What Have You Done To Your Van Today?
- Thread starter Daneeyre
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- mod modification mods retrofit
Finished today, but over the past few weeks when it hasn’t been raining, I’ve been putting in an external mains output from my inverter to go next to the towbar socket. Replaced the original Towtrust electrical plate with my own design bracket to accommodate a Neutrik PowerCon TRUE1 socket and put it in an electrical enclosure to protect it and keep the IP rating.
Been looking at fitting one of these then remember I never sit on that seat...
Probs still get one for our summer trip.
@doncarlyon. If you're going to put anything on it when it's folded down (or, indeed, stand on it if you've got a poptop). I'd also recommend putting a board in the in the back of the seat (under the cover). When I did mine, I used the Vankraft template to make the first version in cardboard and once I'd got that spot on, used it as a template for the final MDF version (9mm IIRC).
Fitted the Starlink socket (where the old webasto rheostat type control lived) to be wired in on my next day off, along with additional higher power USB C's (bottom of panel) where a badly placed temp sensor used to live. For 2 years we've lived with half a Rioja cork stuck over the hole. Both nice non led aluminium sockets. Thanks be to @Qnapper for the Starlink socket advice.
So that’s where my cork went.
Sunshine warmed the inside of the van a bit yeasterday and reduced the risk of breaking plastic clips etc. so I decided to do a couple of jobs that I've been putting off since last year.
Ever since my Kenwwod DMX8020DABS was about 10 months old, it's had an intermittent problem with a 'bubble' of condensation forming under the screen in cold weather - it eventually disappears once it warms up but is annoying all the same. Anyhow, a couple of years ago I pulled the stereo out and stuck a couple of small silica gel bags to the top before sliding it back into place and they seem to have done the trick about 5 weeks ago when the bubble returned so I have now done the job again but this time with lager silica gel bags and we will see how it goes. I also cleaned the screen properly and then realised that that there was also dust underneath it which I guess proves that it was never sealed properly when it came out of the factory and I also suspect it wouldn't be an easy thing to fix (see yellow arrows in the picture). TBH, it looks worse in the picture than in real life and can't been seen at all when the screen is on but it's annoying all the same.
The second job seemed very easy when I first started it but got a bit more difficult as I got further in. The gearstick gaiter has started to like a bit worn and a small split has appeared so last year I bought a replacement in blue 'GTI Tartan'. Taking the old on off was a very easy task which only took a couple of minutes and involved flipping off the top cap, undoing one torx screw, pulling the gear knob off and using a trim tool to unclip the plastic surround at the bottom. However, once I'd got it all off, I realised that you can't get the old gaiter off without destroying it and I wasn't too sure that the new one would be that easy to fit so I basically bottled it and put everything back together. That said, I don't particularly like giving up on anything so I'll probably have to have another go when I've got a bit more time to spend on it.
Ever since my Kenwwod DMX8020DABS was about 10 months old, it's had an intermittent problem with a 'bubble' of condensation forming under the screen in cold weather - it eventually disappears once it warms up but is annoying all the same. Anyhow, a couple of years ago I pulled the stereo out and stuck a couple of small silica gel bags to the top before sliding it back into place and they seem to have done the trick about 5 weeks ago when the bubble returned so I have now done the job again but this time with lager silica gel bags and we will see how it goes. I also cleaned the screen properly and then realised that that there was also dust underneath it which I guess proves that it was never sealed properly when it came out of the factory and I also suspect it wouldn't be an easy thing to fix (see yellow arrows in the picture). TBH, it looks worse in the picture than in real life and can't been seen at all when the screen is on but it's annoying all the same.
The second job seemed very easy when I first started it but got a bit more difficult as I got further in. The gearstick gaiter has started to like a bit worn and a small split has appeared so last year I bought a replacement in blue 'GTI Tartan'. Taking the old on off was a very easy task which only took a couple of minutes and involved flipping off the top cap, undoing one torx screw, pulling the gear knob off and using a trim tool to unclip the plastic surround at the bottom. However, once I'd got it all off, I realised that you can't get the old gaiter off without destroying it and I wasn't too sure that the new one would be that easy to fit so I basically bottled it and put everything back together. That said, I don't particularly like giving up on anything so I'll probably have to have another go when I've got a bit more time to spend on it.
Added a second bolt to the spare wheel carrier after I realised it was missing.
Bolt came all the way from Lithuania
Bolt came all the way from Lithuania
Was this a straight swap? If so which bulbs did you use?
Yep, straight swap. It genuinely took me 5 minutes.
Is it just a slight twist to remove the fog light bulb?
Nice, that's what I was after but ended up with a Golf R.
Full lock on the steering
Flick the cover off inside the arch liner
Disconnect plug
Twist bulb and remove
Nothing yet 'done' to my Shuttle but this is the next DIY project..
I have to take regular Teams calls out and about, sometimes presenting with screenshare, especially waiting for school pickup, running off the phone as a 5g hotspot.
I wanted something a little more substantial than the two takeaway boxes wedged into the lower passenger shelf as means of supporting the laptop! (Actually a pretty good solution but not stable enough for typing)
Build will involve a couple of adjustable clamps that can support a short tray table with a raised lip to stop the laptop and mouse sliding off.
The drawing doesn't consider space for the mouse but that will be included, so it'll extend across the USB slot on the right.
The laptop will itself still perch mainly on the upper shelf, and the clamps will also have to allow for rake adjustment on the tray.
As it will just be attached for an hour or two, other options that bolt into the seat fixings aren't really practical (and it isn't a cop car
).
With the passenger seat pulled quite far forward (I have single captain seats in the front), it's not horrific ergonomically for an hour's call..
If anyone has had a go at building something like this, I'd be interested in your experiences. I did consider the various folding tables online that attach to the front seat headrest and using a rear seat instead.
I have to take regular Teams calls out and about, sometimes presenting with screenshare, especially waiting for school pickup, running off the phone as a 5g hotspot.
I wanted something a little more substantial than the two takeaway boxes wedged into the lower passenger shelf as means of supporting the laptop! (Actually a pretty good solution but not stable enough for typing)
Build will involve a couple of adjustable clamps that can support a short tray table with a raised lip to stop the laptop and mouse sliding off.
The drawing doesn't consider space for the mouse but that will be included, so it'll extend across the USB slot on the right.
The laptop will itself still perch mainly on the upper shelf, and the clamps will also have to allow for rake adjustment on the tray.
As it will just be attached for an hour or two, other options that bolt into the seat fixings aren't really practical (and it isn't a cop car
).With the passenger seat pulled quite far forward (I have single captain seats in the front), it's not horrific ergonomically for an hour's call..
If anyone has had a go at building something like this, I'd be interested in your experiences. I did consider the various folding tables online that attach to the front seat headrest and using a rear seat instead.
Sounds like you need a Transit with one of those steering wheels that coverts to a laptop table...Nothing yet 'done' to my Shuttle but this is the next DIY project..
I have to take regular Teams calls out and about, sometimes presenting with screenshare, especially waiting for school pickup, running off the phone as a 5g hotspot.
I wanted something a little more substantial than the two takeaway boxes wedged into the lower passenger shelf as means of supporting the laptop! (Actually a pretty good solution but not stable enough for typing)
Build will involve a couple of adjustable clamps that can support a short tray table with a raised lip to stop the laptop and mouse sliding off.
The drawing doesn't consider space for the mouse but that will be included, so it'll extend across the USB slot on the right.
The laptop will itself still perch mainly on the upper shelf, and the clamps will also have to allow for rake adjustment on the tray.
As it will just be attached for an hour or two, other options that bolt into the seat fixings aren't really practical (and it isn't a cop car
With the passenger seat pulled quite far forward (I have single captain seats in the front), it's not horrific ergonomically for an hour's call..
If anyone has had a go at building something like this, I'd be interested in your experiences. I did consider the various folding tables online that attach to the front seat headrest and using a rear seat instead.
View attachment 318502
Personally, I feel you’d be better off with a fold out table like Ovano offer, for example, if you are able to sit in the middle row seat.
If it absolutely has to be in the front, there are some option which sit on the steering wheel which might be of use? Amazon and similar sell various options.
Means no clamp and both quick and easy to set up.
If it absolutely has to be in the front, there are some option which sit on the steering wheel which might be of use? Amazon and similar sell various options.
Means no clamp and both quick and easy to set up.
