Tim
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,340
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Morning all.
Me and the OH are planning to pick up a VW T4 in the next month or so. I know there are perhaps cheaper alternatives, but I like the size and availability of kit for the VWs.
I won't be able to stretch to a decent ready made camper, and we want our own project, so plan is to get a decent base van and steadily improve it.
Because of parking, I don't want LWB or a hightop. A poptop is on the future shopping list but not gonna be straight away. I'm aware roof space may be annoying without it.
What sort of things should I be keeping my eye out for when looking at vans? Any particular weaknesses?
How does the law sit with passengers in the back of a van...seatbelts on a rock and roll bed?
Share the knowledge :-)
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hkr91
South East
Posts: 562
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There's a huge forum (T4 forum) dedicated to all things T4 (there's also a T5 one too).
We've got seats in the back fitted with seat belts in ours, but then again in our campervan were allowed to carry passengers without seat belts in the seating area so not entirely sure to be honest.
Be sure to jump down to VanFest this year...
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Tim
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,340
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Jan 30, 2012 13:48:30 GMT
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Cool will get signed up, just thought some unbias opinion would be useful as well :-)
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Jan 30, 2012 20:53:34 GMT
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Ive done a home brew T4 conversion using an ikea sofa bed. have a look here for pics  smg.photobucket.com/albums/v443/JoeM/Ma%20Van/The raised floor is so the (very comfy) sofa bed would operate and also gave under floor storeage for 2 weeks worth of clothes for 2 people. They are good vans, although you need to look out for rust & make sure the heater valve closes/opens other wise you will either be freezing or boiling lol. |
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Last Edit: Jan 30, 2012 20:55:28 GMT by joem83
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Jan 30, 2012 21:10:24 GMT
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Very popular vans and the price reflects this.
Get a TD at least as the regular derv is slow as hell,seriously underpowered,tdi are great but of course everyone knows that so their silly money as well.
Watch for water use as this is never a good sign on one of these,generally rough body is ok but this will hit you hard later on when you want it looking pretty,dents here there and everywhere are really gonna hit hard on a respray.
Cant really fault them overall but to me their a bad base to start a camper from as the roofs are too low and the rear space is abysmal compared to a lot of vans BUT theres a ton of bits out there for them and a load of beautiful conversions done.
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Jan 30, 2012 21:20:43 GMT
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Yeah mine was a 1.9d, wasnt the slowest car ive ever driven but the tdi would be much nicer up hills. Best place to find a good price one is up this way & in the free ad's - non internet based advertising. 5x112 on the wheels is a big plus as thats Merc/Audi/Newer VW fitment |
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hkr91
South East
Posts: 562
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Ours is the 2.5 TDi 888 (800KG pay load and 88BHP) Special... (Special as it had electric mirrors & windows, king and queen captain seats and is a long nose)
The inter-cooled ones are 102BHP* (you can fit them on after thats not an issue).. Fully loaded mine will touch about 105MPH I think, thats with eight people & luggage (its only done about 25k).
MPG wise she'll do about 40MPG if I'm being sensible and thats not hard to achieve either.
Tax is £210.00 (mines a 2003) of your finest British pounds (beware, pre-2001 will be £215 the last time I checked). If your thinking about bringing her into London make sure you check to see if it is LEZ (low emission zone) compliant...
*But why stop at 102BHP? You can get 155BHP out of it (using an intercooler, bigger injectors & a remap - theres a fella on the forum whos got more information)
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hkr91
South East
Posts: 562
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 Theres the beast - oh and I think the Specials had cruise control too (Might just be the X Pack) |
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I've currently got a K reg VW T4 camper that has died so its going to be broken for parts. Its got a Reimo pop up roof that will be sold at some point. No idea what its worth at the moment though because the fabric is fairly old and could do with replacing, and I'm not sure how easy it is to diy fit to another van. Pm me an offer though if you are interested.
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