Reusing the original hardwood panels for a kombi day van

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Sim667

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I'm starting to look at doing a bit of work on the day van conversion of my Kombi. The plan is its going to have an ovano in the back, but because its more family car and less workvan we'd still like it to feel a bit campervan like.

My plan was to carpet line everything, but because I can't currently insure as a camper (due to some claims), its with admiral so I don't want to chuck money at it as they won't really insure anything properly, so was just considering lining the ply panels I was going to buy, and then paying someone to line the metal work when I can get better insurance. So the interim is going to be insulate and sound deaden, and put an ovano in (as I can just remove this easily). We're going to install bussbox panel storage which are basically fabric bags that cover the rear panels, so I'm wondering if there's any real benefit in carpet lining the ply panels, or whether I could carpet line the current panels, or whether its even worth bothering carpet lining them at all if they're going to be covered by the storage bags. I'm aware condensation may be a consideration.

I do want to line the roof panels, and was considering using a cheaper eBay headliner until we're ready to do a full posh conversion on the original panels, they'll need to come down to sound deaden and insulate behind anyway.

I'm also planning on keeping the original floor, if I'm putting an ovano down, is it worth lifting this to insulate under?
 
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Mine's got carpeted original (Kombi) panels as did my T5. Did the T5 myself but left metalwork uncarpeted as I couldn't see myself doing a decent job of it (and I quite liked the anthracite carpet with the reflex silver metalwork anyway).

It does make a big difference in my opinion, much more cosy.
 
Ah well at least I could reuse the original panels. Did you do the original headliner too?

We’re considering doing the headliner in a patterned material, and drilling some holes do make some little paracord hoops to hang LED lights off instead of doing recessed ones for the monent
 
Yes standard headliner in carpet in the T5, and (I didn't do it) that silly suede stuff in the 6.1.

You'll need longer clips for anything done in carpet.
 
I like the idea of leaving my metalwork uncarpeted, but it's pretty scuffed up, so I think it will end up being done eventually. Do you think the bare metal causes you to lose much heat?

I'm thinking about this style of fabric for the headliner. - DIY Car Headlining Fabric Foam Backed ABC Pillar Upholstery Cloth Multi Pattern | eBay UK

With something like this for the hanging lights - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lumi-Lite-...3375433525-B079K61V7H-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Eventually I'd like to get a Halo Roof put in, but that will be a while yet.
 
Sim667 said:
Do you think the bare metal causes you to lose much heat
Click to expand...
I don’t think so. It ‘feels’ warmer to the touch to have the metal covered, but the U value of a couple of mm of fairly open felt I think would be quite low (no data to back up my gut feel here, so would be happy to be corrected).

On the other hand, once you have carpeted panels, it’s not much more of a job to go round and do all the rest of the van. The carpet is pretty stretchy and forgiving, and even if you might need to do joins in corners you can make them disappear. It’s not like a high gloss vinyl wrap.
 
drinfinity said:
I don’t think so. It ‘feels’ warmer to the touch to have the metal covered, but the U value of a couple of mm of fairly open felt I think would be quite low (no data to back up my gut feel here, so would be happy to be corrected).

On the other hand, once you have carpeted panels, it’s not much more of a job to go round and do all the rest of the van. The carpet is pretty stretchy and forgiving, and even if you might need to do joins in corners you can make them disappear. It’s not like a high gloss vinyl wrap.
Click to expand...
TBF if I'm just getting the metal work done I might just bite the bullet and get a pro job done for that.
 
Sim667 said:
TBF if I'm just getting the metal work done I might just bite the bullet and get a pro job done for that.
Click to expand...
I would!

I agree with Doctor Infinity, probably makes very little difference overall just turn the heater up another notch.
 
Find a dew point calculator online and a £6 digital thermometer / humidity meter on ebay.
Heat and ventilate as required.
You specified day van, you might change your mind at a later date, there are worse things to waste a small amount of £ and a large amount of time on than sound deadening and insulation. It will rarely be a selling point but as a keeper it’s a no brainer.
 
DXX said:
Find a dew point calculator online and a £6 digital thermometer / humidity meter on ebay.
Heat and ventilate as required.
You specified day van, you might change your mind at a later date, there are worse things to waste a small amount of £ and a large amount of time on than sound deadening and insulation. It will rarely be a selling point but as a keeper it’s a no brainer.
Click to expand...
We’re moving away from a full camper to more of a type of build you’d expect from an adventure van, but I’d like the basics done really well. My van I’m selling is 21 years old, I hope my new one will do the same amount of time
 
Title mentions hardwood, I believe that should be hardboard if it’s the same as OEM panels.
These are light but fragile and will absorb moisture. Sealed birch ply is the best to use, you could use you OEM panels as templates or buy i ready made panels. Not all suppliers or replacement panels are equal!
No idea what an adventure van is but you know what you want, some minor expense and time sound deadening and insulating will transform it from a noisy box to a near car noise level. There is no way I would drive a VW Transporter as supplied after sound deadening and insulating mine, it’s like a shed on wheels.
 
DXX said:
Title mentions hardwood, I believe that should be hardboard if it’s the same as OEM panels.
These are light but fragile and will absorb moisture. Sealed birch ply is the best to use, you could use you OEM panels as templates or buy i ready made panels. Not all suppliers or replacement panels are equal!
No idea what an adventure van is but you know what you want, some minor expense and time sound deadening and insulating will transform it from a noisy box to a near car noise level. There is no way I would drive a VW Transporter as supplied after sound deadening and insulating mine, it’s like a shed on wheels.
Click to expand...
It’s got the grey OEM panels inside? These still absorb moisture?
 
I done exactly what you're on about.

C

Thread 'Black Kombi Day Van Build'

Hi All,

Figured I'd introduce myself properly and if nothing else, use this thread to document the changes my van will no doubt go through!

204 BiTDI, DSG, Factory LED's, comfort dash, heated seats etc, twin captains seats.

Previous owner has fitted a slide pod, swivel table and a swivel to the passenger seat which was a nice surprise when I went to view it as it wasn't advertised as such.

There's also a leisure battery setup under the passenger seat but it's been disconnected in the engine bay. Bit of digging will see that right!

IMG_8179.webp

IMG_8181.webp

IMG_8159.webp
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I got the plastic wheel arch covers and the D pillar covers from van style to cover up the scuffs on the paintwork.
 
CooseVW said:
I done exactly what you're on about.

C

Thread 'Black Kombi Day Van Build'

Hi All,

Figured I'd introduce myself properly and if nothing else, use this thread to document the changes my van will no doubt go through!

204 BiTDI, DSG, Factory LED's, comfort dash, heated seats etc, twin captains seats.

Previous owner has fitted a slide pod, swivel table and a swivel to the passenger seat which was a nice surprise when I went to view it as it wasn't advertised as such.

There's also a leisure battery setup under the passenger seat but it's been disconnected in the engine bay. Bit of digging will see that right!

IMG_8179.webp

IMG_8181.webp

IMG_8159.webp
  • Like

I got the plastic wheel arch covers and the D pillar covers from van style to cover up the scuffs on the paintwork.
Click to expand...
Oh they’re good. Were they expensive and easy to fit? Where you’ve got the pillars covered at the back I assume the beam at the top is still bare?

I guess the c-pillar is still bare too?
 
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