Looks Ace ! Can’t wait for you to apply a little magic to mine on Monday
Introducing The Van Cave
Hi All.
This thread is long overdue a full update, so here we are. It's been a busy few months or so at the cave and I am currently busier than ever.
March is now fully booked and I only have a few select dates at the start of April available, once they go, it'll be May before I can fit any more vans in, so if you're thinking of coming to the cave for work, make your enquiry now!
There are a few new things going on here that are worth a mention.
1. I'm now fitting the awesome SoLow AIR kits in combination with Airlift Performance management systems. I've already introduced this in a separate thread, but it really is a fantastic kit and the management systems are just as good. Among those looking to get really low, SoLow air will quickly become the market leader in Air suspension for transporters. We've done two vans already, with another coming next week and another early in April. It's no secret to many of you, but I love a slammed van and the air ride just makes a slammed van so much more practical. This is a side of the business I really want to develop further, so please get in touch if you are considering getting your van bagged.
2. Diesel Heaters. I'm now an approved reseller and installer for Autoterm Diesel Heaters, so if you're thinking Planar is a good option for you, get in touch. I'm impressed by the Planar units; the quality is right up there and the price point is excellent compared to the more expensive and well established brands. You'll get a lovely little controller that has several different running modes and 7 day programmable timing. As a relatively inexpensive upgrade, you can also add the option to control the system remotely from your phone, which is a fantastic add on. A full 2 year warranty is standard on these units too.
3. Smart Beds. We are now an approved smart beds reseller and installer. Their beds are fantastic, with a really simple to use pull out and pack away system, plus the option to have the Evo R rail-based system. The Evo R is so flexible in its positioning and can be secured in an almost infinite number of locations along the rails, with seatbelts as an option, all fully crash tested. I have our first one going in towards the end of march for forum member @CALLAKN , so I'll update again after that with lots of photos.
4. I am continuing to offer Skyline Pop Top Roofs, but only when combined with a larger package of conversion work, I won’t be offering a roof only option.
I've also been keeping busy with the other core parts of the business such as coil overs, shocks and springs, wheels and tyres, styling, headlight and tail light upgrades, leisure battery and 12v electric installs, solar panels, 240v electric installs, Kombi beds, Day Van conversions, insulation, carpet lining, audio upgrades etc.
One final note, the website www.thevancave.co.uk should finally go live in the next month or so, I know I've been guilty of saying this before and not getting it done, but it really is close to launching now!
Thanks for reading everyone and as always, thanks for your support. I'll leave you with some photos, which are just a really small sample set of what I've been up to. For more regular updates follow thevancaveuk on Instagram or Facebook. I know some people don't use either, so I'll try and update this thread more often.........
Excuse the heater controller pic, not the best, plus I hadn't removed the protective film yet!
This thread is long overdue a full update, so here we are. It's been a busy few months or so at the cave and I am currently busier than ever.
March is now fully booked and I only have a few select dates at the start of April available, once they go, it'll be May before I can fit any more vans in, so if you're thinking of coming to the cave for work, make your enquiry now!
There are a few new things going on here that are worth a mention.
1. I'm now fitting the awesome SoLow AIR kits in combination with Airlift Performance management systems. I've already introduced this in a separate thread, but it really is a fantastic kit and the management systems are just as good. Among those looking to get really low, SoLow air will quickly become the market leader in Air suspension for transporters. We've done two vans already, with another coming next week and another early in April. It's no secret to many of you, but I love a slammed van and the air ride just makes a slammed van so much more practical. This is a side of the business I really want to develop further, so please get in touch if you are considering getting your van bagged.
2. Diesel Heaters. I'm now an approved reseller and installer for Autoterm Diesel Heaters, so if you're thinking Planar is a good option for you, get in touch. I'm impressed by the Planar units; the quality is right up there and the price point is excellent compared to the more expensive and well established brands. You'll get a lovely little controller that has several different running modes and 7 day programmable timing. As a relatively inexpensive upgrade, you can also add the option to control the system remotely from your phone, which is a fantastic add on. A full 2 year warranty is standard on these units too.
3. Smart Beds. We are now an approved smart beds reseller and installer. Their beds are fantastic, with a really simple to use pull out and pack away system, plus the option to have the Evo R rail-based system. The Evo R is so flexible in its positioning and can be secured in an almost infinite number of locations along the rails, with seatbelts as an option, all fully crash tested. I have our first one going in towards the end of march for forum member @CALLAKN , so I'll update again after that with lots of photos.
4. I am continuing to offer Skyline Pop Top Roofs, but only when combined with a larger package of conversion work, I won’t be offering a roof only option.
I've also been keeping busy with the other core parts of the business such as coil overs, shocks and springs, wheels and tyres, styling, headlight and tail light upgrades, leisure battery and 12v electric installs, solar panels, 240v electric installs, Kombi beds, Day Van conversions, insulation, carpet lining, audio upgrades etc.
One final note, the website www.thevancave.co.uk should finally go live in the next month or so, I know I've been guilty of saying this before and not getting it done, but it really is close to launching now!
Thanks for reading everyone and as always, thanks for your support. I'll leave you with some photos, which are just a really small sample set of what I've been up to. For more regular updates follow thevancaveuk on Instagram or Facebook. I know some people don't use either, so I'll try and update this thread more often.........
Excuse the heater controller pic, not the best, plus I hadn't removed the protective film yet!
I bet none of you saw another update coming this quickly after the last one! 
This week at the cave.......
I've helped a T5 California owner with a few odd jobs: Replaced a damaged awning canvas with a new one, fitted a new tap to replace a faulty one and a few other bits and bobs.
I've fitted two sets of the incredible Koni Sport Short Shocks with 50 and 60mm lowering springs for the absolute best ride quality possible at those drops.
I've also bagged another van on the amazing SoLow AIR with Airlift Performance 3H management.
Plus, I've fitted one of the very first sets of the new SoLow NSL (Not So Low) Coil overs, which are an absolute game changer. These are brand new and are so good that I think I need to say more about them. They will drop a van between 65 and 90mm, so they are absolutely perfect for customers who want bigger drops than most coil overs offer, but don't want the mega lows of the original SoLow.
Firstly, the quality of the build is outstanding. Finally we have a kit developed with Bilstein UK that is a proper threaded body coilover, not a cheap sleeve over option. Adjustment at the front is now so much simpler with a single adjuster ring locked with a grub screw. You also have a huge amount of scope for adjustment, meaning different weight vans can now be properly catered for. The rear is an improvement in design too, with a bigger chamfer on the rear adjuster to clear the bump stop welds and a more secure single adjuster ring with grub screw to secure. They also come with a lovely little tool that will both fit the grub screw and act as a helper for turning the adjuster rings front and back.
Finally, the ride quality. This is a sample set of one, but here's the feedback from my customer after his drive home. He had previously been running B14 Komforts and had this to say......
"Firstly, thanks again so much for your time today. I'm so chuffed with the way it looks now.
As for the ride quality..... all I can say is ...wow! That was such a nice drive home.
They're more comfortable than the B14 komforts and soak up any bumps or small pot holes with ease. The handling is amazing around corners. No scraping or knocks etc. Far less bouncy at the rear and much better rebound at the front.
Definitely the best money I've spent on the van so far. Would certainly recommend them to anyone."
I have to say that if the rest of the new SoLow kits (NXT, LFT) are this good I can see myself selling and fitting a huge number of them.
Onto the photos.....
Bagged on SoLow AIR and Airlift Performance 3H Management. (Plus my Navis Wheels, but we won't talk about that
)
The New SoLow NSL
This week at the cave.......
I've helped a T5 California owner with a few odd jobs: Replaced a damaged awning canvas with a new one, fitted a new tap to replace a faulty one and a few other bits and bobs.
I've fitted two sets of the incredible Koni Sport Short Shocks with 50 and 60mm lowering springs for the absolute best ride quality possible at those drops.
I've also bagged another van on the amazing SoLow AIR with Airlift Performance 3H management.
Plus, I've fitted one of the very first sets of the new SoLow NSL (Not So Low) Coil overs, which are an absolute game changer. These are brand new and are so good that I think I need to say more about them. They will drop a van between 65 and 90mm, so they are absolutely perfect for customers who want bigger drops than most coil overs offer, but don't want the mega lows of the original SoLow.
Firstly, the quality of the build is outstanding. Finally we have a kit developed with Bilstein UK that is a proper threaded body coilover, not a cheap sleeve over option. Adjustment at the front is now so much simpler with a single adjuster ring locked with a grub screw. You also have a huge amount of scope for adjustment, meaning different weight vans can now be properly catered for. The rear is an improvement in design too, with a bigger chamfer on the rear adjuster to clear the bump stop welds and a more secure single adjuster ring with grub screw to secure. They also come with a lovely little tool that will both fit the grub screw and act as a helper for turning the adjuster rings front and back.
Finally, the ride quality. This is a sample set of one, but here's the feedback from my customer after his drive home. He had previously been running B14 Komforts and had this to say......
"Firstly, thanks again so much for your time today. I'm so chuffed with the way it looks now.
As for the ride quality..... all I can say is ...wow! That was such a nice drive home.
They're more comfortable than the B14 komforts and soak up any bumps or small pot holes with ease. The handling is amazing around corners. No scraping or knocks etc. Far less bouncy at the rear and much better rebound at the front.
Definitely the best money I've spent on the van so far. Would certainly recommend them to anyone."
I have to say that if the rest of the new SoLow kits (NXT, LFT) are this good I can see myself selling and fitting a huge number of them.
Onto the photos.....
Bagged on SoLow AIR and Airlift Performance 3H Management. (Plus my Navis Wheels, but we won't talk about that
)The New SoLow NSL
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Hi. T32 are in stock. T26-T30 are out of stock. I'll find out when new stock will be available.
Looks like clamp fitment should be available again next week.
Thanks for the update I will send you a PM
Over the last few weeks it’s been busy at the cave with a good mix of work.
We’ve had a T5 in for:
Skyline Pop Top
Smoke Carpet lining
6x LED Spotlights
Single Piece Ply Floor
Oak Altro Floor Covering
Gloss black front end detailing
V2 headlights
Smoke LED tail lights
It’s coming back in a couple of months for leisure battery install, then the customer will fit his own U shape bed system.
We had a T6 in for:
3 stage sound deadening and insulation
Vanshades Duo Window Blinds
Plastic protective covers to wheel arches and tailgate surround
Carpet lining of removable panels
4x LED Spot Lights
This customer is a keen mountain biker and wanted something that looked classy, but remained practical, so no carpeting of the frame and the plastic covers work really well.
We also just finished a huge build for another T6, but the photos for that one will have to wait. That one has had:
Power fold mirror retrofit
Fog light retrofit
V3 headlights
Full gloss black front end
Lower front splitter
SoLow NSL Coil Overs
Momo Revenge Evo 20” alloys
Rear Bumper Protector
Alpine Speaker and Tweeter Upgrade
CarPlay activation for discover media
After market comfort dash glove box and trims
Twin front passenger seat folding bracket
3 stage sound deadening and insulation
Full carpet lining
6x LED Spot lights
Door seals and dash rubber
Interior bulbs upgrade to LED
Climair Wind Deflectors
Gloss Black Side Bars
Bulkhead Bracket and Jack bracket removal
The photos……..
T5 pop top:
T6 mountain bike van:
We’ve had a T5 in for:
Skyline Pop Top
Smoke Carpet lining
6x LED Spotlights
Single Piece Ply Floor
Oak Altro Floor Covering
Gloss black front end detailing
V2 headlights
Smoke LED tail lights
It’s coming back in a couple of months for leisure battery install, then the customer will fit his own U shape bed system.
We had a T6 in for:
3 stage sound deadening and insulation
Vanshades Duo Window Blinds
Plastic protective covers to wheel arches and tailgate surround
Carpet lining of removable panels
4x LED Spot Lights
This customer is a keen mountain biker and wanted something that looked classy, but remained practical, so no carpeting of the frame and the plastic covers work really well.
We also just finished a huge build for another T6, but the photos for that one will have to wait. That one has had:
Power fold mirror retrofit
Fog light retrofit
V3 headlights
Full gloss black front end
Lower front splitter
SoLow NSL Coil Overs
Momo Revenge Evo 20” alloys
Rear Bumper Protector
Alpine Speaker and Tweeter Upgrade
CarPlay activation for discover media
After market comfort dash glove box and trims
Twin front passenger seat folding bracket
3 stage sound deadening and insulation
Full carpet lining
6x LED Spot lights
Door seals and dash rubber
Interior bulbs upgrade to LED
Climair Wind Deflectors
Gloss Black Side Bars
Bulkhead Bracket and Jack bracket removal
The photos……..
T5 pop top:
T6 mountain bike van:
T6 finish looks great, do you have any more pics of the D pillars finished please?
Only really this one from behind with tailgate open.
They simply slide behind the rear quarter panels and tuck into the tailgate seal, with the threshold and floor also holding the lower ones in place. You could add some 3M double sided tape, but the fit is pretty good without it. They are in two pieces, upper and lower.
Here are the exterior shots of the van I mentioned yesterday and a recap of the work done to the outside.
Power fold mirror retrofit
Fog light retrofit
V3 headlights
Full gloss black front end
Lower front splitter
SoLow NSL Coil Overs
Momo Revenge Evo 20” alloys
Rear Bumper Protector
Gloss black round side bars
Power fold mirror retrofit
Fog light retrofit
V3 headlights
Full gloss black front end
Lower front splitter
SoLow NSL Coil Overs
Momo Revenge Evo 20” alloys
Rear Bumper Protector
Gloss black round side bars
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Do you use the travelin lite kit for the power fold mirrors or full oem? (Is there a difference?)
That van was using the travelin lite kit and yes there is a difference. The travelin lite kit will always fold with just one press of the lock button without any coding required and then unfold when you unlock the van. The travelin lite option is also cheaper.
Thats great thank you!
Here are the interior shots from the van posted last night and a recap of the work carried out:
Alpine Speaker and Tweeter Upgrade
CarPlay activation for discover media
After market comfort dash glove box and trims
Twin front passenger seat folding bracket
3 stage sound deadening and insulation
Full carpet lining
6x LED Spot lights
Door seals and dash rubber
Interior bulbs upgrade to LED
Bulkhead Bracket and Jack bracket removal
The rear load floor will be completed by the customer.
Alpine Speaker and Tweeter Upgrade
CarPlay activation for discover media
After market comfort dash glove box and trims
Twin front passenger seat folding bracket
3 stage sound deadening and insulation
Full carpet lining
6x LED Spot lights
Door seals and dash rubber
Interior bulbs upgrade to LED
Bulkhead Bracket and Jack bracket removal
The rear load floor will be completed by the customer.
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