Epic Swamper Build

The Van Cave

The Van Cave

VW Bus Modification Specialist
Trade Member
T6 Legend
We’ve just finished an epic swamper camper build at the cave with full interior, exterior and audio modifications. Let’s start with the exterior….

101E995B-DE99-49AD-BA88-5B92FC4146B8.jpegE8D58667-C16D-4F9B-926A-C49967126139.jpegDA713E30-7E94-43CB-92B1-34EB1536F08C.jpeg96C8C696-6AD7-4ECE-9BB0-7467E0033B59.jpeg

35mm lift kit with upgraded shocks and springs.
Full swamper trims including arches, side trims, front and rear skid plates.
Fuel Zephyr in Bronze with BFG AT tyres.
Laser lights in the grille with full canbus integration.
Matt black badges and grill trims.
Front runner roof rack.
Fiamma 45S awning mounted to custom roof rack side mounts.
Tuff Trek roof tent with lighting and 12v power.
Matt black aluminium side steps.

We think this thing looks epic, what do you think?

DCA63835-E410-4300-A6FF-9F5294629D30.jpeg

363BFF3E-98EB-440A-BA26-9F6AE92FAC05.jpeg
 
On to the Interior…..

926EEBF1-6D9A-4A50-A3FC-79D73780D99F.jpeg5B3ED460-93F8-4C66-A2BA-A6B41AF6B08D.jpeg293A0D4D-00F1-4291-8202-4B38EE125717.jpegAA13624E-F408-4A0B-9B80-C07E263F66F8.jpeg6C9E82A6-814F-463E-B0F9-9AE6FE0CB7EC.jpeg1A1A0FAA-8B47-411F-9B3E-D0F54932BAD4.jpeg14A37931-5927-43C0-9CFE-C8FD1DA2190E.jpeg35E734EA-9F8D-4819-93C0-CB049E28A6E2.jpeg93270D8B-B81B-41D2-A4C2-523276D0FDC0.jpeg86A43D8A-C7A4-407F-AE46-B5074BA9B54B.jpeg

The customer had already insulated and sound deadened the rear of the van, so we added the following:

Sound deadening and insulation to front doors outer skin.
Sound deadening to front doors inner skin.
Focal front speaker and tweeter upgrade.
Focal rear speakers and fader enablement.
Focal amplifier.
Sound deadening and insulation to cab roof.
Full carpet lining from B pillar back.
240v hookup under bonnet.
Victron Bluetooth charger and mains consumer unit under drivers seat.
240v sockets under drivers seat and in rear panels.
Victron Bluetooth DC-DC charger for leisure battery under passenger seat to replace OEM split charge.
Driver and passenger swivel seat bases.
B pillar USB sockets.
12v power outlet mounted in rear side panel.
LED spotlights.
LED reading lights.
Vanshades windows blinds.
3rd row single Kombi seat with integrated seatbelt (not pictured, but you can see the floor mounts we’ve added!)

This really has been a massive build with a huge list of mods inside and out, but our customer has ended up with a simply fantastic off road camper!
 
Last edited:
@The Van Cave Hi Chris, is this the suspension setup we have been discussing for my Van but with 35mm lift rather than the 25mm we have discussed?
 
dave_b said:
@The Van Cave Hi Chris, is this the suspension setup we have been discussing for my Van but with 35mm lift rather than the 25mm we have discussed?
Click to expand...
No it's not Dave. This van was built with regular and fairly serious off road use in mind, so it's got a kit that's designed to withstand those demands. It's worth bearing in mind that despite it being a 35mm lift kit, the van didn't go up quite that far. It's a pretty heavy van with 4motion, DSG, 204 engine, ply units and bed, roof rack and roof tent, so the lift was closer to 25-30mm above standard.

The van pictured below is running the exact suspension setup that we've been discussing and drives beautifully.

F970BA62-364D-45A4-B954-2D81121A4419.jpgDD50D485-A97E-4380-8957-A3B35F456928.jpg9153B272-E172-4C04-A4D6-A7ADA4FA691E.jpg
 
yeah, that's nice.

can you photoshop it to Candy White for me please ;):p:D
 
The Van Cave said:
No it's not Dave. This van was built with regular and fairly serious off road use in mind, so it's got a kit that's designed to withstand those demands. It's worth bearing in mind that despite it being a 35mm lift kit, the van didn't go up quite that far. It's a pretty heavy van with 4motion, DSG, 204 engine, ply units and bed, roof rack and roof tent, so the lift was closer to 25-30mm above standard.

The van pictured below is running the exact suspension setup that we've been discussing and drives beautifully.

View attachment 165752View attachment 165750View attachment 165751
Click to expand...
What wheels/Tyres are those? Really love the build! Is it worth running this drive train if the van is not 4Motion?
 
Domus said:
What wheels/Tyres are those? Really love the build! Is it worth running this drive train if the van is not 4Motion?
Click to expand...
Hi, the wheels and tyres are 18” Supermetal Compass with BFG T/A K02 tyres in size 255/55 18. If you’re interested in the wheels I’m happy to offer a quote and good stock is available, just let me know.

I’m not sure exactly what you mean when you say is it worth running this drive train if not 4 motion. Are you asking if it’s worth running that type of wheel and tyre or the lifted suspension?
 
Hi there,
Thanks for the reply. Okay, let me rephrase this!
I’m just talking about the tyre/wheel combo.
Are there real benefits running those if I don’t have 4motion?
I am planning a road trip, most likely heading to Italy/Sardinia. Mostly roads with some off the beaten tracks… worth getting such setup (thinking fuel consumption) or sticking some all seasons tyres?
Thanks
Dom
 
Domus said:
Hi there,
Thanks for the reply. Okay, let me rephrase this!
I’m just talking about the tyre/wheel combo.
Are there real benefits running those if I don’t have 4motion?
I am planning a road trip, most likely heading to Italy/Sardinia. Mostly roads with some off the beaten tracks… worth getting such setup (thinking fuel consumption) or sticking some all seasons tyres?
Thanks
Dom
Click to expand...
A good all season tyre can cope quite well with light duty off road work, but all terrain tyres are better for more serious off road driving. If it’s mostly roads with occasional light duty off road stuff then all season 3PMS rated tyres may well be good enough.

A lot of swamper builds with all terrain tyres never go near off road, but they do look the part on such builds.
 
The Van Cave said:
A good all season tyre can cope quite well with light duty off road work, but all terrain tyres are better for more serious off road driving. If it’s mostly roads with occasional light duty off road stuff then all season 3PMS rated tyres may well be good enough.

A lot of swamper builds with all terrain tyres never go near off road, but they do look the part on such builds.
Click to expand...
That’s great, thanks for that, I’m going for function vs looks (although they do look the part, that’s for sure!! )
 
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