Innehållsförteckning för Issue 70 från VWt

Experience is the currency of life. The more experience you have, the richer you are said to be. Some even say negative experiences are worth more than positive ones, based on the fact we rarely learn anything from the good times. On that basis #projectshed is one of the most wholesome, life-affirming and valuable experiences I’ve had in my life. Here’s why. At the time of writing this, I’m doing battle with a dodgy turbo manifold, a knackered central convenience unit (again!) and a suspected ABS pump / module that’s gone up the swanny. The upshot of all this is the dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree and I’ve got a lot of ‘experience’ ahead. Yes, the Van still goes forwards, it still goes backwards and it still stops,…

Engine 2.0 (140); Pendle Performance re-map to 185bhp; Wagner Tuning front-mount intercooler; Audi Q7-style twin exhaust Chassis Low Pro-sourced Bilstein and AccuAirbased air ride set up; front hub mod; adjustable ARB drop links; H&R anti-roll bars; Forge Motorsport 356mm front discs with six-piston calipers; 20in OEMS 111 wheels; 235/35-20 and 255/35-20 tyres Styling Anthracite vinyl wrap; Sportline front spoiler; DRL bumper inserts; fog lamp kit; Bi-Xenon DRL headlamps; 63mm sidebars: ABT grille; Van-X LED tinted rear lights: AMGstyle rear diffuser grafted into bumper…

Shorter springs, shocks and springs, coilovers, air ride, hydraulics or even lift kits. The options are broad, but you need to choose wisely. Much depends on what you hope to achieve, or wish to do, with your Van. If you’re all about ‘stance’, know that going really low (-100mm and beyond) will never improve ride quality, geometry or handling, despite what many will tell you. If you are new to radically lowered vehicles, ask some people to take you for a drive in Vans that have been dropped this amount, then make up your own mind before spending large. Fundamentally, you have five options when it comes to T4-T6 suspension alterations: 1 Lowering springs are the entry level option. Good quality ones offer a subtle drop (typically 40-60mm) without compromising…

Where we stayed: • Glencoe Mountain Resort (www.glencoemountain.co.uk) • RiverBeds Luxury Wee Lodges (www.riverbeds.co.uk) Mileage: 857 Costs Fuel: £132 M6 toll: £16.50 (cheaper north bound than south – work that one out) Glencoe camping pitch: £30 for two nights inc. electric Glencoe Mountain lift pass: £32 each RiverBeds Lodge: £175 Meal at the Loch Leven Hotel: £82 Other food and drink: £70 Camper hire: £240 for Friday to Monday, off season (www.camperhirehq.co.uk) Total: £819.50…

Wheels Custom made 9.5 and 10.5 x 20in Damn Raw three-piece forged CNC’d wheels; 245 /35 and 275/30 x 20 tyres Body mods Refinished in VW Raven Blue; Magna Tuning GT-style front bumper; de-badged grille; Audi Q7-style rear bumper; de-badged and smoothed throughout Cab area Alcantaratrimmed dashboard; re-trimmed Vauxhall VXR iron cross Recaro CS seats with 7in screens built into backrests; T5.1 steering wheel; New South boost gauge; Kenwood DNX 525 head unit; custom two-tone trimming throughout, including headlining Interior Kombi rear seat; twin moulded glass fibre 10in Hertz sub boxes; Hertz mono and four-channel amps; Hertz front components and rear coaxials; amp racks built into rear side panels; Dynamat and insulation throughout…

Some time ago Stefan Parkin contacted us about his Caddy parts chaser for his genuine VW spares and breaking business, SRS Automotive. Located on the same site as renowned VW TDi tuning legends, Darkside Developments, it was obvious from the outset that this once humble Van wasn’t quite as it seemed. Indeed, it had already been on the receiving end of a 2.0TDi engine transplant and a four-link, coilover rear end, engineered in association with Only Charged Dubs, so the power output and handling were notably improved over the OEM motor and rear leaf springs. However, come December 2017 the decision was made to switch to a 2.0 (CR - EA189 series) TDi engine from a later VW, along with a DSG gearbox swap. It already made something in the…

Model 2001 SWB T4 Engine Stock 2.5 (88) TDi, custom stainless exhaust Chassis Lowered 40mm on Just Kampers springs; Bilstein B6 shocks; 8 and 9.5 x 15in banded steel wheels; 195/50-15 tyres Styling Repainted in VW R902 and custom mix blue; DA’d upper half with Michelin lettering; Ed Roth-style rat being ridden by Bibendum; Lamin-X tinted R8-style DRL headlamps Camping interior Bespoke Surfstyle Vans conversion; sound deadened, insulated, ply and hessian lined; whitewashed pallet wood furniture; matching laminate flooring; Smev 8821 stove; custom painted ply headlining; Surfstyle pull-out bed frame; go-kart tyre speaker and light enclosures Cabin Alfa Romeo seats; 10in subwoofer in centre console; colour-coded dashboard and door cards; skateboard wheel winders…

• Stonor Park Another corking summer’s day spent in Henley-on-Thames at this country house VW show • Inters To Rockingham Motor Speedway for the VW Golf and sprint course extravaganza that is GTi International • Transporter HQ Open day and a BBQ at the Leicester-based purveyors of all things Transporter. Mine’s a cheeseburger, please chaps • Gaz Ultra Lows Finally got my hands on some second hand Ultra Lows. If the internet wasn’t full of moaners, they’d still be readily available • BMW lover Someone lent me a BMW 435D for a couple of hours and I absolutely blooming loved it. Thank you lovely person • Due South I’m all loved up this month and have hardly got anything done as a result. Sorry ’bout that • Album of the…

Camping interior UK Pop Tops furniture run and camping interior with RIB ¾-width bed; custom trimmed throughout in purple leather and Alcantara by TMJ Trim; Eberspächer D2 night heater; Dometic oven and grill; Waeco CRX50 fridge; 240 and 12V split charge set ups; CBE power points; UK Pop Tops elevating roof; custom roof bed with 19in drop-down monitor; Vanshades blind pods; custom floor mats; colour changing LED lights throughout and 12 LED downlights; The Punisher logos throughout Cab area Custom dash air vents; Alcantaratrimmed dashboard; custom centre console gauge pod and stereo shade; lower dash trimmed in purple leather; leather-trimmed captain’s chairs ICE Kenwood DNX525 DAB head unit; twin Phoenix Gold 6.5in front component speakers in custom door builds; Skipton Car Radio angled front tweeter pods; Alpine Type R 10in…

Andi Riley is a man of humble chat, but a true ambassador for VW-based automotive innovation. His Van, meanwhile, has become an internet sensation, with any action video of it instantly going viral. Unsurprisingly, given the amount of time and effort invested, he’s no intention of ever parting with it, and probably wouldn’t build another for anyone else because the hours involved would make it a very serious financial commitment. If you want to get some idea of what all the fuss is about, check out our short video of it in action at www.facebook.com/vwtmagazine .…

Model 2016 T28 SWB Engine Stock 2.0TDi CR 140 Chassis The Install Company stage three air ride set up; ABP front struts; Gaz shorter rear shocks; Continental bags on custom rear mounts; rear chassis notch; adjustable drop links; Powerflex camber adjustable bushes; front inner ’arch linings removed; AirLift 3H digital management with chassis-mounted ride height sensors and ’phone app; polished copper hard line install; Viair 440c compressors; 9 and 10.5in Rotiform IND-T wheels; 225/35 x 20 tyres Styling Genuine VW LED headlights; T6 Sportline front spoiler; Maxton Design front splitter Camping interior Sound deadened, insulated, ply lined and carpeted; Smith & Chambers Joinery removable furniture run with pull-out bed base; Dometic 9722 stove; Isotherm compressor fridge; 20in 12V Atlas TV; Durite split charge system with 140Ah leisure battery; 12V LED…

Continuing with the DIY theme of this project, fitting windows is one of those jobs that can definitely be carried out at home. There’s a particularly good YouTube tutorial by Kiravans that explains the process very well (type in Kiravans Window Fitting VW T5 T6 and you’ll find it), though most decent window fitting kits bought online now come with excellent instructions. One of our top tips is to go overboard covering your Van inside and out before making any cuts to avoid grinding sparks and metal debris settling on your paintwork / glass / upholstery and damaging it. Big sheets of cardboard taped into place are ideal. You can use a nibbler, air saw, jigsaw or plasma cutter, depending on what you’re comfortable with and have access to. Simply…

Europe’s biggest VW show is back for another year of partying, VWs and dancing with your mates. Get your rave on from 20-22 July at Santa Pod Raceway for what’s become famous as one of the most anarchic, party-fuelled VW shindigs on the planet. We’ll be there from Friday evening in #projectshed so, if you bump into us, say hello and buy us a beer. Then check out the drag racing, Jaguar Skills on the decks and the myriad entertainment options for both young and old on offer. We wouldn’t miss it for the world. And neither should you. Who? www.bugjam.co.uk How much? £100 weekend ticket in advance H&R anti-roll bars The best modification you’ll ever carry out to a T5 or T6. These thicker, stronger ARBs greatly…

@sanhgz742 Can you kindly tell Jimbo to stop being so enthusiastic in his editorial columns, he’s starting to make me think I need a Campervan as well @vwtmag When you’re living the dream, it’s hard not to be enthusiastic. We guarantee once you start taking part and doing it, you’ll start telling everyone about it, too! Follow VWt on Twitter @VWtMagazine Eric I wonder if you could advise me on someone in the London or Kent area that might be able to fit a pop-top for me? There seems to be a distinct lack of Camper converters around the capital. VWt: Here’s one for you Eric – Kent Poptops Ltd on Wrotham hill (tel. 01732 824551) Join us at facebook.com/ VWtMagazine…

Model 2004 SWB T30 T5 Shuttle Engine 4.2-litre Audi RS4 (B7) V8 engine transplant; custom engine mounts; twin Garrett GTX35 turbochargers; dual Tial 44mm external wastegates with screamer pipes; custom log-style turbo manifolds; 3.5in turbo downpipes; twin RS4 ECUs; MRC Tuning re-map; T5 ECU; T5 clocks with revised inputs; Audi and VW CAN bus integration; relocated ABS pump, air box and battery; smoothed engine bay with custom wheel tubs; custom ali intake pipework, intercooler and radiator package; Audi RS4 high pressure fuel pump; Tony Banks 4-inch exhaust system back to twin 3.5-inch rear tailpipes. Power 745bhp and 680ft/lbs Chassis Full Audi RS4 Quattro drivetrain and steering rack with cooling rad; custom driveshafts with RS4 inner and T32 4mo outer CV joints; Audi RS6 (C6) 385mm wavy brakes with eight-piston Brembo…

The Wall of fame continues to get better and better, month after month, and much of it thanks to you guys. It’s here your hard work acts as inspiration to thousands, and inspires other people’s #vanlife so keep ’em coming, okay? We know you all flick to these pages first when you open the mag to see what’s Cool. That’s just how it works, right? So, if your Van has not made the cut this month, or you just haven’t got round to sending us any pics, here is the email address to send it to: james.wallace@kelseymedia.co.uk  Alternatively, bang #vwtmag on Instagram and we’ll surreptitiously download it from the interweb and it’ll appear on here, together with your name and some choice words. Now enjoy, you lovely lot!…

Nico Patigny is just a cool, 27-year old dude who now lives back in Paris following a stint in Aberdeen for work. His Transporter life began due to an obsession with Super Moto, but has since developed into a love affair with the great outdoors in a Van that’s resulted in quite possibly the lowest T6 we’ve ever featured. Unfortunately, due to the strict French equivalent of our MoT, he’s not able to take this Van home with him, so he’s now on the lookout for a replacement Van that will keep the French authorities happy. Bonne chance mon ami.…