The Van

Make: Volkswagen

Model: Transporter T4 TDi

Type: Panel Van (SWB)

Year: 2001

Colour: White

 

The T4 (1990-2003)

The T4, released in 1990, was the first Transporter without a rear engine. This front-wheel drive model was available in two wheelbases, and being front-engined allowed a far greater diversity for special bodies – from wreckers to three-axled minibuses to large box-bodied ambulances, almost everything was possible. Transversally mounted engines with four, five and six cylinders, and especially the very popular TDI diesel engines with direct injection, brought the Transporter’s performance back to state of the art, which couldn’t really be said about either the T2 or T3.

Enthusiasts naturally bemoaned the death of the classic Type 2, but rationally it really was inevitable. The market proves it: the T4 was a tremendous success, and the introduction of its successor was delayed time and again due to unabated demand. After no less than 14 years, the T4 ceased production in 2003 (making it second only to the T1 for length of production in its home market), but it is rumoured to be resurrected for the Chinese market.

There was one major model change to the T4, in 1994, when the re-shaped front end was introduced. This was needed to fit the six-cylinder VR6 engine into the Transporter’s engine bay. However, the commercial variants, which were not available with the VR6, retained the old look (although they were changed as well, they just still looked almost the same). Keeping with the Type 2’s tradition, these two versions are called T4a and T4b respectively by Enthusiasts.

The engine range has become rather too large to elaborate here. T4a were available with four- and five-cylinder engines, both petrol and Diesel; the T4b saw not only the VR6, but also the five-cylinder TDI engines that since have replaced the traditional Diesels.

T4 in US

The Eurovan, as the T4 generation was called in the United States, was available in Europe in many versions both for personal and commercial use. From 1990 until 2003 only the passenger versions were exported to the U.S., except for those that were shipped to Winnebago Industries for conversion to either Campers, which were shipped to and sold by U.S. VW dealers, or to Rialtas, where were sold by Winnebago dealers directly. Smaller than a standard American delivery van, but larger than an American or Japanese passenger minivan, VW played up its size with the slogan, “EuroVan: There’s nothing mini about it.”

In the U.S., the models were:

• the seven-seat Eurovan CL,GL, and GLS
• the Eurovan MV, in which the second row of seats face the rear and are removable, the third row converts into a bed, a folding table in the passenger area, window curtains, and in some models includes a small DC refrigerator.
• the Eurovan MV Weekender, an MV plus a Westfalia conversion that adds a pop-top roof, a second overhead bed, bug screens for side windows and rear hatch, utility battery, fluorescent lamp above table, and standard refrigerator.
• the Eurovan Camper, which is the long wheelbase commercial van converted by Winnebago Industries to include a pop-top roof, two two-person beds, seating for four (plus optional single or two-person center seats), a one cubic foot refrigerator that runs on propane, DC, or AC, a propane furnace, a closet, cabinets, sink with cold water and a gray water tank, a two-burner propane stove, two two-person dinette tables, coach battery, house lighting, and the two front bucket seats made to swivel around to face the dinette/kitchen area.

(source: Wikipedia)

The (ever growing) List of VW Conversion Considerations

In summary, here are my main considerations for the build. As I think of more, I’ll add them here to the list. Split into sections, they are as follows:-

Water/sanitary

Sink

Toilet

Shower

Fresh water arrangements

Waste water arrangements

Electrical

240V, 12V supply, or both.

Extra lighting

Second ‘leisure battery’ – type, charging arrangements, isolating arrangements

Campground hook up

Berthing

Number of beds

Size and style (fixed/drop down/rock n roll)

Storage

Amount of storage and where it’ll be included

Ancillary Equipment

Should ancillary equipment, such as laptop/tv/stereo etc, be integrated during the build phase, or ‘bolted on’ afterwards?

Stealth

Should I consider fitting windows and pop top etc, or should I maintain the look of a normal panel van?

Once each of these issues have been tackled and resolved, I hope to address the layout and consider how best to include a range of the above features.