VIC 2002 Volkswagen Transporter T4 TDI300

[Lifemagician]

Having now read through lots of posts in many threads on several of the forums, I am beginning to wonder if I have come to the right place. Maybe some of the experienced hands here can point me in the right direction. Let me explain.....

Back in the seventies we bought our first VW to accommodate our five children. I have fond memories of the Microbus and the many trips we made in it. Rarely did it give us a moment's worry. When some eleven years later an inconsiderate motorist totalled it, we bought a VW 'BUS'. This too shared many trips and adventures with us. So when I started searching for a van to use as a mini camper it was not surprising that again, I settled on a VW. I get it at Easter.

However, as a septuagenarian grandmother, that which is under the bonnet is the least of my concern. I leave all that up to those knowledgable folk who have been trained to care for that. Sometimes I like to know what questions to ask, but overall, it is not top of the list. The rest is.

At present it is basically an empty shell. Everything which is in it will be removed by the gent from whom I bought it. So I am starting with a clean slate. My plan is to:
1/ install a second battery to run my fridge overnight without draining the car battery
2/ run the wiring where needed and put another one or two twelve volt outlets (fridge and computer)
3/ insulate the walls and ceiling (and possibly also the floor)
4/ Line the complete inside with whatever people use to line a camper (marine carpet?)
5/ build in a single bed with storage under as well as a cabinet or two.
Complete with a camp stove and a porta potty that should make for a comfortable camper.
Eventually I will knock out the three panels where windows should be and add a pop up roof.

My questions are: is there a forum for conversions? for places where people will help one do this? where I can find out where to get the materials for this project? It seems that the 'conversion' thread on this site focuses purely on mechanical conversion. What I am wanting to do is similar to what in the USA they call a conversion van. (I do have one in the USA for when I spend time with the family there.)

Please point me in the right direction so that I can go on my trip in mid May.

Lifey

[jets]

Welcome to the forum. There isn't much on this forum re T4 conversions but here is a link to a section in the T4 Forum in the UK that you may find helpful.
SWB Garage (All Versions) - VW T4 Forum - VW T5 Forum

[Lifemagician]

Looking for locals

Thanks you jets, some of that forum was most interesting, until they barred me for lack of registration. I am not particularly interested in joining another foreign based forum.

I really need all that type of information, and make contact with folk locally. I need to know about local terminology, local regulations, local availability and local prices. I am already a member of several North American based forums, but they are of little help with the specifics.

Oh! I know where I want to put the bed. I know what I want for cabinets. I already have the fridge and several camp stoves. I have gained all that knowledge from living on the road for six months in North America. What I do not have is the local contacts with whom I can discuss the nitty gritty as it is relevant locally.

Spent four hours at the Caravan and Camping show at Caulfield Racecourse today, and did pick up a few tip and hints, as well as (hopefully) got some names and websites. But am still open to any and all suggestions on where to turn.... preferably within a few hours' drive from the north western suburbs of Melbourne.

Lifey

[jets]

Thanks you jets, some of that forum was most interesting, until they barred me for lack of registration. I am not particularly interested in joining another foreign based forum.

Registration is easy & free. I consider the T4 forum to be the best english speaking forum in the world, over 76,000 members. The UK vans are almost identical to the Aust. ones, while the Eurovan generally has different engines[no TDI & only the auto in the later models]. I know that your interests at this stage is conversion, but you may need some other help in the future. I have learnt so much from them.

[Lifemagician]

Not likely

Jets, I just love your signature - Understand how it works ...

Buddy, that which is under the bonnet is not on this grandmother's radar. That's what you guys are for.

Yup! Women's Lib passed me by.

As a retired professional driver (hire cars), I know enough to be aware when something is not quite right, but beyond that I shall rely on regular service and maintenance by those who know what they are doing. My interests and needs are purely in the area of turning this empty shell into a comfortable little camper/home.

Lifey

[Guest001]

Join one of the caravanning forums like C&M Lots of vehicle on there get extra batteries etc. Remember any 240V sockets must be Double Pole and must be installed by a Sparky

Batteries inside should be AGM non venting, if you want to wake up in the morning LOL.
I used to haunt them but no longer have a van.
I did all my own 12 volt work and as long as you get someone to advise on wire gauge etc you should be OK Like battery to fridge wire should be at least 8 gauge preferably 6 gauge and not automotive wire which is not heavy enough.
Needs an isolator between batteries.

[Lifemagician]

Forums, batteries and dashcams.

Thank you Hillbilly, that forum looks interesting. I put 'C&M' into Google, and two camping sites came up, but the other seemed not to have any pages linked to it. So I am guessing that now we are on the same page. I actually looked through quite a few of their magazines at the camping show, and asked if they had any magazines on the conversion work. All she could tell me is that they have articles in many of the magazines. However, it would mean subscribing, and hoping that sooner or later someone will publish what I am looking for.

Chances are my next (and maybe a few more) holiday be well and truly past before I see the article which can be of most help. Furthermore, since I am out of the country for six months, most years, they would just be piling up in the mail. So declined to subscribe.

Their forum, however, is much more useful. I have spent many hours now, reading through relevant threads. I am yet to find exactly what I am looking for but I have found members on that forum whom I know from other forums, so that was nice. Will now go and ask for the specifics and hopefully some members there will be able to point me to some useful contacts / products.

And yes, I am aware of most of what you say about the batteries. Went through all that with my van in the US. Am sure I will get that all done just the way I want. Shall leave it up to the professionals. I was given some contacts by the local Autotrac place, so will follow them up this week.

Lastly, in your signature you mention 'dashcam'. I am looking to get a dashcam, but am totally bamboozled by the plethora of them out there. I just want something which can make a video when I am driving in places where it is just not possible to stop. So often I drive through spectacular scenery, gorges or forests where it is just not possible to stop safely. It would be nice to have some record of those places. In other words, I guess what I am saying is, I would like one with decent (though not necessarily over the top) picture quality.

What would you recommend for this technically (and financially) challenged grandmother?

Lifey

[Guest001]

There is also the Caravan forum and Exploroz The C&m is really called Caravan and Motorhome forum.

A dashcam really is for filming the road in front of you and not the scenery along the side.

In our 50,000km trip around the country we rarely found we couldnt stop near where we wanted to take pictures, even when towing a large van.

You can buy a reasonable video camera for about $300 these days. Much better idea as the dashcam requires power from the car and so is not really portable. A Go Pro is about the only one that would do dual duty.. Lots to learn and money to spend.
Our trip cost us over a $ for every K travelled plus new cameras and other gear of about $3000.
We didnt however free camp as you will probably do.
We have recenty done an Alaskan cruise and 2 months down the coast to LA and out as far as Monument valley by rental car

Cheers

[Lifemagician]

All good to know.

Good to know about the dashcams, though some of the videos on Youtube give a very good view of the surroundings.

If you went down the coast in CA, then you will be aware of the many spots between Monterey and Cambria where it is impossible to stop. Stopping at the turn outs, and walking back to some specific sight is not an option when one has mobility challenges. (Yeah! I know I have a lot of challenges, but I am not going to let it stop me.)

My trip to Lake Eyre and Coober Pedy came in at around 50c/km, and that was including accommodation and the flight over the lake. No camping on that trip.

Thanks for your help and the extra forum. Much appreciated.

Lifey