Just brought our first Cali

[jaydisc]

Sure. Obviously there’s this club on FB: https://m.facebook.com/groups/808958519266708/

And the Aussie one: https://m.facebook.com/groups/170627466747670/ (way less traffic obviously)

There’s one more global (UK?) one here: https://m.facebook.com/groups/vwcaliforniaownersclub/

 

[jaydisc]

I think it’s quite possible the kerfuffle with the bellows might have led to the second issue (sag/pump), but no way to know for sure.

 

[Polobear1959]

That looks amazing, love the colour.

Glad to hear you haven't had any issues with the Beach.

Any modifications done or is that stock from factory? Where did you pick up those thermal window shields from - they look awesome do they do a great job of reflecting the heat?

Thanks… the colour is Ascot Grey…. we do like it & it’s great in the Aussie outback or beach ( coastal) environments.. fits in well without being too “ in your face”!
The magnetic thermal blinds are really good quality, well worth the investment from Kombi life. They definitely help keep the interior temperature stable both in cold weather & under harsh direct sun.
Next trip in November down to Tasmania… looking forward to that

 

[Polobear1959]

Thanks… the colour is Ascot Grey…. we do like it & it’s great in the Aussie outback or beach ( coastal) environments.. fits in well without being too “ in your face”!
The magnetic thermal blinds are really good quality, well worth the investment from Kombi life. They definitely help keep the interior temperature stable both in cold weather & under harsh direct sun.
Next trip in November down to Tasmania… looking forward to that

Sorry, should have added that we haven’t modified the van itself, came as 4 motion, power doors both side, power roof, digital pro instrumentation, although have added the excellent VanEssa kitchen, window bags magnetic mossie nets for side & back doors & side ventilation window ( detachable each morning).
I am thinking of adding the Seikel lift suspension, underbody protection & more all terrain tyres to gain an extra 35-40 mm clearance … cost is a factor though.

 

[veedubz4life001]

Agree the colour is very subtle yet special at the same time.

We have a few trips planned in the North of WA over the next few months. We haven't been here that long, although long enough, so plan to see how the Cali handles WA. I have been anxious since moving, about how the van will handle getting to some special locations…previously posted on here asking for anyones experience, and recently realised life is too short to worry about if n buts and to just try it for myself. We have two young children and im not really n off roader but hope the van can get us to some special places… lets see how we go.

Yeh as you i have explored the seikel kit but the bank is empty after purchasing the van and i would like to slowly ease into unsealed roads don't trust myself just yet. But i think the order in which i would like to updates is as follows
- Suspension - not quite to liking the koni specials have had alot of praise on here.
- Rims/tyres - pirelli scorpions have reviews of least noise, strong enough side wall for sand.
- Under body (although i hope to do both rim n underbody together)

Again this is all on reading if anyone here in aus can add from experience this would be a bonus.

But for now we are just enjoying finally owning a Cali!!!

Thanks i’ll put those thermal blinds on my wishlist.

 

[veedubz4life001]

Agree the colour is very subtle yet special at the same time.

We have a few trips planned in the North of WA over the next few months. We haven't been here that long, although long enough, so plan to see how the Cali handles WA. I have been anxious since moving, about how the van will handle getting to some special locations…previously posted on here asking for anyones experience, and recently realised life is too short to worry about if n buts and to just try it for myself. We have two young children and im not really n off roader but hope the van can get us to some special places… lets see how we go.

Yeh as you i have explored the seikel kit but the bank is empty after purchasing the van and i would like to slowly ease into unsealed roads don't trust myself just yet. But i think the order in which i would like to updates is as follows
- Suspension - not quite to liking the koni specials have had alot of praise on here.
- Rims/tyres - pirelli scorpions have reviews of least noise, strong enough side wall for sand.
- Under body (although i hope to do both rim n underbody together)

Again this is all on reading if anyone here in aus can add from experience this would be a bonus.

But for now we are just enjoying finally owning a Cali!!!

Thanks i’ll put those thermal blinds on my wishlist.

Cant seem to edit my message ie suspension i meant the current oem ones dont meet my needs an a “lil whaley” for my licking.

 

[Polobear1959]

Cant seem to edit my message ie suspension i meant the current oem ones dont meet my needs an a “lil whaley” for my licking.

Ive found the standard suspension & Bridgestone Duravis tyres provide a much better ride than I had anticipated before buying the car. Far better than the Toyota & Mercedes vans we had hired before buying this T6.1. Body roll isn’t excessive and the steering is very precise, haven’t noticed any under or over steer , and handles undulations & uneven surfaces well. Have done many kms on unsealed roads with no problem, handles those very well particularly if you drive to the conditions I.e. keep the speed down.
Only criticism is it doesn’t like potholes ( shakes things up a little …. one develops more of an avoidance strategy when driving ), and the clearance isn’t that great 230-50mms? This has allowed us to explore many more remote areas, however wouldn’t take it yet where full on 4x4 is required .
Seikel lift kit may give one more confidence then….
You will be fine in North WA however will still need relevant research before heading down unknown road conditions.

View attachment IMG_1451.jpeg

 

[veedubz4life001]

Yeh agree the steering and drive is awesome and the 450 has plenty of power and the 4motion around corners imjust gives that extra assurance, however that could just be in my head. Although like you, its a case of avoiding pot holes and embracing expansion joints on roads.

Yeh driving on sand is the dream, never done it and but on my list of to-do’s - glad to see your doing it with stock tyres and no lift. My other half has been pushing me to take the leap, but again i don't trust myself.

I am a pure novice when it comes to aussie unsealed roads/ driving on sand. I’d love to go in a cali convoy or tag along with an off roader as back up!

Its funny, I had this perception I was the only Cali owner in the village (WA) but since owning one i have seen soo many. I know on the east-coast there much more common. Its funny we were in Albany recently and were approached by so many people surprised the Cali were sold here. Everyone here just seems to stick to the prado’s/patrol’s/hilux’s and i get why but they just lack the 5 star camping experience - unless you put a camper trailer on the end of one but that to me isnt very practical or enjoyable touring!!