Self converted T5.1 to a California Ocean

[amwesty1970]

Hi folks,
just thought I would introduce myself to the group. I started off in the T5 Forum group many moons ago when I bought my T5.1 in 2016 before the madness started and then proceeded to convert to a camper. Times move on and I always hankered after a California, nearly 10years to the day after buying the T5.1 I am now the proud owner of a California Ocean.

 

[Dave bee]

Welcome,

I had a bay window van, then a t5.1 I converted to beach spec, before moving up to a California. A converted van is a great option until you find what you’re after, beach or California

 

[Up10]

Welcome,

I had a bay window van, then a t5.1 I converted to beach spec, before moving up to a California. A converted van is a great option until you find what you’re after, beach or California

Definitely!

 

[amwesty1970]

A bit of a strange one for me, had a larger rock n roll bed installed and never used the hob and sink, which took me an age to find, then made the decision to get the Ocean which I probably won’t use the hob and sink
I thought my days of emptying my pockets on “must-haves” for the T5 would be over with a complete unit that is the Ocean, oh how wrong am I.
1. Wood flooring in the back looks lovely, let’s cover it with a brandrup carpet.
2. Art Velours seats look great, let’s cover them with waterproof seat covers.
3. The silver alloys look pristine, lets changes them for Black 18” SuperMetal alloys with Michelin CrossClimate2 boots.
4. Look at all the cupboard space, lets buy multiple boxes to cram them full of “stuff”.

Just had a stage 1 polish and ceramic coating, makes the pearl black stand out even more

 

[Dave bee]

The fridge, all the cupboards and the seat draw make all the difference to me, the cooler and sink i could still do without, as I like to cook outside whenever possible. When we had out last van we met a couple with a converted van who used the sink to store tins of beans

 

[KevH]

Reading the title of the thread, I was intrigued to know how you had converted a T5 to a Cali Ocean. Silly me.

I followed a similar route; T2 Early Bay (Devon conversion at new), then a T6 conversion (Denby) , then 6.1 Cali. No regrets.

 

[amwesty1970]

Yeah, just read the title again and it does read that I have done some sort of magic

 

[amwesty1970]

The fridge, all the cupboards and the seat draw make all the difference to me, the cooler and sink i could still do without, as I like to cook outside whenever possible. When we had out last van we met a couple with a converted van who used the sink to store tins of beans

Yip, used our sink as additional storage. I am not convinced I wont do the same with the Cali. We like cooking outside which just then lends itself to washing up outside

 

[hirsty]

welcome & well done - you don’t see all that many in black and it looks fantastic.

I came from a T5 converted builders van to a new T6 Beach & will have had it 10-years this month. decided to keep it now til it’s worth nothing (which of course justifies a midlife makeover!)

 

[amwesty1970]

welcome & well done - you don’t see all that many in black and it looks fantastic.

I came from a T5 converted builders van to a new T6 Beach & will have had it 10-years this month. decided to keep it now til it’s worth nothing (which of course justifies a midlife makeover!)

Thank you. Now that I have a black Ocean, I see a lot more

 

[Dyddi]

Went backwards with my 2012 T5 Beach. 'Converted' for month long trips to Greece. Took out the RIB folding bed, rear panel and floor mounted locker and built in lightweight fold up wide bed, storage pockets, porta potti housing and lots of EHU. Live outside with awning, VW chairs and table, and two loungers which go in the roof space as top mattress also removed. Mozzie netting fitted to side windows overnight, mini sink, small fridge freezer for 5pm essentials and a bespoke map holder, from black bed sheeting, which lies across the dashboard top.
So, much DIY enjoyment as well as a really comfortable bed each night. Now considering another conversion to multi use day/night van for the British climate with fan-heater and electric blanket.
Luxury on a shoestring...