Restoration Blog

DIY guides, parts reviews, and real stories from the workshop

Browse by Category

Fridge
Van Life & Camping May 2026

Camping Fridge Battery Calculator: How Long Will Your Leisure Battery Last?

Interactive calculator plus real-world runtime figures for lead-acid and lithium batteries. Includes verified wattage specs for the EcoFlow GLACIER, EUHOMY, and Dometic CFX3.

Read more →
Fuel
Engine March 2026

Fitting an Electric Fuel Pump to a VW Bay Window: Facet Pump & Malpassi Regulator

Why I ditched the mechanical pump for a Facet electric unit — more reliability for family camping trips, and how to set the Malpassi regulator correctly.

Read more →
Solar
Electrics February 2026

Adding Solar Power to Your Camper Van Setup

How I added an Eco-Worthy solar panel to Jenny — a simple, portable setup that keeps the leisure battery topped up off-grid.

Read more →
Battery
Electrics February 2026

Setting Up the Leisure Battery Including Split Relay

How I installed a leisure battery, split relay, 12v panel, and circuit breaker in my VW T2 — a beginner's guide to campervan electrics.

Read more →
Family
Van Life February 2026

Family Campervan Trips: Making It Work with Kids

Everything we've learned about taking young children on VW campervan adventures — sleeping arrangements, entertainment, safety, and the honest version.

Read more →
Winter
Van Life February 2026

Winter Van Life in a VW T2: Staying Warm When It's Freezing Outside

How we use Jenny through the colder months — insulation, heating, gear, and why winter trips are actually some of the best.

Read more →
Tools
Essential Kit February 2026

Essential Tools & Spares for a VW T2 Bay Window

The toolkit that lives in Jenny permanently — and the spares that have saved us from a roadside call-out more than once.

Read more →
Cooking
Van Life February 2026

Cooking in a VW Campervan: Our Favourite Gear & Recipes

Everything we've learned about cooking proper meals in Jenny — from gas setups to the kit that actually works.

Read more →
Camping
Van Life February 2026

Camping in a VW Campervan: How to Make a Tiny Space Actually Work

Everything we've learned about eating, sleeping, and staying warm in a 50-year-old van — and the gear that makes it possible.

Read more →
Heating
DIY Guide February 2026

Fitting a Chinese Diesel Heater to a VW T2 Campervan: Full Guide

Step-by-step guide to installing a Chinese diesel heater in a VW T2 Bay Window. Which size to choose, where to mount it, and what I'd do differently.

Read more →
Breakdown Kit
Essential Kit February 2026

The Essential Breakdown Kit for Your Classic VW Campervan

My essential VW campervan breakdown kit built from 8+ years of roadside fixes  from fan belts to fuses, plus the breakdown cover that gives you peace of mind.

Read more →
Engine Rebuild
Engine January 2025

How to Rebuild a 1600cc VW Engine: Step-by-Step Guide

How I pulled and rebuilt Jenny's 1600cc Type 1 engine. Full parts list, torque specs, cost breakdown (£1,250 total), and the mistakes that cost me time and money.

Read more →
Timeline
Restoration June 2026

VW Bay Window Restoration Timeline: How Long Does It Really Take?

Phase-by-phase breakdown of a full VW T2 restoration — realistic timelines, honest costs, and whether to DIY or outsource. Based on my own 2-year journey with Jenny.

Read more →
Weber Carb
Performance January 2026

Weber Progressive 32/36 DGEV: Installation Guide for VW Bay Window

Step-by-step Weber 32/36 DGEV carburetor installation on a VW Bay Window 1600cc engine. Jetting, tuning tips, and the real-world difference it makes.

Read more →
Suspension
Suspension January 2025

Bilstein Shocks on a VW Bay Window: Are They Worth the Money?

I upgraded to Bilstein shocks after the anti-roll bar snapped. Here's what they cost, how they fit, and the difference they actually make to the ride.

Read more →
Exhaust
Performance February 2026

Vintage Speed Exhaust on a VW Bay Window: Is It Worth £600?

My old exhaust was noisy, badly fitted, and frankly dangerous. Here's what the Vintage Speed sports exhaust costs, how it fits, and whether it's worth it.

Read more →
Engine
Engine February 2026

VW Push Rod Tube Seals: How to Fix Oil Leaks with Fast Fab Tubes

VW push rod tube seals leaking? I upgraded to Fast Fab spring-loaded tubes and fixed the leak for good — including the o-ring mistake to avoid.

Read more →
Maintenance
Maintenance February 2026

VW Bay Window Maintenance Schedule: The Complete Guide

The complete VW Bay Window maintenance schedule from someone who actually drives one. Valve clearances, oil changes, timing — what to do, when, and what it costs.

Read more →
Body Work
Restoration January 2025

How to Choose a VW Campervan Restoration Specialist

Two years and several false starts before I found the right VW restoration company. What to look for, what to avoid, and the questions to ask before handing over your van.

Read more →
Buying
Buyer's Guide January 2026

Buying a Classic VW Camper: What I Wish I'd Known

This is not a decision you should take lightly. Learn from my expensive mistakes. Essential books, red flags, and realistic costs.

Read more →
Interior
Interior Coming Soon

Interior Restoration: Upholstery & Flooring

Choosing upholstery, installing new flooring, and bringing the interior back to life. What worked and what I'd do differently.

Coming Soon
Buying Guide
Advice Coming Soon

Buying Your First Bay Window

What I wish I knew before buying Jenny. Rust spots to check, mechanical issues to look for, and realistic budget expectations.

Coming Soon
Tools
Tools Coming Soon

Essential Tools for VW Restoration

The tools that got me through the rebuild. What you absolutely need versus nice-to-haves, and where to spend your money.

Coming Soon
Learning
Resources Coming Soon

How I Learned to Rebuild an Engine

The YouTube channels, manuals, and forums that taught me everything. Resources for learning VW mechanics from scratch.

Coming Soon

Never Miss an Update

Get new blog posts delivered straight to your inbox. Real restoration stories and practical advice, no spam.