your not wrong 😉
I would LOVE a van but cant see fun control signing off on it... BUT i guess if you say its for the family / weekends away in the summer thats got to count for something 😆
[img] http://lh5.ggpht.com/_By42uYleqms/S3gEE5sxORI/AAAAAAAAGOY/2NJbI2w0A6Q/van.jp g" target="_blank">
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_By42uYleqms/S3gEE5sxORI/AAAAAAAAGOY/2NJbI2w0A6Q/van.jp g"/> [/img]
my pug partner 1.9d 56plate- 38k on the clock and silly mpg compared to my old car which did 33mpg on a good day unloaded and about 27/28 when loaded is great at about 50-55mpg - did 62 on my last long motorway trip.
roof rack is off , takes 4 bikes no bother with the wheels on , havnt tried wheels off.
its slow - but i dont care ! does 84mph flat oot but i dont care - just leave earlier and if im late im late thats the end of it.
aint quite so hot on the capacity with the 29er in there ..... that eats up the room , my merida nearly goes straight across with little angle - the 29er goes corner to corner ---- oversight lol - might have to take the wheels off that one - because you need to compress the forks to get the bars through the back doors as well.
they are also pretty sweet in the ice and snow - aberdeen was mental today with lots and lots of vehicles getting stuck on north anderson drive - 2nd gear - no accelerator - lift the clutch slowely and i just cruised on through like it was a dry day 😀
T4 is the one to have. I've had mine from new (98) and it's now done [b]271,000[/b] miles and never let me down. Still does over 110 leptons on private roads! 34 to the gallon. Space, Grace and Pace.
But if you go for one make sure it's the 2.5TDI 102bhp or if you can find one a 150bhp one.
Ade
An update on my T5 SWB 1.9TDi - lovely thing. ABout to get the bumpers colour coded and add a set of 18" wheels to it. Has had an extra window on the drivers side added and a bench rear seat (fully certified). Had a very light aluminium frame built for the rear - two sides about 10" high and a channel in the middle - storage boxed push under with fold out seats and other gubbins, bikes sit on top fine. ABout to ply line and insulate, install the 6x9's in the rear door etc. Have done 6000ks in it already and has been superb, really frugal at about 900km to a tank which is pretty good.
Had a look at a 2006 California today at the VW dealer. It was on the yard for 6 hours before it sold for $70,000NZD - jeeeeeesus. Nice though, all electrickery roof etc and roll out awning. V nice but not enough room for me.
NZCol - how about a pic of what you've done in the back?
The bike rack thing sounds like a good idea.
Was planning to take some photos as I progress through ripping it apart and putting it back together. Frame has been test fitted but really busy just now so will be a few onths before i do the rest - June probably !
Just a little bump, Anyone got any really sexy Transporter Pics?
My mate converts transporters. Just got his own unit now, so if you are in or near Suffolk I can give you his details. Here is a vid of an earlier conversion.
MMMMMmmm Transporters ))
I've been running a 2.5 diesel lwb transit (R reg) for four years now, its mileage is 165k (65k by me) and its been great, the running costs have been good(exhaust, servicing,tyres, replaced the locks and a water pump,£200 insurance) but fast enough comfortable enough, huge - I drove it to the Algarve and back no problems, loads of second hand parts if the worst happens.
ok the body work got rusty (which attracts a lot of attention in Spain and Portugal!) but who cares its a van!
My tip for a DIY bike rack is second hand Tubeclamp its great for building loads of things and can be dismantled in minutes with one Allen key.
I HEART BONGOS
Oh and can someone tell me how to post slightly larger pics. Mine are always smaller tha everyone elses:( 😕
rickmeister - your T5 rocks! Love our T4, but now have van envy 🙁
. Mine are always smaller tha everyone elses:(
That happens a lot in life!!
So I want to know, whos got the best van inside and out??? Get those pics in....
another bongo owner here
just got back from livigno with 5 peaple and ski kit and luggage 758miles each way
did'nt miss a beat cruised at a steady 75-85mph all the way there and back
love it 8)
PS
how hard is skiing 😯
i'm nacked 😳 my poor leggies
looks easy on the telly
Anyone got a scudo/expert/dispatch?
mi dad has one of thease
53plate ex.MOD, LDV Convoy double cab, 7 seater, massive parcel shelf,room for 2 bikes behind the rear seats, boot big enough to fit 5 bikes and tool chest,towball for towing caravans, av.38miles to the gallon in very hilly area
like this
sizes except his isnt the minibus version..
[img]
[/img]
sorry stock image due to difficuty postin 9 images on ebay
Here is a first on the topic of vans, a dihatsu extol converted with a bike rack in the back for 2 bikes and even room for camping gear and a dog! taken us up to scotland a couple of times no probs didnt get stuck in the snow and drives like a car. the van is currently for sale on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110509178198&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
as now have a vito!
Ex florist or sarnie shop?
[i]mi dad has one of thease
53plate ex.MOD, LDV Convoy double cab, 7 seater, massive parcel shelf,room for 2 bikes behind the rear seats, boot big enough to fit 5 bikes and tool chest,towball for towing caravans, av.38miles to the gallon in very hilly area
like this[/i]
pmsl, jackanory time
LDV's are officially the shittest of all vans
*nods*
I am saying goodbye to our last LDV in the line up this week, and good riddance.
I have to say our 08 plate Transit with flippy seats and rear cage is growing on me all the time - does about 30mpg bezzing around with the groups in at work, seems to get near 40 on long runs. I was talking with a colleague about looking into one with six seats (2x rows of 3) and a biiiig boot for bikes n stuff.
.
Does anyone know if you can get bikes stowed vertically inside a standard roof Transit, front wheel off? I am trying to work out if I could get 5 across vertically in the back, with a 'front' accessible boot/storage area behind the second row of seats.
Did the OP (racing_ralph) ever buy a van after starting this epic thread?
Dunno, but if he did, he's probably sold it by now, or broken it up for tat. 😉
lol
thats the yin to my bongo's yang!
That is awesome
you wouldnt actualy need a house if you had that
trailer trash 8)
where was that bus when I was thinking of getting a van, going be a bit tight getting to some of the trails or the parking at a gorrick race 🙂
bump - still hankering after a van!!
yeah I like this thread & toying with the idea myself. More vans please!
Vauxhall Combo 1.7D. 4 large bikes in with the wheels on, 9(!) with wheels off. Rubber floors front and back means its great for biking. Fancy making me an offer?
selling the rear rubber floor out of the combo?
Good thread, just getting my LWB Semi High transit MOT'd prior to sale in the New Year and getting a smaller van so will be just using one vehicle and get rid of the car.
Had Pug Partner for a couple years that was great, something in between the two needed now as needs to hold enduro bike too.
let us know what you get mccett and post some pics
Will do - probably going to be predictable T4/T5 for everyday use. Anyone got idea on mounting a full length Fiamma awning to the side? I'm guessing some sort of roof rack for starters and bolt to that? Awning came off my old Merc 308 mx van and want to re-use.
[url=
]In the workshop[/url]
[img]
[/img]
[img] http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5589601305_68428b95bc_z.jp g" target="_blank">
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5589601305_68428b95bc_z.jp g"/> ]On the drive[/url]
Finally finished - inspiration and discussion with forge197 - Ta!
LWB loveliness with upstairs bed and sliding seating. Solar charging too!













