New Van Day (new to me that is)

[indy4x]

Tried out the replacement radio unit in the Master

Plugs straight into the Renault loom



Powers on and works as expected, on this unit you can change the background colours and looks like orange is an option



And as a bonus, the external temp on the display panel to the left is now reading correctly



This was the extra bit for steering wheel controls, he had it in a Mondeo IIRC

 

[GRW]

Tried out the replacement radio unit in the Master

Plugs straight into the Renault loom

View attachment 425424

Powers on and works as expected, on this unit you can change the background colours and looks like orange is an option

View attachment 425426

And as a bonus, the external temp on the display panel to the left is now reading correctly

View attachment 425425

This was the extra bit for steering wheel controls, he had it in a Mondeo IIRC

View attachment 425427

I fought the OEM unit out of the dash tonight. I think it's dead. The 10A fuse that feeds the radio according to the panel (& also feeds the display alongside) is OK.... & the display lights up too (but only displays a single weak dash on the rhs of the screen - & no time display or temp display).
So it looks like both the display & the head unit are kaput.

(There are 3 connectors plus the aerial in the back of the head unit.... so I assume these are the ISO connectors, plus a smaller yellow one I'm guessing is for the remote steering controls??).

It looks like I need a new head unit for music.... & a replacement display unit for the temp/time?

 

[indy4x]

This is what the DIN ISO plugs look like, there's 2 and they may not be fully populated

 

[indy4x]

This just popped into my head, when we 1st had the van, I wasn't sure about 1 of the top ball joints, it has subsequently passed 3 MOT's so is ok

I spoke to a mate who used to be a Renault Master Tech and he kept shaking his head an muttering about them being a complete PITA to change!

 

[GRW]

This just popped into my head, when we 1st had the van, I wasn't sure about 1 of the top ball joints, it has subsequently passed 3 MOT's so is ok

I spoke to a mate who used to be a Renault Master Tech and he kept shaking his head an muttering about them being a complete PITA to change!

Yep, a mechanic mentioned the "weird" and convoluted front suspension, & that it was a PITA. Other than that,he rated the vans overall

 

[GRW]

This is what the DIN ISO plugs look like, there's 2 and they may not be fully populated

View attachment 425489

Yep, got ones that look like those, plus a smaller yellow multiplug

 

[GRW]

Yup.... the OEM Renault Head Unit is goosed.
I got the old JVC that came out of my old LDV & connected it (after testing to prove I had a permanent live and a switched live in the ISO multiplug), & I had sounds.

I had to get a 2-quid Halfords adapter for the aerial to convert to a male fitting, & I don't have the steering column controls (the old JVC doesn't have the facility), but the speakers are fine & it sounds plenty good enough for me!

(Ideally I'd have a touchscreen DAB with the steering controls and a reversing camera display, but that's a chunk of money that's better spent on other teams atm)

 

[Smallfry]

This just popped into my head, when we 1st had the van, I wasn't sure about 1 of the top ball joints, it has subsequently passed 3 MOT's so is ok

I spoke to a mate who used to be a Renault Master Tech and he kept shaking his head an muttering about them being a complete PITA to change!

They have an unconventional front suspension setup, but it works ! The balljoints are very difficult/impossible to change without the proper tools (expensive) DO NOT use hammers. They are splined and pressed into the arms, and you can only change them once. A replacement will have a notch cut into the flange to signify that it has been changed. The splines become a loose fit with replacement, but genuine Renault balljoints also have a circlip to retain them, in order to overcome this.

 

[GRW]

They have an unconventional front suspension setup, but it works ! The balljoints are very difficult/impossible to change without the proper tools (expensive) DO NOT use hammers. They are splined and pressed into the arms, and you can only change them once. A replacement will have a notch cut into the flange to signify that it has been changed. The splines become a loose fit with replacement, but genuine Renault balljoints also have a circlip to retain them, in order to overcome this.

Good to know! Thanks

Not too far from me is a good Renault Independent specialist (literally next door to a Renault Main Dealers) in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire.
If & when balljoint replacement time comes, I think I'd be tempted to speak to them about doing the job.

 

[premmington]

Good to know! Thanks

Not too far from me is a good Renault Independent specialist (literally next door to a Renault Main Dealers) in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire.
If & when balljoint replacement time comes, I think I'd be tempted to speak to them about doing the job.

You pleased with you van purchase mate?

 

[GRW]

You pleased with you van purchase mate?

So far, I'm cautiously optimistic.... but I wary for a while with any new-to-me vehicle on case it bites me on the bumper!
I like the van though yes. It's quiet, pretty refined, comfy, not bad on fuel, & runs nicely. I have a few niggles to work through, plus I've got to plod through my camper conversion steadily over time, but IMO it's nicer than any transit & better nick than most Sprinters etc

 

[premmington]

So far, I'm cautiously optimistic.... but I wary for a while with any new-to-me vehicle on case it bites me on the bumper!
I like the van though yes. It's quiet, pretty refined, comfy, not bad on fuel, & runs nicely. I have a few niggles to work through, plus I've got to plod through my camper conversion steadily over time, but IMO it's nicer than any transit & better nick than most Sprinters etc

I cannot see much advantage over a caravan and a lets say 2.0ltr estate car to pull it - when on the subject of motorhomes.

Camper conversions - look hard work to me!

 

[Blobber]

I dont think they are any worse or any better than the competition, its just getting the best you can for your hard earned, a few things we struggle on are brake load sensing valves as there are about 12 different versions some of which you cant get and throttle cables for the 2.5D which dont seem to be available anywhere on the planet

 

[GRW]

I cannot see much advantage over a caravan and a lets say 2.0ltr estate car to pull it - when on the subject of motorhomes.

Camper conversions - look hard work to me!

They are "hard work" initially. The advantage with how my old one & this "new one" is planned.... is of course cost (have you seen the stupid money those towable dog kennels are!!!) but also what/how I use it.
All but the newest mega-bucks "motorhomes" don't have garage/external storage space - which always irked me. After all would anyone buy a car without a boot? So if you do outside activities, you have to traipse and store wet & filthy clobber & equipment inside a limited living space - which is nuts. Also stuff like expensive and very desirable to scumbags mountain bikes - are hung off the back not very secure at all & in plain sight! Again - plain nuts.
A van facilitates being able to park up and have instant access to cooking and washing facilities instantly ( you don't need to get out of the van, let alone "set up"/pitch a caravan) and parking up and accessing remote places (mountain biking again) you'd not be able to do with a caravan also.
So my "camper" will have secure & out-of-sight garage/services area behind the rear doors. Above that will be a raised double-bed, with an insulated bulkhead (so when you have the rear doors open to access bikes & gas etc, your bed isn't affected by wind & weather, & you can use the garage face of the bed bulkhead to clip awning winder & other useful bits & bobs (diesel heater tank, water boiler etc).
Removed van bulkhead opens the cab to be part of the living space (swap out the double-passenger for a single captains chair, plus you get direct access from cab to habitat area). Galley just inside the side door with a loo cubicle between it and the bed/garage, with a sofa bed opposite the side door as the seating area, with perhaps a small wardrobe opposite the loo.
That's the general outline thinking atm (subject to measuring up and some head scratching). Garage might have a slide-out for the bikes (just easier to load/unload if they are drawn out from under the garage roof/bed frame & clear of the van sides). It's all about making a vehicle suit my specific wants/needs really - something easy to use and arranged to make it easy & comfortable to jump in on a Friday afternoon & clear off for the weekend in reasonable comfort & security with minimum hassle. Bearing in mind I'm rarely staying on a "proper" campsite (& if I do it's always a very basic camping field not a "Butlins with Caravans" (yuk) place) - I need to ability to just park up & be secure & self-sufficient in a Forestry car park or similar.... its hard (or mega expensive) to buy a vehicle that fits the bill.

 

[indy4x]

I cannot see much advantage over a caravan and a lets say 2.0ltr estate car to pull it - when on the subject of motorhomes.

Camper conversions - look hard work to me!

What @GRW said makes total sense

My missus nagged and nagged for a camper van, I always argued that a caravan makes more sense, at least it did for me

Originally, we bought an ex council disabled bus (Vauxhall Movano) and it never really got off the ground, partly because we couldn't agree on the layout inside and partly cos my heart wasn't in it (still wanted a caravan)

We ended up with the Master as it was cheapish, already converted and could probably sell it in a year or 2 for similar money once the novelty had worn off

The novelty didn't wear off for her, but I still hated the camper van idea.

After much discussion we took the plunge to just get stuck in, tidy up the bodywork and get it painted, fix all the camper van bodges made by the previous owner and make it what she wanted.

Once I'd sorted it, we ******** off to Scotland and I now love it, forget caravans, it's a camper for me.

I think what has helped me change my mind is all the bodges have been sorted and everything works as it should. There is still a list of things to do but I now have the motivation to get it done

 

[Smallfry]

Good to know! Thanks

Not too far from me is a good Renault Independent specialist (literally next door to a Renault Main Dealers) in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire.
If & when balljoint replacement time comes, I think I'd be tempted to speak to them about doing the job.

Don't be surprised if they reject the job though. A lot of independents will not do them, and give you a ridiculous quote, or long lead time.

 

[Smallfry]

I dont think they are any worse or any better than the competition, its just getting the best you can for your hard earned, a few things we struggle on are brake load sensing valves as there are about 12 different versions some of which you cant get and throttle cables for the 2.5D which dont seem to be available anywhere on the planet

Throttle cable ? These are fly by wire, and it should have ABS, which does not require a load sensing valve. The earlier pre facelift had a 2.8 clockwork engine, and that was the best engine in a van.

 

[GRW]

Throttle cable ? These are fly by wire, and it should have ABS, which does not require a load sensing valve. The earlier pre facelift had a 2.8 clockwork engine, and that was the best engine in a van.

I've heard the old 2.8 was a very reliable lump, but yes being an 08, it's got the 2.5cdti common rail with a potentiometer throttle & ABS.
The valuable info gained though says I don't gave a DMF Clutch (Yay!) and I am pretty sure that (I hope so, cos I avoided 09-on vans to avoid it) there's no DPF.

My "plan" was to find a van not-too-old, not Euro5+, decent mileage & condition.... in the search for reliability and sustainable mtce costs. I'm hoping this Master provides us with that

 

[Smallfry]

We have been to many overnight events in mine, and I would not convert mine to a camper, as it is more useful as a van. It has rails inside and I have a frame that fits, so the bed is 2/3rds way up, also made a unit with a stove on top plus some storage. Obviously no "facilities", but for what we use it for, they are always on site.
I see it as similar to Thunderbird 2.

 

[Smallfry]

I've heard the old 2.8 was a very reliable lump, but yes being an 08, it's got the 2.5cdti common rail with a potentiometer throttle & ABS.
The valuable info gained though says I don't gave a DMF Clutch (Yay!) and I am pretty sure that (I hope so, cos I avoided 09-on vans to avoid it) there's no DPF.

My "plan" was to find a van not-too-old, not Euro5+, decent mileage & condition.... in the search for reliability and sustainable mtce costs. I'm hoping this Master provides us with that

2.8 was very reliable, and you could load the van to max weight and a fully loaded trailer, and you wouldn't know it was there. Not as economical as the later Dci though.

Mine is 06 and Euro 3, so no EGR or DPF. It does have a pre and after cat though, I think you will have the same cat setup, ISTR that a DPF might have been optional at some point.
Not had any problems with mine, other than rectifying bodges by previous owners chosen garage.