My DIY self built camper - VW T5 Transporter vanlife conversion

A walkthrough tour of my DIY self-built VW T5 campervan project before it sadly gets sold!
You can find all of the companies mentioned in the walkthrough via:
The Appleyard: www.theappleyard.net
Austops: www.austops.co.uk
Captain Seat: www.captainseat.com
Luke Brabants (artist): www.lukebrabants.com
Northern Rose Campervan Conversions: www.northernrosecampervanconversions.co.uk
If you've found my channel helpful you can buy me a coffee via ko-fi.com/gdubtv
GEAR USED
Main Camera: Canon 6D mkii amzn.to/2OPLHwu
Tripod: Manfrotto 190 Go amzn.to/2KCjmX6
Microphone: Rode VideoMic Pro Plus amzn.to/2vvjGCv
Large GorillaPod: Joby 5K GorillaPod amzn.to/2vPjY6J
Small Gorillapod: Joby GorillaPod amzn.to/2yxQxZZ
Secondary Camera: Google Pixel 2 amzn.to/2N4xquS
Tertiary Camera: GoPro Hero 5 Black amzn.to/2nFXukq
Drone: amzn.to/2Bt2D9E
Small light: amzn.to/2OtZYxC
Editing Computer: Apple iMac 27” 2018
Editing Software: Final Cut Pro X
Experience more GDUBTV via linktr.ee/gdubtv
Please like, share, comment below, subscribe and most of all... enjoy the journey!
‘Neptune Beach’ soundtrack licensed from SoundStipe: app.soundstrip...

[@GDUBTV]

So the question is... pink, blue or white? Vote now!!

[@adlinsell]

White is classic but can't fault you for doing something different - definate head turner

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks ;)

[@GDUBTV]

Yeah, when I look at at in its original state I miss that van!

[@alandavies803]

Loved watching all your videos but the paint job not to my taste. White was the best colour for me.

[@GDUBTV]

@@alandavies803 Appreciate the feedback, thanks 👌🏼

[@garethmacdonald4715]

FFS !!!! Why didnt i find this video earlier....Just shook hands on having a guy convert our new T6 as i just didnt know where everything fit in....Brilliant video !!!

[@GDUBTV]

I’ve got a T6 conversion playlist, might be worth a watch! 👊🏼🚐

[@steptoe26a]

I love your style. I’m just getting into this hobby. I’m 53 but a young 53. I love the de bagging at the front. It really works. You have inspired me. I love the paint job. I love the wheels as they are.

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks for the great comment 👍🏼

[@OllyBaldwin1978]

Got to be the blue side, maybe??? What a pleasure to watch this Gordon! I’ve watched you from day 1, just so happened that I was doing bits and bobs with mine at the time. I still watch the old vlogs now! U really do deserve the 5000 subs! As for the being 40, I’m 41 in March!!! Ouch!! All the best mate, here’s to the next 5000! T6 project maybe?!?! Nice 1 Lad.

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks Oliver, love your comments mate - Life begins at 40!! 😎👌🏼

[@XXPC01]

Hey Gordon, nice to see something of you again. Please more videos this year ... :-) Maybe travel videos? Greetings from Rico Germany

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks Rico. Great to know I’ve got GDUBTV viewers outside of the UK! 😎👊🏻

[@CH-gh8yf]

Love what you've done to that van, especially the respray. I'm just in the early stage of converting VW T28.

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks 👊🏼😎

[@andrewwallis328]

Cracking job fella. You’ve inspired me to campervan my own T5 up 👍

[@GDUBTV]

Great!!

[@simonbettridge6820]

Nice work mate surprised I haven’t seen you around on the roads in the Medway towns. Onto the next project now subscribed and alerts at the ready 👍

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks bud! I'll make sure to do a Medway tour with the next van! 😎👊🏻

[@raychambers3646]

This might sound daft but I liked the grommets in the water tanks a good idea.

[@GDUBTV]

Glad to have had a good idea!! 🤣👊🏼😎

[@sierrasurvivaladventures]

Thats a serious paint job I might have to send you mine

[@GDUBTV]

Ace! 🤣

[@michaelrothon1058]

That was amazing Gordon. I want a van like yours. Truly amazing. Inspirational. I will be visiting the Appleyard.

[@GDUBTV]

Thank you 👊🏼😎

[@silverlinkz]

I've seen quite a few of the paint jobs from the guy that did yours and probably not something i would have done personally, but i do think yours is one of the best I've seen, not sure whether its the design or the colour scheme or a bit of both. Me personally prefer the blue side. I have a white T4 and wouldn't get another white van, just not exciting in my opinion. Look forward to future vids!

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks bud. I did think about wrapping it myself as an alternative to getting the spray done, but just seemed like a mission too far for me!

[@maz8869]

Tron meets Dark side of the moon! Love love love it!!

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks 😎👌🏼

[@SuperWolffie]

Nice job man...so much better than the most self built crap........outside is really special.....Top

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks pal 👊🏼😎

[@sashunter4352]

Great Van Blue Side for Me enjoy

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks... me too!

[@ayebee4703]

This van reminds me of 1990’s school picture backgrounds

[@GDUBTV]

I was a teenager in the 1990s 👊🏼😎

[@petervince1742]

NICE build, LOVE the paint job. Thanks for the vid., loved it - Peter V.

[@GDUBTV]

Thank you 😎👊🏻

[@SambosRoyals]

White for me Gordon, but you still produced a cracking van. Looking forward to the new project.

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks bud 👌🏼😎

[@SpyderLEE]

Nice video 👍. I’m proper jealous of those front seats 😂

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks mate. I'm proper jealous of your van!! ;)

[@PaulDovener]

I'm subscribed to both of you, and both of you have uploaded some great videos with great explanations and ideas. Just ordered my seats and bed from Captain Seats, can't wait to get them fitted because he's got an 8 week turnaround at the moment

[@SpyderLEE]

Paul D damm everyone has great seats except me. It sucks being poor 😞. I’ll stick to my crappy covers

[@PaulDovener]

@@SpyderLEE might be worth contacting George at Captain Seats - they do like for like factory replacements and might be cheaper than you imagine. Failing that I'd be willing to swap my seats for your MR2 if you're skint LOL

[@SpyderLEE]

Paul D lol cheers for the great offer 👍

[@H4RDCOR3eVoLuTiOn]

I just watched this video which is great..

[@GDUBTV]

I just read your comment... which is also great!! Thanks for the positive feedback 👊🏼😎

[@CM-1723]

I seen this Van on the vw t5 forum on Facebook , looks like the van on my lads school bag

[@GDUBTV]

Yep, I'm always posting in various forums, trying to get the views up!! lol 👊🏻😎

[@PaulDovener]

5.2k subcribers already, Gordon. It looks like the channel is gaining pace faster than the stats you mentioned in the Creative Covers video. You'd better sort out a new T5/6 base vehicle ASAP and get cracking on a new project to keep all the old subscribers busy ywith something to watch ;-) If, or when you do start a new project, do you think you would use the same company for the kitchen, bed and electrics etc? I'm assuming you'd stick with Captain Seats for the bed, but would you try something a little more challenging like the Evomotion flatpack system? You get a lot more layout choices with Evo and I guess will give you chance to make quite a few videos of the building and fitting process :-)

[@GDUBTV]

Too true!!

[@SunshineMix101]

A great looking van. There's clearly a lot of work gone in to making it look so good. 'Any convenient space for a TV to go?

[@GDUBTV]

I did think about mounting one with a bracket on the back of the drivers headrest, but I take my iPad and use that for watching films etc.

[@AdventureSparks]

Can you put a solar panel on top of the pop up roof and still use the pop up roof ?

[@GDUBTV]

Yes

[@AdventureSparks]

GDUBTV thank you ! I really wanna do this when I’m older but actually have the bed in the pop up roof so I can maximum the space in the van floor.

[@DubiousEngineering]

Just started a t6 conversion .... you’re an inspiration! Are you selling it to start another conversion?

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks bud. Yep, sold it a couple months ago. Hoping to start a T6 build in the autumn 👊🏼😎

[@alastairjones7359]

Great conversion.....paint jobs a shocker tho

[@GDUBTV]

Like marmite!

[@chrisjs72]

Hi Gordon awesome looking dub I respect good workmanship. I work for a large dealer for motorhome a and campers. Just one thing that made me cringe, is the electrical items next to the gas bottle!! Gas should be in its own sealed cupboard to reduce possibility of ignition. Something to think about for your next project. Really love how the van looks bro the trim in cab is brilliant! Please accept my advice not criticism 👍🏻

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks for the advice bud. Appreciate you taking the time to comment, very helpful 👌🏼😎

[@mishafrog8786]

My thoughts also , A battery next to a gas bottle also the gas pipe near the relay, butane / propane is a heavy gas so it sinks to the ground so common sence says a completly sealed box & vented to the floor outside. OK you have done it & got away with it for two years but the first claim on insurance after anykind of fire they will not pay out on claims, Theirs the old saying its not what you do but what you get away with , that works ok untill there s a problem. Nice build & a good looing van Sir !

[@GDUBTV]

Helpful comments, have been learning along the way. Noted for the next project! 👊🏼😎

[@richardbrabbs8283]

I've realy enjoyed watching this van take shape over the last couple of years top job Gordon your a legend

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks mate. Appreciate the positive feedback! 👊🏻😎

[@rhyssimms591]

Gordon, can I ask a question, when your about to settle in for the night? Do you lock the doors with the fob? And has the alarm ever gone off when your moving around in the inside?? Many thanks 👍🏼👍🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@GDUBTV]

Great question! We've only stayed on campsites or farms so havent really been too worried. I tend to manually push all the pins down to lock the two front doors, sliding side door and the rear barn door. That way if we need a late toilet run we can easily nip outside by pulling the handle without needing the keyfob!

[@neilreynolds1865]

Are you out of the band Madness ? 😊

[@dawnrobarts7749]

Love the inside colors and builds! Great work! Rear bed looks totally comfortable without taking up the whole back of the van with a mattress... What is the weight limit to sleep up in the pop top?

[@corobco]

You a the best 💖

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks :)

[@darrenmeears4667]

Lovely van didn't realise it had pop top realy low profile brilliant seats love it all 👍👌

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks bud 👌🏼😎

[@sdfhdalton8210]

Hi new sub to your channel .. the van looked great white .. but to be honest I’m loving the spray job on it now .. hope you don’t mind me asking .. the finished van .. what would it roughly sell for ? I’m looking for one but prices vary so much .. decided I want a finished one .. hopefully I will be travelling soon ?

[@GDUBTV]

I'm selling it to a mate for £14k but reckon it's worth around £15.5k/£16.5k. Hard to price many of them, they hold their prices and so many variables make it a bit of informed guesswork!

[@sdfhdalton8210]

G Dub Thank you for letting me know .. you have done a great job with the van .. will you be doing another one ?

[@GDUBTV]

Hopefully start a T6 in the autumn. Got a few things I need to get sorted first before I can allocate enough time to it.

[@djandi9029]

Nice bus 😊👍

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks 👊🏼😎

[@adamparker6541]

Mines a Luke Brabant job too!.. 👌

[@GDUBTV]

Luke is ace! 👊🏼😎

[@toyjunky1608]

amazing van.. why after all that effort did you put the hook-up inside the van ? great video btw

[@GDUBTV]

Was the best place for me, gotta go with what works best for you!!👊🏼😎

[@Angelaik1]

Hi, the sock you have for the plugs what is it called please

[@GDUBTV]

Sorry Angela, I’m not sure of what you’re asking?

[@donsison]

what is the name of the rood tent? aus tops? I cant tell from the accent, sorry. Nice Van, Great Job

[@GDUBTV]

Austops

[@deffojeffo]

Nice job - got some good ideas

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks 😎👌🏼

[@Pajunk320]

could you send me the link for roof top? please

[@GDUBTV]

austops.co.uk

[@jdhiker5576]

Love it

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks 🙌🏼

[@pb.eduardodasilva8792]

Good job

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks man 👊🏼😎

[@chrismcclure5969]

what happened to that lovely white van ?

[@GDUBTV]

Butchered it!! 🤣

[@johnnyenglish4277]

🔥

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks brother 👊🏼😎

[@colinvanful]

nice job there sir :)

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks 😎

[@bigbill74scots]

Minted mate👍

[@GDUBTV]

🙌🏼

[@joejones9960]

Blue

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks bud 👊🏻😎

[@VanlifeP.R.Camperos_SinRumbo]

Good job like

[@GDUBTV]

Great, thanks 👊🏼😎

[@XxGreedyMagiiCxX]

40? you barely look 30! Well done on the van

[@GDUBTV]

My wife looks after me well 🤣👊🏼😎

[@MrBlackbamboo]

nice van love both sides why! sell it

[@GDUBTV]

Needed a change 👊🏼😎

[@px2440]

Bravo

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks 👊🏻😎

[@sewandsurf4778]

Mad nice dude! If your into camper upholstery then you can check out my tutorial page, t5 seats soon! Great channel you have man

[@davidgausten752]

Sittingbourne ?

[@GDUBTV]

Yep 👊🏼😎

[@rhys7671]

You fitted electric windows, how old is that thing ?????

[@GDUBTV]

It was a flat basic 2005 LWB white panel van with black bumpers, electric windows were an upgrade then!! lol

[@raychambers3646]

T4 owner, what's electric windows? I've got windy things.!!

[@GDUBTV]

Old skool 👊🏼😎

[@raychambers3646]

At least you won't need to fit them to your new van ,one less vid.

[@GDUBTV]

Here's hoping! 🤣

[@sierrasurvivaladventures]

Why the hell would you sell that. I want it now lol

[@GDUBTV]

I know right! Just sat in a coffee shop with it parked by the window... wondering if I should keep it! lol 😎👊🏻🤣

[@sierrasurvivaladventures]

@@GDUBTV I have had my T4 in service for the past 3 months and I am dying to get it back. I did the interior myself and need to sort a leisure battery, but it's killed me not having it. if you get a minute please have a look at my reveal video, I would really appreciate any advice. I plan on driving to the uk in the summer so hopefully then I can make it better

[@michaelhodges2448]

So you shed you sold it how much

[@GDUBTV]

I traded it for some magic beans 🌱

[@merson812]

@@GDUBTV 😅

[@ohbbyilikeitrawr]

This is so fucken cool! 😎

[@GDUBTV]

Glad you approve!! 👊🏼😎

[@christoffersundin1815]

Lovely VW, nice build.. but a terrific color choice..!! Look like something from the -70's 🤢

[@GDUBTV]

It’s definitely one that people either love or hate!

[@InsanityisSanity]

you dont look a day over 30 bro

[@GDUBTV]

Thanks bud 👊🏼😎

[@votronimatic]

Should have kept it white,far more practical. Be unnoticed,unseen,you will learn

[@GDUBTV]

Had it like this for over a year. Quite like it standing out, never had any problems. Sold it now. Main lesson I think I learnt is to not worry what others think! Thanks for watching 👌🏼😎

[@antidotetp7813]

QUACK lol

[@Daveyengland]

Low mileage isn’t 70k....

[@GDUBTV]

It's on what was a 10 year old van when I bought it bud, maybe I should have said below average mileage!? 👌🏼