EMMA 2014 Renault Kangoo Work Van EcoModding

[oldtamiyaphile]

How's this for an Ecomod?



A folding/ collapsible ladder means no drag inducing ladder on the roof (I used to be able to fit the 6 & 8 foot ladders inside the VW).

I'm also always on the lookout for light weight tools like these nifty shifting spanners:

https://www.kincrome.com.au/product/...adj-wrench-10~

It was about 150g lighter than the spanner it replaced It also means lugging around a less heavy tool box.

[oldtamiyaphile]

City traffic, a van and often a trailer means no mirror deletes for me. So why not add a mirror Kammback?

These are sold on e-Bay as rain visors. For $5 I got two pairs shipped (thinking about doing the top and bottom).



I was presently surprised that they make such a nice streamlined shape. As a bonus, the mirrors will stay dry in the rain. The mount with VHB tape, I haven't actually mounted them as I want to see how well they sit on my other cars.

[Joggernot]

I just searched for these on eBay and couldn't find anything for mirrors. Could you provide a link? I'd like to see these as the mirrors on the accord are very un aerodynamic.

[oldtamiyaphile]

2pcs Universal Rear View Side Mirror Rain Board Sun Visor Shade Shield for Car | eBay

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

I've always liked the idea of 'one car to do it all' (even if I currently own one for every occasion). A modified T3 (being rear engined like a Porsche) can be fast and fun on the track (replacing my Skyline), big enough for work (replacing the other vans), and still be relatively economical. It's not really practical to build a true on/off road vehicle so the Jeep stays as the off roader.

That would have some degree of compromise, because you know, vans usually don't have an outstanding stability to go fast on the track. Anyway, a rear-engined Volkswagen van actually has some reasonable off-road performance even in RWD-only, and that can be improved. And nothing would prevent you to either get a Syncro or converting a plain RWD van into 4WD

[oldtamiyaphile]

I know a Bus will never be as fast as a Porsche, but I'd be pretty happy with this sort of performance in my work van:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQI4z1TBGY4

A Syncro front diff + electric motor will always be the dream I could have silly amounts of total power and amazing economy.

[dirtydave]

can you park it next to another vehicle and take a picture? I want to really understand how little this van is.

smaller than the american mini vans or similar to the Honda fit?

[oldtamiyaphile]

It's very close in size to a SWB Jeep Wrangler JK:



Dimensions of Renault cars showing length, width and height



Dimensions of Jeep cars showing length, width and height

[dirtydave]

ah nice! i love the van buddy it looks so useful! love all the mods too

[oldtamiyaphile]

Spot the Ecomod:



Also fitted an upper grill block (pipe lagging) and Phillips DRL8's LED's. These are proper OEM quality units every bit as bright as the units you'll see on Mercedes etc. Not cheap but they can be taken from one vehicle to the next (they've actually been on all three of my vans to date!).



I bought some adhesive backed automotive 'D' profile rubber seal off eBay. Added it around the headlights:



And more importantly to the high gap at the top of the rear doors. Can't believe the factory left that open:



Fitted the rain visors to the mirrors. I'll need more time with them to decide if I like them:



Finally, here's my home built do it all trailer. The front part is set up as a workshop, the rear part is open for pick up duty. It was built in a hurry so little attention was paid to weight or aero. It's a bit heavy at 400kg empty, but has been working out really well. The first 'full' towing tank came out to 8.0l/100km (two trips were made without). That's still 20% over EPA in all city use. When I have some time to spare I'll be modding it as well, so I've started a separate fuel log for trailer tanks.