Project Arian

[spooks007]

Finally after 4 years of wanting and viewing in April this year I finally decided to pull the trigger on T6.1. Arrangements were made on Sunday to view and finalise the deal on Monday. Out of the blue on Monday morning my wife was informed that she was made redundant and so with that I could see my dream disappear down the pan!

Come September she was lucky enough to find a new job and with that I was back in the game and searching the web for another van.

Having finally found a van that had the right miles and within budget I pulled a trigger and bought the following van a T6.1 startline with a business pack, with the intention of upgrading over the comming months.

There is an irony to this story as project arian in welsh means (silver & money).

Oh how these transporters can be a money pit. This hopefully will document the transformation of arian

 

[spooks007]

First thing on the agenda was to add some tinted glass to the sides and rear.

 

[spooks007]

Something had to be done to those standard wheels so after searching the forum, various good picture searches I decided to invest in a set of Riviera RF108 in gloss black and lower the van by 40mm.

Wheels were ceramic coated prior to installation which should assist in keeping them clean.

Also added some Leighton Vans roof bars to add the finishing touches. I'm still debating about side bars ???

 

[spooks007]

Now that I'm 90% done with the outside my attention was drawn to the interior.

With my wife and eldest being well over 6ft they found the front beach seat a bit of a struggle with leg room. Decided to hunt around for a new passenger front captain seat. Following an online scam on FB where I eventually got my cash back from Action fraud I made the journey up to T5 Stylize in Pershore where they had a like new seat. After agreeing a price they soon set about swapping the bench out for a single seat.

Fantastic service and a great bench come highly recommended

 

[iancellis]

is that neath abbey ruins i see in the back ground

 

[spooks007]

Next stop was a quick run down the M5 where I'd made an appointment to have an ovano switch XL installed. I wanted a flexible storage unit that also maximised the space available to me. Having read so many reviews and videos ovano was the only choice for me.

Yet again a great bunch of people with a very friendly customer service. It did not take them long to install and a quick demo of how to use and maintain and I was on my way home. Expensive day today (Hence arian!!)

 

[spooks007]

is that neath abbey ruins i see in the back ground

Yes it is. You local to the area

 

[iancellis]

Tonna , pass it at least twice a day going work and home, yes money pit mines an ex rac and you cant miss it i like the colour.

 

[spooks007]

Ah Tonna my eldest plays rugby up there. 100% they a money pit and having no patience doesn't help neither

 

[iancellis]

after all the mechanics timing belt, aux belt, dmf better safe than sorry, mines all interior work at moment to get the family and dogs done to Cornwall last July, i now need to do suspension / bushes wheel bearing to make it quieter and comfortable.

 

[spooks007]

There a few things still getting done on the van as we speak as you say they are just a money pitb

 

[iancellis]

i'm very close Tonna Rugby club, my son played for the juniors team about 20 years ago when he was six no interest now he's like me cars and bikes now, if i see you about i will give you a wave, i will look for the side stripes, if you see an orange van with a lump driving with a hi viz fleece that will be me, as i said can't miss it lol

 

[JumpShip]

Whats next Spooks ?
Yeah you can soon spend some dough but look at it as an investment.
We've had ours about 10 years and it still makes me smile

 

[spooks007]

@JumpShip

Some minor upgrades to the van soon followed !!

They included new led side indicators and also some new door seals for the front of the van all of which came from Transporter HQ.

Driver side door does need bit more of slam to shut after adding the seals but I think they slowly loosening up. Was given advice to pin p***k the seal to help with air flow!! Might have worked

 

[stu3467]

Now that I'm 90% done with the outside my attention was drawn to the interior.

With my wife and eldest being well over 6ft they found the front beach seat a bit of a struggle with leg room. Decided to hunt around for a new passenger front captain seat. Following an online scam on FB where I eventually got my cash back from Action fraud I made the journey up to T5 Stylize in Pershore where they had a like new seat. After agreeing a price they soon set about swapping the bench out for a single seat.

Fantastic service and a great bench come highly recommended

View attachment 262892

View attachment 262893

Glad it all went well with the seat

 

[spooks007]

Glad it all went well with the seat

Yeah tha is for the advice Stu. I'd recommend them all day long

 

[spooks007]

Dropped the van off over the weekend to add some new THQ audi style lights and an LV splitter. Decided to break up some of the gloss black grills as well.

Before




After

 

[spooks007]

Final piece of the jigsaw for now!!

Decided to head up to Worcester to see West Midlands camper conversions yesterday to get the van sound deadening, thermal insulation and the fleece insulation. They did offer to travel down and fit at the home address but I thought a day out in Worcester would be in order.

After a few emails and telephone conversation and a few design changes on the spec a price was agreed and a date set.

Arrived on site at 8.30am dropped the van off and given a lift into town for the day.

I must say the service and communication from them was epic and 8hrs later van was done.



If anybody you are looking to a fantastic service by a genuine family run business then I can't recommend these guys enough