Table of contents for Issue 70 in VWt

Conspiracy theory

Experience is the currency of life. The more experience you have, the richer you are said to be. Some even say negative experiences are worth more than positive ones, based on the fact we rarely learn anything from the good times. On that basis #projectshed is one of the most wholesome, life-affirming and valuable experiences I’ve had in my life. Here’s why. At the time of writing this, I’m doing battle with a dodgy turbo manifold, a knackered central convenience unit (again!) and a suspected ABS pump / module that’s gone up the swanny. The upshot of all this is the dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree and I’ve got a lot of ‘experience’ ahead. Yes, the Van still goes forwards, it still goes backwards and it still stops,…

3 min

VWt|Issue 70

Style STEAL

Engine 2.0 (140); Pendle Performance re-map to 185bhp; Wagner Tuning front-mount intercooler; Audi Q7-style twin exhaust Chassis Low Pro-sourced Bilstein and AccuAirbased air ride set up; front hub mod; adjustable ARB drop links; H&R anti-roll bars; Forge Motorsport 356mm front discs with six-piston calipers; 20in OEMS 111 wheels; 235/35-20 and 255/35-20 tyres Styling Anthracite vinyl wrap; Sportline front spoiler; DRL bumper inserts; fog lamp kit; Bi-Xenon DRL headlamps; 63mm sidebars: ABT grille; Van-X LED tinted rear lights: AMGstyle rear diffuser grafted into bumper…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Suspension – what’s best for you?

Shorter springs, shocks and springs, coilovers, air ride, hydraulics or even lift kits. The options are broad, but you need to choose wisely. Much depends on what you hope to achieve, or wish to do, with your Van. If you’re all about ‘stance’, know that going really low (-100mm and beyond) will never improve ride quality, geometry or handling, despite what many will tell you. If you are new to radically lowered vehicles, ask some people to take you for a drive in Vans that have been dropped this amount, then make up your own mind before spending large. Fundamentally, you have five options when it comes to T4-T6 suspension alterations: 1 Lowering springs are the entry level option. Good quality ones offer a subtle drop (typically 40-60mm) without compromising…

2 min

VWt|Issue 70

’Velle raiser

Hi there VWt. I noticed last month’s cover Van and wanted to ask if you’re aware of any particular stockists for T5 Caravelle interior parts? I’m looking to carry out the same Panel Van to Caravelle conversion as Ian Rigg did in Issue 69, but daren’t venture into a VW dealership, or to TPS, for fear of the prices they’re going to quote. Duncan Blaine, via email VWt: Hi Duncan, glad to hear you too have been inspired by Ian’s excellent work. Here are three firms you could try for Caravelle parts, but we suspect you’ll have to resort to the two companies you mention for some of the bits as nobody is likely to have everything you require for a full transformation. Try Oxford T5 (tel. 07799…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

High (line) life

I purchased my Van as a Panel Van in early October 2017 to build into a Camper myself. I’d previously tackled a 2004 T5, so was fairly confident I could make a go of it. It had no windows, a bulkhead and a ton of debris and dust in the back as this was a former builder’s Van. Luckily, having the bulkhead meant the cab was pretty clean and dust free, but by the end of the first weekend the dirt, the bulkhead and builder’s boarding were gone and it was ready for conversion. Next job the windows – not a job I was ready to take on, so it was off to the professionals for that. I opted to have only the forward windows real, and the rear quarters…

3 min

VWt|Issue 70

Be inspired…

Where we stayed: • Glencoe Mountain Resort (www.glencoemountain.co.uk) • RiverBeds Luxury Wee Lodges (www.riverbeds.co.uk) Mileage: 857 Costs Fuel: £132 M6 toll: £16.50 (cheaper north bound than south – work that one out) Glencoe camping pitch: £30 for two nights inc. electric Glencoe Mountain lift pass: £32 each RiverBeds Lodge: £175 Meal at the Loch Leven Hotel: £82 Other food and drink: £70 Camper hire: £240 for Friday to Monday, off season (www.camperhirehq.co.uk) Total: £819.50…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Style STEAL

Wheels Custom made 9.5 and 10.5 x 20in Damn Raw three-piece forged CNC’d wheels; 245 /35 and 275/30 x 20 tyres Body mods Refinished in VW Raven Blue; Magna Tuning GT-style front bumper; de-badged grille; Audi Q7-style rear bumper; de-badged and smoothed throughout Cab area Alcantaratrimmed dashboard; re-trimmed Vauxhall VXR iron cross Recaro CS seats with 7in screens built into backrests; T5.1 steering wheel; New South boost gauge; Kenwood DNX 525 head unit; custom two-tone trimming throughout, including headlining Interior Kombi rear seat; twin moulded glass fibre 10in Hertz sub boxes; Hertz mono and four-channel amps; Hertz front components and rear coaxials; amp racks built into rear side panels; Dynamat and insulation throughout…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Lowpro

“the ultimate exercise in minimalist perfection” “I couldn’t see the point in building something that looked fantastic, but didn’t perform” Inspirational. Exciting. Entertaining. And that’s just 27-year old Nico Patigny who, at the time these photos were taken, was living in Aberdeenshire as part of the buzzing oil and gas industry up there. But Nico is French by birth, which has bestowed upon him the most magnificent blend of Scottish and French twangs to his English accent, and is the very definition of living life to the full. He’s properly smashing it into submission, make no mistake. And this T6 reflects that life well lived. The day before the photoshoot, he’d returned from a 3,500-mile road trip all over Spain and mainland Europe, so it’s clearly not just for posing…

6 min

VWt|Issue 70

Rapiddelivery

Some time ago Stefan Parkin contacted us about his Caddy parts chaser for his genuine VW spares and breaking business, SRS Automotive. Located on the same site as renowned VW TDi tuning legends, Darkside Developments, it was obvious from the outset that this once humble Van wasn’t quite as it seemed. Indeed, it had already been on the receiving end of a 2.0TDi engine transplant and a four-link, coilover rear end, engineered in association with Only Charged Dubs, so the power output and handling were notably improved over the OEM motor and rear leaf springs. However, come December 2017 the decision was made to switch to a 2.0 (CR - EA189 series) TDi engine from a later VW, along with a DSG gearbox swap. It already made something in the…

4 min

VWt|Issue 70

Style STEAL

Model 2001 SWB T4 Engine Stock 2.5 (88) TDi, custom stainless exhaust Chassis Lowered 40mm on Just Kampers springs; Bilstein B6 shocks; 8 and 9.5 x 15in banded steel wheels; 195/50-15 tyres Styling Repainted in VW R902 and custom mix blue; DA’d upper half with Michelin lettering; Ed Roth-style rat being ridden by Bibendum; Lamin-X tinted R8-style DRL headlamps Camping interior Bespoke Surfstyle Vans conversion; sound deadened, insulated, ply and hessian lined; whitewashed pallet wood furniture; matching laminate flooring; Smev 8821 stove; custom painted ply headlining; Surfstyle pull-out bed frame; go-kart tyre speaker and light enclosures Cabin Alfa Romeo seats; 10in subwoofer in centre console; colour-coded dashboard and door cards; skateboard wheel winders…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Beach ready

“a different schedule to the usual VW show set up” It’s not the first time we’ve attended VanWest here at VWt, but this year it seemed more vibrant, buzzing and alive than ever. With so many new shows popping up all the time it’s hard to decide which ones you should go to, but with VanWest now in its 13th year, and set on a five-star campsite on the doorstep of Brean Sands, it was always high up on our list. It also has a different schedule to the usual VW show set up, so we decided to head to the West Country for a bit of welcome sea air. One thing is for sure, it’s run by enthusiasts solely for enthusiasts, and the hard work of the dedicated team…

3 min

VWt|Issue 70

This month ON PLANET JIMBO

• Stonor Park Another corking summer’s day spent in Henley-on-Thames at this country house VW show • Inters To Rockingham Motor Speedway for the VW Golf and sprint course extravaganza that is GTi International • Transporter HQ Open day and a BBQ at the Leicester-based purveyors of all things Transporter. Mine’s a cheeseburger, please chaps • Gaz Ultra Lows Finally got my hands on some second hand Ultra Lows. If the internet wasn’t full of moaners, they’d still be readily available • BMW lover Someone lent me a BMW 435D for a couple of hours and I absolutely blooming loved it. Thank you lovely person • Due South I’m all loved up this month and have hardly got anything done as a result. Sorry ’bout that • Album of the…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Style STEAL

Camping interior UK Pop Tops furniture run and camping interior with RIB ¾-width bed; custom trimmed throughout in purple leather and Alcantara by TMJ Trim; Eberspächer D2 night heater; Dometic oven and grill; Waeco CRX50 fridge; 240 and 12V split charge set ups; CBE power points; UK Pop Tops elevating roof; custom roof bed with 19in drop-down monitor; Vanshades blind pods; custom floor mats; colour changing LED lights throughout and 12 LED downlights; The Punisher logos throughout Cab area Custom dash air vents; Alcantaratrimmed dashboard; custom centre console gauge pod and stereo shade; lower dash trimmed in purple leather; leather-trimmed captain’s chairs ICE Kenwood DNX525 DAB head unit; twin Phoenix Gold 6.5in front component speakers in custom door builds; Skipton Car Radio angled front tweeter pods; Alpine Type R 10in…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Inbox

Game boys, and girls I’ve got to tell you about this new phenomenon we recently unlocked in our Van. I was playing a game with my family the other day in our T4 called ‘There’s a Van!’ What we do is drive around the UK road network and shout out every time we spot a T4, T5 or T6. Given their comparative scarcity now, you get double points for a T4, while points are deducted if you mistakenly identify a Vivaro, Scenic or Transit as a Transporter. You get me? We’ve become so proficient at it that we have further extended the game to ‘There’s a Golf!, with bonus points for Mk1 and Mk2 versions. Perhaps it’s something you could tell your readers about, as it’s become quite the obsessive…

2 min

VWt|Issue 70

Key to freedom

This is Oliver, my 1996, short-nosed VW Caravelle GL. In just over two years with me he’s done almost 40,000 miles of incredible adventures including trips to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Wight, and even for use as a wedding Van! A couple of those trips were even featured right here in VWt. For an old T4 he’s rather luxurious, with electric windows, central locking, electric mirrors and eight seats with front and rear armrests. He even has factory fitted alloys! I designed the conversion in such a way that everything is removable and nothing is permanently fixed down, which took extra creativity as I couldn’t just use ‘off-the-shelf’ parts. I did it this way as it’s such an incredible base, with an immaculate interior, and I felt…

3 min

VWt|Issue 70

Teal of the decade

Hi, just wondered if you’d be interested in featuring my Van in the mag? I’ve always wanted to get one of my cars in a mag! I’ve been into VWs for over 20 years now, mainly Mk2 Golfs (I’ve another build under way now) but I went to Early Edition last year and saw all the T5s and had to have one. I sold my T4 a month later and found this completely standard 2005 base T5, which was straight and honest. I planned to just lower it and put wheels on, but got completely carried away. I’ve carried out all of the work myself apart from the windows and carpeting. It started as a bog standard T26 last year and was fully T5.1’d whilst I was waiting on delivery…

2 min

VWt|Issue 70

Ring master

Every now and then a Van comes along that is so fast, so famous and so outlandish that you make a short, flippant, 60-second video of it and stick it on your Facebook page. That video is then watched by over 300,000 people, shared more than 5,000 times and is generally ‘liked’ by all who see it. Sure, the video itself is a gnarly representation with zero editing and amateur production quality, but it’s valued because the Van is probably the fastest T5 on the planet. No one seems to care if the video is shaky, and not made with a mega expensive Steadicam or gimbal, when the Yorkshire wilderness is whipping past at breakneck speed. As the saying goes, fast is always cool, and if something is fast we…

10 min

VWt|Issue 70

Stand by your Van

Andi Riley is a man of humble chat, but a true ambassador for VW-based automotive innovation. His Van, meanwhile, has become an internet sensation, with any action video of it instantly going viral. Unsurprisingly, given the amount of time and effort invested, he’s no intention of ever parting with it, and probably wouldn’t build another for anyone else because the hours involved would make it a very serious financial commitment. If you want to get some idea of what all the fuss is about, check out our short video of it in action at www.facebook.com/vwtmagazine .…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Style STEAL

Model 2016 T28 SWB Engine Stock 2.0TDi CR 140 Chassis The Install Company stage three air ride set up; ABP front struts; Gaz shorter rear shocks; Continental bags on custom rear mounts; rear chassis notch; adjustable drop links; Powerflex camber adjustable bushes; front inner ’arch linings removed; AirLift 3H digital management with chassis-mounted ride height sensors and ’phone app; polished copper hard line install; Viair 440c compressors; 9 and 10.5in Rotiform IND-T wheels; 225/35 x 20 tyres Styling Genuine VW LED headlights; T6 Sportline front spoiler; Maxton Design front splitter Camping interior Sound deadened, insulated, ply lined and carpeted; Smith & Chambers Joinery removable furniture run with pull-out bed base; Dometic 9722 stove; Isotherm compressor fridge; 20in 12V Atlas TV; Durite split charge system with 140Ah leisure battery; 12V LED…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Holesin5.1

Continuing with the DIY theme of this project, fitting windows is one of those jobs that can definitely be carried out at home. There’s a particularly good YouTube tutorial by Kiravans that explains the process very well (type in Kiravans Window Fitting VW T5 T6 and you’ll find it), though most decent window fitting kits bought online now come with excellent instructions. One of our top tips is to go overboard covering your Van inside and out before making any cuts to avoid grinding sparks and metal debris settling on your paintwork / glass / upholstery and damaging it. Big sheets of cardboard taped into place are ideal. You can use a nibbler, air saw, jigsaw or plasma cutter, depending on what you’re comfortable with and have access to. Simply…

7 min

VWt|Issue 70

Square eyes

First up, a word to the wise. VW, in its infinite wisdom, decided to drill a couple of additional holes on the b pillar towards the front of the side window so another handle can be fitted to twin slider Vans. Thanks to this inspired bit of forward thinking, mounting a TV on a bracket behind the driver’s seat of a T5 / T6 is an absolute doddle. The job is made even easier thanks to a natty little bracket available for £30 from VW Dial Adapters (www.vwdialadapters.com) in Nottinghamshire. Designed and pre-drilled to mate up with the aforementioned holes, as well as the bolt pattern of a VonHaus 13-24in TV bracket that’s available online for as little as £12.99. Combine them both with an el cheapo Cello TV (we…

6 min

VWt|Issue 70

Getaway Driver

VWt: Hi Neil, how the devil are you? You’ve been knocking around the VW scene for as long as we can remember, how did you first get into it? NB: Hi Jim, I’m good thanks, and not doing too bad for 61 this year! I learned to drive in my dad’s 1967 1300 Beetle in 1976, and have only owned and driven VWs and Audis – oh, and a 911 – ever since… VWt: Did you not ever consider buying anything else? NB: Yes! But once I realised I couldn’t afford the Mk1 Capri 1600 GT I wanted, I kept that Beetle for many years, read all the VW mags (only Safer Motoring, Beetling and Hot Car in those early days) and got turned on to…

4 min

VWt|Issue 70

Metamorphosis

You know that feeling you get when you have a couple of front seats re-upholstered, and then decide that what your Van really needs is a brand new interior, utterly bonkers sound system, air suspension and a wrap? Oh, you don’t? Well, we’re not really surprised. It appears we’ve actually found you a Camper conversion that not only looks like no other, but is unlikely to have a similar story to it anywhere in the known universe. As with any good story, let’s take you right back to the beginning where we find a tent, a festival and a top bloke who mostly answers to the name Simon Guild. If you’re close enough to him (in terms of friendship and not necessarily distance) you may also get a favourable response…

10 min

VWt|Issue 70

Bug Jam

Europe’s biggest VW show is back for another year of partying, VWs and dancing with your mates. Get your rave on from 20-22 July at Santa Pod Raceway for what’s become famous as one of the most anarchic, party-fuelled VW shindigs on the planet. We’ll be there from Friday evening in #projectshed so, if you bump into us, say hello and buy us a beer. Then check out the drag racing, Jaguar Skills on the decks and the myriad entertainment options for both young and old on offer. We wouldn’t miss it for the world. And neither should you. Who? www.bugjam.co.uk How much? £100 weekend ticket in advance H&R anti-roll bars The best modification you’ll ever carry out to a T5 or T6. These thicker, stronger ARBs greatly…

5 min

VWt|Issue 70

On the social

@sanhgz742 Can you kindly tell Jimbo to stop being so enthusiastic in his editorial columns, he’s starting to make me think I need a Campervan as well @vwtmag When you’re living the dream, it’s hard not to be enthusiastic. We guarantee once you start taking part and doing it, you’ll start telling everyone about it, too! Follow VWt on Twitter @VWtMagazine Eric I wonder if you could advise me on someone in the London or Kent area that might be able to fit a pop-top for me? There seems to be a distinct lack of Camper converters around the capital. VWt: Here’s one for you Eric – Kent Poptops Ltd on Wrotham hill (tel. 01732 824551) Join us at facebook.com/ VWtMagazine…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

Rim shot

Hi VWt, check out my Transporter. I think you may have seen it at Early Edition recently, and I was at Camping at the Castle last year as well because I remember bumping into Jimbo there, but the Van was rolling on some different wheels back then. It’s a T5.1 Sportline Kombi with a 180bhp, 2.0-litre, twin turbo TDi engine that my daughter, Kayleigh, found on the internet one day, so I had to have it. It started out as a standard Van and I was intending to keep it that way, until I bumped into the Lowdown Transporters collective at our first ever VW show. It was after this that the work started in order to try and grab one of their elusive window stickers! A front splitter and…

2 min

VWt|Issue 70

Bonne Scot

“the Beast from the East decided to make a one-off, special guest visit… especially for us” A winter road trip had been on the cards for a few months, but we didn’t have a definite destination in mind. All we knew was we had a get out of jail free card – four days of childcare! – a Campervan from camperhirehq.co.uk with a diesel night heater and two freshly serviced snowboards ready to shred some mountains. We just didn’t know which mountains… The most likely option was to power down to the Alps through the night and head to Chamonix, my favourite place to board in Europe, but then we were thrown a swerve ball. We held off making concrete plans as the Beast from the East had just hit…

9 min

VWt|Issue 70

Style STEAL

Model 2004 SWB T30 T5 Shuttle Engine 4.2-litre Audi RS4 (B7) V8 engine transplant; custom engine mounts; twin Garrett GTX35 turbochargers; dual Tial 44mm external wastegates with screamer pipes; custom log-style turbo manifolds; 3.5in turbo downpipes; twin RS4 ECUs; MRC Tuning re-map; T5 ECU; T5 clocks with revised inputs; Audi and VW CAN bus integration; relocated ABS pump, air box and battery; smoothed engine bay with custom wheel tubs; custom ali intake pipework, intercooler and radiator package; Audi RS4 high pressure fuel pump; Tony Banks 4-inch exhaust system back to twin 3.5-inch rear tailpipes. Power 745bhp and 680ft/lbs Chassis Full Audi RS4 Quattro drivetrain and steering rack with cooling rad; custom driveshafts with RS4 inner and T32 4mo outer CV joints; Audi RS6 (C6) 385mm wavy brakes with eight-piston Brembo…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

The VWt cool wall

The Wall of fame continues to get better and better, month after month, and much of it thanks to you guys. It’s here your hard work acts as inspiration to thousands, and inspires other people’s #vanlife so keep ’em coming, okay? We know you all flick to these pages first when you open the mag to see what’s Cool. That’s just how it works, right? So, if your Van has not made the cut this month, or you just haven’t got round to sending us any pics, here is the email address to send it to: james.wallace@kelseymedia.co.uk Alternatively, bang #vwtmag on Instagram and we’ll surreptitiously download it from the interweb and it’ll appear on here, together with your name and some choice words. Now enjoy, you lovely lot!…

5 min

VWt|Issue 70

Stand by your Van

Nico Patigny is just a cool, 27-year old dude who now lives back in Paris following a stint in Aberdeen for work. His Transporter life began due to an obsession with Super Moto, but has since developed into a love affair with the great outdoors in a Van that’s resulted in quite possibly the lowest T6 we’ve ever featured. Unfortunately, due to the strict French equivalent of our MoT, he’s not able to take this Van home with him, so he’s now on the lookout for a replacement Van that will keep the French authorities happy. Bonne chance mon ami.…

1 min

VWt|Issue 70

I have a theme…

To theme or not to theme? No, it’s not Shakespeare with a speech impediment, it’s a genuine question. Martin Luther King may not actually have said, “I have a theme…” but it’s a subject we find splitting opinion on a daily basis. The reality is, on some level, everyone is following a theme of some sort or another with their Transporter builds, so to us one of the more intriguing elements is the origins of that theme. The inherent problem is the perennial open goal of taking whatever theme you might choose just one step too far. It’s easily done as the creativity gene enlarges to such a degree that you become almost powerless to stop it. That’s where decent teamwork comes into play, or having mates to pull you…

7 min

VWt|Issue 70

Event scene

July 6-8 Camperjam Weston Park, Shropshire, TF11 8LE www.camperjam.com 6-8 Camper Marmalade Bramley Farm, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 6QL www.campermarmalade.co.uk 13-15 Dorset VolksFest The Showground, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6AB www.dorsetvolksfest.co.uk 13-15 Volksweald Penshurst Place, Kent TN11 8DH www.volksweald.co.uk 15 Gravity Show Stoneleigh NAEC, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ www.gravityshow.co.uk 15 Dub Fiction Pikehall Fields near Matlock, DE4 2PH www,dubfiction.co.uk We’ll be there! 20-22 Bug Jam 32 Santa Pod Raceway, Northants NN29 7XA www.bugjam.co.uk 20-22 Dubs At the Castle Caldicot Castle, Monmouthshire NP26 4HU www.dubsatthecastle.co.uk 27-29 Dubtoberfest Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham GL52 3NY www.dubtoberfest.co.uk 27 - 29 Kent VW Festival Coldred, Kent CT15 5AH www.kentvwfestival.org.uk 29 Fitted UK Event city, Manchester M41 7TB www.fitteduk.com 29 Dubs at the Beach Paighton, Devon www.dubsatthebeach.wpengine.com…

2 min