VW Transporter Conversions

[d000hg]

I originally thought about just converting it to an MPV (albeit a pretty super duper one with SATNav and DVD and everything) but then I think about all sorts of possibilities.

I think you can get such amazing features as GPS & DVD on regular MPVs these days.

You do realise it will look crap, right? An MPV can have individual screens on each seat, and seats that fold up and move around all over the place. You'll have a few deck-chairs nailed to the floor.

This is what happens when you try to build your own:

[Halo Jones]

Get SY02 on board & go for it, I allways wanted to pimp out a Humber Pig APC but nver did & regret it now.

Do not expect it to be ready this year & enjoy the process

[KpMrJ]

transporters

SY01,

couple of forums for you to browse and get some ideas from
The Brick-yard
VW T4 Forum
VW T4 -T5 Club UK - T4 - T5 Club UK

With needing seating for 5, couple of options are available. either go the full 'Caravelle' which can seat upto 8 in LWB form & drop out the last row of seats for luggage hauling. Or a 'Crew-Cab' two seats in front and then second row is a 3 seater.
There's a variety of models and engine types out in the market, best to drive at least the 1.9 ( 4 cyl ) & also the 2.4 ( 5 cyl ) both Diesel. Although the V6 petrol is a thirsty beast unless on the old laughing gas ( lpg ).
Many are already modified, but watch how its registered. Plenty of info on T4 forum buying guides etc.

They make a great family hauler and in LWB form are cavernous. As always plenty of service history is vital, as like most diesel VAG motors the timing belt, water pump & injector changes are time consuming and costly jobs.

And if plan A or B doesn't work out, drop the back seats out and you can pick up courier or local small removal work too !

J

[suityou01]

SY01,

couple of forums for you to browse and get some ideas from
The Brick-yard
VW T4 Forum
VW T4 -T5 Club UK - T4 - T5 Club UK

With needing seating for 5, couple of options are available. either go the full 'Caravelle' which can seat upto 8 in LWB form & drop out the last row of seats for luggage hauling. Or a 'Crew-Cab' two seats in front and then second row is a 3 seater.
There's a variety of models and engine types out in the market, best to drive at least the 1.9 ( 4 cyl ) & also the 2.4 ( 5 cyl ) both Diesel. Although the V6 petrol is a thirsty beast unless on the old laughing gas ( lpg ).
Many are already modified, but watch how its registered. Plenty of info on T4 forum buying guides etc.

They make a great family hauler and in LWB form are cavernous. As always plenty of service history is vital, as like most diesel VAG motors the timing belt, water pump & injector changes are time consuming and costly jobs.

And if plan A or B doesn't work out, drop the back seats out and you can pick up courier or local small removal work too !

J

[Pogle]

My sister in law and her family bought a large transit and had it fitted out. They use it ALL the time, for weekends away and their main holiday, they've traveled over a lot of Europe in it and most of Britain.
There are 5 of them (the 3 kids are now all teenagers) and they manage it.
They did it to be able to travel cheaply.

I would get someone to do it properly for me, I suspect SY2 may be more amenable to the idea if she doesn't think Its going to sit in the garage for 6 years.
To persuade her - just point out how great it would be to just bugger off at the weekends and visit nice places without expensive accommodation, it would be good for the kids to experience such things etc.. etc.. educational, enriching blah blah family time blah - you know the kind of thing.


Me -? I don't go anywhere without hot and cold running carrots and a minibar

[lukemg]

I think you are mad to attempt this, even if you are a sparks, this is specialised bespoke work not fitting a spoiler to your Saxo. On the subject of space a pop up roof can provide easy additional sleep room and a stick on the side awning can be a sleeper/lounge area. The kids will soon lose interest and it will be a running/parked sore as you end up as the only one left who wants to do it (and you won't want to either after a while). Unfortunately they don't have camper SOS so you will be stuck.
Hire a decent van for a week, see if the missus enjoys it (the kids will) then start saving for a proper converted one.

[threaded]

Evening,

I am thinking about the prospect of buying a VW transporter (equivalent of a Transit effectively) and converting it to something the family can use. I have me, SY02 - SY05 (inclusive) so we number 5. I originally thought about just converting it to an MPV (albeit a pretty super duper one with SATNav and DVD and everything) but then I think about all sorts of possibilities.

Does anyone know of anyone who has done similar? How much did it cost?

I found these guys

But I really want to DIY. Imagine the main family holiday car being your own handy work, bespoked to your very own specification. He he he.

SY02 is not in favour btw. But I am a stupendously good mechanic and qualified electrician (as well as pretty successful IT contractor recently departing software development into the murky realms of system architecture and systems analysis) so am not at all afraid of a challenge.

Flame away, but not too much, as I may have to recoil into my shell again, and no one wants that

Ignore this lot. It's really not hard to do. It's your first go, so don't be afraid to rip it all out and start again if it's not quite right.

I've taken more than a few retired rally cars and made them 'road useful' again. Admittedly I've usually been going for the 'stealth' look.

Main problem is getting the VAT sorted if you're taking an ex-works van and cutting windows in it. I'm surprised more aren't doing this, as there're plenty of pretty new vans turning up on the 2nd hand market what with the downturn, etc..

[Fred Scuttle]

Evening,

I am thinking about the prospect of buying a VW transporter (equivalent of a Transit effectively) and converting it to something the family can use. I have me, SY02 - SY05 (inclusive) so we number 5. I originally thought about just converting it to an MPV (albeit a pretty super duper one with SATNav and DVD and everything) but then I think about all sorts of possibilities.

Does anyone know of anyone who has done similar? How much did it cost?

I found these guys

But I really want to DIY. Imagine the main family holiday car being your own handy work, bespoked to your very own specification. He he he.

SY02 is not in favour btw. But I am a stupendously good mechanic and qualified electrician (as well as pretty successful IT contractor recently departing software development into the murky realms of system architecture and systems analysis) so am not at all afraid of a challenge.

Flame away, but not too much, as I may have to recoil into my shell again, and no one wants that

I would not recommend a camper van for family use. What happens when you are on a camping site? The van has to be static so what do you do for transport. A caravan is more flexible, you can leave it on-site and still use your car. If you have a large garden you can also use the caravan for week-end guests, presuming you have friends.

[fullyautomatix]

Welcome back SuitU

Good project you got in mind. Keep updating this thread from time to time with pics of you and SuitU02 blinging up the car.

[milanbenes]

sy01,

feck's sake peasant

just buy a top spec MB Viano, or VW Multivan and get the full multimedia installation

simples

jeeeez

Milan.