Growing Spaces

Van build: The rustic conversion of our VW T5 Transporter

Van build: The rustic conversion of our VW T5 Transporter

I’ve been desperate to show you the finished results of our van build project – the rustic/modern country remodel of our trusty VW T5 Transporter, Algie. After working like crazy to get it all ready, we had our first proper test run in the van down in Dorset over the half term, and it was a roaring success. It’s hard to believe that Algie was just a builder’s van when we bought him just over a year ago. Now the van can sleep all five of us, with the kids in the pop-top, us on the rock n roll bed…

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VAN PROJECT: VW T5 van build progress report

VAN PROJECT: VW T5 van build progress report

We are so tired! It’s amazing how much work such a small space requires. But like when you’re mid-renovation project, we’ve hit that mega low point where you don’t think it could look any worse, but we’re through the other side and it’s finally starting to come together. It’s really hard to get decent progress shots as there just never seems time to clear the decks enough to take any, but you can check out @youngvanadventures‘ Stories on IG for plenty of snapshots and videos behind the scenes on the build. For now, I’m just going to list off the…

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VAN PROJECT: T5 van build update

VAN PROJECT: T5 van build update

I can’t believe it’s November since I last gave you an update on the progress of our VW T5 van conversion project. Although it looks like not a lot has changed since then, loads and loads has been going on behind the scenes, with the electrics being the main focus. Luckily Ben’s a trained electrical engineer, so he’s more than able to get his head around a project like this. For any van build enthusiasts out there we have a 115 Ahr leisure battery installed under the driver’s seat. A split charge relay charges the battery when we’re driving and…

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PROJECT VAN: T5 Van build update

PROJECT VAN: T5 Van build update

It’s been so long since I’ve given you an update on our VW transporter van build, that I actually can’t remember where I need to pick the story up for you. We ticked loads of the big bits off the wish-list over the summer – the rock ‘n’ roll pull-out bed (back seat that turns into a double bed) got fitted at the end of May, so that finally all four of us could travel in the van together. A total game changer. Ben’s worked hard getting the electrics in place – he’s gone for a split charge relay which…

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PROJECT VAN: New floor update

PROJECT VAN: New floor update

Not the most beautiful of posts I’m afraid, but I’ve had to accept that sharing our van build project to convert a VW T5 panel van into a camper van isn’t always going to be pretty! I’ve got a bit behind with sharing our progress here (check out Algie the van’s instagram feed for more up-to-date reports), but the new floor going down was a landmark moment, so I had to record it. We don’t want the van to feel too caravan-like (!), so we’re trying to go for options that you wouldn’t necessarily find in a standard camper conversion. The flooring…

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