Ex British Gas Work Van

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Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

Hi all,

So I guess this will be my build thread, I can guarantee it won't be as exciting as some of the builds on here but it will be customised to my needs for work and family life.

For the last 15 years I've worked in the wholesale side of the ski industry for companies that have always leased me T5's, Vito's, Transit Custom's and the like however a month ago I was given the opportunity to become self employed representing the brands I have looked after for years.

Now it's my money I decided to go for a vehicle that can carry fancy bendy planks up to 2 meters long that I could afford to buy outright (rather than spending £450 a month on lease), was lower to tax, insure and fuel day to day.

I found after much searching an Ex BG Caddy Maxi Auto in good condition, with average mileage and at the right price.

The plan is to strip out all of the British Gas paraphernalia,
Deep clean,
add rear seats,

Build a modular bulkhead behind the second row with door to allow me to fold 1, 2 or all 3 seats forward to slide skis through, also thinking of adding a clip together full length storage box that can be locked for when I only have the single seat down.

Lower it,
New wheels (poss White)
Cruise control with MFSW,
Carpet back and bulkhead
Touran Dash
GTI or Touran colour coded bumpers with white detailing rather than black
New audio system, (although standard is better than the Transit's)

I'm sure there will be more but it's a start

Here are some photos of the van as delivered
ImageImage

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Last edited by Sparky6911 on Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

Next step was to remove the racking, solid piece of kit that racking and had defo increased the need to lower the van as it's sky high at the moImageImageImageImageImageImageImage

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Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

Head lining was gross, in fact most of the van was pretty filthyImageImage

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Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

Much better, is amazing what a good dose of elbow grease and some heavy duty degreaser can do.ImageImage

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Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

Thank I've also added the LED lighting that came built into the racking to the roof line of the load area,

Once all of the back had had the sound deadening and is carpeted all of the fixings will be hiddenImage

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Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

Just a quick update,

Had rear seats fitted by Sirus Automotive the seats are brand new and look great however the workmanship and finishing can only be described as shoddy. Feels like a rush job.

SeatsImageImage

Examples of the finishing standard, you can be sure I'll be having words


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ImageImageImageImageImageImage

The last two photos show a raw edge left from the original floor pan just covered with a piece of rubber edging trim, remember the seats were added to allow me to take the kids in the back.

Their solution to the raw edge
Image
KWACK99
100BHP+
Posts: 129
Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:36 pm
Engine size/power: 1.2 TSI (84bhp)

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by KWACK99 »

Sorry you had such a crap job done by sirus i would take it back, i have had two caddys done by sirus first was excellent but second was abit rushed due to double booking
Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

On a positive note I managed to mock up my bulkhead today, just need to get hinges and locks for small section and get some carpet from megavanmats.Image

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Image
rideroots
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 29
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:56 am
Engine size/power: 1.2 TSI (84bhp)

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by rideroots »

Disappointed to hear about sirus, hope they'll sort it out.

I'm thinking of going down the exact same route as you so I'm interested to see how you get on!

Do you know what the measurement is from behind the seats (your new bulkhead) to the back doors?
Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

The load length with the bulkhead is 1200mm you could angle the lower part of the bulkhead to match the contour of the seats but I decided to use that space for things like sleeping bag, warning triangle, jump leads etc.

Hope that helps with your build

Dave
rideroots wrote:Disappointed to hear about sirus, hope they'll sort it out.

I'm thinking of going down the exact same route as you so I'm interested to see how you get on!

Do you know what the measurement is from behind the seats (your new bulkhead) to the back doors?
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rideroots
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Posts: 29
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:56 am
Engine size/power: 1.2 TSI (84bhp)

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by rideroots »

Thanks, much appreciated!
Sparky6911
100BHP+
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 2:18 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Sparky6911 »

Well lots been going on over the past month,

Interior out, man there was some time under the rubber flooring
ImageImageImage

Side panels fitted,
ImageImage

Box made for the skis for winter season, made easily changeable by using loose pin hinges
ImageImageImageImage

Middle shelf fitted
Image

Side windows fitted
ImageImage
Jackarmy1985
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Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Jackarmy1985 »

looking good
patman11
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Joined: Sun Mar 10, 2019 11:53 pm

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by patman11 »

How do you find manoeuvring with the longer wheelbase? I would always forget how much more awkward my lwb T4 was than my swb! See quite a few of these ex british vans around my area, lovely colour. Did you buy it straight from them?
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Lister79
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Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2017 8:38 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0TSI EA888 Gen3
Location: Lake District

Re: Ex British Gas Work Van

Post by Lister79 »

That’s shocking workmanship from Sirus, from what people have said I was under the impression they were the best out there. If that’s the standard of the simple tasks I’d definitely be pulling it apart to check the welded points and that they have resealed underneath where it will have scorched the paint.
Other than that looking forward to seeing the build progress.


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2014 Toffee Brown with EA888 Gen 3 2.0 TSi (CJX) engine (417.5 BHP 545 Nm), Grinds/ABP air suspension and a few other mods :D
Build thread:
http://caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=36629
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