My T5 camper conversion

[augie]

Thanks for the thumbs up. I am very happy with how the conversion has all worked out.
Not so happy with this one but, Had a service yesterday and found out that what I thought sounded like an exhust leak is a cracked exaust manifold. I noticed the noise last time I was towing in april took it to my local back then, they couldnt hear it
52000km's cracked exhust manifold $1600 for a new one and a days work to replace it, Been told to put up with if I dont want to spend the money or could try welding it up. Has this been covered already on the forum?

[Cousin]

Don't put up with it for too long, augie
I bought a second hand mv that had a cracked manifold, not knowing at the time
I did notice black soot around a filter box, lhs, in the engine bay, but have to plead igorance to it then
I also noticed strong exhaust smell inside when reversing (after I bought it!)
That all went when the manifold was replaced. Some have them welded sucessfully
But what I have since found out is the diesel soot has slightly permeated through the cabin
It was easy cleaning all the dash area, being mostly plastic, but I can notice it in the head lining where airflow can get through
I'll gradually get it all cleaned up, but I'd suggest not letting it go too long, it can make a mess inside



M

[Sunny43.5]

Hi Cousin we have the same problem with staining in the hood trim of our vans but one is diesel and the other is petrol . As we have put fully integrated sunroofs in both T5,s the hood trim has been modified to fit around the sunroof housing . Now the dark markings that get into the hood trim is actually brake pad dust I have seen this many times not only in our vans but in other cars that I have installed sunroofs into for the last 30 years . It seems that these days manufacturers make the brake pads out of softer compound and this means they create an incresed amount of residue this is what gets up through the "A" and "B" plillars its amazing how the dust permeate through the body of the cars , I would agree that diesel soot could do much the same but as I said one of ours is petrol !! Howard

[augie]

found the link in T5 Transporter maintenance thread will post what I do in there

[augie]

Just to show how and where I mounted the 2nd battery soinoid and fuse

[crazycano]

That awning looks great, I'm after one just for the tailgate to use as a kitchen area.

[augie]

here are some more phots of the rear tent






The roof section lives in a bag on the roof rack the walls get folded up into another bag and live in a drawer


Inside with the kitchen set up

[augie]

If anyone is thinking of getting some alloy tanks for any reason make sure you get some good tacks on the baffels to save you having to do this to your finished tank

The weld on the baffel broke after about 40 kay's of dirt road and it got pretty annoying after another 1800 km's of driving. Also be sure to fit a breather to your tank much better now

[Ivo]

This is the ultimate DIY camper!
Well done mate, it looks awesome!

[augie]

Tranks Ivo, we just did a 8 day trip to see how every thing went, now with the exhaust manifold and water tank fixed and some unnecessary items ditched we are ready to hit the road again, off to check out the WRC in Coffs Harbor, VWMA's drags in Warwick then all still going well down to Tassie.
Mobile broadband

[Dynamic Locks]

Tranks Ivo, we just did a 8 day trip to see how every thing went, now with the exhaust manifold and water tank fixed and some unnecessary items ditched we are ready to hit the road again, off to check out the WRC in Coffs Harbor, VWMA's drags in Warwick then all still going well down to Tassie.
Mobile broadband

I had to look twice at that pic

Dazz

P.S Loving the thread mate....nothing better than DIY stuff

[Ivo]

I bet you MPG suffers with that TV dish on the roof, but I guess you get every channel in the universes

[rogerd63]

Great job mate. By the way thats a great satalite dish you've got mounted on the roof haha.

[Transporter]

He runs the mobile broadband of it and also receives the TV.

[augie]

Not sure if seeing back in time is a necessity for my travels but it's a funny photo