Caddy Build Thread!

[Caddy]

Latest pic:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/08/14230992017_7db71ea589_b-1.jpg

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Hi all,

just picked up my Caddy last week.. loving it so far.

First VW, first diesel, first (sort of?) commercial vehicle for me.

Whilst it's essentially a BMR Autowerkes 'shop car' it'll be my daily drive a lot of the time I guess.

Pros so far:
- fantastic fuel economy!
- comfortable ride
- great DSG + TDI engine combo

Negatives:
- Tyre roar
- Hearing the fuel tank sloshing around

Onto some pics

Picking it up at the dealer!
5016

Getting it 'home' to the workshop
5017
5018

Hmm had some 17" Detroits lying around from a GTi. First set of many wheels likely to go on
5019

More to come!!

[Caddy]

Picked up 2 x Bulk packs of Dynamat in an effort to try quieten things down in the back. Will eventually carpet/trim the rear.

5021
5022
5023

Ordered an ANS-810 with the current Group Buy going on... really looking forward to the reversing camera!

5024

[fmflex]

Congratulations on becoming one of many happy caddy owners.

In regards to some of your negative observations, what sort of tyres did you have on to have all that road noise? Reason I ask is that although mine's the Maxi, I haven't really had any road noise issues with the stock Bridgestone B250s in a 15" size or the Toyos I'm currently running in a 16". To be quite honest, I've got more road noise with the tyres on the 32 as it spends alot of time sitting around.

I also haven't got an issue with hearing fuel sloshing around either.

Either way, congratz and what else do you have planned?

[Caddy]

Congratulations on becoming one of many happy caddy owners.

In regards to some of your negative observations, what sort of tyres did you have on to have all that road noise? Reason I ask is that although mine's the Maxi, I haven't really had any road noise issues with the stock Bridgestone B250s in a 15" size or the Toyos I'm currently running in a 16". To be quite honest, I've got more road noise with the tyres on the 32 as it spends alot of time sitting around.

I also haven't got an issue with hearing fuel sloshing around either.

Either way, congratz and what else do you have planned?

Stock tyres were Hankook 'eco' tyres on the 15" steelies
Currently got OEM GTI spec Bridgestone Turanzas

Road noise is perfectly acceptable on smooth roads and OK roads... just on poor roads that the noise triples for some reason! I spoke to Doyle's about getting the rear carpeted and they said that the Caddy's they run still have the same issue in that there is lots of road noise.

Lots of other mods planned!
Getting tint shortly.
Next up, probably lowering, pretty sure I'll go with KW coilovers.

I'm still undecided on colour coding the bumpers. At first I thought I would straight away but I kinda like the front bumper in black. The rear I will probably 'clean up' by painting it white, along with the trim strips, door handles and possibly mirrors. I also want to delete the rear wiper, I think it looks cumbersome.

Got some gunmetal 19" VMR V701 wheels to go on shortly:
5025

Items for the wishlist:
- Golf R steering wheel (or an improvement of sorts)
- Gti seats (or something to that effect)
- Big brake kit

[fmflex]

Sounds good mate, you'll end up with a sweet looking ride.

My Maxi is a daily workhorse so in some ways limited to what i can do with it. Mine is dropped 3 1/2" closer to the deck and rolls on a set of 16s off I think a mk5 tdi Golf. I'd like to go bigger but couldn't get enough load rating with anything large than 16s. I've linked a couple of pics. I apologize for the unwashed state and the shopping trolley dent.

I'm currently looking at fitting a full airbag setup front and rear. In talks with someone about it, just sorting out the nitty gritty details.

I've made some additions to the interior as well.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/08/Caddy1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/08/Caddy2-1.jpg

[Caddy]

I'm currently looking at fitting a full airbag setup front and rear. In talks with someone about it, just sorting out the nitty gritty details.



Keen to hear more about this!

What are you currently lowered on?

[sbce90]

Nice caddy lol. Looked better on steelies.

[fmflex]

Keen to hear more about this!

What are you currently lowered on?

I've got Pedders lowered golf springs and shocks in the front and the rear leaf springs were reset. Due to the weight of the cargo drawers and all the gear in and on top of them, adding a rear bench seat and having 60kgs of batteries under my driver seat, my rears are sitting on the bump stops.

[Caddy]

Picked up some floormats

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/08/9623870411_011bb6df9f_z-1.jpg

[Caddy]

Put the 19" V701 in Gunmetal on.

Tyres are 235/35/19 load rating 91.

Not 100% set on these wheels yet... I think the colour either needs to be darker, or just looking clean in silver.
Definitely needs lowering though!

Getting tint tomorrow.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/08/9627103824_c1d5c8b868_z-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/08/9623871783_cb6af55071_z-1.jpg

[KI11Z]

Keen to follow this, seen some amazing examples overseas!

[Caddy]

Got some tint done.. sides as well but no decent pic of that (yet)

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/08/9630477787_311ba286a4_z-1.jpg

[fmflex]

Looks good, i went with silver mirror tint myself but the black looks awesome

[Silver dub]

Great to see some more caddy's coming on board.

I''m keen to hear where you got your floor mats from?

I used 9 large sheets of dynamat in the rear of mine and it made a huge difference.

I've just finished carpeting my walls and most side panels (just got the sliding door to finish) then i'm onto making a new floor template before cutting it up and laying the last of the carpet.

[Caddy]

Great to see some more caddy's coming on board.

I''m keen to hear where you got your floor mats from?

I used 9 large sheets of dynamat in the rear of mine and it made a huge difference.

I've just finished carpeting my walls and most side panels (just got the sliding door to finish) then i'm onto making a new floor template before cutting it up and laying the last of the carpet.

Bought the mats off eBay here (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tailor-Made-Floor-Mats-VW-Caddy-3-2005-Current-Custom-Fit-Front-Pair-/230879352971?pt=AU_Clothing_Merchandise_Media&var&hash=item35c17b588b&_uhb=1)
Quality is good enough, although I was expecting it to be a bit more 'plush' but it'll do the job.. and the coloured VW logo is a nice touch.

Pics of your boot and carpet? Looking for inspiration :)

[Caddy]

Had time between some appointments today so applied some more dynamat... Didn't take a pic, but did the top of the wheel arch on the 'inside' and I think that will make some difference.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/09/9648589409_0fe332bf0e_z-1.jpg

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/09/9651817858_cc6ca1a886_z-1.jpg

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/09/9651821034_664b8c0c8c_z-1.jpg

As you can some sections aren't 100% covered but (apparently) the majority of sound reduction occurs in the first 30% of covering the panel in sound deadening so fingers crossed that is indeed the case.

[Silver dub]

I'll get some pics up soon.

[Caddy]

Tint before and afters
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/09/9659197527_81f83f580f_z-1.jpg

[Caddy]

No major updates, applied a few more sheets of dynamat to the vehicle... will be getting the rear trimmed in carpet shortly.

Also I have pretty much made my mind up on doing air suspension.

[fmflex]

PM me and I'll pass you details of the guy I'm getting most of my kit from. It's aimed to be passed by an engineer so should be top notch.

[Caddy]

OK final bit of dynamat done and going in for carpeting and stuff today!

Also bought some bentley wheels :clap: .. but need some lowering before I put them on!

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/09/9796593103_a7f227bb8b_c-1.jpg

[Caddy]

Carpeting done!
Haven't driven it extensively yet so not sure if it'll quieten things down but here's hoping it will! The carpet is quite plush with a nice thick underlay.
There's also a nifty pocket on the driver's side wall as that was previously spare space (and another pocket in the rear right hand door)

Dodgy iPhone pic
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/09/9832323494_48c36b0146_c-1.jpg

[Caddy]

Update on above, driving is definitely much quieter and more refined!! Am very happy with it.

Put some new wheels on, OEM Audi 5 arm rotors:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10262317946_73b55b7bb5_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10262312496_37db88b7da_c-2.jpg

[psyone]

gotta lower it ! also you should def change them ****ty seats. best decision i ever made. them stock seats would give me a backache after driving for anything over 30 mins. got myself some mk5 gti seats. they are so comfy.

[DaSkwurl]

That is starting to very very spiffy indeed!!
The Audi rims look awesome!

Keep up the good work and also the posts i'd love to see more of what you've got planned! :)

[Caddy]

I think due to shape + size of the windows I always find water trickling in after it rains!! (with the windows down that is)

Got a pair of VW weathershields to solve that :)

I don't think they look too bad either, they are slimline and 'tinted'

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/12064102125_3587613c2a_c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/12064106405_bc2ce2f81a_c-1.jpg

[psyone]

I prefer Team Heko wind deflectors. i dont think you can get them in australia. i had to get mine sent from poland, but they are well worth it
ps thats not my car !
7550

[psyone]

btw what carpet did you use to do the side walls ?

[DutchAussie]

gotta lower it ! also you should def change them ****ty seats. best decision i ever made. them stock seats would give me a backache after driving for anything over 30 mins. got myself some mk5 gti seats. they are so comfy.

I had Recaro seats in all my previous cars.
They would not fit in the VW Caddy.
I took the Caddy to Wiltshire in Adelaide and the VW Caddy seats reshaped like my old Recaros.
I have comfortable seats now.
Cost about $ 300.00 in 2007.

[Caddy]

btw what carpet did you use to do the side walls ?

Can't remember the type or brand sorry it's just black interior trimming carpet


I had Recaro seats in all my previous cars.
They would not fit in the VW Caddy.
I took the Caddy to Wiltshire in Adelaide and the VW Caddy seats reshaped like my old Recaros.
I have comfortable seats now.
Cost about $ 300.00 in 2007.

On the hunt for Gti or R seats :)

[psyone]

get in contact with Oli off this site, he'll most probably have them seats. top bloke too

[Caddy]

Ordered Bilstein B14 coilovers + rear shock absorbers... can't wait to see it lowered :)

[Wheelie93]

You should put a subwoofer and some TV monitors in the back, it'll go really nice with the carpet! :cool:

[Caddy]

Bilstein coilovers in!

Next up some vinyl graphics :)... still on the hunt for better seats. And maybe a steering wheel.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/04/13600345543_66ae6033f0_c-1.jpg

[Lemonskin]

Haha this Caddy is awesome. How much have you spent on it?

[psyone]

Bilstein coilovers in!

Next up some vinyl graphics :)... still on the hunt for better seats. And maybe a steering wheel.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/04/13600345543_66ae6033f0_c-1.jpg

how much were Bilstein coilovers and where did you get them done at ?

[Philheg]

I have a set of those bilsteins on the way from the darkside developments in the uk. How's the handling with these on?

[nicholas787]

Also curious on where you sourced the CO's from.
AND What setup is it running in the rear?

Thanks

[Caddy]

Hi all

I got the rear leaf spring flip kit from darkside developments in the UK. I got the 'super low' one so the rear wheel remains centred.
I got the bilstein B14 front coilovers + rear shocks from BMR Autowerkes in Sydney.

The front coilovers are on the lowest setting, the rear can go lower but am happy with it. Ride comfort is good, although the rear leaf springs will always ride like a b*tch unladened.

I am hoping to get some Golf R brakes soon. They will look much better behind the 19" wheels but also I find the stock brakes a bit spongy at times!

Here is a recent pic:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/08/14230992017_7db71ea589_b-1.jpg

[psyone]

i like how that sits ! i have a pair of mk5 gti calipers and carriers but i cant use them on my caddy as i need to replace the hubs. didnt know that when i was buying them !

[Philheg]

I cheaped out on the bilstein rear shocks... Big mistake it's like a bouncing castle at the moment until I get them sorted!!

[Caddy]

A few updates but no pics!

Managed to pick up a complete Mk6 GTi interior, obviously only wanted the front seats. Unbolted passenger seat to find the rails are ever so slightly different. Shame cause GTi seats were one of the first things I wanted to do, but now I don't know if I can be bothered mucking around making them fit.

I've always found braking in the car pretty average. This should be resolved next month when I put some Golf R front brakes on :)

Also found someone to wrap the caddy at a good price. Will be happening in about 6 weeks.

[Horace01]

I imported some seacond hand Touran seat bases from Germany. They are much cheaper than getting then from the UK and the MK6 GTi seats bolt straight on. You don't loose any height. Well worth the extra expense as it only cost me about $250 with shipping.

[Silver dub]

I imported some seacond hand Touran seat bases from Germany. They are much cheaper than getting then from the UK and the MK6 GTi seats bolt straight on. You don't loose any height. Well worth the extra expense as it only cost me about $250 with shipping.

Pretty sure i've seen your van getting round the peninsula lately.

[jorgocaddy]

Are you selling the gti seats?

[Caddy]

Some more updates:

- Sold the GTI seats because I couldn't be bothered making them fit... that and I have my eye on a pair of second hand Audi R8 seats
- Front brakes from a Golf R going on next week.. will report back with any fitment issues and pics of course