Renault Trafic Sport-ish

[russ979]

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About a year ago I decided to replace my old Combo Van. My intention was to replace it with something that had 3 seats, it had to have air con (for those three days a year that we need it) and had to be capable of towing my car trailer should I need it.
I didn’t want to spend a fortune as it was just going to be a work horse. My obvious first choice was a phase 3 Trafic as it tied in nicely with my day job and I have full Renault diagnostics should I need it, plus I wanted the 2.0ltr engine (for potential towing) instead of the newest 1.6ltr units.
So after hunting around for quite a while I came across this one that was light cat N bolt on panel damaged and didn’t have the seat bolsters ripped and holed like so many I’d looked at, and I actually won it for a price that wasn’t knocking on the door of retail like most that I’d been trying to win - I know the commercial vehicle market is fierce, but oh boy it was an eye opener!

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This is as I collected it, a totally bog standard SL27 van.
It really took me by surprise when my son took a very keen interest and expressed that he would like to help repair it. This (other than the Subaru) has never happened before and as some of you know, he has right sided cerebral palsy (known as hemi) so he struggles with many practical jobs.
I throughly enjoyed spending time with him pulling it apart (sorry no photos taken of the rebuild as I didn’t think it would be going into a build thread) he talked about how cool it would be to build a day van and that sowed the seed and started another slippery slope

[russ979]

I will add what’s been done later

[russ979]

Weirdly not all the pictures have come out? But at least thanks to maff I have actually now been able to add some pictures.

[Ben]

Like it a lot chap, great job so far. For Interest can it tow upto 2.5 tons?, I am trying to come up with a solution for towing my truck. Now get the pics up of the interior

[russ979]

So while the van was stripped down, I decided that a full service was needed. Also knowing that the gearboxes are a known weak link with a strong case that low oil levels are factor in their early deaths, I did a gear oil change as well, along with a brand new rad pack, front drop links and suspension strut top mounts (also a known weak point)
Pretty much all the body parts were sourced from CIT-REN - thank you Kyle and Gary
I bought two front wings, two headlights, bonnet, front panel and all the genuine sport colour coded body panels including the front bumper and all in silver so no painting- result!
The wheels are genuine sport ones that I refurbished in graphite grey.

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One of the best jobs I did was lining the entire van including all doors with dodo mat sound deadening. Anyone who’s been in a van with the bulk head removed will know what a booming, noisy things they normally are - not mine now. I’ve had comments that there must be voodoo as a van shouldn’t be that quite!
We also set about building some storage boxes with hinged top and fitting some 6x9’s in the rear. We then cut out the holes for the side and rear windows and bonded them in. We then carpeted all the rear including the roof lining in four way stretch carpet, although I’ve still go the rear doors to do.

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[russ979]

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[russ979]

Like it a lot chap, great job so far. For Interest can it tow upto 2.5 tons?, I am trying to come up with a solution for towing my truck. Now get the pics up of the interior

Thanks mate, there’s lots done that’s not been added yet.
As for towing I’m not sure if I’m honest. I think it’s only rated to 2 tonnes?

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The brown one on the right can tow 2.5 tonnes

[Ben]

Great job, you are so lucky you have the space - A van would be superb for shifting my gear about from show to show.

[maff]

Nice job. Perfect place to chill watching a race at Snetterton!

Glad you got the pictures working, I think there's a maximum of 5 pics per post.

[russ979]

Nice job. Perfect place to chill watching a race at Snetterton!

Glad you got the pictures working, I think there's a maximum of 5 pics per post.

Thank you guys, and yes maff you are quite right on both counts.
The van has taken us to a few tracks now, it’s great for sticking the camping chairs in the back for either have lunch in or keeping out the rain while still watching the track. I put a 12v socket in the back so we can plug our cool box in on days out as well.
You are also right on the picture limit too.
I will list what’s been done to the van so far here as doing it all from my phone is a pain and that’s where the pictures are.
So far it’s had the full sport colour coded kit added and sport wheels - although I do now want to fit some 18” wheels as they look too small.
A rear spoilers been fitted along with chrome side steps and wing mirror covers.
Side and rear windows fitted.
Lowering springs fitted (I can’t remember if they are -35 or 40mm?)
A Kenwood double din dvd/Bluetooth/apple CarPlay head unit fitted with stealth 6x9’s in the rear. I will fit a sub and amp and uprate the front speakers.
A scorpion cat 1 alarm has also been fitted.
Fully sound deadened and carpeted with extra rear lighting and power outlet. I do want to make a drop down table too.
A knackered sport drivers seat was sourced with obligatory broken arm rest. This was fixed by welding a long M8 bolt to the frame to act as a stop.
Full leather one off custom re-trim (the pictures make the red much brighter than it is) mostly cut out by myself but expertly stitched by my good buddy lee at Enigma interiors. I would give his business a plug here but I know he’s stacked out with waiting lists running off for months.
One of my favourite and cheapest mods was the steering wheel. It was a stitch on trafic specific perforated real leather cover that did take me couple of hours to do with it sat on my lap one night but for less than £20 delivered, it has transformed the way it feels. Not to mention looking so much better than the crap, worn standard plastic one.