Gone from cool to ice cool there mate, easily one of my favourites on here

Think my suspension is feeling tired, 110k on the clock and I'm pretty sure they are the original parts. Just got to decide what to go for. Some research on the cards me thinks.

Cracking backdrop too 👌

 

Gone from cool to ice cool there mate, easily one of my favourites on here
Think my suspension is feeling tired, 110k on the clock and I'm pretty sure they are the original parts. Just got to decide what to go for. Some research on the cards me thinks.
Cracking backdrop too 👌

Cheers Pete.

My mileage is very similar ( around 112K ) and last few MOT's the shocks were on the advisories.

I reckon they were originals and the A.A probably gave them a bit of stick over the years

That's why I bit the bullet and emptied the wallet....

( Backdrop: was just a glimpse of Goyt Valley between Whaley Bridge and Buxton. Nice spot for a walk or bike ride )

 

Looking good did you not fit the THQ after all?

 

Cheers mate. Yes, the SoLow BIG-H's are distributed exclusively by THQ ( I found a 5% off code too which was handy..)

VW Transporter T5/T6/T6.1 - BIGH - Lift Dampers - T32

VW Transporter BIG H damper for T5/T6/T6.1 2003~Current Year T32 models. Maximum comfort. More rebound travel. Quick and easy to adjust.

transporterhq.co.uk

 

Next job: adding A-Pillar grab handles. No idea why these aren't standard on all Transporters?

The brackets simply screw into the existing holes so are easy.

The A-pillar trims were not fun as they didn't have the drill guides on the rear. Very, very tricky to get lined up.

Cocked up a bit on the LH one first and drilled holes slightly out of line so may need a new trim if I come to sell. I can live with it for now.

Anyway, done now and much easier getting in and out of the van now especially on the lifted suspension.

And no help at all today from Enzo, the lazy van cat.

 

Thats weird mine didnt have them but it did have the indicators where the holes should be on the trims, makes a huge difference as well (for the shortass wife that is!) was round your neck of the woods today at the Dub show in Derbyshire though you might have been there, been looking at lots of sprinters now hunting seriously

 

That's weird mine didn't have them but it did have the indicators where the holes should be on the trims, makes a huge difference as well (for the shortass wife that is!) was round your neck of the woods today at the Dub show in Derbyshire though you might have been there, been looking at lots of sprinters now hunting seriously

Yep, that was the problem for me, no "cloud" indicators to the rear.

Really odd how some have them and some don't. Still miffed I cocked up the LH holes.

Derbyshire Dubs is not far from me at all. If I didn't have so much on and the fact we are camping next week I would have gone.

Hope you had a good day, the weather is fantastic for a change.

 

This is an excellent inspiration, I'm gonna buy some right now and get them fitted. I've always wondered if these could be retrofitted and you've answered by question!

 

Be very, very careful when fitting them if you haven't got the "guides" on the back of your A trims! Fingers crossed yours has them.

There is no way to know where to drill without them. I thought I had it with the old "blu-tac" hack but was still out, very annoying.

A stepped drill bit is also very useful as the holes are surprisingly large. A bit too large on my L.H trim now...

 

Will have a proper look later this week and see if I can source some, should the guides be there! I can see how something like that would go wrong very quickly haha

 

Make sure you buy a complete kit (handle , bolts,screws and brackets) lots of people selling them without the brackets .

 

These were the ones in my watch list until the cheap used pair came up.

Pardon our interruption...

Here is a pic of the holes required ( as B&T says 👆: someone trying to sell this on eBay without the metal frame brackets...🤷‍♀️)

 

Nice addition with the grab handles

Enzo has the look that says "and what exactly are you doing to MY camper this time?"

 

You could have had these Orion - https://www.amazon.co.uk/340mm-Hand...y=1006886&hvtargid=pla-757136570588&psc=1&mcid=e9e553e94a5531b2a7cc09aba01f4caa

 

You could have had these Orion

Ha ha, perfect. Wish I had seen these first! 👌

 

Helpful links, thanks guys!

 

Have a search around if you're gonna buy a pair , can be had from chilli jam vans for £142 or travelinlite for £140 .

As for fitting i fixed the bracket on first made a bolt with the head ground to a point to make a little indent in the back of the trim . This gives you the exact centre of each bolt hole.
As Orion said these holes are bigger than you think and i still faffed about trying everything ten times and carefully removing a bit more plastic each time to make sure theyre right.
If all trims came pre-marked it would be soo much easier 🙃

 

Just found this thread, inspiring work 🙌

 

Finally got around to installing the Renogy 200w solar panel I bought last Black Friday!

I first sprayed in AA yellow the top grey plastic halves of the 2 x single cable Scanstrut cable seals just to blend them in a bit on the pop top roof

Pardon our interruption...

I cleaned the roof thoroughly and attached the solar panel with 4 x strips of 3M tape.

I then fitted the junction box gaskets in place and drilled through the pop top for the solar cables.

The next step was re-fitting MC4 connectors then connecting them to the corresponding MC4 cables I had previously brought up from my Victron MPPT controller , across the ceiling space and out through the roof into the void between the rear of the canvas and pop top hinges.

I then checked my phone's Victron App to ensure the panel was outputting to the controller which thankfully showed it was working perfectly.

Nice to know we now have some off grid solar power to keep the battery topped up.

 

Neat

 

Is it generating a decent amount? I checkjed mine first thing today when I got up just before 6 Batt was at 96% (fridge is always on) and its now back at 100% just over an hour later

 

It was a bit late in the day and the sun was facing away from my angled pop top when I fired up the app but I think it was showing about 28 to 30 watts.

I would expect more when positioned more favourably and a better time of day. I'll do a few checks as I go along.

It's mainly for topping up the battery to save me plugging in EHU at home and when we are off grid at festivals and using the van fridge for extra beer

We already have a big fridge and power pack with solar setup for the awning so it's backup really.

BTW, I also fitted a solar isolator box following advice on here from you guys before the MPPT.

Amazon.co.uk

 

Onto the next job of fitting the new fake rear quarter windows to replace the plastic swamper grilles.

Not a difficult job especially after watching the THQ fitting vid on YouTube.

Before ( rear swamper grilles removed )

With primer on. Note small gap at base to allow any condensation behind window to disperse.

Glass prepped and primed then add a good bead of adhesive to van panel primer line and stick on!

Note the rubber strip stuck to the edge. This is essential as it help hide the joint line of paint showing between the windows.

Done. Really pleased with how these look compared to the "empty " panels.

They are slightly darker than the existing windows because they are 100% blackout.

 

You saw the pics of my van, and wanted some of that

 

Fitted a nice black metal chequer plate rear bumper protector.

 

I got the same one but after raptor paint on the bumper not sure I will bother. Probably wouldn't stick now anyway.

Looks good tho 👌

 

Looks much better i reckon

Remember not to make that gap in the adhesive too small else it disappears when you squash the window into place

Whats next ?

 

Whats next ?

Bench seat swivel plate. Can't decide on simple swivel or extend into the back style like MS Craft or Rusty Lee.

If I use the the extending one I can reach the table. But we really never use the clip on table, like ever...

Also it swivels so you sit and look out of the sliding door. But does ANYONE do this apart from in Blog posts...?

So I think I prefer the fixed swivel and maybe a small table on the B-pillar support.

Interested in anyone's views on this?

 

Vans looking good.
I've got a standard swivel plate on double passenger seat. Quite snug to turn it, have to drop the handbrake but works well and does a good job. When turned it can be pushed back a little or pulled forward a little. I don't have a table on the pillar as it's a snug turn on the seat. Just use the table off the main cupboards middle of van.

 

This "scamper" just keeps getting better with each addition! I'm sure I've said it before, but this is easily one of my favourites 👌

 

Well I finally got round to getting the Thule BackUp Box sprayed to match the van.

Yes, I know it now looks like a yellow council "GRIT" box but it looks better than standard Thule Grey IMO!

Maybe I could earn some beer money in winter gritting other folk's driveways, hmmmm.......

( I do have a black VW decal on order to tie it into the rear van badge. )

Problem is I will have to sell it with the van now!

Before:

After:

 

That will come in very handy mate.

I need a new bike rack, I want a black one and I want the same style as the VW.

I have a box I can stick on there too.

 

Why will you have to sell the Grit Box with the van?

Surely, the roads will still need gritting after you have sold this van, and bought another

 

Box looks a million times better in the yellow, always thought they look too much like an add on rather than belonged there.

 

Make it a feature and have a GRIT decal on it

 

I really did consider that, would be a laugh.

Joking apart a real GRIT bin is not that expensive. I could have just bought one in the first place.

Grit bins: grit bin that ensures salt bins - salt bin | Seton

Choose from our wide range of durable and weather resistant Grit or Salt bins to make protecting yourself and your areas even easier by having one close by.

www.seton.co.uk