Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Show off your caddy
charlie-
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:44 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by charlie- »

Just got myself an Ex British Gas Caddy Maxi that I’m planning to convert into a mini camper. Going to hopefully keep track of my progress in this thread!

Image

I’m still not settled on the exact layout/style I want in the back but do really like this conversion I found when I was searching for inspiration. I know I definitely want a sofa/bed, sink and gas hob unit and a small fridge.

Image

I’ve got a pretty long wish list for mods and changes so far. Every time I view a build thread on here I want to add more :D I’m not sure if I’ll actually get to all of these, depends on finances and time. The camper conversion stuff is the priority for now though rather than stuff like colour matched bumpers, but will probs get to some other stuff that’s cheap/quick to mod.

To-Do

Completely strip out the rear cargo area, remove unwanted BG wiring and bulkhead
Remove seats and deep clean entire interior
Full wash, clay, polish, etc. exterior and wheels
Reversing camera (I think my existing head unit supports this, not 100% though)
Rear internal barn door handle
Glovebox cover
Apple CarPlay head unit (not sure which, prefer the OEM look really)
New ply lining for interior side panels and floor
Install slide open windows on one or both sliding doors (one might just be a fixed window, not sure yet)
Soundproof, insulate and vapour barrier
Leisure battery and inverter with electrics for lighting, tap water pump, small fridge, power socket
Carpet and wooden slats ceiling
Build bed frame and side unit
Install sink/hob
Small fridge
Auto headlights
Fog lights
Roof bars
Colour code bumpers and possibly mirrors
Install colour coded door rail covers
Cruise control
Heated seats
New wheels
Lowered a little, not a fan of the completely slammed look and want the van to be practical. Don’t want to worry about speed bumps too much.
Last edited by charlie- on Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
the swan fiend
Hyper Poster
Posts: 5131
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:52 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by the swan fiend »

Hi mate, welcome to the forum. Looks like a tidy example van you’ve got there. Sounds like you’ve also given yourself some work to do too!
I did see a converted ex BG camper on auto trader a while back,. It had been professionally done by the looks of it and was up for £22k


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Rescue me from the swans in me
User avatar
C Chis
Hyper Poster
Posts: 1655
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2020 1:13 pm

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by C Chis »

Welcome buddy!

You've got yourself a great base to build your micro camper on!

Good to see you've pulled an impressive list of mods together, it will grow!
2010 pre-facelift Mk3 3.2 VR6 : Touran Interior : 3D Premium Clocks : R32 Bumper : Climatic A/C

My VR6 Build Thread and Details can be Found Here
charlie-
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:44 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by charlie- »

Not had much chance to update this but made some good progress with the van over the last couple of weekends.

First up was to completely strip out the van, remove all the racking and extra wiring that British Gas add to the van. Then remove the bulkhead and give everything deep clean.

I ended up having to remove fair amount of the trim to get at some wiring and at that point figured I might as well go all in and take the headlining, centre console and rear footwell carpet out :D

First up awful seat covers off and in the bin and seats out for a clean.

Image

Image

Some steam cleaning action later seats came up a treat. Forgot to take a before pic, but they were a mess. Covered in dirt and few stains.

Image

[Image

Next up racking out, bulkhead out and all the cargo area trim out.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Rear carpet out.

Image

Headlining out.

Image

And steam cleaned.

Image

Out with the BG wiring.

Image

Found the original locking petrol cap under the passenger seat carpet. Out with the awful yellow one!

Image

Image

Image

A lot of hoovering, steam cleaning trim and wiping everything down later.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
User avatar
the swan fiend
Hyper Poster
Posts: 5131
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:52 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by the swan fiend »

Looks new that mate. Properly clean!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Rescue me from the swans in me
User avatar
Ripley55
Hyper Poster
Posts: 1134
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 4:38 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 TDI (140bhp)
Location: Kent/Suffolk

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by Ripley55 »

Jeepers mate, you’ve knocked your nuts in on that 👍 looks straight from factory 😃😃
Chestnut Brown Caddy MK4 Maxi Life 2.0Tdi 150bhp , 18” Matt Bronze OZ Ultraleggera’s 8Jx18 ET45 on Bridgestone 225/40/18’s
charlie-
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:44 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by charlie- »

Cheers, got a bit carried away with the cleaning 😄

Van-x glovebox fitted.

Image

USB port/button fitted.

Image

Rear window blackout vinyl removed.

Image

Image

Bulkhead cut down and tidied up.

Image

Image

Full service completed and replaced the pollen filter. Not surprisingly it was still the original factory fitted one from 2013! Garages always seem to skimp on replacing these in services. Helps freshen up the air system no end though.

Image

New one with active carbon and anti microbial coating installed.

Image
charlie-
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:44 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by charlie- »

Camper Glass tinted sliding privacy windows arrived last weekend. I was definitely a bit nervous about installing these as it means cutting some pretty large holes in the van 👀

Turned out ok though! Installed and no leaks. Used a hole saw initially for a starting point then an air nibbler to cut the section out. If I ever do this again I’ll do a better job of taping up plastic sheeting around the cut area, took forever to clean up the mess!

Image

Knock on trim installed.

Image

Windows in.

Image

Image

Van Demons roof rails arrived. Decided to go with these rather than random eBay ones as TUV approved and only slightly more money.

Image
charlie-
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:44 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by charlie- »

Next job was installing sound deadening and cutting the ply floor. I ordered a bulk pack of 2mm Silent Coat (40 sheets) and volume pack of 4mm (12 sheets). Used the 4mm on the arches, 2mm everywhere else. The wheel arches are the only place with full coverage.

It’s made a noticeable difference already to the road noise.

Image

Image

Image

Managed to do the entire floor with a single sheet of 9mm 2440 x 1220mm ply in two sections. Took a while but means I’ve avoided needing small offcuts for the sections around the arches. I’m planning to use the tie down points to secure the ply once I’ve got the rest of the insulation in. I’ve got a 10m x 1m roll of Dodo Thermo Van Liner for the main insulation/vapour barrier.

Image

I need to sort out the leisure electrics for the camper stuff which is holding up installing the rest of the insulation and then carpeting.
charlie-
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:44 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by charlie- »

Tidied up a few rust spots in the cargo area where water had pooled in the tie down points and the trim by the barn door striker plates. I wanted to sort this before covering the area with the thermo liner.

Rust sanded down, treated with bilt hamber rust converter and then primer.

Image

Hit my first snag with the striker plates...

Image

Out with the drill and screw extractor set.

Image

Image

After much hammering and swearing.

Image

Image

All sanded down.

Image

Rust treated and primed.

Image

No need for body coat as the area will be entirely covered by insulation, trim and carpet.

Decided to tidy up the striker plates and fasteners with the sand blaster at work.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Missing door card reflector arrived from China so popped that in.

Image

Image
User avatar
the swan fiend
Hyper Poster
Posts: 5131
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:52 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by the swan fiend »

You’re flying with this mate! Top work


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Rescue me from the swans in me
Danieljthomas
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:52 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (75bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by Danieljthomas »

Hi, new on here. About to start my own conversion of a caddy maxi. Loads of great tips here, thanks for running through everything :D .
tomo88
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2016 7:15 pm
Engine size/power: 1.8 20V Turbo

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by tomo88 »

Nice work dude
User avatar
Ripley55
Hyper Poster
Posts: 1134
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 4:38 pm
Engine size/power: 2.0 TDI (140bhp)
Location: Kent/Suffolk

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by Ripley55 »

@charlie-
Some great work there. I see you put the headlining back in, any plans to colour that and the A Pillar trims ?
Chestnut Brown Caddy MK4 Maxi Life 2.0Tdi 150bhp , 18” Matt Bronze OZ Ultraleggera’s 8Jx18 ET45 on Bridgestone 225/40/18’s
charlie-
Caddy2k Groupie
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:44 pm
Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)

Re: Ex-BG Caddy Maxi Camper Build

Post by charlie- »

Cheers guys, slowly getting there!

@Ripley55 I might give it a go once the camper stuff is done, have you done it on yours?
Post Reply