Best T4 for camper.

[muz]

I am going to purchase a VW 4 tradesman van without any side windows to make a camper van.I would like some info on the best size motor for a LWB camper van?
Best year?
Also what have been any reacurring problems with the T4 that I need to look out for?
What would be the 3 must have accessories?

And what is the EPA of the LWB vans?

Thanks for any and all help.

[WEDEL.1]

LWB T4s all come with 2.5 Petrol of TDI. I would recommend the TDI, and as new a model as you can get.

A friend of my bought a syncro LWB HR ex Sydney Ambulance and is very happy with it. These things do take alot of work to convert to a camper.

Maris

[gregozedobe]

I don't know much about T4s beyond the fact that good ones seem to be very reliable and go forever

The T4 section here might be worth perusing :

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/default.asp?C=11

[muz]

Thanks for the info guys. I have always had a weird feeling about converting an ambulance though. Bad vibes!

[muz]

While reading the brickyard forum as suggested by gregozedobe,I came across the following which may give any newbies like me an idea of what to look for when buying a T4.
.................................................. ............................................

T4 buyers guide.(My compilation of a few posts from the thread)

1.Don't buy anything other than a 2.5TDI, all the rest are ****e.
2.Make sure someone who knows what they are doing did the cambelt along with the waterpump and tensioners, then set it up with a computer.
3.CV joints and boots go often.
4,Ball joints go often.
5.Exhausts break, usually around the mounting near the cat.
6.Rear coil springs break, lots.
What about air mass sensor, brake light switch, clutch bracket & ignition switch?
What about air mass sensor, brake light switch, clutch bracket & ignition switch?
.................................................. ..................................................

After reading some of this stuff I am wondering if petrol may be the way to go (for me) as I can work on those OK, but I dont really want to mess with diesels.
Is the timing belt problem just with the diesel, or is it an issue also with the petrol models? That problem sounds really nasty.

Are the petrol models really bad or is it the diesels are just a bit better?
As I said,I am a cxomplete newbie with the watercooled VW having lots of experience with the aircooled though.

[DVR68U]

they didnt get the 2lt petrol motor much overseas. ive got one in my van great motor, easy to work on and i can get 9l/100 easily. not as fast as a tdi but once you get going its all good.
cheers brenton

[WEDEL.1]

Our 2L motor was 100% reliable and had 147,000kms on it when we sold it last last year. The motor still sounded like new. It didn't matter if it was empty or loaded up, the performance was the same.

Mind you, it wouldn't pull a drucken sailor off your sister, and that is a drawback.

Maris

[muz]

Any one know if the timing belt problem is just with the diesel, or is it an issue also with the petrol models?

[jets]

The problems listed on the Brickyard site are an extreme view. Written by a mechanic, they are the sorts of things he has repaired. There would be thousands out there that havn't had those problems & if they did, only at very high mileages.I don't agree with items 3,4,5 & 6. While they can occur, he should have left off the words "lots". Probably the only item on that list that can be a common failure is the brake light switch, & thats cheap & easily fitted.The clutch pedal box & ignition switch will eventually fail but normally at high mileages. Keep in mind a lot of T4s are used as a commercial vehicle,over loaded & driven by someone who doesn't own it & flogs it.
All the motors [not sure about the V6] have timing belts that can break, like most cars on the road today. If you maintain the vehicle like you should then it's all good. Some people think you can keep driving , without doing anything until it stops. I read recently where someone had a ribbed accessory belt shread & go under the timing belt. With regular inspections this sort of thing should not happen.

[rob64981]

I know of a couple of T4s with over 300000 miles or should that be 480000kilometers....

There are some out there with more than that

Keep up the servicing and you should be ok.

Thats enough miles for me to drive to you and back

Rob

[Deeceer]

LWB T4s all come with 2.5 Petrol of TDI.
Maris

Not all LWB T4 diesels are TDI - my 1998 LWB diesel is a non-turbo 2.4L. But it is rather gutless, no wonder at only 55Kw, though it feels better than a 2L petrol I once drove.

[muz]

Guess it will be a TDI then as when fitted out as a camper it will weigh considerably more.

[muz]

I have a beach buggy that weighs about 1/3 less than a 1600 Beetle.What would be the best transmission, manual or auto to tow it or should I not even consider towing it?

Also is the Tradesman dash etc the same quality as the regular passenger T4van?

[DVR68U]

i will never buy a vw auto , after seeing how much trouble they can be.
cheers brenton

[jets]

i will never buy a vw auto , after seeing how much trouble they can be.
cheers brenton

Yes chose a manual if you intend to tow with it.
I would also chose the tailgate style over the barn door type. The tailgate can provide some weather protection when loading in drizzle & a tent can be made to hang over, to extend the inside room, eg extra sleeping room, toilet or even showering.