Mangrovejack's 2012 VW Caddy Maxi Camper

[stu_b]

All good my friend
It's was a long shot at it's best
Thanks anyways

[stu_b]

MangroveJack ... just wonedering .... did my PM go thru ?

[mangrovejack]

A couple of small updates that I've done in recent days (time is very limited at the moment).

Finally installed the wind deflectors. Never had these on a car before. I found the installation a little bit fiddly in regards to the metal clips, but they seem to be in place now.

[mangrovejack]

Started to install the Audi 8v a3 vents.

Out with the old:






In with the new:


Not solidly fixed yet, just test fitting and will then do the other 3.

[mangrovejack]

Looking back through my photos, I don't think I shared this small mod I did at the front to ensure the wheels were fully covered (In Australia it's against the law to have your tyres hanging out past the bodywork). They were literally right out to the edge of the factory fenders and I don't want rock damage to the sides, so added these rubber strips to ensure that doesn't happen.

[mangrovejack]

This is the latest thing I've done out of necessity as I didn't have the solar panels nor roof lighting hooked up properly, instead I had some temporary wiring that I had to drag out whenever I wanted to connect it, but that was a hassle and I now need the solar hooked up permanently as I want to turn the fridge on 24/7.

So I've run the solar wiring, the left, right and rear LED light bars all through the same EPDM rubber that goes up the side of the windscreen and into the rain gutter. The size of that rubber channel is not ideal, but you can't see it from inside the car and it's not too noticeable from outside. At the back it transitions to split convoluted tubing so I can change out where the wiring exits in future if needed.

[stu_b]

hey mate
nice touches
the air vents hard to come by in Aus ?
Did u think about turning the solar panel around - would it have made it easier for the new mod for the cables going thru the scuttle ?
the wheel trims look good - mind if do a MGJ copy !!

coming along swimmingly
wont be long before she is perfect

[mangrovejack]

Not sure how hard they are to get. I actually bought them from @fishynos72 on this forum!

No I need them oriented this way so that I can still get full use of the roof rack. I am however thinking of building a whole new rack out of 8040 aluminium extrusion and getting another 2 120w panels down the track.

[mangrovejack]

Btw the wheel trims I got off eBay. They were relatively cheap too.

[avolve]

Final update for now. Got these recently from Beeb & Co in UK. They are fantastic! The fit, quality and attachment method is awesome. I was originally going to make my own, but when I saw these which was exactly how I was going to build them, it was a no brainer. I like that you can fold down the top if you still want to let in some light, otherwise it is full blackout. I'm probably going to spray some 303 fabric spray to protect them from UV damage just in case.

Thanks for sharing, Did you get these for your barn doors only, or any other windows?

Anything new to add, after your initial impressions? I considering getting getting some (possibly front windows too, v a curtain?)

[mangrovejack]

I only got them for the barn doors. They are absolutely worth it to me, total blockout and a bit of insulation too. I store them in the shelf above the passenger area when not using them as they fold down quite small.

I may get the front windscreen one down the track, I'd need to ask about just the front windscreen as I don't want the side windows due to what I've got in store later down the track (I will be installing a curtain as well).

[Nicklouse]

How stable is that as I am wanting to put my old set up onto the Caddy. But there is a bit more mass.

Same bracket but without the bar. Used for Moose spotting when I lived in Sweden


Loving the build.

[mangrovejack]

Thanks mate!

The light bar is rock solid. Obviously not the same as a bullbar but I don't notice the light bar vibrating or bouncing all over the place. My attachment method has ensured it's pretty much locked into the bumper which is attached quite securely from the factory.

I dare say that light bar may weigh more than your two circular lights, so if you can go lighter, then you definitely have nothing to worry about.

[Nicklouse]

Cheers. Good to know.

[au123]

Sweet build! Lots of good inspo there.
With that much insulation did you get a good deal on it all? Wholesale account with just one build. Must sound great!