Ep 2. Volkswagen Transporter T3 (2)

Using his mechanical skills and excellent negotiating tactics, Mike works to get his hands on a 1988 Volkswagen Transporter T3 van. This vehicle is a perfect candidate for a restoration project, but the seller is not exactly forthcoming about the issues with the van. As with most of the vehicles on Wheeler Dealers, Mike conducts a thorough inspection of the Transporter to discover that there are a lot of problems to fix before the van can hit the road.

One of the significant issues with the van is the lack of power when driving. Mike puts his mechanical knowledge to use and discovers that the vehicle has a lot of rust on the exhaust system, which is hindering performance. He decides to replace the entire system, which includes fitting a stainless-steel exhaust manifold. The new exhaust system makes a world of difference, and the van’s performance is immediately improved.

Mike then turns his attention to the van's bodywork, which is in dire need of attention. There are many dings, dents, and areas of rust which makes the van look quite shabby. But, Mike is confident that he can restore the van's bodywork to its former glory.

To start, he gets started on the rust by using a combination of wire brushes and grinder to remove any rust and corrosion areas from the metal panels. Once this is done, he then employs a metal filler to fill any gaps and smooth over the surface. The next step is to sand down the entire bodywork surface and re-spray it, so it looks and feels like new. With the van's bodywork thoroughly restored, Mike turns his attention to more mechanical issues that need fixing.

One of the biggest mechanical issues with the van is the outdated and poorly functioning braking system. Mike decides that this needs an upgrade, and he sets off to find new and more modern brakes to install. He finds a brake kit that fits the van perfectly and installs it, ensuring that the van has a safety mechanism it needs to operate effectively on the road.

Mike then moves on to addressing minor issues with the van, such as upgrading the lighting system, replacing the wheel bearings, and cleaning the engine. Each of these components is essential in ensuring the van is fit for the road and working to its optimal level.

At this point, Mike is almost done with the restoration, but there is still one thing he knows he needs to do to make the van perfect – add a pop-up roof. The standard roof on the Volkswagen Transporter T3 is quite low, and Mike knows that adding a pop-up roof will make it more spacious, functional, and enjoyable to use. After sourcing a roof, it is fitted to the van, bringing the restoration project to an end.

With the restoration now complete, Mike calls in Edd to have a look at the van and offer his expert opinion. Edd is impressed with the impressive work Mike has done on the Transporter T3 and decides to take the van for a test drive. Edd is immediately impressed with how well the van runs, drives, and stops.

Overall, this episode of Wheeler Dealers was centered on Mike's restoration of a 1988 Volkswagen Transporter T3 van. He encountered many problems, including poor performance, rusted-out bodywork, outdated brakes, and issues with the lighting system. However, Mike employed his mechanical skills and expertise to fix everything and return the Transporter T3 to its former glory.