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

**Markee** · 16-08-2020, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Sunny43.5

Not sure I would like something that big like yours in the dash as I would imagine it would be a nice target for thieves .

This was also a concern and I tried mounting it in the bottom din space but being a full length single din unit it did not fit, so I had to mount it up top where it is now.

**Sunny43.5** · 16-08-2020, 08:42 PM

It reminds me of a mate of mines BMW EV it has a 12 inch screen in the centre of the dash with all the relevant information on battery distance etc .

**Markee** · 18-08-2020, 04:03 PM

So another update incoming, this one due to isolation lockdown here in VIC cos I can't work.

I have today ordered sound deadening for the roof, walls and tailgate, 4 sheets of ply to build new shelving and drawers, two sets of drawer slides and a new set of RolaCase drawers for a complete refit of the rear of my van.

It's been a long time coming as I've been making do with what I installed 3 years ago but now I have the time and some cash I'm going to do it properly. Stay tuned.

Here it is as it currently stands in day to day use.

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3380_heic-xl-jpg

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3378_heic-xl-jpg

**ozgti** · 18-08-2020, 04:04 PM

Do you need uprated springs?

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**Markee** · 18-08-2020, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by ozgti

Do you need uprated springs?

I already have raised King Springs in it

**Markee** · 22-08-2020, 10:21 AM

Had to remove the head unit to plug in the speed sensor wire that I forgot and after using it for a few hours have chosen to move it down a little to bring it somewhat closer for use. Although now it covers the bottom pocket shelf but was only used for storage and a USB outlet so no loss really. Gets it out of driving view a bit more. Also loving Apple CarPlay too.

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3400_heic-x2-jpg

Have now taken delivery of all necessary parts for the refit so chatting with the neighbours for some driveway/garage space for the time it’s gonna take to do it all.

**Markee** · 05-09-2020, 03:28 PM

So here's the new 'upgraded' rear of my T5. Basically I started from scratch.

First up gutted the van and moved the rear double seat forward and across to get a much better position and increase the room behind it to accommodate a queen size sleeping platform.

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3428_heic-2246x1440-jpg

Next up was to sound deaden all the walls, tailgate, roof and also add some thermal insulation to the lower wall cavities, including sliding door and tailgate.
I used Car Builders Stage 1 sound deadener and Sound Barrier Earthwool batts for insulation.
I had the 12mm mdf floor and rubber mat already so re-used them as they work well.

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3432_heic-2246x1440-jpg

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3433_heic-2246x1440-jpg

I then made the drawer/table/shelves/cabinet, this time opting for ply instead of mdf.

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3474_heic-2246x1440-jpg

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3470_heic-2246x1440-jpg

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3478_heic-2246x1440-jpg

Added all my gear and I'm ready to go to back to work.

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3509_heic-2246x1440-jpg

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3515_heic-2246x1440-jpg

And so it starts.....my new T5 LWB Motion-img_3514_heic-2246x1440-jpg

Overall very happy with the result.
To transform it into a holiday camper I basically just have to empty it and fit an infill panel (yet to be purchased/made) between the passenger wheel arch box and the main cabinet and our queen size self inflating mattress will fit perfectly.
Platform cabinet is 1850mm long and drawer and table are 1400mm deep each.
The goal was to have all my work gear available without having to move something to get to something else, be also able to chuck my MTB's in each weekend to go riding, then come holidays, pack all the camping gear in and head off into the unknown.

During the process I found the sliding door rail actually really loose and rattling around, so removed the exterior body panel, broke 5 out of the 9 clips in the process, tightened all the screws/bolts, then had to purchase 9 new updated clips to reinstall it. I also added some sound deadener to the back of it and the difference is amazing. The whole van just doesn't sound like a big tin can anymore and the ride inside is actually like being in a car.

I have a new UHF to fit next and I'll sound deaden the cabin roof at the same time as well as the 'sounds like a golf' front door seals that are on their way.

**Sunny43.5** · 06-09-2020, 06:21 PM

I like your comment "the 'sounds like a golf' front door seals that are on their way."That was the very first complaint I made to Our VW Dealer after buying our new T5.1 back a few years . Typical of dealers to nor have a F,ing clue when it comes to customers telling them their own advertising spiel , our front doors bounced back on the strikers worse than those first Chinese Cherry cars , in fact using that comparison would be an insult to the Chinese as these VW vans are somewhat very short on quality when you look deeper . When I picked the van up all they did was spray the seals with silicone and grease the latches what a joke . Like yours I have meticulously soundproofed all of our vans since our first one 20 years ago , being a Motor Trimmer by trade I made sure to not only line all the accessible surfaces but also stuffed the pillars and other areas with off cuts of old foam mattress . I think from memory I used around 20 + square meters of a high quality soundproofing which was glued to all the inside of the outer skin surfaces then backed up with blocks of foam between the side trims and the outer walls .Here is our van not long after purchase New T5 Project, fitted the windows myself and then attacked the inside , also fitted a Bilstein B3 Coil over kit from the UK to the van for easy loading of our daughter in her wheel chair . It handles exceptionally well as I use the van for weekend camping and towing Moto Cross bikes in the trailer so its loaded to the gills with stuff but never an issue with it being lowered .