Page 1 of 5

Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 7:38 pm
by Skully
I had thought about getting a Caddy Maxi for years, but here in South Africa they are rediculously priced new, and second hand ones are snapped up instantly.

I left my details at my local VW dealer (I do not trust any second hand car dealers here in Pretoria - dodgy and scaly are nice words to describe them...).
Long winding story short, I was looking for either a black or Reflex Silver Maxi Crew Bus, and I got a call on Tuesday 20 March 2018 I got a call from the sales lady I was dealing with saying she had found one.

It was an ex-VW service vehicle and had 38 558km on the odo.
Usual checking out, test drive and what not followed and on Wednesday it was was mine.... If I did not take it, there were 7 other buyers waiting for it.

It came with cruise control, front fog/driving lights, towbar, headunit with bluetooth, and roof rack. So I did score a bit on the extras.
Sold the roof rack the day I got it (VW dude at the dealewrship took it), and started on the audio upgrade a week later.

It had rained heavily so it was filthy in these pics:
Image

Image

Image

Image

Just before I took delivery it was given a bath:
Image

Image

Image

Image

Week after I got it, the audio system was attacked and killed, then replaced with the following:
Kenwood DDX418BT headunit
Audison APK 165 front splits (custom MDF mounting adaptors used)
Kicker KXA800.5 amp
Bulk pack of Dymant Xtreme on doors, roof, load area (I have another bulk pack ready to get installed, just have not had time)
Then a set of OEM Audi 18 inch alloys were fitted that I got for a steal from a friend.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Ceiling panel also got Dynamat and door sealing sponge to stop rattles. Did the sponge strips and Dynamat on the side panels of the load area and on the sliding doors:
Image

Image

Image

Had a local signage company apply gloss vinyl on the rear seactions behind the sliding door windows. I hated the empty look of no windows there:
Image

Image


I will take more pics of the amp and sub install and the rear speakers soon.
The Dynamat made a MASSIVE difference. I still have to finish the roof above the front and rear seats, then inside the rear panels. All doors have been done so far.

Stage 1 software was also done, along with a mufflerectomy.
Before the software, it was torquey and easy to drive, but ow it is bordering on hooligan.
Not bad for a big heavy van, and it has surprised and embarressed quite a few other cars.

After the sound deadening is completed, some suspension work will happen to lower it slightly. Around 50 or 60mm will be perfect.

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2018 5:09 pm
by Skully
Got the Climair wind deflectors today.
Also hit 60 000km on a work trip.

I will clean the Caddy tomorrow and then take some decent shots.

My to-do list stands as follows:

Finish the Dynamat installation (got a bulk pack of Dynamat Xtreme patiently waiting).
Carpet the rear sides.
Source an engine cover.
Suspension lowering by +- 50mm (I load my bike and gear for track days so lower would be silly).
Colour code front and rear bumpers.
Source smaller side mirrors.

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2018 6:27 pm
by Liam
nice motor best of luck with it

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 6:05 pm
by Skully
Thanks Liam :D

Today I had a job cancellation, so I decided to do the rest of the Dynamt install.
But first, the sub enclosure that so many want to see.

I started off making a template from carboard (my usual MO - complete full sized template. Measure 300 times, cut once :lol: ), then building it from 16mm MDF, done corner bracing all round, and three internal braces from front to rear walls.

Pics will show some of the build:
Image

Image

Image

Not a single wood screw was used in the build process, except for the eight that hold the sub in the enclosure.
Quick set wood glue was used on all joins, that's it. It does work if built properly.
Let glue set overnight, and clamping everywhere works perfectly.
I have built around 20-25 sub enclosures that way and never had an issue.

This setup can pound damn hard. A single L5 is more than enough to fill the Caddy with plenty bass. I listen to Rock and Metal along with some 80's Goth thrown in, and it sounds beautiful in this silver long ass van.

Enclosure volume is 1.2 cu.ft/33.98 litres. Specs for this sub is minimum 0.88cu.ft and maximum 2cu.ft for a sealed enclosure.
Bass is tight and controlled. Not boomy.

The Climair wind deflectors I got yesterday:
Image

Image

The Dynamat job:
Image

Image

Image

I used left over carpet from the wheel arch covering and did this:
Image

Image

And how the sub enclosure fits in:
Image

Image

Image

And the rear Audison APX6.5 co-axials are in simple pre-made boxes and give nice rear fill, even though they are so low on the floor:
Image

Image


And when I go do track days, I pull the rear seats out, strap in a modified front wheel chock, chuck the bike in and strap it down:
Image

Image

Image

Image

And me at Phakisa race track on the 1st September 2018:
Image

Image

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 2:38 pm
by Skully
Ordered the sliding door rail covers today. Will get them tomorrow or Saturday.
Got a quote on Caddy Life mirrors....... I had to sit down.
Will see if I can find at a scrapyard or somewhere. As a last resort I will get at VW. I do get a small discount on parts, but damn......

Also started some capeting work.
Did the barn door inner covers, load area side covers, and the rear ceiling panel so far.
Will do the rest of the roof next week.
Then I will start on the load area sides.

Pics will be added later.

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 2:50 pm
by Liam
thats an ingenius looking wheel chock the way you have it attaching to the existing seat points any more pics ?

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 2:59 pm
by Caddyluv
Your struggle to find any in a scrap yard. I’m sure there are sum but few I would think. Can I ask what they quoted you for the life mirrors.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:57 pm
by Skully
Liam wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 2:50 pm thats an ingenius looking wheel chock the way you have it attaching to the existing seat points any more pics ?
Thanks Liam.
I also welded two "legs" onto it that go either side of the centre tunnel and hang down in the feet area. This is to make sure it does not slide backwards. And when it is strapped in, it is solid. I have done two 600km round trips to a racetrack and the bike does not move one bit when strapped in. I actually stole the idea from a bike forum where a dude did something similar for his Vito van.

I will haul it out of the storeroom and snap some pics tomorrow afternoon.

Caddyluv wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 2:59 pm Your struggle to find any in a scrap yard. I’m sure there are sum but few I would think. Can I ask what they quoted you for the life mirrors.
There are a few scrappies around here that have Life mirrors, I just need to find time to go check them in person.
VW quoted me just over R10 000 (around £550 at current exchange rates).

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 6:47 pm
by Liam
thanks a million

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 6:56 pm
by Caddyluv
O just checked South Africa. Uuumm guess that’s why. Is it cheaper to get them delivered from another country. 🤷‍♂️


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 5:00 pm
by Tellings
Nice Caddy and very nice Aprilia :)

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 5:22 pm
by The polisher
Tidy van coming along nicely :D

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 5:50 am
by Primal730
Now I see a reason to get maxi!!
Nice van & bike mate
Good luck with rest of build

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2018 7:01 am
by Skully
Thanks guys :D

I have done a few small things again. Will update this thread after Xmas.
Still working (I work for myself), and time is not my friend this time of year.

Re: Skully's '17 Caddy Maxi

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:12 pm
by Caddy bridge
Great multipurpose vehicle you have there,do you have a picture of the wind deflectors where the run down the mirrors edge do the taper off really narrow ? I’m after a pair but my mirrors fold all the way back to the glass as there the aero mirrors.