Harold - the T25 van (1.8T content)

[GeorgeMK1]

Hey guys,

Thought in the spirit of keeping forums alive and also adding a journal of the life of our van, Harold, I'd make a build thread to also show his progress and maybe even get help in some areas of struggle.

I've always liked these older transporters and then one day I noticed the prices slowly creeping up and decided to jump on the instagram (vanlife) bandwagon - and buy a T25 to convert into a camper. The prices were pretty crazy for an actual camper already, such as the Joker or Westfalia etc. vans, ranging from $6000 - $11000 for the immaculate ones. So the only financial option we had was to find a tintop and do work from there.

My GF initially was very sceptical and couldn't be bothered delving into the whole idea (once we did our first trip though, she regrets nothing haha).

So we found a bloke selling this particular one for a reasonable $2500. Standard no reg/rwc sale. The van started very well but showed signs of age, however it was all original and pretty well maintained. Engine is a 1.9 and 5spd manual. Plans are simple, clean it, get rwc and club permit, slowly convert into camper.

I'll update this until I'm up to date with where I am today! Some fun journeys have happened since then, and most recently the engine has blown. Not to worry, plans are in the process.


So this is how we got him, quite neglected and moss everywhere!










After we bought it, I spent the next month and a half changing as much as I could as fast as I could to get it RWC and rego'd. Complete brakes were rebuilt and changed, wheel bearings all round, timing set, new plugs, oil/air/fuel filters, new tyres, new wipers, all rust damage repair, water pump, seals, coolant and hoses all replaced with new items. Some bushes were also replaced to pass RWC. Many cold winter nights were spent like this after work.






The day we passed RWC we cheekily took a day off and started stripping and cleaning everything!




Sorry if any of the photos are playing up, I'm trying to sort them out.