Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

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Bl0at3r
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Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:25 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

Bloater's Caddy...

Ok, putting it out there from the start - I had my heart set on a T5.1. I even hired one for the weekend from the local van hire place to try it out and see what it was like to live with.

I love the whole VDub thing and really liked the T5, but for my current circumstances it was just too big. I also can't afford a splitty :roll:

Maybe one day.

So, what do I need a van for? We like riding out on our bicycles and I have got bored with the roof bars and bike rack on my GTD - lifting them on and off, the wind noise, removing and refitting the bars, the height barrier issues and lack of security with the bikes exposed when unattended.

We also find getting changed in the car a nuisance and finally want somewhere nice to heat some soup, have a flask of tea and eat our picnic.

Oh, and being a petrol (diesel) head I have to have a toy to fettle and play with - I've had all sorts from a Harley, to a Triumph Speed Triple, classic Minis, Mazda MX5's, 4x4's to classic Fords and VDubs.

Enter Bloater's Caddy.....
Last edited by Bl0at3r on Mon May 15, 2017 8:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Bl0at3r
100BHP+
Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:25 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

The Search...

Sold my most recent MX5 after its last outing round the M25 on a Midnight charity run in aid of Homes4Heroes in March and then had money burning a hole, discounted a T5, then started searching for a Caddy in April.

Criteria:

Must haves - facelifted, aircon, reasonable miles, electric windows
Nice to haves - colour coded, metallic paint, cruise, PDC

Looked at some rubbish, kept missing out on what were obviously the better ones - one was even sold an hour before my call (apparently).

Located one at a VW Van centre over near Heathrow. Ticked most of the boxes so arranged to go and look - took the day off work, travelled from Southend on Sea, Essex into London, across on the Underground and arrived 2 hours after leaving home. I was either driving the van back or taking to the train home 8)
Last edited by Bl0at3r on Mon May 15, 2017 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bl0at3r
100BHP+
Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:25 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

New toy to play with...

Took it for a test drive, liked it a lot, did a deal, drove it 85 miles home there and then 8)

So, what did I buy? I landed a 2012 102ps in Reflex Silver, 33k, VW service history, really good condition, aircon and a VW Nav/DAB unit with reverse camera. Got money off the screen price, 6 months tax, 12 months VW warranty, genuine mats and new wiper blades :D

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr
Bl0at3r
100BHP+
Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:25 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

Plans...

In no particular order, I intend to do the following:

Remove bulkhead - done
Lower it
Fit alloy wheels - done
Colour code bumpers, mirrors, handles etc
Fit rear spoiler
Carpet - done
Obscure rear windows - done
Wiper delete - done
Some sort of table
Rear seating?
Rack to hold 2 bikes
Rear speakers
LED bulbs
Front seat upgrade

Might also look into a drive-away awning/tent and split charge/electric hookup/solar too if I can overcome my fear of staying away from home (bad holiday experiences when I was a kid) :shock:

Also love the VDub shows so intend to take my van to some of the shows this year.
Last edited by Bl0at3r on Tue Jul 25, 2017 5:19 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Bl0at3r
100BHP+
Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:25 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

First jobs...

First was to remove the bulkhead and ply lining - see what I am dealing with so to speak.

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

Much better :D

Next up was the rear wiper delete - Halfrauds `spray paint was a decent colour match and Screwfix supplied the cistern blanking plug..

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fluidmaster-b ... tid=413210

The wiper motor took a bit of jiggling, but was easily removed once I had loosened off the rear handle. I blocked off the washer pipe with a bit of PTFE tape, a bolt and insulating tape.

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr
Bl0at3r
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Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

Day 2

Set about sound deadening, insulating (for if I decide to try out camping in it) and carpet lining the rear load area. Bought the usual suspects - nothing radical here :?

Bought a bulk pack of Silentcoat from eBay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silent-Coat-2 ... 1155678947" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

B&Q Recycled Plastic Insulation - http://www.diy.com/departments/diall-lo ... 658_BQ.prd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

B&Q Foil backed Bubble wrap - http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-loft- ... 139_BQ.prd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr
Bl0at3r
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Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:25 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

More insulation...

Continuing the insulating before carpeting.

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

Next, I ordered a mega stretch carpet from MegaVanMats - I chose Smoke colour and went for 8M so that I had enough to do the roof lining, trim the cut down bulkhead (more on that later) and some other bits and bobs.

Wheel arches - I wanted to do these without the ply wheel arch box as I think the grooved wheel arch is iconic in the VW vans - so must be on display IMHO :shock:

Bit of a ball ache though - I'd never done it before,

Image
IMG_2053 by the BLOATER, on Flickr

ImageIMG_2052 by the BLOATER, on Flickr
tangoed-caddy
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Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by tangoed-caddy »

Looking good mate, nice van & sounds good what planning to do

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Bl0at3r
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Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

Decisions...

Wasn't sure initially whether to line the lower VW panels and stick the carpet to the metal upper van sides, cut ply/MDF inserts for the upper panels and carpet those or to carpet the ply lining kit. After the wheelarches, which I didn't really enjoy doing, I decided to carpet the VW panels in the rear doors but on the sides and sliding door, I have carpeted the ply lining - too many nooks and crannies to do the metal van sides and outside of my tolerance level IMHO. :oops:

I think it looks good anyway..

ImageIMG_2056 by the BLOATER, on Flickr

ImageIMG_2058 by the BLOATER, on Flickr
Bl0at3r
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Posts: 187
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Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

tangoed-caddy wrote:Looking good mate, nice van & sounds good what planning to do Image

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Appreciate the comments - thanks for stopping by :D
Bl0at3r
100BHP+
Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:25 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

More carpet...

Still carpeting - this time, I carpeted the standard VW rear panels and ordered some longer trim clips from MegaVanMats due to the thickness of the carpet on the panel where it wraps around the back. I'll also use these on the roof panel when I get to it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-LONGER-Tri ... 1844884323" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr
Bl0at3r
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Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:25 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

Floor and Rear windows...

Not sure why I didn't take any photos, but I applied 8x of the Silentcoat sheets strategically across the rear floor. Next, rolled out the bubble wrap foil and then refitted the ply lining floor pieces and screwed down using the original screw holes.

Really impressed with the way this has quietended down the road noise and booming that I noticed as soon as I removed the bulkhead. Once I have finished the rest of the carpeting it really will be nice and quiet.

Attention now turned to the rear windows. My van had been delivered from the factory with clear heated glass and a rear wiper.

I had looked at other vans and they all seemed to have privacy glass but no heater elements. I was concerned that the elements would stand out too much and look naff when tinted.

I also remember trying to tint the side windows of a Mk2 Escort once and made a right hash of it - bubbles, creases and fluff stuck underneath the film.

So, I had a choice - pay a company to apply limo tint to the inside, pay a company to apply gloss black vinyl wrap to the outside or spray the inside of the glass myself. Wanting to spend money on other stuff for the van, I decided to buy some Acrylic Enamel Black Gloss and set about masking and spraying the inside glass.

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

Need another can for the other side, but for a total of £9 it looks great and I've saved myself about £50.

I intend to carpet some panels to fit inside over the glass anyway.

http://www.diy.com/departments/rust-ole ... 087_BQ.prd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bl0at3r
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Posts: 187
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Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Bl0at3r »

Bike Rack...

As I mentioned, I need to transport 2 bikes inside. I don't want them to lay down, don't want to remove wheels and don't want them banging about in the back. I also wanted whatever is used to secure them to be quick release so it can be removed if the van needs to be used, well as a van.

So, I did some research for a bike stand type thing - like you used to get in the bike shed at school to hold the wheel of the bike vertical.

This is what I came up with...

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

£18 from eBay including P&P

I intend to drill some holes through it so that I can mount it to the front load lashing points or to the 2 captive nuts in the middle of the ledge where the bulkhead used to bolt.

Using some large thumb screws - like the one to secure the jack in place at the back of the van, means it can easily and quickly be fitted or removed without the need for tools.

ImageUntitled by the BLOATER, on Flickr

The front wheels of both bikes can then be tied together using Velcro straps - the whole thing should be stable and stop the bikes flying about in the back.

Watch this space....
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Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by Tee-caddy »

Welcome bloater
Good work on your van already
I too got my caddy as had enough of the bike and car faffing about.
Its so much better now.
Enjoy your modding and travels
Tee
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Re: Bloater's Caddy - Day van & bike transporter....

Post by hef355 »

Great little find that van mate, well done! Very difficult to get a decent unspoilt Caddy these days! Also welcome to this fine forum community and the mods so far look a great job! Good luck with rest fella


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