Mid life crisis Cali Swamper!

[Kidz147]

 

[deuteronomy78]

Very nice, I’m sure I passed this earlier or an identical one on the way to Grasmere earlier

 

[warny15]

For info I have 225/65/17,s i was a little concerned about the tyre clearance to rear bumper for 235 so i downsized to 225

 

[Badabu]

For info I have 225/65/17,s i was a little concerned about the tyre clearance to rear bumper for 235 so i downsized to 225

Thanks for the photos. 225/65/17 are also not listed as allowed on my homologation. I spoke to the office aproving changes and they said I would need a statement from VW that I can fit the sizes I would like. Did any of you guys deal with that or do you just mount the tyre you like and not bother with approvals?

No damage done I hope? I’m running 255/55/R18’s. I have a 30mm lift and they fit well with added bonus that the speedometer is spot on compared to GPS reading.

No damage luckily. The guy in the shop tried to seal the puncture but said there was so little rubber left that he can't guarantee a good seal. So he gave mu a replacement tyre instead, but now I need to pick new ones sooner than anticipated - the damage will be to limited to the wallet.

In other news, I just droped my van in the shop to replace suspension - I'm also getting a Bilstein Eibach Komfort 35mm lift this week.

Anyone has any experience with General Grabber AT3? I can get them on a deal, but saw some mixed reviews of snow performance, which is important to me. I'm starting to lean towards a more winter oriented tyre, such as Goodyear Vector 3 SUV but would hate to wear it down quickly on gravel.

 

[GT73]

Thanks for the photos. 225/65/17 are also not listed as allowed on my homologation. I spoke to the office aproving changes and they said I would need a statement from VW that I can fit the sizes I would like. Did any of you guys deal with that or do you just mount the tyre you like and not bother with approvals?


No damage luckily. The guy in the shop tried to seal the puncture but said there was so little rubber left that he can't guarantee a good seal. So he gave mu a replacement tyre instead, but now I need to pick new ones sooner than anticipated - the damage will be to limited to the wallet.

In other news, I just droped my van in the shop to replace suspension - I'm also getting a Bilstein Eibach Komfort 35mm lift this week.

Anyone has any experience with General Grabber AT3? I can get them on a deal, but saw some mixed reviews of snow performance, which is important to me. I'm starting to lean towards a more winter oriented tyre, such as Goodyear Vector 3 SUV but would hate to wear it down quickly on gravel.

I run Gen Grabber AT3 on my T5 4m, 235/55-18. Standard suspension.
Used them all year around, gravel / road / motorway are great.
muddy fields ok -
except (north Oxfordshire ) soft sticky mud where they struggled.
The only real downside to me is their performance on high speed + heavy rain, where breaking distance seems to almost double.

No experience in challenging snow conditions

Hope this helps

 

[soulstyledevon]

I run Gen Grabber AT3 on my T5 4m, 235/55-18. Standard suspension.
Used them all year around, gravel / road / motorway are great.
muddy fields ok -
except (north Oxfordshire ) soft sticky mud where they struggled.
The only real downside to me is their performance on high speed + heavy rain, where breaking distance seems to almost double.

No experience in challenging snow conditions

Hope this helps

AT tyres achilles heel.
Terrible stopping distances in wet conditions.
I’m surprised they’re so popular considering our weather…..

 

[Badabu]

I run Gen Grabber AT3 on my T5 4m, 235/55-18. Standard suspension.
Used them all year around, gravel / road / motorway are great.
muddy fields ok -
except (north Oxfordshire ) soft sticky mud where they struggled.
The only real downside to me is their performance on high speed + heavy rain, where breaking distance seems to almost double.

No experience in challenging snow conditions

Hope this helps

Great, thanks. I bit the bullet and got them. I tend to drive the van conservatively, so I guess I'll just hold back a bit more. I also had a talk with a couple of guys in the off-road scene and apparently it is a really popular tyre and people seem to like it.

 

[Kidz147]

Tyres seem a bit of a minefield to me, was looking at the General AT3s the other day but want to work out what alloys I’ll buy first and then move on to the tyres.

My van’s Fortana Red, toyed with the idea of black and sand and also gun metal grey but think I’ve settled on black, looks pretty nice in the pic at the bottom (think that one’s running Fuel Zephyrs with BFG KO2s and been raised a bit). Just need to pick between all these now, I like them all!

View attachment 117368

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Where did you getvyour wheel arch extension ? Do they fit t6.1 Cali Ocean

 

[FivetonesCali]

Arches are an OEM part but supposedly RGM manufacture them for Volkswagen.

For the Cali you need the right side door versions.

RGM WHEEL ARCH COVERS SWA262 - T6 SWB - Right Hand Sliding Door (Tailgate) - RGM Automotive

Part No: SWA262 RGM Styleline Wheel Arch Covers ✅ VOLKSWAGEN T6 SWB* Tailgate Doors 06.2015 Onwards *Short Wheel Base ⭐️ Fits Right Hand Sliding Door ⭐️ 10 Piece Kit

rgmautomotive.co.uk

 

[FivetonesCali]

T6.1 version:

RGM WHEEL ARCH COVERS SWA652 - T6.1 SWB - Tailgate (Right Sliding Door) - RGM Automotive

Part No: SWA652 RGM Styleline Wheel Arch Covers ✅ VOLKSWAGEN T6.1 SWB* Tailgate Door 06.2015 Onwards *Short Wheel Base ⭐️ Fits Right Hand Sliding Door Only ⭐️ 10 Piece Kit

rgmautomotive.co.uk

 

[Kidz147]

I mentioned the airline track bars and molle board set I have, well I cleaned the van today so here’s a picture if anyone is interested in how it looks and can function. I use the track hooks for hanging my rubbish bag and firewood when in camp. A drop down table also connects very easily to the molle boards.

View attachment 118244

Loving the look. Where did you get the side molle boards?

 

[wildslammer22]

Loving the look. Where did you get the side molle boards?

Thanks, I’ve since mounted some boxes to Molle to store recovery and dirty gear. The panels and mounting rails can be purchased from Gruenthal - they offer a good service for the UK. I think either Hess or Terranger do something similar but for a lot more money! The mounting rails simply slide into the awning rail and use strong magnets for the base. I’ve done a fair bit of soft roading and they haven’t budged at all, very good quality. There is a sale currently on both the boards and mounting rails.

Multifunktionales Befestigungsboard für Airlineschienen Inkl. VA Schrauben – Grünthal Mobilcamping

www.gruenthal-mobilcamping.de

 

[smurfo]

Hey swamper gang,

I have purchased the original bike carrier 7E0071104A and a nice rack with the spare tyre and canister modules from NDRack on sale. Now to match the color, I naturally want the bike carrier to be sand coated to RAL 9005 (jetblack) but for the love of god I can figure out how to disassemble the thing. I kind of assume i just have to use allen key or screwdriver to remove this plastic thingie, but I want to avoid damaging it - any ideas or ideally a link to a disassemble video?

 

[motoYAKA]

Hi

On mine I used a plastic trim removal tool to lever off - using a screwdriver risks damaging the plastic cover and the frame itself. There are plastic "prongs" on the plastic cover that fit into the allen-head bolts underneath.

I managed to re-use the covers on my rack to hide the extended allen bolts provided with my GMB_Mount.de carrier

Good luck, and show us the pictures of the completed carrier

 

[smurfo]

Hi

On mine I used a plastic trim removal tool to lever off - using a screwdriver risks damaging the plastic cover and the frame itself. There are plastic "prongs" on the plastic cover that fit into the allen-head bolts underneath.

I managed to re-use the covers on my rack to hide the extended allen bolts provided with my GMB_Mount.de carrier

Good luck, and show us the pictures of the completed carrier

Update - I finally got to it, I broke it and still have no clue what the mechanism is and how I should remove it without damage

 

[Bryan2411]

Managed to find some reasonably priced L Track rails.
Kindly imported by 4x4 Works who are agents for Oryx Solutions in Germany. Not yet showing on 4x4s website but Andy was really helpful when I got in touch. Really good quality tracks with bends to specifically fit T5/6. Needed to get a couple of the rail bolts to mount but fits like it was made for it!! The recovery boards are a lesser quality (Amazon) but if they get nicked I haven’t lost Maxtraxx Mini money. Hopefully they’ll have limited use as levelling ramps or muddy fields. But they add a little something to the look and save some boot space.


View attachment IMG_0072.jpeg

 

[smurfo]

Hey swampers,

if anyone is about to go through the powder coating of the original bike rack, i found this super helpful video with all the steps and tools required:

 

[Malc69]

Help me decide the best colour combo for a Pure Grey Swamper look. View attachment 117356

You could have both black & bronze. I went for these ‘black rhino’ wheels with michelin x climates

 

[smurfo]

Hello fellow swampers,
finally did the rack:
now some tailgate struts questions:I am not really a fan of drilling into the Cali and most of the 1500N options require exactly that so I am looking for some advice from those of you that do carry spare wheel and either peli box or a canister on your bike rack.
I found this option: https://busschmiede.de/?a=2678&lang=eng
No drilling required - basically replaces the original Cali gas struts (that are 1250 or 1270N if I am not mistaken) with a 1400N ones. Would this be enough (at least in summer/warm months)? Does any of you use this or has some other suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[wildslammer22]

I can’t help I’m afraid but I do know that with my ladder, a trash bag and some extra bits in the chair storage the standard Cali struts struggle in the winter. They are fine in Summer but I estimate I have an additional 10-15 kgs on the tailgate - you’re looking at 50-60kg plus? I would give Matt a call at t5 upgrades - he’s in Wales and specialises in swamper mods. I’m sure he will have lots of experience with what will work with your load.

PS your van is looking great!

T6 HEAVY DUTY GAS STRUT KIT TAILGATE

If you are fitting a spare wheel carrier or storage boxes to the tailgate of your T6 then you are going to need some heavy duty strut to keep it from crashing down on your noggin. Designed and manufacture by us here at UB HQ these stainless steel brackets have altered geometry to give the struts...

vwt5upgrades.com

 

[smurfo]

I can’t help I’m afraid but I do know that with my ladder, a trash bag and some extra bits in the chair storage the standard Cali struts struggle in the winter. They are fine in Summer but I estimate I have an additional 10-15 kgs on the tailgate - you’re looking at 50-60kg plus? I would give Matt a call at t5 upgrades - he’s in Wales and specialises in swamper mods. I’m sure he will have lots of experience with what will work with your load.

PS your van is looking great!

T6 HEAVY DUTY GAS STRUT KIT TAILGATE

If you are fitting a spare wheel carrier or storage boxes to the tailgate of your T6 then you are going to need some heavy duty strut to keep it from crashing down on your noggin. Designed and manufacture by us here at UB HQ these stainless steel brackets have altered geometry to give the struts...

vwt5upgrades.com

Thank you. Actually found the math behind and went with the 1500N set from extrem-vans.de along with the holding/brackets kit as the geometry changes. So at the end I will be doing the drilling, but I use the tailgate as roof for my ultralight shower tent, so I need it to hold.
so now just few adjustments and I will be able to finally share the before/after photoshoot
or if anyone wants to follow the changes as I go, my IG handle is @van.druj
Cheers!

 

[wildslammer22]

Thank you. Actually found the math behind and went with the 1500N set from extrem-vans.de along with the holding/brackets kit as the geometry changes. So at the end I will be doing the drilling, but I use the tailgate as roof for my ultralight shower tent, so I need it to hold.View attachment 147904
so now just few adjustments and I will be able to finally share the before/after photoshoot
or if anyone wants to follow the changes as I go, my IG handle is @van.druj
Cheers!

Followed!

 

[DeeRhod]

Liking all the mods.. just got mine and thinking what’s next! View attachment IMG_7083.jpeg

 

[Beaker]

Do you need new alloys for off road tyres or just for the look?
Thinking of off road tyres, but not sure as I only have front wheel drive. Depends if I can get the same size for R17 wheels.
My van keeps wearing the outside edges, but tracking is good according to VW.
Might be my 180kg wheelchair in the boot, half the time.
Matt black for a red van and the bronze looks different on grey.

 

[wildslammer22]

Do you need new alloys for off road tyres or just for the look?
Thinking of off road tyres, but not sure as I only have front wheel drive. Depends if I can get the same size for R17 wheels.
My van keeps wearing the outside edges, but tracking is good according to VW.
Might be my 180kg wheelchair in the boot, half the time.
Matt black for a red van and the bronze looks different on grey.

No you don’t as long as the wheels are load rated and of course the correct size for the tyre - there should be plenty of options for R17 rims. In fact for hard core off roading steel wheels are better. Most AT tyres have more tread than standard or van tyres so although they will last longer I’m not sure they will solve your uneven wear issue though.