? I'm confused!

Like this one I presume:

http://vimeo.com/38838803

Yep, that's the exact seat. Clever piece of design.

[LeighW]

S6OOH said:

Superb work! I love that

Thanks!

Finally got my logbook back from DVLA.

Edited by LeighW on Monday 11th August 00:16

[LeighW]

matt 74 said:

Great thread and Echo the previous remarks of a great looking conversion.

Very useful for those considering the same, I have started to research the market and am leaning towards a conversion, out of interest did you look into 'pop-top' roofs? At 6ft2 I could do with a little extra height!

Thanks Matt.

I did look at pop tops, but initially decided against one for reasons of cost, figuring that I could always add one later if I felt it needed it. Having camped in it a few times now, I'm glad I didn't add one, and for a couple of reasons; 1) You really don't spend much time at all standing up in it, you can use the hob and sink while sitting down. The only time it's a bit of a struggle is when you're getting changed, but it's no hassle really. 2) I've insulated the van pretty well and it's really cosy. A pop top is basically a tent when it's raised, so all the heat would just escape through the canvas, meaning I'd probably end up dropping the roof down overnight to stay warm, which kind of removes the point of it for me.

That said, I'm only 5ft 10, and my head is pretty close to the ceiling when sat in the back, so you'd probably have to slouch a bit!

Edited by LeighW on Wednesday 24th September 21:08

[LeighW]

matt 74 said:

Leigh, how much of a drama is it to re-register with the DVLA?

Sorry for the slow reply Matt, I hadn't looked on this thread for a bit! It's pretty straight forward actually; just send the logbook to the DVLA stating the change of classification, together with a covering letter stating what you've done to meet their requirements plus photos proving that you have actually done it.
More info in the following link, but there's plenty of info on the net about it.

http://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-a...

[LeighW]

TheMoo said:

Fantastic build.

My dad has been threatening to turn his T5 into a camper for the last 2 years, think I need to show him this to give him a nudge

Thanks very much. Tell him to do crack on and do it!

I've done a couple more bits to the exterior recently - added facelift rear lights, some side steps, and um.. chrome door handle covers.




Edit Couldn't remember the exact pics for these, so found these from a drive on the beach...

Edited by LeighW on Tuesday 8th August 16:03

[LeighW]

Hi Peter - sorry for the slow response, I haven't visited this thread for a while.

The link to my kit is here:

http://evomotiondesign.co.uk/product/type-2-long-w...

If you scroll along the pictures, one of them gives the dimensions. Some of the pics on there are my actual van (where are my royalties?! )

Drop me a PM if you need anything else.

[LeighW]

While I'm here, I'll add a few more pics of some small updates. I've re-trimmed the cab roof to match the rear, added a couple more lights, and changed the bed board so that there's now access underneath the bed from the front. Looks neater now I think. Just a shame I've only managed one week away in it all year.

Edited by LeighW on Tuesday 8th August 16:09

[LeighW]

AyBee said:

Can you still carry passengers (noting the seatbelts) even though the seat/bed isn't crash tested?

Well, the MOT tester always checks the seatbelts on the bed and passes it, even though it's registered as a motor caravan with three (not five) seats. I don't (and personally wouldn't) carry passengers on an untested seat. If I wanted a seat to carry passengers I'd buy a more expensive tested bed such as a RIB, but it's not an issue for me as there's only me and my wife that travel in it.

[LeighW]

Pesty said:

That is awesome.

So I guess the panels have holes in the right place. You pushed the clips in covered with grey stuff and just clipped in the side?

Edited by Pesty on Friday 16th October 03:11

Thanks.

Yep, the panels come pre-drilled in the right place, so you push the clips through the ply panels before covering them, then they just clip into the existing holes in the van. This is the panel for the sliding door, you can just about see the clips.

Edited by LeighW on Tuesday 8th August 16:14

[LeighW]

Rosscow said:

Putting my very picky hat on, it's a shame the veneer on the doors doesn't run through

Git.

It does annoy me a bit to be honest though!

[LeighW]

kevcritc said:

Great job. I have installed the evo 4.4 design into our van. I am now puzzling over how to add the gas and electrical supplies etc. What distribution board did you use? I notice it is under the seat (presumably next to a leisure battery). I like this idea.

Thanks. For the electrics I bought this kit from Xtreme Vans and it saves a lot of hassle.

http://www.xtremevan.co.uk/product_info.php?produc...

The battery, charger, and mains distribution board are under the seat, and the 12v switch/distribution box is mounted on the side of the furniture behind the driver's seat. You can run every 12v circuit from this and earth them back to it. A great bit of kit.

The gas is just a simple camping gaz bottle secured inside the furniture, with a regulator copper piped to the hob. There are drop out vents in the floor too. If you look at the type 2 lwb kit on evo designs website, there are some pictures showing the gas install which are actually my van.

I've done a bit more work lately, adding an LED light shelf, evo loo box and a Webasto compressor fridge. I'll post some pictures up shortly.

Edited by LeighW on Saturday 2nd April 22:51

[LeighW]

Some up to date pics with fridge, TV/DVD, rear bed board and LED shelf added:

Edited by LeighW on Tuesday 8th August 16:18

[LeighW]

Cheers fellas. The clutch thrust bearing has now started getting a bit noisy when it's warm. That and a slight judder on take up has made me bite the bullet on a new clutch and DMF. Full Sachs kit, £400. Just got to get it fitted now. Ouch.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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

[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.