Catch-up pt I

So the truth of the matter is that I have actually owned this van for nearly 2 months but only just decided that I should be charting the transition - other than just taking the pics and tweeting my progress (sometimes lack of!)

Firstly, the build is by no stretch of the imagination a pro job.  I consider myself a pretty logical, handy person but by no means a pro.

Secondly, this is not a build funded by a treasure trove of riches.  its a self build wherever possible.

In my world, most things of this nature start with a list.  This was no different, so I started a list.  In the words of Ron Burgundy "That escalated quickly, I mean that got outta hand really fast."
Windows, music, bumper colour coding, alloys, lowering springs, a bed, storage, bike rack, phone charging, power, coolbox, cooler interior lighting, insulation, carpeting...   so far as to say, I am still adding stuff on an almost daily basis.  I was warned!!

I decided first job was something that would start to make the van look "right".

#1 - Tinted rear windows.
In T5 world it seems almost obligatory to darken the rear windows on a Kombi.  My motivation for doing this was to add a little more security for when the bikes are in the back.  I chose limo tint film as a temporary measure.  The intention is actually for sliding windows but available funds are needed for other van things and the list is too long.  Ordinarily, re-doing something would irritate the hell out of me but in this case, I'll simply have to come back to this in the interest of moving things along.

#2 - Tunes
Love my music, especially when I'm driving.  The van came with a real retro unit, one of those face off Kenwood jobbies.  No good to me in the new world of streamed music and iPodness.  So new head unit purchased after reading some fascinating threads on the T5 forum about all in one units that run Android - jeez they seem to do everything.

Following a surprising moment of discovering all the manuals and clips for removing the old unit stashed under the passenger seat...
... out with the old...

( I actually also found 2 of the original VW head units - probably the entire audio history for the van).

...  in with the new

#3 - Rear vision.
Parking the van is considerable harder than the Audi ever was.  Well it would be, its bigger, longer, wider and has no back window.  I needed a reversing camera.

I chose to run a cable full length of the van after seeing some reviews that the wireless option isn't really that reliable.  Cue removing interior panels, finding a wire coat hanger to fish the cable and some very sore fingers.
Note: the factory clips for the interior panels are a sod to get out.  The best tip I read for these was to jam a T20 torx screwdriver into the middle bit, turn a couple of times then push to one side so that you can get the panel lever behind it.  It works but still not the easiest job.  Also, don't underestimate how long this job can take - there's bloody loads of them.

Now I can see what's going on at the back and reversing is no longer a "you're OK, you're OK, go on" type event.  Fiddly job but still find it so useful every time I put the van into reverse.  Well worth the effort.

Cometh the hour, cometh the van

A little bit of background, if you'll allow.  I have had a long string of VW/Audi's (not all as reliable as you might think). Beetle, Golf (MkII, MkIII and Mk IV), a couple of MkI Audi A3's, a MkIII Audi A4 and a couple of MkII Audi A4 Avants the last of which was the car I felt I needed to replace.

(I've never had a MkI Golf, might need to sort that out one day)

My cars have always needed to serve a purpose, which I'm guessing is the same for everyone. The gauntlet laid down for the last A4 Avant was to reliably cope with frequent round trips up and down the M1 & M6 between Hertfordshire and Birmingham. In addition, enough space to drop the back seats and throw in a mountain bike (or two) and not worry about having to carry it/them on one of those dreadful Halfordsesque bike rack contraptions. For this...   ...I have no hesitation, the A4 Avant (1.9TDi 130) was nothing short of outstanding. Fantastically comfortable, strong, powerful engine and enough tools and gadgets to keep things comfortable on long journeys. 

However, it was starting to get a little tatty, a few little niggles had started to creep in and the trips to the local VW/Audi independent were becoming more and more frequent.  

Time for it to go?  

Yes!  

No wait, there's life in the old...  

Yes!!  

Surely not, it just needs... 

Yes!!!  

It needed go!!!  To be replaced by what?  I could've just got another A4 Avant, newer model, more toys, more comfortable. Sound choice.  Nah, I fancied a change.  Also considering that 2 mountain bikes was actually 4 when you add in Nicole's and the kids bikes. Another A4 Avant could've been made to work, but I really fancied a change

My brother from another mother had recently bought a VW T5 and to be perfectly honest this rekindled a long standing desire to have one (serious jealousy). Plenty of space for bikes but what about long journeys, frequent long journeys, would it be comfortable?  I started quizzing said brother from another mother and following links he was sending me.  I quickly worked out that the list of possible mods was reminiscent of my Beetle owning days - the possibilities are endless.  Therefore, surely, if not comfortable on day 1 then it could certainly be made comfortable.  

Gingerly broached the subject with Nicole and was greeted with a surprisingly enthusiastic response.  "Yeah, do it.  Get one!"  Turns out she has great memories of her Dad having a Chevy van when she was growing up in Toronto.  Decision made, budget set, hunt initiated.  

So, to end my rambling about my motoring past, it was bye bye to the A4.  Your loyal service was very much appreciated and will be fondly remembered.

COMETH THE VAN

Scouring the classifieds for a good month or so gave me some pretty solid criteria.
Not white.
Not beaten up to the point that panel beating is required
Not been round the circumference of the earth 25 times
Not the low powered 1.9 diesel engine that would feel tortured whenever power is required.

So, we went for this.

This is a pic from the eBay ad, so a good record of what it was like the day I picked it up.  Let the mods commence.

2004, VW T5 Factory Kombi.  2.5l manual, 137k miles on the clock.