VW T4 1.9TD Is the Last People’s Transporter, Should You Buy One? 

237k on my 1.9 t4. its slow on hills and acceleration. but remember its not a slow van its a fast bedroom.

Owned my T4 for a year now. I’ve got the 2.4d. It’s slow and heavy and I maintain the rust. My 6 year old daughter loves going out in it. I’ll always have a transporter now. It’s a weekend drive only, so will hopefully last for many years. Hopefully I’ll be able to hand it down to her when the time comes. 🤙🏻

I have a 1.9TD!! And I love it, it was one of the best investments in my 20‘s, no doubt about it. Greetings from Germany

2.5TDi 102hp is the one you want. Also a mig welder.

Ich habe meinen T4 1.9 td vor 4 Jahren mit 175000km gekauft. Im Sommer wird manchmal ein Wohnwagen mit 1800 kg gezogen. Ankommen ist das Motto. Am Wochenende haben wir eine Tour von 850 km gefahren. Wie immer ohne Probleme.

New channel idea, Rusty Dad Vans! 👍 a lot of good points made… reminds me of my Mk1 Golf Cabriolet… the kids grew up with it, not normal, and not precious or expensive, great memories made

More van content please!! Cheers

Great video! It's cool to see some diverse and yet ordinary vehicles on a motoring channel, the whole community thing and waving is great fun in a motoring world often devoid of fun these days, I drive a Chevrolet Astro dayvan and the dayvan drivers I have seen so far always wave enthusiastically when we pass each other, it never fails to bring a smile to your face. Great channel keep up the good work.

Thanks for the nice video! I own a T4 California biker 1996. To make some improvements I blocked the EGR, adjusted the turbo (it easy to manipulate this old system to be more “closed” for a longer time, and when I had a giant leak from the fuelpump that was repaired at the garage, it came back even more slowly. What I discovered was that the valve of the fuelpump was more close when it came back from the garage. I hardly could get it to the high way. I opened the valve of the fuelpump more and screwed it down again, so it would be more open in the beginning. You have to adjust the idle position (I had to remove the whole screw to have an idling around 1000). And now the T4 has more power than before! Before hills were difficult, after changing the turbo, blocking off the EGR and adjusting the fuelpump valve it runs very nicely!

If you test drive a smiley transit on a w reg you will come to realise how good the transporter is.

I absolutely love my t4 1.9TD🥰

Hi have a T4 TDI nowadays but I used to have a 1.9TD and I still remember it with big respect. Strong reliable engine, fast enough and easy to put your hand on it. It is a good choice in my opinion.

had my 98 td for 22 years daily use over 200.000 trouble free miles.normal repairs some welding but good for a few more years.still love it.

Great Vid Ben!! I want to see that short shifter installed :) The prices of these buses makes me cry, its just madness!! Must be a good ride, your little one was long gone

Great video..thank you...I have a 1.9td t4 and have had her for 10yrs..my daily for dogs and work etc...with ref to power...a mechanical tune by pp tuning sorted mine..good gains in both bhp and torque...never going to be a race car..but that's not the point...but hills are no longer a massive obstacle..enjoy your t4s everyone🤙

Hi Ben love the channel I have one of those £100,000 van haven built transporter t6.1 204 dsg highline kombi camper swamper vans in your 1st few seconds of your video, I have never owned a volkswagan before let alone a transporter. I sold my bmw m3 and my sierra cosworth estate F20YBT to fund my new purchase and I don't regret it for a minute. I have been on so many holidays since I got the van and I have continued to modify, not a month goes by with out something new being done to the van . We have covered 22,000 miles in the van since we collected it brand new with just 11 miles on the clock ,she's been to Scotland twice been all over Europe and have been on the nurburgring twice. I cant imagine a day without my transporter in my life . And I'm level 3 all the time ,coming from a classic ford back ground I thought we was a tight nit community but the dubsters have got it licked.🤟 if you would like to review my van I would be more than happy for you to do so . Love the channel keep up the great work 👍

The van was so slow and comfy that pickle ended up falling asleep 😂 I have to say the VW community for the older school stuff seem like a decent bunch and the way they keep them running and mod them is all pretty cool!

Gotta love a VW van. Im on my second Caddy which thankfully has less weight and more go than the T4. The following for these things is brilliant, as is the options of upgrades from other VAG vehicles. My little lad loves it too, school run is usually done in the van at his request lol

My dad has had 2 1.9 TD T4's (1 from '96 and 1 from '98) and they've both had their issues. He's buying a '00 2.5 TDi T4 in a couple of days (the 5 pot Volvo/VW engine with 102bhp) which should give that extra oomph. But even with the 1.9TD's you can still get some power out of it... eventually...

I've had my T6 for the past four years, way before COVID bumped up the price tags. It's been a real gem. Think of it like driving an SUV, except I can snooze or toss in bags of rubble and sheets of plywood in the back. Went for the plastic bumpers (I bump and give zero sh*ts), aircon, satnav, and a higher powered engine. Not exactly a sports car, but with Bilstein's, it's the ultimate hauler to the dump. My van is a trusty tool.

In my humble opinion there is nothing like a vw transporter. The first one I had was t4 caravelle with the 2.4 5 cylinder and had it for 8 years before I sold it and wished I never had. Now I have recently purchased a autosleeper on a vw t4 2.5 tdi and can't wait to get out in it whenever I can.

Today I made a list of all the cars I’ve owned, I came to the t4 I had in bought around 2005, randomly I remembered the reg number and typed it in the google machine and this video popped up. I used to own that van. Used it when I was renovating a house in Newquay then when that was done I insulted and carpeted the back built a bit of a crude bench seat/bed got the Audi style wheels and lowered it, done a few trips camping to France in it, great fun. Glad to see it’s still going. 👍I’ve live in Australia now and aren’t many of them around over here, I’d have one again although the 2.5tdi or 2.5 petrol.

Hi Ben & little one. Hope your doing good. That was a cool video. My father still has the last year of the VW Eurovan, it's a Turbo diesel. Back home in UK, my father has the last year of VW Vanagon GL Turbo diesel. They both still run. He does his own work on them both. Stay safe and take care.

Great video! Chuckling at the 'young un' fast asleep whilst you are driving, we Dads have all been through that! I bought my 1996 SWB T4 Caravelle almost a year ago, and paid well over the odds for it (more than double what this one cost) I didn't really know what I was doing and the seller was a bit pushy, and the only thing I can say is I have learnt from that . I have now removed and sold on all the rear seats and partially converted the van and done some much needed repairs and modifications, including servicing him (He is gender specific, his name is 'UWE' pronounced 'oovay' after an amazing German centre forward who used to play for my team Manchester City FC) I do sometimes cringe at the money I have spent ,but the T4 in my opinion is the best looking of the front wheel drive water cooled vans, mine has been lowered 40mm and has some Renault Alloys fitted and really does look 'Cool and Retro' . Re; engines there are many versions available and the most popular is the 2.5i, which is gives more than enough power cos some of these vans are LWB, and mine is a 2.4 non turbo but it runs superb after 230000 miles, and is really good on fuel. Mine has the old heater panel and steering wheel which don't look or work as good as yours, but I guess that is the 'period look' . He smoked a bit on start up when I first got him, but I regularly use a diesel additive and changed the fuel filter and that has cleaned everything up. I love VW's I have been running a Passat B5 2003 for 18 years and despite the mandatory rusty drivers side front wheel arch , it still looks and drives Beautifully, I have a full service history from new it is a wonderful car and I have driven it all over the UK. I am self employed and my work van is a 2017 VW Caddymaxi , which I bought to use as my work van in the week and a weekend camper, and I did that for a couple of years but it became too time consuming emptying it all out and cleaning it to convert it to a camper for the weekend and then putting it all back when I got back from the weekend away to put it back to work mode (but these vans do make excellent micro campers) I have subscribed to your channel and shall continue to watch with interest, many thanks dx

Hi, I've had my T4 1.9TD ABL for 24 years ('T' reg). It used to be slow but I've done a few things to it over the years, and now it absolutely flies, even with 270k on the clock. First check the throttle cable and either oil (3 in 1) it or renew it. Check the EGR as its probably clogged up. I fitted a TD4 Freelander intercooler and set it in to the bumper with a front grille off a MK4 Golf. To do this I blanked off, and reversed the EGR valve. This made a massive difference to the bhp and it's pulling power up hills. What makes it so easy to work on is the fact that it has no ECU, and therefore no sensor issues, as with the 2.5 engines.

Hi.. Great video on the fantastic VW Transporter 🙂 I'm driving a '98 bus with the incredible 2.5TDI acv-engine (102Hp), 533.000km on the clock without opening engine and it still goes great, up or downhill. I'm on level 2 when meeting a type2, T5 or older. most of the people driving T6 or T7 don't get it so I've stopt waving at them ;-) Cheers from Sweden/Denmark.

I have T4, 2,5 liter TDI, it has 151PS you should try this.

First thing to do is replace the throttle cable. OE ones (with electrical connector to the EGR valve) are no longer available, so blank off the EGR valve and fit a throttle cable from the 1.9 non turbo. Not too difficult to add an intercooler and pipework to this engine. It is never going to be quick, but you should just about be able to pull the skin off a rice pudding.

I know someone who bought a LWB VW Caddy and converted it into a 'camper' because she and her partner did a lot of skiing, hiking and climbing trips around the UK and especially in winter, being able to pull up on the camp site, put the handbrake on and not have to do any set-up made such a quality-of-life difference. Sure it wasn't as luxurious as a proper camper but it kitted out exactly how they wanted and she loved it. A 'proper' holiday for a family can be so expensive, and so I do think a DIY camper van is a great middle ground, especially if you or a friend are handy with a set of tools. I used to think pickle falling asleep was a sign of a good Dad Car, but at this point I think she'd fall asleep in a thunderstorm if she was in her child seat in the back of car.

I recognise some of that scenery so might see his van around, My friend has had two T4's, both 1.9 td's, the engine decided that it didn't want to play anymore at around 150k on the first one a few years ago so that went and his recent one broke down on Friday, the cambelt seems to have moved across the pulleys and stripped around 5mm off its edge and slipped a tooth or two, we find out this week whether it needs another engine (possibly an upgrade to a PD engine) or not, have watched some of your videos before which are enjoyable but have been looking into performance upgrades for his T4 hence coming across this video 👍

Great video. I've owned my 2001 T4 1.9TD for 13 years now and I wouldn't change it for the world. Yes it's not going to win any races but that's not what's it's for. If you want fast go and buy something that was made to do that. It's been a work van , a fishing bus, taken me all over Europe, helped me move house numerous times and done too many festivals to remember. I'm definitely a level 3 + waver (and I flash my lights!) , I love the community aspect of owning a T4 bus. I'm undertaking a full renovation on my van presently as after 23 years it's starting to show it's age a bit. The simplicity of the van's construction is making body work and mechanics a doddle even for the home tinkerer. granted I can weld and I'm pretty practical but a novice would find it an easy vehicle to learn on. I'll be keeping my van forever. Thanks for the content and keep up the good work!

I had a t4 t reg 2.5 tdi for 16 year. Great Van.

Waving to club members is great, I'm in the MX5 owners club and we wave at each other all the time

Great video! Subscribed! I can hand on heart say that getting my T4 camper has been the best vehicle I’ve bought - completely changed the landscape for our family!

injector pump from VW aaz engine with landrover boost pin, add turbo boost by adjusting WG, deCat, EGR delete, diy shortshifter.... pretty much all you need with that engine.

I owned a few T3 Transporters (well, one was a Caravelle, but I digress), with the 1.6 TD engine. Like the 1.9, it too had 68 HP. But the T3 was lighter, sitting at around 1600 kilos (even with Syncro 4WD), compared to over 1800 kilos for the T4. I had a T4 Syncro later on, with the 2.4D engine. Damn, that thing was sloppy, but it always started and ran like a charm. Great cars to be honest. Rust was not too problematic on the T3. It was mostly plagued by light surface rust in the panel gaps, unlike the T4, which often got eaten through. As for performance, these engines are surprisingly easy to tune, since you can adjust the fuel pump as well as getting a wastegate regulator for the turbo, enabling higher boost pressure. You could likely reach 90-100 HP without too much fiddling. And believe me. VW diesels, especially the 1.9 liter is built like a tank.

check if you can get it re-mapped makes a big difference

I love my T4 2.5 tdi 102 bhp....had it 7 years and intend keeping it until its no more. They are a bit dearer but the prices fluctuate up and down, the vw badge will always make it desirable.

Recently bought 2.5 tdi for work due to new vans being absolutely rubbish ( got rid of my 2018 toyota proace) it was one owner full vw history 65k from new 😁 e/w and mirrors rcl and air conhad mapped to 130bhp and cruise control fitted what more do you want!took family away to sea-side this weekend they loved the van and it was bk to work Monday

Believe it or not, but mine was towing my caravan from düsseldorf in germany up to sardinia and to croatia. Ok, I boosted the engine up to approx 90hp by adding an intercooler from the 2.5 ACV engine, adding a boost-valve wich was adjusting the wastegate to about 1.0 bar of turbo pressure (0.7 is stock) and for this adjusting the fuel-volume screw on the pump to enable all this punch :) If you use this carefully it will run forever :) .... in my case towing a caravan in Summer over the alps was .... em .... yeah, it blew the headgasket the last time (after 190.000 km with high power) :D

I have the slow vw transporter from 1996 and yes it's slow. Living in Turkey with many multiple km 10% climes it does get hard. I am among the the old trucks haha. But, I am totally in love with my self converted camper. Sadly parts are becoming a real problem here.

my wave level depends on what mood i'm in that day. full 3 shakas in the summer though, usually level 1.5 as standard I'd say 😅

Step 1 put yhe correct size wheels and tyres on. Step 2 buy a sail. But they can hit motorway speed without too much trouble and they do fairly good mpg.

You think that’s bad. I drove a 1.9 flat diesel. That was scary Pulling out in traffic 🤣

Thanks!

Engine swaps are quite common on these and the caddy vans. They put the PD130 engine out of a mk4 golf into them, 130 bhp and with a remap you'll get 170 bhp. It's a massive difference compared to the 68 bhp lol.

Yea mate. Everyman content. This is gold.

That poor child, you’ve bored him to sleep 😂

Add a spring to the turbo actuator to boost it . Fit a boost gauge adjust it to get about 9psi . Much better !!!

Fun vid i saw your vid about your vito and now this one i think fairly fair review, i have a 1.9td they are very slow you can do upgrades to make it faster but it still doesnt set the roads on fire ! you could have a 2.5 for more peformance more like your vito. Personally i think the vito is worse for rust when you compare age ? !

Hi I've owned a 1.9td for 18 years. I've fitted a passat 1.9td fuel pump which has the vacuum turbo boost. I've also fitted a boost pin. Done away with the stupid spring in the throttle cable. I can say it flies now and still good on fuel. Only downfall is the low 5th gear. Looking into the 5th gear mod and an intercooler.

I have an 08 Vivaro £3k 8 years ago. 1. No rust, 2. 105bhp and loads of torque. 3. No timing belt worries. 4. Cheaper parts. 5. Smooth car like engine. But I agree VW has a following. Thanks

Class doesn’t have to be fast, but then again I have the 2.5 drive ,so best of both,but air con would be nice especially in the south of france..

Hi! I was wondering how it performs uphill? And or if it can really handle alot of weight like maybe idk more than half a ton (600kg)

Just a query, is it not possible to fit a PD engine or is it just too much work to do?

See if you can get your hands on a VW T5 that’s had the darkside developments treatment. I’m sure they used to have a transporter recovery truck that was pulling 325bhp

mk3golf tdi engine fits with very little modifications i was running tdi from a mk3 fitted with a landrover300tdi pump so no ecu or electrics to go wrong you just need to find someone that knows what there doing to set and tune the pump went like a rocket

keep on buying the veto's M8 i had my engine rebuilt at qcs engine it now go's like the clapper's and the fuel economy is best on the 1.9td abl

If you think that is slow you need to try the Citroën relay 1.9d (non turbo). Father-in-law has one in campervan form and it's soooo slow 🐌. Tops out at around 55mph and its screaming 😂. So funny 😁

I'm full level 3 but in devon on the surf coast it's allowed haha

There used to be a phenomenal 2.8vr6 version of t4

Great video! If anyone if after a £100k van let us know 😂👌

The only VW van I've ownedd was a 3·2 litre V6 auto. Went like s**t off a shiny shovel, and then some! I'd have another, but only with that V6 petrol engine!

Good review, some good points made there, especially about not worrying so much about an older one, whereas a new one makes you a bit precious and can limit usage. I am very biased but I say get one especially 5 cylinder, with intercooler.

Hey, nice rims , what are they from ?

I sold my 1.9td after 12 years of ownership to a lady around the corner to me. I do regret selling her every time i go past it! Chasing the rust down in salty Devon was drivjng me mad and couldnt get up any hills round here!

i find it very rare for any t5,6 owners to put there hand up to a t4 im level 1 for a non modified and 3 if its modified

Speed isn't everything, lack of ecu and multiple sensors is a great reality. I had a Peugeot 309 made in 1991, it was totally bulletproof, economic and easy to work on. My concern with old T4 models is not mechanical, its body rot. Sadly, they have issues

Saw one of them electric transporters the other day...they're tiny! Let's face it t4's /5's /6's arent massive either so I don't know what VDub were thinking.

Dont forgot you can run it on chipshop oil

Electrics can sometimes be a bit recalcitrant too

16 hours driving up and down Portsdown Hill, you deserve a Micks burger. 😆

Level 3 waver 🤪🥳

Fast in this camara ladened country ?? 😊

there are fourbangers and five banger variants. the fourbangers are lowend. look foor R5 engines.

hey could you do a ora funkycat review

That’s the reason why I am selling my t5 and buy back a defender 130 td5. A t5 and t6 is nice. And you can use it. But if you drive it and gets abused it’s worth nothing in the end. If you get a small dent in a t4 or t3 it’s not a big deal. Same with a defender. If it’s with my t5 it’s a different thing.

Need more power But A T5 bi turbo with DSG

Isn’t a 20+ year old vehicle with >200k on the clock the definition of being eco friendly? All the energy spent to create it is long since “paid for” five times over. Honestly. The EV brigade just make me want to weep.

My pick of the litter was veeery deliberate 2.5 td. its literally BRAINLESS. fully mechanical van! most complex equipment in it is radio and i can freely throw it out of window and it still drives.

Kid, can’t listen to anymore..out cold..😂😂

I’ve a 2.5 TDI T4 I am level 3 waver but I look at this way with the clean air zones if you don’t want me in the city ok I want go in the city I’ll order on line the city is going to lose out no skin of my nose I’ll keep my T4

Pp tuning gets them up to 90 to 100hp

I have a 2.5tdi its quick enough unlike the 1.9td

I have a 2.5 petrol t4 it has no problem with hills it’s done 280000 miles lol

Bearing in mind that you can easily pay £2.5-3k for a T4 with over 200,000 miles on it, not sure if they are particularly cheap? They arent that reliable and the 1.9 versions dont have very much power..............

You talked the poor little girl to sleep :)

I wave if i see doppelganger (same colour atleast)

I’m level 4. Purposely roll down the window and give a Shaka to them. 😎😎

👍

Please can anyone who owns a 1.9td tell me how bad is it on the motorway at 60mph?? whats the rpms that it sits at and the fuel consumption?

I still don’t get it. I mean a transit is cheaper to buy, probably cheaper to run. Going to drive and handle better. I just don’t get the crazy way transporters hold their value. That’s not to say they aren’t good but at the same time are they really worth that extra cash?

cant beat a v280 thouigh.....

Better than a Vito 😉🤣

I’m level 1, 2 & 3 🤣🤣🤣

Most vw's dont wave. Full stop!

I own a t4 and I 100% wouldnt advise buying one worst thing iv ever driven 🤦‍♂️

just the badge your paying for no better than most other vans.

Really don’t rate VW. It’s not they’re bad vehicles, they’re just stupidly overpriced.

Thanks!