Blackberry Life

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mark1a
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Re: Blackberry Life

Post by mark1a »

No problem - although to date my knowledge is limited as they’re in a box still. What do you need to know?

@Ripley55 has just got them fitted to his Chestnut Brown Maxi Life, https://www.caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic ... n&start=75 to see what they’re like.
2017 Blackberry Maxi Life 190TDI 6MT OEM+
Santiago 18” | OE Xenons | Limo tints | Wind deflectors
Remap 190bhp | H&R / Darkside lowering | TRC front & rear splitter | RKD side skirts
Android HU | Focal 2.1+2 audio | Dynamat | 4G WiFi | Wireless phone charge
Build thread here http://caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=34095
Sandstorm_caddy
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Engine size/power: 1.4TSI

Re: Blackberry Life

Post by Sandstorm_caddy »

I’ve just clicked the order button 👍🏼 Just read a post from ripley55 and seems he’s had to plastic weld them and fill paint etc ? Is that right mate ? At £250 you’d think they would be ready to bond on after paint … cheers Ollie
Last edited by Giddy on Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Removed unnecessary quote of previous post
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mark1a
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Re: Blackberry Life

Post by mark1a »

Ah OK. I figured they’re easier to ship in pieces, I was just glad they arrived, mine got sent back at the border once (due to timing over new year) and had to be shipped again. I’m not even attempting to fit them myself, on the plus side the body shop said they looked decent quality and wouldn’t require a huge amount of work to do compared to other aftermarket stuff they’ve done in the past.

Good luck, be interested in seeing yours on a build thread soon!
2017 Blackberry Maxi Life 190TDI 6MT OEM+
Santiago 18” | OE Xenons | Limo tints | Wind deflectors
Remap 190bhp | H&R / Darkside lowering | TRC front & rear splitter | RKD side skirts
Android HU | Focal 2.1+2 audio | Dynamat | 4G WiFi | Wireless phone charge
Build thread here http://caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=34095
Jollbox
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:23 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (138bhp)
Location: Norwich

Re: Blackberry Life

Post by Jollbox »

Caddyluv wrote:Defo front needs to come down but looking good. I had the same issue higher front for a bit. Image


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I’m now looking at eibach front springs and rear shackle kit for my life maxi . Did the front lower down eventually? I’m a bit worried of no flexibility without coliovers , but can’t really afford that option .
I want a perfectly level / horizontal lowered look if I can achieve with just springs and shackles!? The kit I found included new standard bilstein shocks also


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mark1a
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Re: Blackberry Life

Post by mark1a »

A little bit, and I’m happy with it. Don’t forget you have adjustability on the rear shackles. So with mine I just saw what the front settled at, and had the back moved to accommodate. I went with Darkside rear kit and H&R front springs.
2017 Blackberry Maxi Life 190TDI 6MT OEM+
Santiago 18” | OE Xenons | Limo tints | Wind deflectors
Remap 190bhp | H&R / Darkside lowering | TRC front & rear splitter | RKD side skirts
Android HU | Focal 2.1+2 audio | Dynamat | 4G WiFi | Wireless phone charge
Build thread here http://caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=34095
Jollbox
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:23 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (138bhp)
Location: Norwich

Re: Blackberry Life

Post by Jollbox »

Hi Mark, I’ve had my blackberry life for 3 weeks now but not driving it as I want the alloys and wheels on . It’s a minefield , after loads of research I have been told today by 2 x caddy modifying companies not to lower the rear on a life if I ever want to carry any weight !? So confusing , you had any issues with passengers / weight . Apparently wheels will rub arches ! All to do with the double leaf spring!? But I know you’ve lowered and said it’s fine , albeit your is newer with lower miles


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Last edited by Giddy on Sat Mar 06, 2021 7:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Removed unnecessary quote of previous post
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mark1a
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Re: Blackberry Life

Post by mark1a »

When I changed the tyres the other day I noticed some wear on inside shoulders of rears from possible rubbing, but it doesn’t seem a massive issue and those rears did 30k miles. I was thinking of changing out the double leaf spring for a standard LWB Maxi one but still at the thinking stage. As far as weight goes, it’s not going to be a 7 seater again as back row has been removed, and in 2019 I did 3000+ miles around Europe with 4 people and luggage, no problems even on Italian SS roads. There’s loads of other Life examples that have been lowered and I don’t think it’s a factor there either, I suspect those advising you are being cautious.
2017 Blackberry Maxi Life 190TDI 6MT OEM+
Santiago 18” | OE Xenons | Limo tints | Wind deflectors
Remap 190bhp | H&R / Darkside lowering | TRC front & rear splitter | RKD side skirts
Android HU | Focal 2.1+2 audio | Dynamat | 4G WiFi | Wireless phone charge
Build thread here http://caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=34095
Jollbox
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:23 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (138bhp)
Location: Norwich

Re: Blackberry Life

Post by Jollbox »

Thank you for putting my mind at risk .
Do you have the additional parts added to the rear shackle kit to stop side wobble ? Did you change the rear shocks / bump stops ever ? I don’t think you did.
Do you know how many holes you went down on the dark side kit ?
Do you use load rated Tyres or standard ?
Sorry for all questions !
I have had the windows blacked and removed rear badges so far - that’s it .
Jollbox
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:23 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (138bhp)
Location: Norwich

Re: Blackberry Life

Post by Jollbox »

If you remove one of the leaf springs I presume that makes it the same as a standard maxi . Will that be a firmer ride !?
Mine is soo soft and wolloway
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mark1a
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Re: Blackberry Life

Post by mark1a »

I’m not sure about additional parts to stop rear wheel wobble, I just got the Darkside shackle kit thus:
https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/ ... sters.html

Didn’t do the shocks, but as it’s getting older I will at some point, do both front and rear, but the van was still nearly new when it was done. I think the company that did the lowering job had to trim some material off the bump stops.

Just been outside with a torch and the leaf spring is 4 holes up from the bottom of the shackles. Also while I was under there I couldn’t see any obvious witness marks or damage to either wheel arch liner.

The tyres I put in the other day are rated 92, is that load rated? I wanted to stay as near to OEM which were 91 I think but these are Michelin Primacy 4 225/40r18Y which came as 92.

Not sure whether removing a leaf spring is possible or whether it’s a different part, I’ll cross that bridge when I do the shocks at some point.

Hope this helps.
2017 Blackberry Maxi Life 190TDI 6MT OEM+
Santiago 18” | OE Xenons | Limo tints | Wind deflectors
Remap 190bhp | H&R / Darkside lowering | TRC front & rear splitter | RKD side skirts
Android HU | Focal 2.1+2 audio | Dynamat | 4G WiFi | Wireless phone charge
Build thread here http://caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=34095
Jollbox
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:23 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (138bhp)
Location: Norwich

Re: Blackberry Life

Post by Jollbox »

Thank you for all your help
Think I’ll bite the bullit and go for it 👍
Same route as you only with new shocks -
Not bother with coliovers
Night get new shortened bump stops though
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mark1a
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Re: Blackberry Life

Post by mark1a »

No problem. With a Caddy the only option for rear is the axle flip kit due to the leaf springs. Don’t forget you’ll want something like the H&R springs on the front. Good luck with it all.
2017 Blackberry Maxi Life 190TDI 6MT OEM+
Santiago 18” | OE Xenons | Limo tints | Wind deflectors
Remap 190bhp | H&R / Darkside lowering | TRC front & rear splitter | RKD side skirts
Android HU | Focal 2.1+2 audio | Dynamat | 4G WiFi | Wireless phone charge
Build thread here http://caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=34095
Jollbox
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:23 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (138bhp)
Location: Norwich

Re: Blackberry Life

Post by Jollbox »

Cheers Mark
There are 2 options for the H&R springs , I’ve emailed dark side but I’m guessing ours are the heavier load rating
Jollbox
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:23 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (138bhp)
Location: Norwich

Re: Blackberry Life

Post by Jollbox »

mark1a wrote:Photo from last week showing bike on bike rack before leaving for Bournemouth:

Image
What bike rack system
Is that please?
Thanks


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mark1a
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Re: Blackberry Life

Post by mark1a »

Rack is this one:
http://www.minoura.jp/english/transport ... o-tf2.html

With optional wheel holder:
http://www.minoura.jp/english/transport ... pport.html

I also have this for 2x bikes:
http://www.minoura.jp/english/transport ... sb-10.html

All above is fine for 9mm QR, I think it's possible to use with thru-axle but it wasn't straightforward so I got this for the thru-axle forks:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... te_s_rp_ti

All perfect for road & gravel bikes, but a bit lightweight for the 29er FS eMTB, so for that I use this with tie-down straps.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071RC7BP9/ ... _pc_tf_til
2017 Blackberry Maxi Life 190TDI 6MT OEM+
Santiago 18” | OE Xenons | Limo tints | Wind deflectors
Remap 190bhp | H&R / Darkside lowering | TRC front & rear splitter | RKD side skirts
Android HU | Focal 2.1+2 audio | Dynamat | 4G WiFi | Wireless phone charge
Build thread here http://caddy2k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=34095
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