TheWandering
Member
Evening all
Having had orders delayed by other UK van conversion companies due to the chip shortage, I am over the moon to have bagged a 4motion 204 van that was in stock at Leighton Vans.
www.leightonvans.co.uk
I read only good things about Leighton and so far dealing with James Shaw is a pleasure.
Now the fun part begins finalising the spec and that’s where I need help from this forum as it’s been a long time since my last VW van!
The base vehicle is a very good standard spec and I’m very happy with the LV-R body styling. I was looking to build a swamper style van but as LV don’t do that I’ve decided to fit into their system and in reality the van should go most places I need to go without being raised. See my comments below re height etc.
James explained to me that they sell over 50 vans a month and so they can’t customise like other companies.
I respect that so I figure as I’m also a long way away and ordering remotely, I’ll keep things simple.
My questions are as follows. Il, ask James, but wondering if anyone here has specific experience on any point:
1. Roof bars - spec includes these. I plan to add a pop top roof (LV don’t do one) so if I have the roof bars now, will the van still be under 2m height (french motorway tollbooths etc) in the meantime and do they create any wind noise? I should add that is with Bilstein comfort coil overs. See next point…
2. Coil overs - original plan was air ride fitted at Van Haven on a swamper as recommended by them but as they have no stock and LV don’t do air ride, I’ve decided to go for the best ride I can now non-air. Am I correct in assuming that is Bilstein B14 Komfort? Is it good? Better than the standard Bilstein B14 coil over? With 20in rims do you get a harsh ride at all? Can they be set higher to give some clearance?
3. Tyres - LV have one upgrade only to Uniroyal Rainsport 5s? It’s claimed t9 be the best wet weather tyre which I want as I have some poor terrain and wet roads to nevigate. Anyone else use these tyres? In the dry?
4. Pendle performance - at 204 bhp I’m thinking I have enough power and don’t want to void my warranty but is the ECU remap worth it or maybe a box from DK U.K. which can be removed at will is an easy solution to get to 240bhp?
5. Bed - I need a simple downstairs bed solution. The Slidepod looks very good. Any users?
6. Stereo upgrade - anyone any experience?
General - the rest of the spec seems straight forward to me. I like the look of all LV do except a few minor points which I can change later either there or elsewhere so my last question is really a general one on the quality of the conversion. Is it good? Enough sound deadening? My quote from Van Haven which I can’t now use as they have no vans in stock was a fair bit more expensive but he claims they put a lot more work into sound deadening and other details. I’m Hoon going the LV vans are equally nice anyway.
Thanks in advance for any helpful comments.
paul
Having had orders delayed by other UK van conversion companies due to the chip shortage, I am over the moon to have bagged a 4motion 204 van that was in stock at Leighton Vans.
Vehicle Details - Leighton Vans
Leighton Vans, UK, are specialists in Volkswagen vans and conversions. For quality used VW Kombi, Sportline and Transporter vans, visit us in Sheffield, South Yorkshire
I read only good things about Leighton and so far dealing with James Shaw is a pleasure.
Now the fun part begins finalising the spec and that’s where I need help from this forum as it’s been a long time since my last VW van!
The base vehicle is a very good standard spec and I’m very happy with the LV-R body styling. I was looking to build a swamper style van but as LV don’t do that I’ve decided to fit into their system and in reality the van should go most places I need to go without being raised. See my comments below re height etc.
James explained to me that they sell over 50 vans a month and so they can’t customise like other companies.
I respect that so I figure as I’m also a long way away and ordering remotely, I’ll keep things simple.
My questions are as follows. Il, ask James, but wondering if anyone here has specific experience on any point:
1. Roof bars - spec includes these. I plan to add a pop top roof (LV don’t do one) so if I have the roof bars now, will the van still be under 2m height (french motorway tollbooths etc) in the meantime and do they create any wind noise? I should add that is with Bilstein comfort coil overs. See next point…
2. Coil overs - original plan was air ride fitted at Van Haven on a swamper as recommended by them but as they have no stock and LV don’t do air ride, I’ve decided to go for the best ride I can now non-air. Am I correct in assuming that is Bilstein B14 Komfort? Is it good? Better than the standard Bilstein B14 coil over? With 20in rims do you get a harsh ride at all? Can they be set higher to give some clearance?
3. Tyres - LV have one upgrade only to Uniroyal Rainsport 5s? It’s claimed t9 be the best wet weather tyre which I want as I have some poor terrain and wet roads to nevigate. Anyone else use these tyres? In the dry?
4. Pendle performance - at 204 bhp I’m thinking I have enough power and don’t want to void my warranty but is the ECU remap worth it or maybe a box from DK U.K. which can be removed at will is an easy solution to get to 240bhp?
5. Bed - I need a simple downstairs bed solution. The Slidepod looks very good. Any users?
6. Stereo upgrade - anyone any experience?
General - the rest of the spec seems straight forward to me. I like the look of all LV do except a few minor points which I can change later either there or elsewhere so my last question is really a general one on the quality of the conversion. Is it good? Enough sound deadening? My quote from Van Haven which I can’t now use as they have no vans in stock was a fair bit more expensive but he claims they put a lot more work into sound deadening and other details. I’m Hoon going the LV vans are equally nice anyway.
Thanks in advance for any helpful comments.
paul
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