Lift kit for T5 4 Motion - supplier?

**GUV** · 08-04-2016, 12:26 PM

Thanks for the info, I've only had the LWB in the Transporter then the Caravelle so I understand what you mean about the auto failure concerns and being careful about dragging its mid drift, the SWB might be a little more agile off road if I could sacrifice the internal space.

Thanks again.

**Sunny43.5** · 08-04-2016, 05:20 PM

You only have to look at the first release of the Amarok no auto as VW knew it would burn out the clutches due to loss of traction in soft sand , same reason they warned a taxi company in Europe not to use the DSG for taxis as similar problems did occur with stop start motoring the DSG is not the be all to end all in autos . Then add in the fact that the Tiptronic was never serviced by dealers as it was sealed for life .Seems VW need to go back to basics .

**Big Bug** · 08-04-2016, 09:26 PM

Murph
Been enjoying your photos and video. Thanks.

I finally had my new 235/65R17 tyres fitted yesterday, same as yours. I see that BFGoodrich now has a AT KO that is 225?65R17, a little smaller but could be a little tougher for the stony areas.

I am in the process of doing a few things to the van as I am going on a trip to the 3 Corners, Haddon, Cameron and hopefully Poeppel. Had a local bloke make me an engine guard and am in the process of fitting tow points to the front. The fuel tank looks vulnerable but hopefully will survive. I did look long and hard at getting a SWB but decided I needed the extra room. SWB would have been better on rougher tracks I'm sure.

Bruce CQ

**GUV** · 09-04-2016, 01:14 PM

Bruce, have a good look at protection for everything behind the front wheels where the rocks get thrown, our recent trip out to the same areas as you're intending on going left the lower parts of the rear suspension from the diff centre out striped of all paint, this was on a Prado, I can't remember what are the vulnerable lower parts of the vans.

**Sunny43.5** · 09-04-2016, 01:33 PM

Not sure if the T5.1 is the same as the first series but ours had a fuel cooler directly behind the front passengers wheel , the whole underside had plastic protection covers EXCEPT for the fuel cooler it was in full exposure to the elements . Ours got hit by a rock as some idiot in VW did not bother to check that RH drive vans would put that wheel off the bitumen first . Result diesel spewing all out the side and caused us to do a great version of drifting through an intersection as we were not aware of the puncture wound as we only heard a small bang as the rock did its job . I would certainly check al around the underside for vulnerable components that could be wounded .

**Big Bug** · 10-04-2016, 05:39 AM

Thanks Guv and Sunny for that info. I better get under there and do a good check. The engine bash plate I got made is a little short and I will add a bit more to it. Needs to cover those pipes in the front of the DPF.

Bruce CQ

**Sunny43.5** · 10-04-2016, 07:47 AM

Yes VW became very stingy with the T 5.1 they left off loads of things that had been standard on previous ones . T4 had metal engine cover T5 first series a plastic one T5.1 NONE at all . The air con is at the very front and lower than the sump not too smart for Aussie conditions , but at least the T5.1 doesn't have a fuel cooler exposed like the first one , to be honest not even sure they have one in this model .

**Murphenzo** · 10-04-2016, 08:49 AM

Sunny, I wish they did a version with the amarok's 8-speed auto box instead of the DSG. You get a proper crawler gear with no need for a low range. But being a longitudinal drive train, that ain't gonna happen.

Do VW do a real auto behind anything with a transverse drivetrain, or are they all DSG?

GUV, I'd just go LWB. It's been far less on a hindrance than I expected it to be.....and no way I could give up the internal space.
On this last trip I was driving over water bar that just looked way too short and steep, yet never scraped the belly at all. For a first few km I had the guys watching closely from the car in front of me. Having the underbody protection would be good piece of mind though.

Sunny, that was unlucky to have you fuel cooler taken out by a rock. :-/
It is in a very exposed spot. I wonder if there's any reason why it couldn't be relocated further forward and higher? I might look into that.

Bruce, interestingly the pirelli's on my van held up a whole lot better than the bridgestones on the hilux. They really have very little damage considering how sharp and nasty the rocks were. I reckon you can be confident you won't have a problem with them. I did plenty of 100km/h dirt road driving last year too, with no signs of damage. I'm a bit envious of your trip too! The three corners will be awesome!