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My Blue Build

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27K views 45 replies 16 participants last post by  dreadycraig  
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#1 ·
So this is my first Transporter, Have been reading up loads on here about what to do and how to do it.
I will try and add photos as I go
 
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#8 · (Edited)
Was in the pound shop and saw camping mats so picked up 5 of them to stick to the bottom of the floor.
This stuff is really thin, less than half the thickness of the old camping mats I used to use, but looks to be good for just a little bit of noise proofing through the floor.
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Bit of spray adhesive and stuck each one down and trimmed round the edges. (that's the Mrs, not me, BTW)
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#9 ·
I also found out that my cup holder, as well as being plastered with dried on coffee, had suffered from the common problem of breaking at the hinge, so after dismantling half the dash to get to the two screws holding it in
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I had the cup holder free, albeit with a broken hinge
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I cut up an old phone holder to get a plastic strip to repair the hinge
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Offered it up to see where to cut
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Cut away the old hinge with a sharp stanley knife
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Then used contact adhesive to glue the replacement hinge in place. I put a tub in the holder and pulled it into place with cord to get the hinge to sit where it should. And clamped it overnight
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The next day I un-clamped it all and it all held in place, Success!!
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#12 · (Edited)
Work has been continuing, posting updates has been less so:
Flash band on each panel to help deaden noise
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Bit of foil bubble for insulation
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Some kingspan for more insulation. I filled the gaps around the edges with recycled plastic bottle insulation and held it in with foil tape. I left a few inches gap between the insulation and the base of the van to stop any moisture being held there. I also left a gap at the rear of the van for ventilation and to allow an air gap to the slam vent.
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And finally I used the original plastic panels as templates to cut out the ply panels.
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#14 ·
I used 6mm ply, but with hindsight I would try and get 4mm if possible. In the picture I have used the original fixings that were in the van, this was just temporary until I carpeted. I used the mega van mats hidden fixings, they are good except they are too small to use with 6mm ply. I used a router to reduce the thickness of the ply around the holes to 4mm.
The other reason I wouldn't choose 6mm ply again is that it doesn't bend too well. I soaked the ply in water and then bent it and let it dry in order to get it to hold the bent shape. this worked, but it sprung back slightly so again in hindsight I would bend it more to allow for it springing back.
FYI, I didn't have the cardboard panels, I had a corrugated plastic panels with longer fixing than the VW ones.
 
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#15 ·
Before I carpeted I needed to remove the bracket from the bulkhead. I needed to buy a 10mm Spline tool to remove the seat belt brackets.
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The top part of the bracket unbolted easily
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The bottom half require more drastic action with an angle grinder
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I also hack sawed off the jack bracket and ground away the remainder with a dremel
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#18 ·
Took our van for it's first trip away.
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We bought the Outwell Country Road awning to use with the van, it's a really good size and not too difficult to put up, although we haven't fitted an awning rail yet (suggestions anyone?) we fitted the metal pole in the section for attaching to the van and then used bungees across the van roof to the roof rack rails on the other side of the van, a fine solution for a couple of nights, but I won't be doing it too often as I think the bungees will rub on the roof and damage the paint.
I also fitted some dioder lights in the roof, pics to come.
 
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#19 ·
So here's what I have been working on for my van.
It will eventually be a side facing bench seat which extends to become a double bed.
I forgot to take the before pics, but I will describe the process, I started with the frame from a double bed which I cut in half, I then cut out about 2" from one of the halfs so it would fit inside the other. I then riveted some fully extending rails between the two halfs so that the frame can extend from half width to full width.
I still have to attach some wood to the slats which slide out to stop the frame over extending.
Below are the pics of it's current build state.

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Extended
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Detail of one of the rails
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Showing how the frame will hinge up to allow access to the storage. The white frame is part of a second bed frame which I am using to make the base.
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Being the cheap b*****d I am, both the frames I have used have been free. Check out your local freecycle site for people chucking metal bed frames.
 
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#21 ·
Slow progress, but I finished making the frame for the bed, just need to panel the front and end.
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Can't decide how to prop up the bed when it's extended, toying with making a unit on the opposite wall which it can rest on or to make a couple of removable legs which attach when extended. I can't believe how heavy the top is, might have to get some gas struts to hold it open.
 
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#27 ·
I have windows!!!
Fitted by AAW in Poole, I can highly recommend him. I stole his photos to put in here ;)


He even tinted my rear windows for free as he wanted to try out a sample of window tint,was a nice suprise to find when I went back to pick up my van :D:D
Quality is top notch and he even managed to get my carpet tucked in nicely round the inside trim
 
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