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Mike and Elvis are going global. This time, the stakes are higher, the deadlines tighter and the motor transformations are more jaw-dropping than ever.
Mike and Elvis are going global. This time, the stakes are higher, the deadlines tighter and the motor transformations are more jaw-dropping than ever.
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MotorTranscript
00:00G'day. Hello, how are you?
00:04You're looking at two English guys looking to survive off-grid.
00:09Yeah, so we're going to survive out in the wild.
00:12Just the essentials, yeah, Mike?
00:14Yep.
00:15You know, snacks are important, and we'd be all right, wouldn't we, us guys?
00:18Oh, you'd be fine.
00:19There's nothing out there we need to be worried about.
00:21Spiders, snakes.
00:22Oh, there's snakes.
00:25So if it's a stick that wriggles, run.
00:27Yes.
00:30After wheeling and dealing our way across the UK, fixing up hundreds of cars,
00:35it's time for a new challenge.
00:37Look at you.
00:38You had a mullet.
00:39At least they had colour cameras when I did mine.
00:41Yours are still black and white.
00:42So we're setting off on a global adventure.
00:48To buy some of the world's most iconic cars.
00:51Listen to the sound!
00:53And with the help of local wheeler dealers.
00:56A Fari, a Quattroote.
00:57Yeah.
00:58Yeah.
00:59Yeah.
01:00Rescue these national treasures.
01:01I'll tell you what, brother, she's pretty tidy under here.
01:04And make a few euros, dollars.
01:06You got yourself a deal.
01:08Well done.
01:09And Lottie in the process.
01:10Oh, you've got a convertible!
01:11Look at that!
01:13This has been a boyhood dream.
01:15Oh!
01:16It's just unbelievable, isn't it?
01:31Can't believe I'm here.
01:32With my buddy, under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with that amazing city behind us.
01:37I mean, mate, I am so excited.
01:39I can barely contain myself.
01:40Look at it!
01:41Well, I think I've found a vehicle that everyone would want if you're going to turn up in the
01:45country like this and you want to get out there and explore.
01:48You're going to need certain things like a roof over your head, some big windows to look out of.
01:53Camper.
01:54It's a camper van.
01:55You're going to love this one.
01:56Amazing.
01:57Lead the way.
01:58Before we do, can we get another selfie?
01:59I think I'll have my eyes shut.
02:00Yes!
02:01Look at that!
02:02Nice one.
02:03Come on, then.
02:12G'day, Australia!
02:13Struth!
02:14It's hot out here!
02:16Are you trying to get us punched?
02:18I have lined up, I think, the perfect vehicle for us to go and see.
02:231972, bay window, VW.
02:26It's not a camper.
02:28This is a bus.
02:29A VW bus.
02:30It could be the perfect blank canvas for us to make the ultimate sort of go-anywhere
02:35camper van.
02:37Aussies.
02:38They love their V8s and utes, but when it comes to exploring this great vast nation,
02:43nothing beats a camper van.
02:45And there's none more iconic than a VW Type 2.
02:49With its roots in the 1950s, the VW camper, or Combi as it's known down here, is still
02:56the go-to choice if you want to get away from it all in style.
02:59Which is why prices are usually higher than the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
03:04But I might have just found us a Bonza Aussie bargain.
03:10It's a bit of a, well, a blank canvas because it's had some heavy lifting done.
03:14It's had some paint work and a bit of body work done to it.
03:17It's also had some work done to the engine.
03:19So it looks great in the pictures.
03:21And when I spoke to the owner, Greg, it sounds fantastic.
03:24How much is it?
03:25Well, he's asking anywhere between 35,000 and 37,000 Australian dollars.
03:31That's like 15, 16 grand UK money.
03:34That is ridiculously cheap.
03:36Is that not a red flag?
03:37Well, it could be a red flag.
03:38I mean, it could have been in an accident, could have rust on it.
03:41We won't know that until we're standing in front of it.
03:43Yeah.
03:44So we've got to make sure it's a reliable vehicle
03:46and one that can look after its occupants no matter where it ends up.
03:50And that's going to be the tricky part because we need to do all of that within a budget
03:54and still turn out a profit and a vehicle that you are proud of.
03:58Fingers crossed then, mate.
04:00Exciting.
04:04The current owner of the Type 2, Greg, has got it up for sale at a workshop at the edge of the city.
04:09All right, well, put your foot down then.
04:11We need to get there before it gets snapped up by some backpackers.
04:16Oh, mate.
04:17That looks incredible.
04:18Look at it.
04:19You must be Nick.
04:20Yes.
04:21Nick, how are you doing? I'm Mike.
04:22Hey, Nick. Elvis.
04:23Nice to meet you.
04:24Have you had a good look around it yourself?
04:25Yes.
04:26It's got a couple of little niggly things being an old car.
04:29Lovely.
04:30So there is room for improvement.
04:31Yes.
04:32Well, if you don't mind, mate, can me and Elvis just have a good look round it?
04:34Definitely.
04:35Thank you very much, Nick.
04:36No problem at all.
04:37First and foremost, mate, ball bars.
04:39These are not even legal, I don't think, in England anymore, are they?
04:42No, but they don't have kangaroos in England.
04:44No, that is very true.
04:49I absolutely love the colour.
04:50The seats are lovely, aren't they?
04:52Look at those seats.
04:53Look how straight it is down the side.
04:55Right, in the back.
04:58That is a two litre.
04:59That is, yeah.
05:00It's not the old little 1.6.
05:02No.
05:03Let's flip tower gate.
05:04You can already see, you know, room for improvement.
05:07You're right.
05:08It's nothing in there.
05:09It's a blank canvas, isn't it?
05:11It's not a long-range camper right now.
05:13No.
05:14I mean, it's just a bus.
05:15You ain't going to want to do any long journeys in this, are you?
05:17No.
05:18Well, let's have a look inside.
05:21Look at this.
05:22Look at that space.
05:23That is fantastic, innit?
05:24It's even got, you know, popped up, of course.
05:27Nice.
05:28See if it pops up.
05:29Let's have a look outside.
05:31Go on, Elvis, you can do it.
05:33Oh, yes, baby.
05:34Look at that.
05:35And it means that you have full capacity to stand up.
05:39I mean, it's amazing, isn't it?
05:40But right now, it is just an empty shell.
05:43You can't live in this.
05:52All right, let's have a look.
05:54Well, it's a bit damp.
05:56Yeah, a couple of things.
05:57I mean, look, the fuel pump looks like it's leaking.
05:59Oh, yeah.
06:00There's another one back there.
06:01Yeah, you don't see them like this in the UK, do you?
06:03No, they don't put salt on the roads down here,
06:05so you end up with a dry-looking chassis.
06:08Well, I suppose the only thing left for us to do is to drive it.
06:11Yeah, can't wait.
06:16Mate, I've got tray plates, which is good.
06:17That means we can drive it out on the roads.
06:19And I was thinking, why don't I just sit in the back and experience it?
06:21I'll show for you.
06:22Yeah, nice one.
06:25Right, ready, mate?
06:26Yep.
06:27There is method to my madness.
06:30While my driver does all the hard work up front,
06:33I can focus on how we transform this old bus into the ultimate camper.
06:40Do you know the one thing that you get from sitting in the back of one of these
06:43is the amount of room back here.
06:45You can see why they lend themselves to become a camper van.
06:48What's it feel like?
06:50Is the engine really pokey?
06:53One thing I've noticed is the gear change is very sloppy.
06:56I mean, I know they are, but twice now I've gone to try and get it into gear
07:00and not quite managed it.
07:02I can see it from back here.
07:04Yeah.
07:05I think you can find a gear.
07:06I'm just trying to find a gear.
07:07It's like fishing.
07:08You've got to fish for a gear.
07:09Go on, where is first in that box?
07:10Come and get it.
07:11Yeah, I got it.
07:12The other thing to think about as well is just how we equip the back of this vehicle
07:19to make sure that we get a long range camper that people can really explore Australia.
07:37They want different requirements out here surely than we want back in the UK or in Europe.
07:42You know, over there it's all going to be about having a heater and, you know, having a gas burner
07:47where you can cook something, where here it's more likely to be a barbecue.
07:51You'll cook outside, but you're going to want to carry a lot more water.
07:55Plus, it's unlikely that you're going to find anywhere you could hook into power.
07:59So you're going to want independent power like a solar panel.
08:02So it is a kind of different challenge for us to come up with a self-sufficient vehicle
08:07that can survive on its own.
08:09The biggest challenge is doing that within a budget where we've still got room for profit at the end of it.
08:13Yeah, it's going to be down to me to try and work some deals.
08:16So try and spend as little as we can to get the maximum we can out the back of this vehicle.
08:22It'd be an absolute thrill to own this.
08:24So let's get back, let's jump on a video call with Greg and let's see if we can put a deal together.
08:29Yeah, nice.
08:34Greg wants offers over 35,000 Australian dollars, a great price if you want a bus to take to the beach.
08:41But turning this empty shell into a camper could cost us a small fortune, so we need Mike to work his magic.
08:49Hey Greg, it's Mike and it's Elvis.
08:51Hey Greg.
08:52Good afternoon, gentlemen.
08:53How are you both?
08:54We're very, very well.
08:55How are you?
08:56Terrific.
08:57Okay, well listen, we've been out for a ride in the Type 2 and we've had a really good look round it.
09:03And we like what we see.
09:05It's a really good vehicle and we can see you've done some good work to it.
09:08I found that Kombi in a truck shed about 10 years ago and I rebuilt it from the ground up.
09:14Well, mate, you've done an amazing job to it.
09:16You really have.
09:17There's a couple of little things that need adjusting like the gear shifter and we'd very much like to buy it.
09:21I was wondering if you'd take $30,000 for it.
09:24Oh, Mike, look, I was hoping to get closer to $40,000.
09:28I know it needs a little bit of work, but let's keep talking.
09:34I've got six starving children to food.
09:38Very good.
09:39What would you take for it?
09:40What's the best you'll take for it?
09:42$35,000.
09:44Would you do $34,000 and we'll have a deal?
09:46$34,000 if you promise to love it forever.
09:49Well, I love it as long as I own it.
09:51How about that?
09:52Yeah, that's good.
09:53I'll get the money paid across.
09:55Thanks, Greg.
09:56And from me and Elvis, you got yourself a deal, so well done.
09:58Cheers, mate.
09:59$100 bills.
10:02I'll transfer it.
10:03See you later, Greg.
10:04Thanks, Greg.
10:05Cheers, buddy.
10:06Bye-bye.
10:09It's going to be a huge task to turn this old beach bus into a proper camper.
10:14Just as well, I got us some space at a garage that specialises in custom projects just like this.
10:23Oh, mate, look at all these cars.
10:25Welcome to our new home.
10:26It's great, isn't it?
10:27It looks amazing.
10:28Right, let's come meet the owner.
10:37That's amazing.
10:38Hi, guys.
10:39We're looking for Adam.
10:40Yeah, that's me.
10:41That's you.
10:42Adam, Mike Brewer.
10:43Nice to meet you.
10:44Hey, Adam.
10:45How are you?
10:46James.
10:47Nice to meet you, fella.
10:48Good to see you, man.
10:49First and foremost, walking in here, we're sort of blown away at first, to be honest with you.
10:52I can see these proper muscle cars around us.
10:55I hope you're happy for us to bring in something that's only got a little air-cooled two-litre engine.
11:01We've got a Type 2 Volkswagen.
11:04We sort of want to turn it into a really good sort of backpacker's vehicle.
11:08Yeah, yeah, they're really popular here with backpackers and the like for travelling around Australia.
11:12You know, it's a big, big, you know, wide open land, so road trips are really popular here.
11:18You know, if you get it set up right, I think it's going to be a good thing.
11:22Perfect.
11:23We are in the right place, aren't we?
11:24Absolutely, mate.
11:25Do you have a coffee machine?
11:26Yeah, check.
11:27Do you have a toilet?
11:28Yep.
11:29Mate, we're good to go, aren't we?
11:30You add me a coffee machine.
11:31I love it.
11:32Thanks, Adam.
11:33Cheers.
11:36As well as an epic workshop, I've also brought us in a bush mechanic called Johnsy,
11:41who knows a thing or two about building cars that can survive in the Aussie outback.
11:45As long as you've got spare tyres, you've got plenty of water, and of course you need plenty of fuel.
11:49Reliability is a big one, you need to be prepared for the scrub, otherwise, you know, two days and you're dead.
11:54Listen, I've got a load of running around until I can't get some bits, I'm going to leave you two to it.
11:58We've got loads to do.
11:59Good luck.
12:00Nice one, man.
12:01Right, let's grab some tools.
12:03Before our bus can head out on the open road and conquer the outback...
12:06I'll tell you what, brother, she's pretty tidy under here.
12:09It's not bad, is it? Yeah.
12:11We need to work out what's causing those sloppy gear changes.
12:14If you take that out, I might be able to slide the linkage back just a tiny bit short of getting it off the peg at this end.
12:19Oh, are you? OK.
12:20All right, all right.
12:23And we can't let anyone drive off into the wild blue yonder until we're sure it's 100% mechanically sound.
12:30Number one killer of people who get stuck in the bush is when you leave your vehicle.
12:33Yeah.
12:34Never leave your vehicle.
12:35But people just think, oh, it's only down the road, I'll go and try and find someone.
12:39Yeah.
12:40And all they find is goannas and kangaroos.
12:42Yeah.
12:43Clearly a trip out into the countryside here is a bit more high stakes than back at home.
12:47So we need to make sure these gear linkages are reliable.
12:50This bush, which is the base of that long gear lever, has got an enormous amount of play in it.
12:56That's why it feels so loose in the cockpit.
12:59There's a little, I think it's like a nylon bush in here, which is almost certainly where the play is.
13:04So that I'm pretty sure will almost certainly have to be changed.
13:07While Johnsy gets acquainted with the rear bushes, I'm working on tackling the ones at the front.
13:13If I can give you five or ten mil, do you reckon you can get it from the front?
13:16It might be enough.
13:17I'm going to put a little bit of lube on this end.
13:19Maybe introduce a hammer.
13:20That always helps.
13:21Yep.
13:22Right, I'm just going to start giving this a whack, so just mind your fingers.
13:24Give it him, brother.
13:25Give it him.
13:30Yes!
13:31You beauty.
13:32Oh, deadly, brother.
13:33Good job.
13:34How's it looking?
13:35Bit of second hand.
13:37Looks like a curtain rod, that one.
13:39It's that little bit in there that's worn out.
13:42And things aren't any better at the rear.
13:44So that's one of the bushes there, and that's the...
13:46That's not the most refined bit of kit, is it?
13:48Looks like it's been there for a while.
13:50It does, yeah.
13:51And once that breaks, you've got no gear change whatsoever, and if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere,
13:56and you haven't prepared beforehand, it'd be a bit of a predicament you'd be in.
14:13We've come to a land down under.
14:15Get this.
14:16Right up in Australia's Northern Territory, there's a town called...
14:20Ready?
14:21Humpty Doo.
14:22No, there is not.
14:23You're making that up.
14:24There is.
14:25I'm deadly serious.
14:26Humpty Doo.
14:27Well, we've just got to go there, haven't we?
14:28It's a 42-hour drive, mate.
14:29We ain't going there.
14:30OK, maybe not then.
14:31We're on a mission to convert this old VW Type 2 bus into the ultimate camper,
14:39and with the gear linkages almost fixed, it's now one step closer to the wilderness.
14:44Right, there we go.
14:45Doesn't look like much, but that tiny little plastic bush, together with what Johnsy's doing down the back end,
14:50should just improve that gear linkage a small amount, but importantly, make it much more reliable.
14:56Just got to get it back in now.
15:01Whilst Elvis and Johnsy gear up for hitting the road, I'm on my way to cook us up a decent profit
15:06by finding a standout kitchen for the back of our bus.
15:11Ooh, yes, a proper wood chop.
15:14Hi, guys.
15:15Looking for Dan?
15:16Yes.
15:17Dan, nice to meet you.
15:18I'm Mike.
15:19Nice to meet you, mate.
15:20How are you?
15:21Yeah, not bad at all.
15:22This looks all right.
15:23Good chop, innit?
15:24Absolutely.
15:25Well, what I'm after is something that I can cook, clean and eat from in the back of a Type 2 Volkswagen van.
15:30Yeah, absolutely, mate.
15:31Well, why don't we go down the other end of the shop where it's a bit quieter and take you through some of the options.
15:36Top man.
15:38So I'm thinking inside, you know, against that wall inside, we could put a burner, you know, something to cook on.
15:46So what I'll do is I'll show you a component of one of the kits.
15:51So you'll see that front there kitchen that pulls out the side door.
15:55Oh, you're kidding me.
15:56And I'll just pull to it.
15:57There.
15:58What?
15:59We can just do this unit as a standalone piece, you see.
16:02So you've got room there for your cooktop.
16:04You've got this bench top that folds out so you can chuck a sink on there.
16:08You can prep your food on there.
16:09And then you've got a nice bit of space here to chuck in a fridge, you know, and a bit of store some pots and pans there.
16:15Okay.
16:16Well, that's caught me by surprise.
16:17I was thinking it would be the other way around against the wall of the van.
16:20In, like, the smaller low roof vans, generally people go being able to pull it out the side so you can actually stand at your kitchen so you're not cooking bent over sort of thing.
16:30I already love it, honestly.
16:31Yeah, perfect.
16:32Don't get me wrong, I already love it.
16:33That is fantastic.
16:34Yeah, absolutely, mate.
16:35And that's not what I come here for.
16:36I come here for something in my head completely different.
16:38What I'll do is I've got a unit over here which is a slide-out kitchen just to give you an idea of what the actual concept is like.
16:44So follow me.
16:45Go for it, yeah.
16:46Yeah.
16:47So here's one, and this was one that's designed to pull out the back of a van, but this is a kitchen drawer, so this sort of pulls out like this.
16:55You've got space here for your cooktop, you've got a little storage space.
16:59Perfect.
17:00I absolutely love it.
17:03Hopefully Elvis can fit this crafty kitchen solution into our combi, then I can treat him to a brewer bush burger.
17:10But our romantic outback meal for two is going to have to wait, because no bush ready buyer is going to touch our van unless we can plug in some power.
17:19One thing that Australia is definitely blessed with is sunlight.
17:22We've got loads of it here.
17:23And so I've gone for this.
17:24It's a solar panel.
17:25It's one of the best of the solar technologies, converting between 15 and 20% of the sun's energy into usable power.
17:32That's more than most.
17:33It's also very thin and can be manufactured in small sections, taking up less roof space.
17:38Perfect for an application like ours.
17:40It is difficult to manufacture, and that makes it expensive.
17:43This kit, including the panel, the battery, a box and all the wiring and everything that goes with it, came in at just over $1,000.
17:50But if we want to turn out a vehicle that can disappear off the grid for long periods of time, we need it.
17:59There is no manual for fitting new tech to an old vehicle like ours.
18:03So I'm going to have to carefully cannibalise the components and work out how to wire them in.
18:08I'm just chopping the plugs that came with the kit off because they're really quite big and bulky.
18:13And once I get this on top of the vehicle, I've got to find a way of running the wiring down the side of the roof and then inside the vehicle.
18:19And I think by soldering wires together, I can make that a whole lot neater.
18:24There you go, brother.
18:25Well done, mate.
18:26You've got your soldering iron, I've got your resin cord soldering wire there.
18:30Perfect.
18:31That's good for me.
18:32Right, I've got one for you then, because these are what sit underneath the panel and just raise it up to get airflow underneath.
18:38Eventually they're going to get stuck underneath, but you want to stick that double-sided tape along the length of each one of those,
18:43just get it prepared, and then once we're ready, we can stick it on the back of this and get it up on top.
18:47You betty, no worries.
18:48Once I've got the wiring soldered up, we can attach the lifters to the underside of the panel.
18:55How about you do one side and I'll do the other side?
18:57And we'll just ping them on.
18:59What's the strangest call you've ever had for a rescue?
19:02The strangest call.
19:03My car is stuck in the middle of the road because a big mob of camels have stopped and have started to sleep or rest in the middle of the road.
19:13That is not something we ever come across in the UK.
19:16No.
19:17It was a funny call out, that one.
19:20In the end, I knew how to speak camel.
19:23Right, mate, yep.
19:24There's the wiring over this side.
19:25It's good because it's flexible, isn't it?
19:26So it is going to follow the contours of the top of this bus.
19:38I mean, these slots that we've created under here by sticking those strips on to allow air flow to pass underneath to keep these cool.
19:45Ironically, if it's a solar panel, ironically, it doesn't like too much heat.
19:49Up.
19:50We've got a good position, so let's tip it up, pull the strips off, and we can get it stuck down.
20:01Okay, no turning back now.
20:06We are stuck.
20:08I think we'll move on to finding a route for this wiring, and I'm thinking, because we've got so much space in this area, we'll pop straight through here.
20:16I'll get the roof up, just to make sure we're not going to interfere with the canvas that sits behind it.
20:20And then we'll have to find a nice way of routing it round the inside, out of sight, and get down to that battery.
20:26Sounds good to me.
20:27Right, let's pop it up in the air.
20:34Right, this is the bit I absolutely hate.
20:36Drilling a hole in any vehicle always makes me nervous.
20:39I've got to be as precise as a kangaroo's kick here.
20:43A few centimetres off, and I'll tear the canvas skirt, and that would be a financial disaster.
20:48Right, Johnsy, I think if you can pop the top back down again, it'll just make it a lot more steady for when I drill through.
20:54Okay, coming down.
20:55Yeah.
20:56There you go, look, I can see you now.
20:58Fancy seeing you here.
21:00Yep, just be very careful on that forward follow through.
21:03I'll make sure we don't go too far.
21:05Got any daylight flooding through?
21:11No, not yet, thankfully, because we didn't want to see it through the headliner.
21:15Headlining's all intact.
21:16Yep.
21:17Okay, I'm going to get the cone cutter, open that out, and then we can nice, you find a way of putting that through in some sort of fitting or grommet so it all looks nice and sealed up.
21:26Just like a fast kangaroo, I'm right in front of you already, bro.
21:29It's all over it, look at you.
21:35Once I've widened the hole, a grommet should keep the weather out.
21:38There we go, she's in, you beauty.
21:41I've got a right old sweat on here.
21:43Like brain surgery, precision.
21:45Then I need to route the cable through the headliner, making sure it doesn't get snagged in the roof mechanism.
21:50Almost there, mate.
21:52It's looking good on this side.
21:54Yes, I'll tell you what, that is a dream come true, mate. Amazing.
22:00Like the day I met you, eh?
22:04It makes me very happy.
22:06We're in, it looks neat.
22:08We've got a lovely, neat installation up here.
22:11Now we can turn our attention to the inside.
22:13Yep. Excellent.
22:14Nice one, man. Good work.
22:15Good work.
22:16Teamwork.
22:17Yeah. Boom, bang.
22:18Once the wires are tidied up, that's a future of free solar power sorted and more chance of a decent profit.
22:27All right, so that's down there.
22:29And the reason I'm just going to coil it up is because I know Mike's coming back with a kitchen unit,
22:34which is going to kind of sit where you're sitting across there, I think.
22:37But until I know the dimensions of that, exactly what it looks like, I can't really position this.
22:41This is the box that the battery's going to sit in there.
22:45It should be enough to power anything from charging your phone to short-term, you know, high load stuff,
22:51like running a fridge, even jumping a car in an emergency.
22:55Well, I'll tell you what, let's leave that for now.
22:57I'm going to tidy some of this wiring up just to make sure it's all in place.
23:00We've got to stick that back on and just re-rivet this trim on.
23:03And I think we're pretty good, mate. That's a good job. Nice work.
23:06Nice one. Look at you, working hard.
23:13How are you doing?
23:14Yeah, I love it. Yeah, very good, mate. How are you getting on?
23:16Do you know what? Johnsy and I have been busy. We've fixed the sloppy gear change.
23:21Johnsy, how are you, fella?
23:22But we've also, you can't see it, but up there is a 100-watt solar panel.
23:26That's good, so it can go off-grid. But we've got to think of other things as well.
23:29Well, unless you want to get a tan like me, or get burned even worse, you probably do need some shade.
23:34Right, so... Well, that's something to think about.
23:36So, I need to then go and find somewhere that we can get some shade.
23:41Maybe an awning or something off the side. I mean, you can get all kinds of things for these.
23:45And I think that if we was to do all of this stuff, we've got to give it a try and go and sleep in the bush.
23:51You're talking about really taking it on the proper road trip.
23:55Yeah, why not?
23:57We're on an Aussie adventure.
24:07You know that Australia is home to the world's two most venomous snakes.
24:12Can we change our minds about camping, then?
24:15There's no turning back now. Our Type 2 is well in its way to becoming the ultimate camper.
24:22But if we're going to survive off-grid, I need to make sure it's properly kitted out.
24:29Oh, today's going to be a good day. Look at this.
24:32They are absolutely obsessed with getting out there in their campers, enjoying this great country.
24:43So, what better way to draw inspiration than coming to a camping expo?
24:48Hopefully, I'm going to find some tips and tricks we can incorporate in our build.
24:53Yeah, are you enjoying Australia?
24:55I love it. Yeah, I love it. I feel like home here.
24:57Yeah, it's just like England with the sunshine on it.
25:00Oh, they really take it seriously, don't they, these people? Look at it.
25:07This is big business in Australia.
25:11Look at this one, look.
25:14This looks like some kind of apartment, doesn't it?
25:17Swish leather sofas all the way round the outside.
25:20Very contemporary design. Better than my house.
25:24I'm not sure we need the four-leather interior.
25:28Look at this, look. This is a one-stop shop.
25:34But we are still missing a few essential bits of kit.
25:39This is an emporium of everything we're going to need.
25:42Leisure batteries, fridges, the lot.
25:45Oh, this is good.
25:47That's a skillet.
25:49Maybe that's a bit too big for us, but this is all good, isn't it?
25:53Oh, these are good. Look at these.
25:56Oh, yeah.
25:59Nice little core box. That's good.
26:01Could colour that one as well, isn't it?
26:03Just in case Elvis gets cut short when we're out in the wild.
26:09That's quite nice.
26:10Yeah.
26:11It's actually only on fan at the moment.
26:12Is it?
26:13If you turn it on to refrigerate, and you put it down to 16 degrees,
26:18in five minutes, all your sweat will be gone.
26:20Oh.
26:21Oh, I've got loads.
26:23I could be in here forever.
26:31Whilst Mike burns through our budget faster than a wildfire in the bush,
26:35back at the workshop, the gear linkages are finally sorted.
26:38How are you getting on?
26:40Everything's pretty much there, except I've noticed a problem
26:42that I reckon is pretty significant.
26:44You've got a fair bit of oil leaking from your fuel pump gasket there.
26:47Do you know, I've actually seen that already,
26:49and it's on my list of things to do.
26:50I just haven't ordered a gasket yet.
26:51Order a gasket?
26:52Brother, I haven't ordered a gasket in 20 years.
26:57Sounds like I'm about to get a lesson in bush mechanics.
27:00All right.
27:01There you go.
27:02A couple of gaskets.
27:03And that's the space that it mounts on,
27:05so I guess we can use that.
27:07So what do you do in this situation then?
27:09Well, there's nothing better in the middle of the day.
27:11They have a bit of a feed of cereal.
27:13OK.
27:14Now, Mum doesn't like it, but you open the cereal box,
27:18you pull out the cereal, you chuck it to the side.
27:20I know where this is going.
27:21And you take your cereal box and you cut it out.
27:24And that is the perfect gasket maker.
27:27Johnsy's going to use a sheet of cardboard for our homemade gaskets,
27:31and while it won't save us much money,
27:33it's certainly a lot quicker.
27:35I'll trace the first side, flip him over, trace the second side,
27:40including the internal opening as well,
27:43and then marking the bolt holes or the holes that we need to secure it,
27:48and then we'll drill them out.
27:49Mate, since I've been down in Australia,
27:51I've been nervous even about opening the bonnet
27:53in case there's some nasty spider in there.
27:55But out in the bush, you must have come across all sorts.
27:58I've seen brown snakes under carpets.
28:00I've seen red-backed spiders on steering wheels.
28:03I did this.
28:04I've seen...
28:05My worst nightmare.
28:07You reckon?
28:08Yeah, man.
28:09Well, you know what my worst nightmare is?
28:11Getting stuck in the middle of London.
28:15Once both gaskets have been outlined,
28:17all we need to do is cut them out,
28:19and then we can get them on the van.
28:20Right, mate.
28:22I'm going to stick that on there,
28:24make sure that's the right way round.
28:26Yeah.
28:27There we go.
28:28Let's hope that's now leak-free.
28:30Gasket bush style, better than shop-bought, bro.
28:36And those boys aren't the only ones
28:38finding cool solutions to problems.
28:41Look at this, look.
28:44Instant shelter.
28:46And very cooling underneath as well,
28:48and it's quite easy, isn't it?
28:49It just pops up.
28:50It sort of wheels out the side of the vehicle,
28:52put a couple of stands up,
28:54a couple of stays,
28:55shelter from the sun,
28:56shelter from the elements.
28:58But this isn't just any old all-in.
29:01This one is Aussie tough.
29:03Just up in the corner here,
29:06I do a two-layered roof,
29:07drop that insulation through there.
29:09That's what the farmers are using
29:10in their sheds these days,
29:11to keep the heat down.
29:12And as you can see and as you can feel,
29:13it's about a 10-degree drop in temperature.
29:16So it keeps the heat outside.
29:17Yeah.
29:18Anything that can protect us from the baking Aussie heat
29:21is money well spent in my book,
29:23and I reckon it will make our van much more saleable.
29:27This looks lush, by the way.
29:29If the guys just want to have a look at the rest
29:33and just come back for me, that'd be great.
29:35That'd be great.
29:36I'll see you in a couple of hours.
29:43There's no rest for Johnsy and I.
29:44I've got another bit of clever kit to squeeze into our van
29:47that's absolutely crucial for surviving off-grid.
29:50One of the things that we now know is absolutely essential for a vehicle like this
29:53is a water storage vessel.
29:55And this is it.
29:56I've got this kit for just over $500,
29:58and it comprises of this tank.
30:00It's 62 litres, made of plastic.
30:02It's got a number of outlets.
30:03One to fill it up,
30:04one for the outlet to wherever you're going to send the water,
30:07and a breather on top.
30:08I've got this pump here,
30:09which is a 13 litres per minute pump.
30:12It's going to pump that much water through the system.
30:14It's electric, 12 volts.
30:15It runs off a pressure sensing device,
30:17which means that when you open the tap,
30:19it senses a drop in pressure,
30:21and that's what then kicks the pump in.
30:22And I've been thinking about how we mount this to the car.
30:25We haven't got a huge amount of space in there,
30:27so what I've decided to do,
30:29having taken the measurements from Mike's kitchen,
30:31is to knock up this little metal frame,
30:33which is going to raise the kitchen slightly up
30:35off the base of the floor,
30:37and stick the tank tucked away underneath.
30:39All I need to do is find a way to get it in there.
30:41Find routing for all the pipe work so it's all tucked away,
30:44and Johnsy's going to give me a hand to do that.
30:47Right.
30:48I'm just going to start measuring up.
30:50Johnsy, grab that for us for you.
30:52Grab that one for you.
30:55The frame needs to be bolted to the floor,
30:57which means drilling more holes in our combi,
30:59and I need millimetre precision
31:01to avoid hitting any fuel lines or pipes underneath.
31:04How's that looking?
31:06Yeah, I see it, mate. Yeah, you're all good.
31:08Nice and clear.
31:09Nothing leaking?
31:10There's nothing leaking out.
31:12Excellent.
31:14Yeah, beautiful.
31:16Excellent.
31:18And now for a giant jigsaw puzzle,
31:20fitting the tank, frame and Mike's kitchen cabinet together
31:23without compromising our living space.
31:2562 litres, this is.
31:27How long is that going to give us?
31:29So, generally, if you're in the scrub,
31:30you're looking at about 10 to 15 litres per day per person.
31:33Oh, so that's all right.
31:34You'd have other drinking water as well.
31:36You'd have this for washing, cleaning and showering.
31:40So, you know, you could do a week if you're just the two of us,
31:44three or four days.
31:45As long as Mike doesn't have too many showers.
31:46Yeah, as long as he doesn't have too many showers.
31:48And I'm sure he'd have other things that he'd drink rather than water, wouldn't he?
31:54I think we're ready to start bolting the cabinet to the frame.
31:58So, lift that off and then give us a hand to lift this over.
32:00This way round, straight on top of the frame.
32:05It's quite heavy.
32:10There we go. Bingo. Hole in one, mate.
32:13Excellent. I'll put a washer on the top there for you.
32:15Nice.
32:16Can you reach that?
32:17Mate, the arms aren't long enough.
32:18No.
32:19There you go.
32:20It's quite a nice little kitchen unit, this, isn't it?
32:22Oh, it's lovely. I'll tell you what.
32:23It's one of the best kitchens I've ever seen.
32:25Probably better than the kitchen I've got in my own house.
32:30All we've got to do now is make sure it fits.
32:34Just sit it down there.
32:35Let me get in.
32:38Okay.
32:41I bet in your F1 days you didn't think that one day you'd be with Johnsy in Australia
32:45decking out a camper, eh, bro?
32:47Dreams do come true, though, mate, don't they?
32:49Yeah, for me, for me.
32:53Now, perfectly located.
32:54I can see right through to the floor, which means we're over the holes.
32:58Why don't we slot the tank in?
33:00We've got enough movement to move that around and adjust it.
33:03Let's get the tank in, make sure we can locate that.
33:05And then we'll slot the bolts in, yeah?
33:07It's a snug fit.
33:08Very snug.
33:09Snug as a bug in a rug.
33:11Yeah.
33:12Yeah, yeah, yeah, beautiful.
33:16As long as all the sections line up properly...
33:18Ready when you are?
33:19I feel like we need some race radios, bro.
33:21You want it? I'm on it.
33:22Yeah, I'm on it.
33:23We can bolt everything in place.
33:25What about you give it a little bit of a rattle test?
33:28Yeah.
33:29Not bad, man, not bad.
33:31She's pretty rock solid, eh?
33:32I'll tell you what, this will be the proper test,
33:34because I measured this, hopefully quite accurately.
33:37Wow.
33:38Look at that.
33:39Right.
33:40That is perfection.
33:41Engineering precision, brother.
33:43I'll tell you what, now we've got that in, it looks amazing.
33:46We've got a position now for the battery box so we can hook up the solar panel,
33:50and that means we've now got power, we've got water,
33:53we've got some way to cook and sustain ourselves.
33:56Still going to work on the shelter idea with an awning or something like that,
33:59but, I mean, what do you reckon? Close to being bush ready?
34:02Yeah, very, very close.
34:03I'd say like a bee's diaphragm away from being ready.
34:06Would you take this out in the bush?
34:08I would, brother, yeah.
34:09She's got that reliability mechanically as well.
34:12So, other than the fact that everyone will see me coming in a blue vehicle in the scrub,
34:17I'd definitely take it out.
34:19Right, I'll tell you what, it's getting really hot in here,
34:21and I've been in here for a while.
34:22Shall we go and get a drink?
34:23Yeah.
34:24You keep talking about keeping that thirst down.
34:26We're due, we're due, let's do it.
34:28We're on a mission to turn our Type 2 bus into the ultimate camper van.
34:42And with Mike threatening a trip into the wilderness,
34:45the pressure's on to get our jigsaw pieces in place.
34:49An electric cooler's an essential addition.
34:53But it's not just the food and drink we'll need to keep cool.
34:56Right.
34:57Right, mate.
34:58So, this is it.
34:59This is the awning.
35:00Looks all right, isn't it?
35:01Yeah.
35:02Nice bit of kit.
35:03We've got to get some brackets up here first and that just slots on.
35:04Done.
35:08Spanner.
35:10There you go, mate.
35:12Looks all right, doesn't it?
35:13The old solar panel as well, that looks good.
35:15Yeah.
35:16Eh?
35:17Right, there we go.
35:18That's on.
35:19Well, mate, I've got to say, you know,
35:22it started off as just a plain Jane combi
35:25that was in good nick.
35:26But now it's got electricity, shelter,
35:29somewhere to cook and a bed to sleep in.
35:32Yeah.
35:33I mean, it's the sort of thing you can now go off on a massive adventure
35:35and maybe even survive in.
35:38One week ago, we bought a bog standard VW bus for $34,000.
35:45And with a little help, we've transformed it into a proper little house on wheels.
35:51Not only is it reliable enough to cross the country,
35:54but inside and out, there's now everything needed to survive off grid.
35:59Including the cost of the van, we've spent $38,500, around £20,000.
36:07It certainly looks to part, but now it's time to put our money where our mouth is
36:12and see if our van and us can survive a night in the wild.
36:16Well, mate, I'll tell you what, this is the last bit of civilisation we're going to see.
36:20So you want to think about, you know, what we're going to need
36:23because after we say goodbye to this electricity and this shop,
36:27we are on our own in the wilderness, off grid.
36:30Well, we need supplies from the shop to make sure we can sustain ourselves,
36:33but we also do need a full tank of fuel
36:35because that is the last thing we want to be is left short without a means of getting home.
36:39So brim that and then we'll go and find something to eat and drink, yeah?
36:44Before we say so long to the human race, we need to stock up on the essentials.
36:50Right, let's go. Tea bags.
36:52Tea bags.
36:53Milk.
36:54Yeah, yeah, let's go for light milk.
36:56Shall we go Australian tea? Give it a try?
36:58Give it a try, yeah, it's going to be horrible.
37:00Baked beans?
37:01Beans, yeah, always good.
37:02Why are they selling hand warmers?
37:03Hand warmers in quite possibly one of the hottest territories I've ever been to.
37:07Dog food, just in case it all comes to the end,
37:10a bit like Mad Max where he eats dog food, remember?
37:13Look at this water here, look, we take one of them in a slab, eh?
37:15Yeah, yeah, okay.
37:16Thanks for that.
37:17Hi.
37:18G'day. Hello.
37:19You're looking at two English guys looking to survive off-grid out in the wilds
37:24and look, we thought about things like tin tomatoes and toilet roll.
37:29We're on it, don't worry, like a couple of Boy Scouts.
37:31We're looking for somewhere that we can...
37:34It's a survival, survival instinct kicking in there.
37:37And we'd be all right, wouldn't we, us guys?
37:38Oh, you'd be fine.
37:39We'll take this lot and just, you know, just in case, we'll just have that as well.
37:45And a lollipop.
37:46You can get three of these for two dollars.
37:48We'll have him free of those bad boys.
37:50I mean, why not?
37:51We're so having free.
37:52Could be all the difference, couldn't it?
37:58We're hitting the historic Putty Road.
38:01A narrow and winding route which snakes its way through the breathtaking Yengo National Park.
38:12I am so excited.
38:14I'm loving this.
38:15Ever since I was 17 years of age, looking at that world map I've always wanted to come down under,
38:21do a little bit of backpacking, travelling across this great country and seeing it.
38:26And now I finally get to realise it when my mate sat beside me in an amazing vehicle.
38:38First and foremost, right, I'm just going to say it right from the off.
38:41When we got the vehicle, you drove it, right?
38:43Yeah.
38:44And I could see you struggling with a gear stick.
38:46This is now almost Formula One technology.
38:50I can slot this vehicle into gear now with utter confidence.
38:54You've really done amazing work on this.
38:56I mean, look, at the beginning of this, you found us what was actually a brilliant vehicle.
39:00All it needed were a couple of minor fixes like the gear change,
39:03was a couple of things that could sustain people living in it off the grid.
39:08And that was such a brilliant challenge to set us upon.
39:11And I think we've nailed it, mate.
39:12I think we've more than nailed it.
39:14We've got a full tank of gas.
39:16We are now getting to a state where me and you are in survival mode.
39:21We are off grid.
39:22We are probably off grid.
39:25We may be heading off grid, but I'm never off the clock.
39:31Mate, I reckon we're in good shape with this one.
39:33We have got somebody on the line for this, a guy called Stuart.
39:36He's seen everything.
39:37I've given him all the pictures.
39:39We spoke about the vehicle.
39:40He seems really, really keen.
39:42I've asked him 42,000 Aussie dollars for it.
39:45Spent around 4,000, you know, round about there.
39:48He just wants a little bit of time to think about it.
39:51And if he does give us the yes, if he gives us the go ahead and takes his vehicle,
39:55he's getting something pretty special, isn't he?
39:57It bloody is.
39:58Yeah.
39:59You're allowed to say that in Australia, by the way.
40:02I bloody love it.
40:06Now, the place we're looking for is somewhere, I believe, around here.
40:11We've travelled almost 200 kilometres from Sydney to put our VW camper and friendship to the
40:20ultimate test.
40:21Can two fair-weather Englishmen survive miles from civilisation in the Australian wilderness?
40:31Hey, look at this.
40:38I mean, what a spot.
40:40What a spot.
40:45Welcome to our hotel room for this evening.
40:48That's not bad, is it?
40:49That is perfect in that.
40:55Nice and peaceful, no disturbance, nothing.
40:57All we've got to do is build a home.
40:58You ready?
40:59Well, let's do it.
41:00It won't take long.
41:02There we go.
41:07This is so cool, isn't it?
41:08It's great, isn't it?
41:10Look at that.
41:12Old kitchenette.
41:13Up here.
41:14Lift the flap, there's your table.
41:18That way.
41:20It's amazing, isn't it?
41:24It is pretty good.
41:25Hey, cooking outside.
41:26Got the fridge in there.
41:27Got the burner here.
41:28That's got its own gas bottle in there.
41:30It's got its own gas bottle.
41:31We've got electricity.
41:32Obviously, we are being powered by solar.
41:34Oh, switch the battery on.
41:35See that little red button to the right-hand side?
41:38Yep.
41:39We've got water.
41:40Yeah, we've got water, look.
41:42Hey, how about that?
41:43Don't use it all up.
41:44We've got enough for a shower, we can wash the ban.
41:47Right, grub.
41:48Yeah, nice one.
41:49Now, what I thought I'd do is the old classic.
41:53If you don't mind, I thought I'd just go burgerlicious.
41:57Well, mate, you do whatever you want.
42:00I'll be sat just there waiting for it to be finished.
42:03Oh, OK.
42:05Bring any beers?
42:06Of course I'll buy beers.
42:07I'll get the beers out, eh?
42:10It's hot in the kitchen, let me tell you.
42:12But once I get this cooked, we can get naked and cool down.
42:20I wonder if there's any hotels that I can go and check into.
42:26While the burger's finished browning off,
42:28I need to find some phone signal.
42:35Oh, bingo.
42:37To see if our potential buyer, Stuart,
42:39has had a chance to think about my offer.
42:42Elvis, here.
42:43I don't want to move.
42:44I think I've got a message from that Stuart guy.
42:46I thought you were just taking selfies.
42:49What have you got?
42:50Hi, Mike, it's Stuart.
42:53Mate, if you'll take $42,000 for the combi,
42:56we can make a deal.
42:58It's been decked out perfectly for my needs.
43:01You've done a really good job there.
43:03So, $42,000, I'll hold up my hand.
43:06We can shake on it and take it from there.
43:09Let me know.
43:10Thanks, Mike.
43:11Mate, that's amazing.
43:13That is exactly what we are looking for.
43:14That is absolutely perfect, isn't it?
43:17Perfect end to a perfect day.
43:20No wonder the Aussies love the Type 2 so much.
43:24Hold on, mate.
43:25There is only one bed in here.
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