Ex. German Cab/Taxi > 538k and counting Camper/Daily

[SmokeyTheBandit]

The beginning of this year i bought my first Caddy, a very very tired (disabled suitable) caddy at the time with a lot of technical gremlins to sort and fix.
Managed to fix pretty much all the technical issues (very long list ) which took a very long time but i'm now able to use it as a daily.
Did quite a few mods.

Original state:

Now:

Interior:
Android 9" with wireless android auto
Audi S4 Seats
Audi S4 Armrest
Pioneer TS-WX77A sub
Leather steering wheel
Cruise Control

Exterior:
KW lowering kit front and rear
19" Concave Black wheels
Original VW Roof Bars
MK4 Rear Tailgate
MK4 Rear Tailgate spoiler extender
MK4 Rear Lights
Berlingo >2020 antenna
Side exhaust + stainless tip (nice unique/sporty addition thanks to the disabled modifications )

I also regularly like to MTB.

A small note, this car is certified as a work van in the Netherlands. This basically means it needs to have certain modifications in order to comply. Only one side window and rear windows can be used (rest blank/blocked off). And a bulkhead must be fitted. Benefits of this are WAY lower road tax, so its definitely worth it. So this will have to stay.

[SmokeyTheBandit]

Project Camper Van:

As i see a lot off people converting there caddy to a camper van i thought about giving it a go myself.
But i cannot make modifications that will limit the use of the van. I still need to be able to transport my disabled father and a wheelchair whenever needed. Fortunately this is not much and only a few times per month, so most of the time its empty.
And it needs to be able to be used as a van -> through stuff in the back for transport.....

Effectively i can only make modifications in the sides, and roof .

First off i removed all the rear stuff, as this was a mpv version it got a lot of extra stuff compared to a bare caddy. Roof liner/storage compartments, belts. Cup holders etc. I was able to reuse some of the parts.

Used till now:
a lot of carpet to put everywhere
Wurth spray glue (top quality stuff -> certified till 110C )
3x 230V wall outlets
1x 230V wall outlet IP66 certified -> for use under the car.
1x 12V plug in the rear (already available by standard in the mpv version).
1x 1 POE CAT5/6 connection (to be used with a wifi repeater on roof)
1x USB + USBC charger module (140W of charging power, can be used with laptop and other stuff).
1x LCD Display which shows power usage.
1x 230v->12V 200+ power converter
1x Smart 230V Din rail switch
1x Roof fan (higher quality than the chines ones)
1x 22mm 2 position switch with Blue LED 230v (to switch 230V on/off)
1x 22mm 3 position switch with Green LED 12V (to be able to switch between the 230V-12V converter and car battery)
6x LED strips
Lots of high quality WAGO connectors
Lots of spare wire
7m of 3x 2.5qm wire
Lots of wood
Several hinges from Amazon

Some of the wall outlets i created.

[SmokeyTheBandit]

And the roof fan/ventilation.

[SmokeyTheBandit]

Also made a special bike mount.

[SmokeyTheBandit]

Also made a small table, VERY efficiently making use of the space

[SmokeyTheBandit]

From a lot of parts i haven't made any pictures yet but they will follow soon.
Wiring wise its all done and working great now. Including the fuse module and everything.

Still needing to do:
Make foldable bed frame.
Finish the counter i'm making (with induction cooking plate build in).
place a new sidewindow (with opening).
some small finishing touches.

[stu_b]

Congrats Smokey
You've done an amazing job
No doubt your dad is impressed n proud of u n proud to be driven around in such a classy vehicle
Looks really good n very practical
I like the bench / table above the wheel, does it food down ?

[SmokeyTheBandit]

@stu_b

Yes it folds down exactly in the space around the wheel arch. So it doesn't portrude at all. The MTB can be still mounted beside it.
Its wide enough for a small laptop. And the charger for it is under the table.

Made some progress with the induction/cooking plate counter yersterday.

The counter will be easily removable and mountable with a few butterfly screws.

[SmokeyTheBandit]

Here are some pictures of the other side. The side where the foldable bed frame will be mounted.

A smart din rail switch (configurable through an app).
Blue switch is a live switch to turn on 230v or not.
Green switch can switch between the 230->12v converter and car battery.

In the upper left corner you can also see a small display with all the power usage on it. Amps/Watts and temperature in cabin.

There are two extra green switches next to it for the interior and rear tailgate lights.

[SmokeyTheBandit]

Most of the additions im making (Bed/counter) are going to be easily removable.
That way i can store them in the attic and when needed put them in the car, but they won't take up space and weight in the car when using it normally

[Bahnstormer]

What a brilliant build, looking forward to seeing more!

[SmokeyTheBandit]

@Bahnstormer

Thanks !

Forgot to add the counter will also function as a privacy screen when lifted up.
The induction plate is nothing special, its just a ikea induction plate (the TILLREDA).
Dismanteled the full unit, created a hole in the counter just large enough to fit the panel and all of the electronics in the unit.
Cut off ~20mm of the white plastic cover. and mounted it back.

Already tested it as is and it works great. VERY happy with the end result.
It only protrudes about 5mm from the counter.

The counter will be fitted to the rear ramp with hinges so ill be able to put it up when i close the tailgate.

[SmokeyTheBandit]

Ordered a lot of stuff from AliExpress last week. So get ready for some finishing touches, and all cheap-ass-chips but very functional.

Made a lot of progress this weekend. Already did a lot of work with the (foldable bed frame).

The counter is nearly finished, its already fully usable as is but ill add a battery powered faucet/tank/sink later.
Made a small sturdy removable bar as well (not pictured) to reinforce the counter just to be sure it will hold.
With this added its VERY sturdy.

The counter can be fully hinged up and the full tailgate can be closed as well. So also a very efficiently making use of the space. So it can also function as a privacy screen as well. And its easily removable with two m6 butterfly knobs (no tools needed).

Ill make some pictures of the external power socket (230V) i have created on the (underside) of the car.

[SmokeyTheBandit]

Tested the counter + induction cooking plate yesterday.
Works extremely well and more efficient than i thought, never needed to go above option 5 which is ~1050w (which can all be easily measured by a small display i installed). No issues at all with the wiring or other strange issues, worked great from the get-go.
Highly recommended for anyone thinking of doing the same. The Ikea cooking plate is ideal for this, quality product and easy to modify.

Also here is the wall outlet (IP66 certified) on the car.
Flap can be locked over the wire, works great which makes it watertight.

[stu_b]

@ Smokey
am I right that this was partially a build for your dad, whos in a wc.... im going to take a stab that that is him in the wc supervising the build


WITH A BEER IN HAND !!!

Nice work
safety first

honestly mate you've done yourself and your dad proud
kudos to you

I like the way you've kept the induction plate as far to the side as possible giving maximum bench space for use
got a good spread going on there

is the wc ramp still usable ?
how does the ramp function with the table ?

so the wall out let is basically "shore power" ?
where did you run the cable thru into the inside of the vehicle ?
I guess the only downside is you have to bend down to connect but being under the car and also in a sealed and lockable outlet makes it pretty water tight - not like your going to be driving thru water / puddles when the power lead is connected

glad everything is working out for you and no hiccups with the install / wiring etc