T5 Crazy Conversion Project

[Golf Loon]

I would be able to open a sunroof in Europe. Not in oz except at night! More about not getting skin cancer not colour!

[Sharkie]

Looks good Loon!

Any intention of fitting the T5GP nose (from the ute) to the Van to give it a more modern look?

I think it should all just bolt on as it is cosmetic only?

[Stan]

Dunno how i missed this - great build Matt. This really is a Frankenbus, nice work

[Golf Loon]

Looks good Loon!

Any intention of fitting the T5GP nose (from the ute) to the Van to give it a more modern look?

I think it should all just bolt on as it is cosmetic only?

It would all fit but bumper would need repairing. It would all need painting and new sign writing. I fear that might blow the budget for now. Made the decision early on that if the early front fitted we would use that.

As of Friday brakes are bled up, clutch is bled and all covers are on underneath. Exhaust and handbrake are done.
Minor clearance work for massive exhaust and then put the dash and interior back together. I reckon it will be on the road by Tuesday at the latest.

[Peter Jones]

Great work Matt! I thought you'd been a bit quiet

Good to see you back into the crazy conversions.

Next I'd like to see a 4mo, Hyabusa powered Up!

[Golf Loon]

Great work Matt! I thought you'd been a bit quiet

Good to see you back into the crazy conversions.

Next I'd like to see a 4mo, Hyabusa powered Up!

Yeah thanks Pete been out of the loop with lots of family issues. Still here though doing my thing, just not as full on.
I see you have been busy too, can't wait to see your mk1 race car. Coming up for the nationals?

[Peter Jones]

No plans for the nationals at the moment.

It's too early in the cars development to wander too far from home. (I haven't learned to drive it yet .)

[Valleyboy65]

Have you got it running yet?

[Golf Loon]

Have you got it running yet?

The engine runs well, no issues there. Just got to finish the wiring and put in seats and interior so I can drive it.

Few victories yesterday. Heated rear windscreen now works, rear wipers, sunroof wiring is good.
Interior lights were harder than they should have been.

Mondays victories were running the earlier airbags and late airbag controller and being able to clear the crash data! That all now seems happy. Plus being able to use the newer radio without having to find out a security code!

Today, Tuesday dash, seats, interior panels and hopefully a test drive.

[Valleyboy65]

Mr jmac,
Have bought one of these mongrel vans, Ok so what are the major problems I am going to have, do I get rid now and cut my losses, bugger I thought I bought a good one.
I'm only using as a campervan and daily drive.

[Golf Loon]

So today I drove the van. On the road!

only at 6 pm and lots of stuff not bolted down so not very fast. Just round the block.

Could really feel that it is a 4wheel drive and felt like it had lots of power.

Zero vibrations from the driveline which was great.

Most electrics are good, except interior light which cannot be switched off when driving! Gotta be a crossed wire there somewhere.

Still got to finish a few jobs inside like extra 12 v sockets for the kids and put the boards in at the back.

Wheel alignment and clear all the codes are also on the cards.

Busy day tomorrow so might have to wait an extra day before finishing. We will see.

But basically it works. Wahoo.

[jfoldbar]

im jealous

[brad]

Nice one Matt. Great truckster.

I bet that had the apprentice wishing he had a nice, easy EA888 N75 to replace.

BTW: The Skoda is going great. Noticeable change in low rpm engine response after the decoke (thought we'd stopped having to do that when Morris Minors went out of production). I've also found a replacement pully/impellor assembly on eBay for <AUD80 delivered from the UK (First Line / Borg& Beck). I get the feeling that EA888 water pumps are going to become pretty common & the old housing measured up without warpage so the cheaper option may be viable.

Oh, & did my front right tyre cop a puncture & repair while you had it? Found a dog turd in it the next day that hadn't been cut flush.

[Sharkie]

If you had to price up your time and effort + the cost of the donor ute, I'm guessing this would been an pretty expensive job.

I'd love you to fit a manual 6spd to a new TSI Multivan for me, but I'm guessing cost would make it a job not worth doing

[Golf Loon]

The price of the donor ute has been paid off with parts from it and leftover bits from my van.

The labour is another kettle of fish. Three weeks every day for a couple of skilled blokes.

Actually very surprised at how different everything is between auto, manual and different models of the same thing. VW used to make stuff plug and play and have holes and grommets where stuff could bolt in. Not any more. Everything is different, wiring looms that don't interchange, different mounts for everything, lots of stuff like that. Is it progress? Maybe? But certainly not easier for a tech.