The absolutely sensible Kangoo Van - Genuine Sensible'ness
Discussion
Following the hugely sensible buying an RX8 as a practical occasional alternative to the Porsche when needing four seats I've had another fit of being incredibly sensible and purchased a van. A 2003 Kangoo van.
We could do with a small van for running around in at work as the Trafic/Master are all a bit big sometimes so a Kangoo seemed sensible and as all our vans are Renault and surprisingly reliable for French things it seemed a bit of a no-brainer when I was sent a link on Facebook to a Kangoo for sale.
Here it is:
Nice hey
It came with some fairly boyo alloys on it and a much nicer interior as it has bits from a Clio 172 in there:
In fact as well as the seats it also had some other 172 bits........ like the front subframe, dampers, uprights, drive shafts, wiring loom, radiator, gearbox....... oh and the engine:
It was a bit of a project when we got it, mechanically it was pretty good but needed a few bits sorting out properly. The exhaust was a bit of a mess so we made a new one that didn't rattle and caused less permanent hearing loss:
Engine mounts were well worn so the go to Vibratechnics ones were fitted:
We also raised the ride height from the scene van (roll centre below ground level) height it was at to something a bit more sensible for steering arm angle etc. As well as fitting some new 172 Cup front dampers and Williams rear dampers, rewiring a few bits, making a new steering column mount to put the wheel in a sensible position, fitting a new standard rad, some general tidying of pipe and wiring runs and treating it to a new set of tyres and a brake bleed.
Oh and we found it an appropriate number plate
Tomorrow we will try to get a skinny red top in there to make room for a suitable KFC bucket sized air filter and then it's off to Cadwell on Sunday to see how it goes on circuit - as we can't really use it at the moment as all the paperwork is with the DVLA to make the engine swap above board we may as well have some fun with it somewhere that doesn't matter
Performance wise it drives and handles a lot like a 172. With the spare wheel, air-con, power steering pump (it's on EPAS), heavy diesel lump, ABS and associated van bits gone it weighs around 100KG less than a 172. Drums on the back don't seem to make a great deal of difference and the balance under braking is very Clio like. It is also hilarious in every possible way, as one may imagine.
This being sensible thing is surprisingly good fun!
We could do with a small van for running around in at work as the Trafic/Master are all a bit big sometimes so a Kangoo seemed sensible and as all our vans are Renault and surprisingly reliable for French things it seemed a bit of a no-brainer when I was sent a link on Facebook to a Kangoo for sale.
Here it is:
Nice hey
It came with some fairly boyo alloys on it and a much nicer interior as it has bits from a Clio 172 in there:
In fact as well as the seats it also had some other 172 bits........ like the front subframe, dampers, uprights, drive shafts, wiring loom, radiator, gearbox....... oh and the engine:
It was a bit of a project when we got it, mechanically it was pretty good but needed a few bits sorting out properly. The exhaust was a bit of a mess so we made a new one that didn't rattle and caused less permanent hearing loss:
Engine mounts were well worn so the go to Vibratechnics ones were fitted:
We also raised the ride height from the scene van (roll centre below ground level) height it was at to something a bit more sensible for steering arm angle etc. As well as fitting some new 172 Cup front dampers and Williams rear dampers, rewiring a few bits, making a new steering column mount to put the wheel in a sensible position, fitting a new standard rad, some general tidying of pipe and wiring runs and treating it to a new set of tyres and a brake bleed.
Oh and we found it an appropriate number plate
Tomorrow we will try to get a skinny red top in there to make room for a suitable KFC bucket sized air filter and then it's off to Cadwell on Sunday to see how it goes on circuit - as we can't really use it at the moment as all the paperwork is with the DVLA to make the engine swap above board we may as well have some fun with it somewhere that doesn't matter
Performance wise it drives and handles a lot like a 172. With the spare wheel, air-con, power steering pump (it's on EPAS), heavy diesel lump, ABS and associated van bits gone it weighs around 100KG less than a 172. Drums on the back don't seem to make a great deal of difference and the balance under braking is very Clio like. It is also hilarious in every possible way, as one may imagine.
This being sensible thing is surprisingly good fun!
Excellent.
Any plan for some subtle but silly sign writing on the side? Many ideas here: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/tkographix/clever-vehi...
Any plan for some subtle but silly sign writing on the side? Many ideas here: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/tkographix/clever-vehi...
CornedBeef said:
Thats hilarious and very cool, love that you're taking it on track too. Shame Cadwells so far, I'd love to see it - the 996 had much track duty?
Also I assume this means the fleet now consists of the 996, RX8 and the van
The Porsche does a lot of chase car and circuit learning stuff so yes it's done its fair share of time on circuit over the years Also I assume this means the fleet now consists of the 996, RX8 and the van
It's a surprisingly good track car and can hold its own against some much newer stuff. Fleet is now 996, RX8, Kangoo, Trafic, Master, ex Pikes Peak Nova-Race F600, Piper PA-28, Jedi Mk6 and hopefully a Ralt RT3 shortly......... although I should probably stop buying stuff
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