Rob's T6 Overland Camper Build Thread

[Velosaurus]

Was wondering if the Sirocco would work for extraction + bringing cool air in + general move air around. But it is quite a large footprint. Is it more powerful than the 120mm PC fans?

Hmmm Plenty to think about there. Thanks so much for the feedback.

 

[T6NOMAD]

Was wondering if the Sirocco would work for extraction + bringing cool air in + general move air around. But it is quite a large footprint. Is it more powerful than the 120mm PC fans?

Hmmm Plenty to think about there. Thanks so much for the feedback.

Yeah the Sirocco fan is a lot more powerful than the PC fans. The PC fans are meant for cooling of electronic components, they work great bringing in a gentle stream of fresh air into the van and a gentle extraction but they definitely wont work well as van cooling fans.

If i had to take a stab, a distance of about 30cm from the fan - the PC fans generate about 2 knots of 'wind' and the Sirocco fan probably around 4 knots on low, 8 knots on medium and 12 knots on high... Hope that kinda helps.?

 

[Velosaurus]

If i had to take a stab, a distance of about 30cm from the fan - the PC fans generate about 2 knots of 'wind' and the Sirocco fan probably around 4 knots on low, 8 knots on medium and 12 knots on high... Hope that kinda helps.?

Perfect! Thankyou

 

[badmorale]

Firstly compliments of the season to everyone, may 2025 be the best year yet!!!

So after a long 7 week holiday through Thailand I have had ample time to plan my build; after getting back I couldn't wait to get started.

First order of the day was to upgrade the instrument cluster, a pretty straight forward job to do and absolutely LOVE the end result!

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Then the next mod was to remove the bulkhead so that we can get the front seats out.

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Once that was done we took all the seats out and fit the combined seat and swivel base to the passenger seat.

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Having realised that my new Audi seats arent just going to be a direct fit to the bases (I thought the base was already wider but wasn't) we went to the shop, bought on 80mm x 6mm flat bar and got to work making brackets to get the seats to fit... took some time but we finally got them fitted - unfortunately we didn't take progress photos of the brackets but here are some fo the seats fitted. Arent they just beautiful?!??!

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Then the big exercise was next, the scary one, cutting into our new van to fit windows... there's something scary about doing this

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We then drew lines, used a sabre saw and cut the holes out for the left side of the windows. I had to use my angle grinder to fit up those cuts to put the beading in.
For record, We decided to do one side first so that we could line them up.

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Next was fitting of the awning, I bought the Thule brackets that require me to drill into the roof, fit rivnuts and attach that way without the rail. I don't like the look of the awning rail and couldn't use the rail on top because the Austops tent will use those gutters to attach.

Went for the FrontRunner awning because I like the add-a-room sides for it, have the net options for mosquitos in the summer and closed sides for the winter. It also fits with the Swamper Offroad Tourer look Im working towards.

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And then for sh!ts and giggles I 3D printed the tow bar ball cover

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That's it for today's update.

This coming weekend we will fit the windows to the other side of the van

Which model are the seats out of? I hate sliding off the VW seats.

 

[T6NOMAD]

Which model are the seats out of? I hate sliding off the VW seats.

They are out of an Audi A3 8Y generation.

 

[Ricardo T]

Congratulations buddy! Great write up and pictures and with a fairytale ending!!

 

[T6NOMAD]

Just ordered this Dash cover for my van from one of my friends in South Africa, Ofcourse mine is a LHD...

Wanting to gauge interest on this, if there is then I may consider bringing a bunch in



also ordered a bunch of other Canvas bags like a spare wheel cover which will hold my folding Snowpeak BBQ, leveling covers etc..

 

[badmorale]

Just ordered this Dash cover for my van from one of my friends in South Africa, Ofcourse mine is a LHD...

Wanting to gauge interest on this, if there is then I may consider bringing a bunch in

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also ordered a bunch of other Canvas bags like a spare wheel cover which will hold my folding Snowpeak BBQ, leveling covers etc..

oooh, that looks sharp. I'd be interested depending on colour options.

I'd love to find a good option for an organiser for the back of the twin cab seat. The van-x ones look nasty.

 

[Fivetones]

I’d be potentially interested. RHD though.

 

[Bav]

Just ordered this Dash cover for my van from one of my friends in South Africa, Ofcourse mine is a LHD...

Wanting to gauge interest on this, if there is then I may consider bringing a bunch in

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also ordered a bunch of other Canvas bags like a spare wheel cover which will hold my folding Snowpeak BBQ, leveling covers etc..

Oooh - a pair of workman's cargo pants for your dash.

 

[Sasquatch]

It looks brilliant. Sadly here in Blighty it would just act as a giant menu for thieves to sort their shopping.

 

[manfrotto]

It looks brilliant. Sadly here in Blighty it would just act as a giant menu for thieves to sort their shopping.

good point!

 

[Velosaurus]

It looks brilliant. Sadly here in Blighty it would just act as a giant menu for thieves to sort their shopping.

Yeah, my first look was brilliant I can organise my s**t then, I though huh. I have just laid out my gadgets in a neat organsor for removal by some scrote. There is a reason why we have an addiction in the UK to completely clear dashboards. A mate does the old trick of leaving the empty glove box open for additional wins.

That said, most of the "accessory pockets" are really naff, impractical or massively overpriced so I reckon @T6NOMAD could be onto a winner with a bit of thought.

 

[BuzzardBoy]

Im interested if you did think about bringing them in....

 

[badmorale]

Forgot to include this in my update above, for those nights where we just want to enjoy a movie, I fitted a 50" Duronic projector screen and have a XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro which works an absolute treat, its bright, has adjustable keystone and a great speaker. As I have an Austops pop top with the Deluxe mattress, I am unable to mount the projector to the roof, so it stands on the cupboard next to me. Coupled with Starlink, I can enjoy live TV and full suite of streaming while remote

Super happy with the setup.


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how is the projector screen mounted? got any photos in the light?

 

[T6NOMAD]

how is the projector screen mounted? got any photos in the light?

Fitted key ring loops through the ratchet strap pull down... then on the screen I have 2 carabiners... Will take some photos next time I have camp set up

 

[T6NOMAD]

Not an update but just wanted to share a photo of some Cockpit vibes

 

[T6NOMAD]

Time for a controversial modification, many hate it, some love it... I'm on the fence about it but its a complete game changer when it comes to space in the van. We constantly had stuff on the floor, ground sheet, leveling ramps, the camping table, mosquito net etc... and its ok because its only there while we are driving...

That got me thinking, I will get a rear box that can house all the camp living accessories and make the van space neat n clean. I reached out to a fabricator to make this box: dimensions are: 75cm x 75cm x 35cm.

I then purchased an Uber Bus components rear wheel bracket as I already had one and like the build quality of it. Chopped it up, welded some support brackets in to hold the box. Now that the rear door is done, I can fit everything into the box and then adjust the UB Heavy Duty gas struts to work perfectly.

This is the end product.











(For the eagle eye welding gurus, excuse my flux core welding - its a learning in progress)

 

[T6VanLife]

Hi Rob,

I am looking to do something very similar, Just out of curiosity how did you get on dealing Uber Bus ?
I have been trying to get in contact with them for months now but they wont respond to any emails or answer the phone ! and I am cautious about buying anything from their website if their customer service is so questionable !

 

[Sasquatch]

I ordered my spare wheel carrier from Uber Bus earlier this year. They took a few days to respond to my email, but rhey did respond. Similarly, the carrier itself wasnt dispatched until two weeks after it ordered it, but it did arrive.

If in doubt order via PayPal or credit card for the purchase protection.