Jonno's Build

[jonathan_k]

I wanted to post this a while ago, but I thought the best thing about my setup was its ability to convert from work to play and it wouldn't be smart to post a pic with all my work tools. I don't carry tools anymore, so I figure it's safe now!

VW Transporter 4motion SWB 2015 DSG with dual sliders fitted out as a daily driver/work/camper combo. Have been able to keep it mostly stealth so it looks like a regular van from the outside.

• King Springs Lift
• Scorpion ATR 235/65R17
• Dual battery with Redarc BCDC and Victron battery monitor
• Rear drawer system (converts from work to camping by swapping out boxes)
• 50L stainless steel water tanks (convertible to single 25L, see below)
• 1370mm x 2030mm bed (double width with queen length)
• Custom curtains and window shades
• Custom chair storage on rear tailgate (poor mans Kombi Beach setup)
• Custom hot water setup from heat exchanger in rear
• Convertible awning system can be fitted to either side of van. One man setup even in high winds!
• Modular rear clothes drawer
• LED lighting with dimmers
• Rear suspended cupboard
• Captains passenger seat
• On-board compressor
• Bed, drawers and water tank convert to "bachelor mode" for single bloke with a bike

The setup we have is more practical than slick, I don't think we'll win any points for style . We did everything ourselves and went for the balance between enjoying outdoors while still getting out of the worst weather. Even though we can open 3 doors, we still miss sleeping outside and will be getting a swag shell that the van mattress fits in so we can sleep under the stars.

This is what it looked like when I picked it up... I bought it sight unseen from Pickles and flew to Melbourne to drive it home. Was an ex corrective services dog vehicle which was a little worrying at first but it cleaned up nicely.



This is what it looks like now:


Hopefully you think it looks pretty similar as I've tried to keep it looking stealth so I can park it up inconspicuously. I apologise in advance to Sunny and Markee for my asymmetrical rack setup!

Work Setup

Here is my old work setup, fairly easy access to heaps of tools.



I kept this long slot up the side for tools and fishing rods, etc. I can get 3m up the side into the drivers footwell:


The stainless rings allow the driver side drawer to be dismantled without tools and 3/4 of the van is then usable floor space with the back seat out.

Can still slide 2.4m x 1.2m sheets in on top of the drawers:



Play

How it gets setup for play. Organised boxes (food, cooking, etc.) on the passenger side and fridge and more boxes on drivers side. I lift out the work boxes and carry out the other boxes which my wife has prepared while I'm hard at work. We can be gone in about 20 minutes!



Bed



Or in single mode (more to come on this):



The rear when we're travelling during the day:



How the bed gets set up. This pic actually shows the frame setup I made for when the seat isn't in. As we haven't taken the seat out yet we just set it up in rapid mode by swinging out the 3 inbuilt rails on top and propping the seat up to the right height.




Our small lounge room, comfortable for 3:


Water and shower

The stainless tanks, looks a bit industrial and the colours are garish, I know , but it's exactly what I wanted. The driver side tank and drawer can be removed and the top flips over to allow two bikes to stand up while still having a single bed. Will post a pic of that soon.

They're 50L but I can carry another 35L with other storage when I need to:


I originally had a pump which went to an outlet at the back but the noise drove my bananas and I couldn't find a quiet pump. I set this up temporary for our Fraser trip but we loved the silence and simplicity of gravity feed so much we are keeping it. This has breathers, overflow, indicator, outlet and filler:



Hot water outlets in the rear, I removed the rear heater/aircon and hooked in a heat exchanger. Can get water up to 60 degrees:


Have this 8L stainless steel pressure shower tank on the right which can be heated from the heat exchanger, a gas stove or even a fire. Can pump it up in place and hook the shower head to the tailgate or take it out completely and put it in a shower tent. This is our biggest luxury... we've travelled years with the humble bucket shower!!



Battery and power

Here is our dual battery setup under the drivers seat:


Victron energy monitor and USB/12v outlet:


Front screens and curtains




Annex

Side annex can be mounted either side. Will post more pics of full setup later. This is a prototype of an annex setup which one person can setup in high winds without looking like a ****! I haven't seen an annex, even the $1000 ones, that can be managed solo in high winds. It is pretty bomb proof too, have had it out in 25-30 knots so far.

[jonathan_k]

These are my previous vehicles, both pretty heavy duty 4x4's that spent years in remote areas.

Back in the day when it was rare to cross paths with a vehicle in the Simpson.





3.5 tonne on the axles and only a bottle jack. We ended up popping the tent and sleeping in this mud hole before sorting it out the next day .


Why the van? There's a phenomenon now where it's not uncommon to find more people in 4x4 only areas than in 2 wheel areas, so we're happy to have a soft roader and don the backpacks to find a bit of solitude.

Western Kimberley and about as remote as I know about:

[Sunny43.5]

Bloody brilliant setup , I love it you have put a hell of a lot of thought into the layout and ability to cover two uses for the van . Don't apologize for any part of what you have done I for one am impressed ! out of interest what did you use for the roof lining as I can see reflections so it appears to be some sort of laminex or other . Curtains around the front windows are a nice touch to keep out the morning sun and give privacy , I know when we camp when Moto Cross riding we orientate the van east west at our favourite campsite , that way the rear tailgate keeps the sun out until well after sunrise . Admits here that we erect a double porta shade along side the van and I sleep on an inflatable mattress on the floor inside the van . We also had to battle the elements one weekend when a huge westerly blasted into the campsite 3 of us were desparetly trying to hold the porta shade down on the ground even with the corners pegged , luckily there was one of those old fashioned park tables near our site . One of those steel pipe frame ones with bench seats each side with the table in the middle . The bugger weighed a bloody ton and it took us a while to skull drag it under the shade then we tied the centre part of the shade to the table until the winds died down . Great job again lets hope you have some more great trips .

[jonathan_k]

Thanks Sunny! ...and glad to know that I'm not the only one that takes into account solar orientation when setting up a camp! It makes a massive difference to fridge power consumption too .

For the roof lining I used 4mm hardwood ply with polyurethane coating, got it for free as the sheets were damaged. Problem is that it's too stiff and it took 3 of us to get it in and I still can't set most of the plugs. I will have to repeat it when I put in roof insulation, so I'm thinking to replace it with a 3mm masonite. I can only find a semi-gloss coating which is a shame because the high-gloss is easy to clean squashed, blood thirsty mosquitoes off, haha!

Also forgot to mention that almost all my panels are insulated with Polymax batts, makes a difference for sound, not sure about thermal comfort though.

[LogicprObe]

Great work!
That's fitting a lot into a Transporter.

[Sunny43.5]

Yes I suppose if you are using the original trim clips the VW ones they are not tolerant of extra thickness , even with ours using original masonite covered only in a thin foam backed velour they are still pigs to refit ! Even though I spent an enormous amount of time insulating ours would you believe that I can,t sleep in an enclosed space . So when we camp the shade is at the side and I sleep on the matress with the door open rain hail or freezing cold , seems pointless to insulate and not sleep in the warmth doesn,t it . And yes it gets down to minus 3.5 somenights at our campsite , but being an ex POM I love the cold !!

[Bryn23]

You could look at using rivnuts for the roof, then you can really pull in to the framework.

I wouldn't use masonite, id be looking at a 3.6mm 3 ply sheet, they are only $30 for a 2400 x 1200 and will follow the contour of the roof.

I used M6 rivnuts and then used some joint connecting bolts which i painted matt black, (you should be able to see them in the roof lining pic)



M6 Joint connecting bolt (don't have any close up, but the head is 17mm in Diameter)




M6 Thread insert for timber (if you need to insert them into timber)



They are handy, as you can compress almost anything into shape, i used them for the whole build as its easier to fit the side panels, and hidden clips are a pain and i found the normal clips didn't hold well. (also used the same panel rivnuts to mount the furniture)

I noticed you have the Black Duck seat covers... are they the Denim??? and are you happy with them, they aren't cheap and i'm looking at ordering some this month.

have fun in you camper, you will enjoy not having to set up a tent in rain

[Big Bug]

Jonathan, like your work, well done. We use a similar gravity feed system for our water out the door there in the same spot.

Interesting why you have gone to a van. I nearly bought a Toyota Troopcarrier a couple of weeks ago but I love the convenience and comfort of the van so much I just couldn’t do it. I will live with the 4WD restrictions. Just wish VW had made it more like the T3 syncro.

Bruce CQ

[LogicprObe]

I always prefer to drive the Van than the Volvo!

[jonathan_k]

Thanks for the tips Bryn, I will look into the rivnuts and patching the extra holes with a white tape or something. Will be interested to hear about your build and what you've done with the curtains and vent, looking good!

These are the canvas covers in navy blue. My wife and I love them, they're very comfortable, never hot or cold and so easy to clean (even of dry cement). The price seemed obscene but we're super happy with them and haven't given the price a second thought. Somehow I'm still learning the "quality doesn't cost, it pays" lesson, because I went cheap on the rear seat cover and it was so annoying it's gone to the op shop already.

These covers are not foam backed so I'm cautious of what Sunny warns about with wear on the seats, I can check how my seats are going and let you know.

[jonathan_k]

Interesting why you have gone to a van. I nearly bought a Toyota Troopcarrier a couple of weeks ago but I love the convenience and comfort of the van so much I just couldn’t do it. I will live with the 4WD restrictions. Just wish VW had made it more like the T3 syncro.

Troopy would be my next choice especially if doing a 1-2 year trip away from the east coast. Or, perhaps we'll see some late model grey import Japanese vans on the Hilux drivetrain soon?

Like you say, the vans are just so enjoyable. Even on these 40 degree days we drive it down the beach, open the sliders and treat it like a beachfront apartment, so awesome!

Mine is costing me a bit to service so far, but we'll stick with it and investigate other options along the way, like hiring a "real" 4x4 in strategic locations.

[Big Bug]

Troopy would be my next choice.....like hiring a "real" 4x4 in strategic locations.

When you get out bush more than half the vehicles are Toyota so many more people to fix them. I looked at hiring a “real “ 4WD but when you look at the terms and conditions there are places you can’t go like the Canning Stock Route which is where I wanted to go and even one road we went along, very slowly, in the van. Will have to do more searching on rentals.

This would make a difference to our vans but the price.... https://www.seikel.de/shop/conversio...r-ratio/?lang=
I took a quick look at the the HiAce bus4x4.com.au do when I was thinking of buying my van but would probably investigate more throughly if I was looking now.

Still, I love my van.

Bruce CQ

[Big Bug]

Oops, doesn’t seem to be quite the right link. I can’t get the right link to work, just look for T5 Extreme.

Bruce CQ

[Bryn23]

Oops, doesn’t seem to be quite the right link. I can’t get the right link to work, just look for T5 Extreme.

Bruce CQ

You want the Portals as well

It would be quite capable, but not worth the extreme $$$$$

[Big Bug]

You want the Portals as well It would be quite capable, but not worth the extreme $$$$$

Oh yes I do, but 31,000 Euros as you say, is way too much money. The money would be far better spent on a new 79 Series Cruiser, that is tough and capable.

But the VW looks the part though and I imagine would be the only one in this country. Bruce CQ