2008 T5 Transporter Van build

[BMSSS]

Hey Guys

I just bought this 2008 T5. Only had 2 owners before hand, the last owner had it since 2009, full log books and only 157000kms.
Its in spectacular shape, only a couple of little dents which as we all know is great for a van of this age.

The last owner was a part time chippy and weekend camper so he built this solid platform in the back with heavy duty drawers underneath.

This will be my daily driver (I work as a sales rep in the craft beer industry) and also a weekend get away for myself, the missus and our 2 dogs.

So far the plans in a somewhat organised order of importance:

Sound system upgrade (currently stock)

Side awning

Eventually tear out the old platform, line the walls of the van with fabric, create new inserts from thin ply instead of the crappy grey plastic and rebuild the platform with lighter wood, newer lighter rails for the drawers and build the drawers a bit more specific for my use.

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[BMSSS]

Update:

Installed the new Sony headunit with Android Auto.

VW definitely make it hard for you to install aftermarket headunits!

Bought a fascia to get the double din unit to fit.
CANBUS wiring loom to Sony wiring loom.
I actually bought the Sony to standard loom, but because this unit has a video screen it lacked some of the wires. I ended up hacking the one that came with the unit to the aeropro one so I could have the handbrake wire etc.

Issues with the install:
The fascia is a dumbass design, yes it fits but as soon as you screw the headunit to the fascia the screws add width and don't fit into the console, I forced it in and then it got stuck. After getting it out I decided to only screw in one side, the other side stays in place with one side screwed in.

The handbrake wire I tried to circumnavigate with a switch although that didn't work, I couldn't be assed wiring it to the handbrake so I ended up having the headunit out for set up, when asked to apply the handbrake to set up android auto I just touched the handbrake wire to the headunit ground.
Set up android auto, disconnected the handbrake wire from the ground and snipped off the exposed wire and taped it up.
Turns out you only need the handbrake applied for set up and never again, so worked out great.

I removed a dash square to pull the USB wire through, my plan is to cut a hole in the square and fit the USB through although I don't have my dremel or files with me so for now it just hangs out until I get to my tools!

Next plan is to install some 6.5in component speakers up front, 2 channel amp under the seat with a slim line sub.
Reverse camera for parking the van
And eventually rear speakers once I redo the back of the van.

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[Sunny43.5]

Welcome to the Forum .Top tip if you use the usb cable route it out through the glovebox much neater , I have fitted many aftermarket headunits to both our 2004/5 T5,s and then our 2010 T5.1 . In fact my 2005 T5 I modified the dash board centre part and married a late T5.1 facia so I was able to fit the bigger more modern unit . with the larger screen scroll down to see the new facia , T5 transporter aftermarket radio options this one was fitted in 2016 since then I have upgraded it to the latest Android 8 with 8inch screen . Built in Digital radio GPS twin SD card slots twin USB ports reverse camera plus forward facing dash camera plays DVD,s Cd,s and data discs etc bluetooth and Internet connection via wifi too many other things to mention and lots of pre amp connections and video inputs/ outputs . I am running two amps one bridged for twin 12inch subs and another two channel amp for front splits .Oh and best part plug and play no VW coding or any of the other stuff , they come with can bus decoder . My work horse now has 380000kays and is still going strong and its a lowly 2.0 petrol manual but I love it so reliable compared to our other T5 which I sold a few years back and replaced with the T5.1 .

[BMSSS]

Hey crew,

I have a quick question. I'm having an issue with the central locking.

Often the passenger door won't lock with the rest of the doors when using the buttons on the key fob.

But also when I lock the doors with the button on the drivers door both the passenger and sliding door lock, but then unlock instantly.

Is this a computer issue?

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[Sunny43.5]

Check under the drivers seat , there is a couple of junction blocks . Mine was doing the same thing and the one for the central locking had severe corrosion on the contacts clean them and it may sort out the problem . Don,t ask me how they get corroded under the seat miles from water but they do !! check this post scroll down a bit to see the green fungus .2007 T5 Multivan central locking

[BMSSS]

Check under the drivers seat , there is a couple of junction blocks . Mine was doing the same thing and the one for the central locking had severe corrosion on the contacts clean them and it may sort out the problem . Don,t ask me how they get corroded under the seat miles from water but they do !! check this post scroll down a bit to see the green fungus .2007 T5 Multivan central locking

Cheers man! I'll give it a check in the morning!

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[aSimpleLife]

And if it's not that corrosion under the drivers seat, then it might be dirty sensors in the door activator. This can be resolved by spraying contact cleaner. There is some more info here;

[BMSSS]

Yet to get around to fixing the locks as it only effects the passenger side and I barely use that side!

I've recieved my rear view parking camera. I've bolted it on but yet to hook it all up (going to do it on an upcoming weekend).
While I've got the rear door lining off I'm going to cut a new one and install it as the current 11yesr old one is beat up!

I do have a question! As this is going to be a weekend camper I'd love to be able to have the stereo play whilst the car is off, but because the stock unit had the function where you could turn it on for an hour even when the engine is off the car doesn't have the ability to keep the aftermarket unit on whilst off!

Anyone have any solutions to this? I was thinking of installing a second battery with a switch that I can turn on separately to the primary battery?

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[Kiels3927]

My (Multivan) Cig lighter socket is live when powered down. Could you do something with that?

[Sunny43.5]

I thought as long as you don,t pull the key out the radio stays on indefinetly .

[BMSSS]

Nope, as soon as I turn the car off the player will stay on for 15/20 seconds and then shut off. Even if I turn the keys onto accessories again after!

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[Sunny43.5]

My bad I forgot most of you probably have stock VW radios , my aftermarket has a built in Can bus decoder so it stays on until key is removed.

[BMSSS]

I've got a CAN bus decoder too, so not sure how to bypass it

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[Sunny43.5]

The easiest way would be to introduce an extra power wire onto the accessory wire and then fit an isolater switch so you can switch it off and on as desired . Might need a diode to stop any feed back into the cars wiring .

[BMSSS]

Update:

I've installed a reversing camera in the van, the video RCA cable has been run from the headunit, through the roof, gromit and rear door and is hooked up.

But next is the power and ground! Does anyone know which of these wires for the number plate lights, or for the rest windscreen wiper is power? To tap into, and I'll find a place to ground the wire too.



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