rickyrooo1's new ride, don't look if you don't like T5s.

Made a base board for the front of the bed.


Not sure if it's too red? Could use a different colour its laminated 6mm mdf

 

For some reason my model badge wasn't fitted (some do some don't - no idea why) so I got one.

 

ta, yep it's coming on.

 

you get a template to line it up, but it has a few mm play and yes the 2 is a tad off...... only noticable 'cos i've took the pic so close up.

 

Had the V5 back today, I'm no longer a 3 seat panel van, now a 5 seat motor caravan, good news there for insurance purposes - sadly (ish) they left it as a light goods vehicle (cheaper road tax which is good but.....) as a light goods I stay N1 which means I'm still restricted to lower speeds.

 

Eh? So all that work was a waste of time?
How cash you be classed as both?

 

No 'cos the insurers won't give you agreed valuation on a van. To be honest the dvla seem to make it up as they go along, other lads on the forum have just got blank sections in the parts I've got as N1 and light goods, also as a motor caravan with 5 seats I can now use car insurance not commercial.

 

Well not a waste of time, hopefully you know what I mean!

 

Update! There's a guy on the t5 forum who is a dvla vehicle inspector, he's just confirmed the N1/M1 thing doesn't apply to a vehicle if the body type has been changed from van to motor caravan as long as it's under 3 tonnes, as mine is I'm ok and can do car speeds, he's linked me to a gov website to prove. Happy days.

 

nutters

 

Your taxation class and type never changes he says, which is good as a "proper" car version of a t5 costs £285 to tax..... Lgv is £225

 

Righto, so i've done another 12v socket the one in the base model van is in the ashtray and you have to have it open to use it - annoying - also it's permanent live which is not good for my dab radio add on as i have to turn the unit off seperately, it might not be to everyones taste how it's done but i'm pleased, i took pic's as i went along. Didn't bother with how to remove the glovebox as it's been done and it really is as easy as remove 5 torx screws, i did remove the top panel as i was going to fit the socket in there like the posh models but there isn't the room in mine - right under the panel is the radio and also some heater ducting and my socket just wouldn't work there so i've drilled the dash top.

Upon removing the glovebox i found that in it's previous life the van has had (i'm guessing) a tracker or mobile phone as the wiring loom had been tapped into.



so i had a look under the tape and found this.



checking with a voltmeter i find the thick red is perm live and the blue wire (with orange bit soldered on) is ignition live.



i tidied the wiring up and removed old wires and re-soldered a fuse on to the ignition live.



then came the fun part, step drill the dashboard....



clean up the hole for the socket.



socket in and wiring all done and tidied up.


Top view, wire feeds my dab add on and it's as hidden as possible under a non slip mat and my girly flowers...

 

Although not strictly a van thing i thought I'd show my set up for camping, I used to leave the bay loaded but obviously the T5 is my daily so I don't want to cart the weight around, therefore I thought I'd rack it and be able to pick what was needed depending on the type of camp we do.... Got some racking from work and put it in my garage.
Millie just wants to go camping.

 

You don't half do well with getting stuff from work
That racking wouldn't be cheap to buy

 

yeah it's ace you'd cry if you saw what i throw away it's criminal.

 

I cry when I see stuff getting chucked at the tip
I'd imagine if have a full on break down at your place

Will you be off camping in it soon?

 

hope so, it's good to go - dunno about easter depends on weather/funds but deffo techenders and may onwards we will be in full swing.