Valdi the Value Veedub

[Jennralize]

I picked up my knackered little SWB T4 800 Special (1.9D, 1995 build, 1X) a little under 3 years ago now and have spent most of the time between short periods of it working as intended, learning how the whole thing works and building (and rebuilding) the living area in the back. Having basically zero budget most of the time, the parts have been scrap, recycled or cheapest possible new at all times, except the fridge.

To date I've personally done (I'll definitely have forgotten bits here):

Alternator replaced
Starter replaced
Diesel pump rebuild
New vibration damper pulley
New cam gasket and bolt rings
Water pump
Alternator plug and wiring renewed
Numberplate lights replaced
Lower timing cover
Crank nose pulley
Cam belt
V belt
Power steering belt
Fuel filter
Rear suspension replaced
Sliding door rollers
Full exhaust system and hangars
Radiator fans and thermostats
Glow plugs
Bodged cold start lever repair as can't find a new or scrap cable with screw end for lever
New stereo and full set of speakers
Replaced indicator relay and stalk
New tachometer cable
New oil filter + cooler gaskets
New aerial
Expansion tank hoses replaced
New aux and starter batteries + terminals
Repaired dash dial electronics
New cig lighter socket + USB ports in cab
Rewelded all sills and a couple of arches with help of a friend (she did the welding, I did some fabrication and prep)
Lower half painted after welding + name decals on back
Repaired hinges on glovebox
Replaced mismatched engine bay and tray bolts
Sliding door window
Roof vent
Rear insulated and cladded
Rear lights
100W solar setup with two 110ah leisure batteries, 1000w psw inverter.
Smallest possible sink and tap with 10l fresh and 10l waste
5kw diesel heater
25L compressor fridge
CCTV monitor TV setup with roku express and a little speaker
6ft bed, small double with table folding down to be part of it
Shelving and other storage
Curtains
New steering wheel and angled shifter
Subwoofer made from cup holder, ported with a white hot chocolate tin
Seat covers to match paint


In addition to the above, the following has also been done by various mechanics:

Full gearbox rebuild, new case and bearings
Clutch replaced
Rear brake lines to drums + new shoes
6 tyre replacements so far (part worn £30 a pop)
Front upper ball joints
Structural welding under engine bay


Probably forgotten quite a lot here but that's mostly where am at so far! A few pics below and will update as more happens...

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[S49]

Do love a build thread.

[TommyP]

Excellent! What mechanical experience have you got?


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[marcushamblin197]

You have done very well, I admire anyone who gets as involved as you have. I have ramps a high street business garage welding equipment all the tools and I've achieved much less.

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[TommyP]

You have done very well, I admire anyone who gets as involved as you have. I have ramps a high street business garage welding equipment all the tools and I've achieved much less.

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Seconded MH.

I’ve also got all the gear and no idea myself.


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[marcushamblin197]

Google tells me I spend 60 hours a month driving it though.

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[Jennralize]

Excellent! What mechanical experience have you got?


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Learned pretty much all I know from this van, though I started tinkering with bodywork and electricals/SAM unit etc on my first car, a Brabus tuned Smart Roadster Coupé that had been in an accident - started driving at 31, so a late bloomer in motoring stuff I guess!

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[Jennralize]

You have done very well, I admire anyone who gets as involved as you have. I have ramps a high street business garage welding equipment all the tools and I've achieved much less.

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Envious of your equipment! Done most of my work on friends' drives, in parking outside a house I lived in a year, or on the street outside where I live now - what I wouldn't do for a garage with a smooth floor!

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[marcushamblin197]

I did rebuild the head outside on the floor, only because it was lockdown and I decided buying a broken timing belted 2.5 tdi 2003 t4 was a good idea.

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[TommyP]

I did rebuild the head outside on the floor, only because it was lockdown and I decided buying a broken timing belted 2.5 tdi 2003 t4 was a good idea.

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Hahaha - all my engine work is done out in the floor. Until recently it was exposed to the elements too.


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[Jumbungla]

Awesome progress on the van! Looks great!

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[Jennralize]

Awesome progress on the van! Looks great!

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Thanks! :-)

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[Activ8]

Thanks for posting.
Different interior layout style and looks to work great.

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[Jennralize]

Thanks for posting.
Different interior layout style and looks to work great.

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Thanks! Am on v3 of the interior and it's definitely the most functional. I need to add another window in at some point (other side, might do a couple of portholes) and, if I can ever afford it, a fold-out diesel cooker. Also hoping to add a fixed high top or decent pop top, but they're a pipe-dream at the mo due to cost.

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[Activ8]

Having a budget constraint can really switch-on the individual innovation with van-life plus increase the personal investment value in the build.

You've done some brilliant work todate so I hope the next phases and purchases continue in such a positive way.

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