VW Kombi/Caravelle 4 Motion

[Bruce Turner]

 

Hi All,

 

How many here have these in their various incarnations? I would be interested to hear your opinions, ideas, what you have done to them, pictures etc. Can take it off list if everyone prefers.

 

Thank you,

 

Rgds

BruceT

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[CATS]

Hi Bruce

I have a 2015 Transporter 8 seater Crew bus 4motion DSG auto box with the 132kw 2.0 twin turbo diesel motor, as reference.

I see you have bought one for your rental business. 

Not sure how you want to rig it? As camper van or as people mover or something in between?

Comments

BELLY Plates

Get upgraded bash plate for sump protection.

I also have exhaust slider fitted but no other belly plates, sliders or diff protector and so far have managed not to damage that. 

Seikel sell these items as well as a full belly protection and sliders, but they are very expensive.

REAR SUSPENSION

I also upgraded the rear coils to enable me to carry bigger load and not have bum in the ground. This also lifted the rear slightly. Watch out for too much lift in the rear as it can cause issues with diff, unless you lower the diff with spacers. Again Seikel will sell these to you for some Randelas.

FRONT SUSPENSION

I have had issues with my front suspension shock mounts, but I believe this was sorted out by T6 stage, so your newer model should be good, still if you upgrade the front as well with Seikel stuff this will help as they are heavy on front suspension. Mine is again now making knocking noises so will probably need a replacement again. They don't like dirt corrugated roads too much.

TYRES

Fit AT tyres. I fitted slightly oversize 235/65/17 and they work well. They give a slight lift but do not mess up diff ratios and speedo too much. Seikel reckon that you need a slight lift to fit them, but Ihave them on and only have a slight scrape on full turn and going through a bump, and even then it is only a slight catch of plastic trim, nothing scary. I have fitted Pirelli Scorpions and they worked well but did not last long. Currently have General Grabber AT3 I think and they work well and look good. Tyres on these busses do not last long so be prepared to change them every 40000kms or so. Make sure you get the LT rating on the tyres and that they fit the load rating of the original. These busses are heavy and can carry a lot. Also keep that in mind if you want to change rims. Very few rims have sufficient load rating for the weight. If you do get off road tyres, like mine, they will be the bigger size. You then need a new jack as the standard one will not lift it high enough. You also need to modify the sparewheel carrier(Seikel again) or you must press the spare in there, uninflated, otherwise it won't fit. Tyre pressure on these busses make a MASSIVE difference on how they perform and the comfort, so I would fit a compressor somewhere that is easy to use to take pressures up and down easily when needed.

ADD Ons 

Mine is a poverty pack so had almost nothing in it. I added some sound deadening every where and it made a big difference. Also added some MTB bottle cages for drinks holders in the back and some extra handles as fitted on luxury models to ease getting in and out of bus. I also fitted extra batteries and power points all over. One extra battery can fit under passenger seat but I had two fitted in the rear under the third row seat.

I fitted a Big Country Roofrack but I am sure Easy Awn will also do one. Front runner definitely do one, and as far as I know they are the only people that do a ladder for the lift up tail gate in SA.

Maintenance

I bought mine on 60000kms and it is now on 170000kms. 

I did the timing belt and waterpump I think on 120000kms if I recall correctly.

I had the propshaft centre bearing and carryer replaced at around 150000kms

I had the dual mass flywheel replaced at 150000kms

I had the DSG box serviced, foil oil replacement, at 130000kms, I think

VW parts and service are not cheap. 

I have mine serviced at East Auto in Pretoria and can recommend them if you are out of warranty period.

In South Africa there are not many suppliers of aftermarket or off-road stuff, Seikel are basically it suspension wise. Overseas Delta Off Road and some others also do nice kit. 

Using the bus with the rear diflock and traction control switched off, when required, off road will get you far, but remember it does not have low range, so slow rock climbing is not what it is made for, especially not with that break over angle. It eats sand roads and mud roads.

I LOVE my bus and will probably never sell it.

Christo Pietersen

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Live Life to the Fullest!

[Bruce Turner]

Wow. Thanks so much Christo.

 

Im in two minds on what I will be doing with it. It will either be used for collecting people and transporting to the OWB Lodge/pick up point or I will be a proper camper out of it. So in keeping with the OWB theme im thinking maybe a swamper as they call it in the UK but with road type suspension as I wont use it for heavy trips. The boy in me wants to fit 20inch wheels and air suspension but that wont work on the dirt road to the new house 😂

 

Thanks again for the info.

 

Rgds

BruceT

 

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