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!!

 

[Polobear1959]

View attachment IMG_1451.jpeg

 

[The big K]

Enjoying hearing about other Cali drivers in Oz! We bought ours new 13 months ago in Qld… the first people we showed it to promptly went out and bought one the next day (it eclipsed their plans to fit out a motorhome)! We have the single turbo with 4 motion option and have done 28,000 km so far. Factory options included adaptive suspension, electric side doors/pop top, upgraded digital dash, pull out Vanessa kitchen/bed, timber look floors. Spent a lot at kombilife including thermal window blinds, insect screens, and hanging steps for getting up to the top bed. Also added a Nord board ( that fits in the gap in front of the top bed), two foldable e-bikes (that sit above the Vanessa kitchen, nudieboss 2.0 shower toilet tent (off the left hand side rail), Starlink (on the roof), and a pod. We love the whole experience and are constantly optimising and adding to it! AusCaliOwners unite!!!!

 

[WelshGas]

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!!

Have you considered an Off- Road driving course? I'm sure there must be something like that Down Under to give you some experience and confidence.

 

[jaydisc]

Enjoying hearing about other Cali drivers in Oz! We bought ours new 13 months ago in Qld… the first people we showed it to promptly went out and bought one the next day (it eclipsed their plans to fit out a motorhome)! We have the single turbo with 4 motion option and have done 28,000 km so far. Factory options included adaptive suspension, electric side doors/pop top, upgraded digital dash, pull out Vanessa kitchen/bed, timber look floors. Spent a lot at kombilife including thermal window blinds, insect screens, and hanging steps for getting up to the top bed. Also added a Nord board ( that fits in the gap in front of the top bed), two foldable e-bikes (that sit above the Vanessa kitchen, nudieboss 2.0 shower toilet tent (off the left hand side rail), Starlink (on the roof), and a pod. We love the whole experience and are constantly optimising and adding to it! AusCaliOwners unite!!!!

Awesome. What's a pod? Are you saying your bikes fit inside? What make/model? Got any pics of it packed?

Also, how did you mount the Nudie Boss? I was looking the similar Joolca, but it seems to want a roof rack.

 

[veedubz4life001]

Have you considered an Off- Road driving course? I'm sure there must be something like that Down Under to give you some experience and confidence.

Yeh i know there are a few course on the east coast specifically for the t6/t6.1’s - seen some video’s on youtube. Although not looked into it further here, mainly due to the ride height and no under body protection.

 

[veedubz4life001]

Enjoying hearing about other Cali drivers in Oz! We bought ours new 13 months ago in Qld… the first people we showed it to promptly went out and bought one the next day (it eclipsed their plans to fit out a motorhome)! We have the single turbo with 4 motion option and have done 28,000 km so far. Factory options included adaptive suspension, electric side doors/pop top, upgraded digital dash, pull out Vanessa kitchen/bed, timber look floors. Spent a lot at kombilife including thermal window blinds, insect screens, and hanging steps for getting up to the top bed. Also added a Nord board ( that fits in the gap in front of the top bed), two foldable e-bikes (that sit above the Vanessa kitchen, nudieboss 2.0 shower toilet tent (off the left hand side rail), Starlink (on the roof), and a pod. We love the whole experience and are constantly optimising and adding to it! AusCaliOwners unite!!!!

Agree nice to see more Aussie Cali owners!

Your set up sounds amazing, i have also used Kombilife and would say their after care support is impressive and they supported me with the whole leisure battery and diesel heater situation. For us the upgraded leisure battery was a must, having two power hungry children, potentially more static camping trips and future proof of appliances moving to electric. It basically takes the capacity to two agm batteries.

Im keen to here how you fixed the starlink to the roof! And what you use it for

 

[The big K]

Awesome. What's a pod? Are you saying your bikes fit inside? What make/model? Got any pics of it packed?

Also, how did you mount the Nudie Boss? I was looking the similar Joolca, but it seems to want a roof rack.

I will post some photos of the Thule pod (which is attached to a low profile roof rack on the roof and within which L we store an inflatable kayak), the two folding e-bikes (which are stored above the Riva kitchen), and the nudie boss toilet tent (which is attached to the left hand side rail with 4 coach bolts) when we’re on our next road trip.

 

[The big K]

Agree nice to see more Aussie Cali owners!

Your set up sounds amazing, i have also used Kombilife and would say their after care support is impressive and they supported me with the whole leisure battery and diesel heater situation. For us the upgraded leisure battery was a must, having two power hungry children, potentially more static camping trips and future proof of appliances moving to electric. It basically takes the capacity to two agm batteries.

Im keen to hear how you fixed the starlink to the roof! And what you use it for

Our Starlink is attached to the rail on the pop top roof using the Starlink OEM mount. It’s angled forward when driving and back when the pop top is popped. We use the Starlink for NBN speed internet but more importantly for mobile phone and text connectivity as we drive around anywhere in Oz. Game changer is that mobile phone works even when there is not 4G or 5G signal at all. Also turns out aligning the mini is not important… it just works anyway! I work part time now and Starlink means I can pull out the laptop anywhere, have a Teams meeting, do a couple of emails etc wherever we happen to be. Otherwise I’d be staying home to work or having to schedule stops in places with decent mobile coverage. Will post some photos of our set up on our next trip…

 

[The big K]

Our Starlink is attached to the rail on the pop top roof using the Starlink OEM mount. It’s angled forward when driving and back when the pop top is popped. We use the Starlink for NBN speed internet but more importantly for mobile phone and text connectivity as we drive around anywhere in Oz. Game changer is that mobile phone works even when there is not 4G or 5G signal at all. Also turns out aligning the mini is not important… it just works anyway! I work part time now and Starlink means I can pull out the laptop anywhere, have a Teams meeting, do a couple of emails etc wherever we happen to be. Otherwise I’d be staying home to work or having to schedule stops in places with decent mobile coverage. Will post some photos of our set up on our next trip…

Started our trip today… we expect to travel 2,700km from the south of our state to the north and back again over eight days. Will take a series of photos of our setup the first night we have a clear sky (a bit drizzly tonight!). Currently in Tuan (next to the coral sea).

 

[The big K]

Almost completed our road trip and thought I’d post some photos of our set up as promised earlier in this thread. Shows all of the bits and bobs on our van, except the two folding bikes which are stored on the shelf above the kitchen in the rear (under the blanket in the photos). These photos are taken of us in off grid mode…. With just cows and kangaroos and emus for company.

 

[jaydisc]

Looks awesome. Presuming you’ve replaced the multiflex board with something that works with those drawers?

I’d still love to see the bikes when/if you get a chance as well as the bolts on the Nudie in the rail. Thanks.