T5 Crazy Conversion Project

[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.

[Sunny43.5]

VW would call it progress old blokes like me call it a nuisance and stupid .

[Tonz]

We need pics
We need pics
We need pics

[Golf Loon]

So have been driving this for a few days now. Had to use the T6 clock spring to make the steering sensor work, which then doesn't impact on traction control. Had to make a small loom to enable earlier airbag with later clock spring.

Only wiring issues remaining are one sliding door wiring is not right so says door is open, this is I believe causing the problem with the internal lights. I reckon I'll sort them this week.

Towed a car trailer with a Passat on it. Felt much more solid than with the 2wd.

It has an electronic diff lock, tried it on wet grass, seems pretty good, more extensive testing in snow season I reckon.

Not amazingly fast, but useful power band, need to get used to 6 speed in a diesel. Might have to flash it.

Just happy to be driving it. Feels smooth and factory for something that was in ten million pieces.

Wife and kids have hardly noticed the difference it still looks like the same van!

[Golf Loon]

So 500 ks in. Used my tank of free diesel that was in the donor ute when I got it! Put a tank of new diesel in and thing flies. Have never noticed the difference in quality of diesel before but I use good fuel in turbo petrol cars, so same rules apply I guess.

Fixed up door locks and made interior lights work, not in a factory way, but they work. Also 12 v sockets in the back for the kids and the glovebox for me.

it is much more efficient than the 5 cylinder. I reckon 800-1000ks per tank is possible 500-600 in the auto was realistic.
And it doesn't have the distinctive broken sounding rattle of the r5 engines.

Basically, happy so far, see you at the nationals.

[evorobin]

GET IN!

Drifting in the snow. Great work mate!