And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion

**Markee** · 21-04-2017, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by saltd0g

Hey markee! How has everything panned out?

I am disspointed to read that the turbo has failed, i dream of upgrading my fault ridden 2005 to a post 2010 model. I have replaced powersteering pump, 3 x CV joints, waterpump, air con compressor had the exhaust manifold crack and spent hours fault finding little bits and pieces! The T5 does have its problems, but i love mine! Its done 207,000km and its going strong!

Can you let me know how your TOYOs were going before the breakdown? I have started a post on AT options and need some guidance!

Hope everything is working out with your schmick rig!

Saltd0g

I've got nothing to offer at the moment as I'm still waiting on a reply from VW Aus through my dealer as to whether they will cover the turbo failure under a goodwill situation. If they do awesome, if not I will get it repaired.

My Toyo's are fantastic. Not to noisy, plenty of clearance and grip and will most likely wear very well too.

**Markee** · 12-05-2017, 06:33 PM

So today I picked up my van, finally! 9 weeks and $4000 later I have it back.

Diagnoses was a blown high pressure turbo seal. Due to the design they only replace the whole turbo manifold including both low and high pressure turbos hence the exorbitant price of $5500!!!!
I was lucky to be given 30% off the parts as a gesture of goodwill from VW and for this I am very thankful.

I also had a compression test done, at my cost, to ascertain a base line for any future possible EGR issues.
All in all a long drawn out and slightly expensive process but I have my car back none the less.

Now I can get back to finishing off the rear tool drawer and shelving fit out.

**aSimpleLife** · 12-05-2017, 08:55 PM

Good that you're happy with the result...all the best from here.
I'm just happy I "haven't" got the bi turbo.

**Markee** · 29-06-2017, 04:36 PM

So an update.

Van has been driving fine since the new turbo has been fitted and I'm slowly fitting out the back to accomodate my tools and still have it as a functional 5 seater van for weekends.
I moved some more stuff around today and had a portable air compressor from 4WD Supercentre I'd bought just sitting in it's carry bag in the back. I thought let's try and fit it under the passenger seat, guess what? Perfect fit!

It sits nicely under there with plenty of spare room for my puncture repair kit (red box), tow rope, air hose and quicky deflator.
Next to it is the factory 2nd battery. I will be looking to change it to a high current deep cycle dry cell version in the future once I decide which way I'm headed with solar, fridge and inverter and, I work out how it's being charged.
I might also get an Anderson plug and wire it in more permanently but the alligator clamps will do for now.
This is the compressor for reference https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/pro...ompressor.html

**aSimpleLife** · 29-06-2017, 05:08 PM

Is that a front bench seat? So the seat lifts up with storage underneath?
That sure beats have to remove both your bucket seats to fit a battery underneath.

**Markee** · 30-06-2017, 06:51 AM

Sure is. It's actually a great idea.
I added a double rear seat and I've now got a 5 seater with plenty of room for everyone and everything.

**REVHE4D** · 12-07-2017, 01:19 PM

Hey great idea, I an going to put my Thumper under the passenger seat, now you have shown me this.
Thanks

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**Markee** · 01-10-2017, 07:09 PM

So this past weekend I finally got to try out the van off road while I was away on a MTB trip at Bright in VIC.
It was nothing serious, just a single half hour out and back drive up and down a rocky-ish hill.
We drove to the hang glider launch to have a look at the start point for the next days MTB riding.
The view from the top looking back down on Bright.

Now I didn't get any photos of the ascent as I was just too excited to see how it would all go.
I was running about 40psi all round for regular day to day driving and once onto the dirt logging roads to the top of the hill it was clearly evident that I had to lose some air pronto.
Out came the Quicky Tyre Deflater and in a few minutes we were down too 30psi all round and feeling way more comfortable.
Here is a photo of the hill after we'd driven up and come back down. Basically I kept going till I got to a point where it got quite steep and there was a water bar ahead that I would have for sure, got beached on, and turned around and made my way back down.

You can't really see how steep it is and I honestly have nothing to compare it too to explain. The video below of the descent back down might show it somewhat. Ignore the goof off that is my passenger haha

All in all I was pretty impressed with how it all went. Now definitely want to get underbody protection and some recovery gear before I head off on a longer drive, most likely with other vehicles as well.

**Sunny43.5** · 02-10-2017, 12:42 PM

Nice photos and video , the track reminds me of the one up here in SE Qld from the top of the Lamington Plateau down to Rathdowney , Ducks Creek Rd . Pretty radical drive when we did it back around 28 years ago pretty flat for the first few kms just like in part of your video and then it was all down hill on the side of the mountain with steep drop offs on one side and huge ruts on the inner side of the track .I stupidly did the decent in a lowered Ford XE ute with wife and baby son in baby seat between us , got some pretty amazed looks from 4wd guys along part of the lower section . One guy stopped us just before the decent started and asked incredulously was I going to do it in that meaning the ute !! we made it white knuckles and faded brakes as well . The set up of yours looks good , as a matter of interest I just purchased one of the Ryobi Inflator Deflator units as I can use it for our Moto Cross bikes , it takes the 18Volt rechargeable batteries for cordless drills etc .