T6 LWB T30 140 Acapulco blue - Build Thread

[xpfloyd]

Hi all,

I recently picked up my first van and have started converting to a camper. Trying to do all the work myself apart from the pop top which a local SCA installer will be doing. Never done anything like this before so its a steep learning curve! Heres my progress so far -

How it looked when I collected -

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-2.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-3.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[xpfloyd]

First job was to replace the stereo

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[xpfloyd]

Next up was to strip out the ply lining and remove the bulkhead. I also removed the roof lining at this time.

VWT6-2.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-3.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-4.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-5.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

This is how many screws and fixings were holding that lot in!

VWT6-7.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[xpfloyd]

Next up was to do the barn door windows as a practice run for the rest of the windows. My dad gave me hand with this. It was an absolute nightmare but we learned a lot

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-2.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-3.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-5.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[xpfloyd]

Next up was a simple mod to keep the progress going - Dubflecta Classics

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[xpfloyd]

Next up was the passenger side windows. These went a lot smoother than the barn doors had.

My dad lending a hand again -

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-3.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-4.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[DaveyB]

Excellent progress. What's next?

 

[xpfloyd]

Next mod was changing the alloys. These are BK Racing 170 8.5J 20" ET40 with 255/40 R20 101XL Tyres. The van needs lowered! but I have it booked in for Bilstein B14s at Vanstyle in May

VWT6-4.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-2.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[xpfloyd]

Yesterday we tackled the final 2 windows. We are getting faster every time. These were 5 hours all in for both and no major dramas

Rough cut before trimming down -

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

Finished job -

VWT6-3.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[xpfloyd]

Excellent progress. What's next?

Thanks Davey. This weekend I am planning on installing the rear view camera in the barn door trim and running the cables back to the head unit following the existing loom on the roof. Time permitting I will start the sound proofing. My main delay at the moment is getting a date for my SCA roof. Caledonian campers are going to do it but 4 weeks has now passed and they havent taken a deposit and havent gave me a date yet. Its a pure nightmare. There is apparently a delay getting LWB roofs via Banwy so I am getting nowhere fast despite constantly pestering them. Hopefully get it booked in soon as its going to hold up all the follow on works

 

[surf-report]

Good effort! Not sure I would have the bottle to attempt that

 

[xpfloyd]

Good effort! Not sure I would have the bottle to attempt that

I won't lie, it was a bit scary putting a drill and a jigsaw to my newish van but I had done a tonne of reading of the build threads on the other forum so felt that I half knew what I was attempting to do. That's why I wanted to do a build thread myself in case anything I've done can help others later

 

[DaveBos]

Love a good build thread, looking good @xpfloyd , nice to see someone having a go themselves.

 

[xpfloyd]

Love a good build thread, looking good @xpfloyd , nice to see someone having a go themselves.

Thanks Dave, will be pestering people in here for all the stuff I'm unsure off pretty soon but I'll crack on

 

[Andrew]

I love a good build thread. Looking forward to seeing it progress.

Was the stereo a straight plug n play? Am interested in how your rear view camera goes. They are the first jobs on my van so any details on that would be great.

 

[xpfloyd]

I love a good build thread. Looking forward to seeing it progress.

Was the stereo a straight plug n play? Am interested in how your rear view camera goes. They are the first jobs on my van so any details on that would be great.

Thanks Andrew. The reason I changed the stereo was because the reverse camera adaptor for the standard head unit was more expensive than a new stereo so it was a no brainer. I purchased a kit from Absolut5 audio (Hes on the other forum but I assume this one too?) which basically allowed me to connect the Kenwood into the VW loom. The kit came with a DAB and FM aerial adaptor too so that was also a straight forward fit. The only thing I lost was the dash USB connector but there are adaptors available for this and I may connect it up at one point. The kit from Absolut5 was £114 delivered and included the fascia for the stereo. I purchased a cheap rear view camera from ebay (£10 I think) and I have connected it up to trial it and it seems fine. I was planning on powering it from the reverse light feed so that it only powers up when reverse is selected, however if I can find an ignition live behind the light cluster I will use that instead as the Kenwood allows you to flick to the camera at the touch of a button when not reversing. I cant think when I would need that but figured if I can wire it so that its an option I may as well.

Give me a shout if you need to know anything more specific about it, cheers

 

[Andrew]

Brilliant. Thanks XPfloyd. That's much cheaper then I thought it would be. I'll get onto Absolut5 for some bits.

Please keep this thread going. I'm going to do a bit of DIY myself and learn lots from threads like these.

Thanks, Andrew.

 

[xpfloyd]

No worries mate, I forgot to mention I initially thought the dab adaptor they sent didn't fit but after a bit of faffing about and emails going back and forward I realised it was me being a numpty! I somehow managed to remove the radio side of the connector along with the cable which meant I couldn't connect the adaptor. Once I realised though it was an easy fix and I got it reconnected to the stereo and got the dab working too. Like I say I'm learning as I go

 

[xpfloyd]

Small update on my progress. Last week or so has mainly been me ordering things like the furniture and the RIB and also setting a date for my pop top etc. I have also got a healthy pile of boxes taking over my kitchen!. I did however manage to get some stuff done in the van.

Removed the existing seats and bench (now for sale if anyone is interested)

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

VWT6-2.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

That then allowed me to remove the bulkhead brackets with a drill and a grinder. At this point with both seats out I thought I may as well remove the cab mat and sound proof the floor before I run the electrics so thats the next job. Van currently looks like this -

VWT6-4.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

 

[xpfloyd]

This weekend I sound proofed the cab floor, ran the electrics through the bulkhead, installed the battery and chatger below the drivers seat and installed my new captains seats

240v hookup under bonnet -

VWT6.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

Silent coat to cab floor

VWT6-2.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

Liesure battery and battery to battery charger under drivers seat -

VWT6-3.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr

New captains seats installed -

VWT6-4.jpg by VW T6, on Flickr