The brick. An often overlooked commercial vehicle that is becoming more and more of a gem in the VW range. We’ve seen too many classic split screen revivals, too many rat-look bays, too many pointy noised T4’s, and too many hot rodded T5’s, but the LT – and particularly the LT Mk 1 – was a square box onto which very few professional converters fitted their wares, leaving instead a world full of self-builds, and in tow a world full of stories to tell.
This site tells a few of those stories and hopes to serve as a memory of these fantastic vehicles (the Mk 1’s have now not been in production for 20 years). There’s some blurb on the van’s themselves (some nicked from Wikipedia, some nicked from Brick Yard), a brief history and summary of the main conversions – the Sven Hedin and Westfalia Florida, some stuff on the mighty 4 x 4 LT, a blog, event details and more.
Please feel free to contribute. Drop me a line if you’ve written something that you’d like published. Maybe you’ll be inspired by some of my build stories or journal entries and write your own. I’m always up for posting more LT photos, and you can sign up to follow me on Pinterest top right.
This website is brought to you in conjunction with VOLT the VW LT Owners Facebook group.
Gary
I’ve been driving and making my living from VW vans for years and have been telling the bay and T3 brigade that LTs will be the next big thing for the past 5 or 6 years! They didn’t listen but I’m not one to say “I told you so!”
BUT I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!
Having had what I presume was the first ever LT field at a large VW event this summer it does finally feel like the worm is turning Ian!
Brickwerks invited LT owners to join them at Campervan 2010 and a display of about a 12 or so vans took place as part of the official proceedings. Some photos appeared in Camper & Commercial magazine later that summer. As far as I’m aware, this is the first LT related event In the UK. Does anybody know of others predating 2010? Cheers from Ireland, Bryan
My wife and I have only bought our brick in May this year, lt35 hi torq, and love it to bits. We would be willing to meet up with other owners as when we have been out this year have been told how rare our unit is!
hi all we have two lt35 and love them we have the use of some 9acres of woodland so waS THINKING WE ALL COULD MEET UP AND HAVE A STAY OVER IN THE WOODS CAMP FIRE ALL SUPPLIED MAYBE EVEN HAVE A BBQ COULD BE FUN
DEN
Den please let me now if this happens, would love to take a long drive with my LT31 from Germany and take some videos.
Seb
Hi Seb, will do the woods are in County Durham access is good if you you coming from Germany, the port of South Shields Tyne and Wear head towards Hexham then take A68 towards Darlington
Will try my best to get things going this summer
Hi Tim I have just restored a 1995 LT35 Hightop Campervan, are there any meets coming up? Kind regards. will
Will@nauticalgraffiti.com
Hi Will. Are you on Facebook? Join VOLT for info on LT 1 meet-ups. Cheers
I have bought an lt35 hi torque this tear and when we have been out and about been told they are so rare!
You are right Ian!
Howmanyleft.com says that 2014 has seen approximately a 10% increase of registered LT Mk1’s in the UK, after a steady 10+ year decline.
How exciting!
There’s an LT in the picture that I converted back in 2002 and sold in 2005 or 6, it’s G704 PDV, I’d love to trace the owner and buy it back! Can you help?
Can you post a photo in the forum Colin and we’ll see if anyone can help: http://vwlt.co.uk/forum/
Hi Colin, that is our Vera, I believe I also found you on Brickworks last year. She is too precious for us to sell I’m afraid. We bought her in 2011 and she had just been all over France with the previous owners. She is being used only in Britain at the moment and is our base for when we do the September Sizzle meets for Lts – find her and us on Facebook, Christine and Simon
Hi there – I have an 1985 LT25. Beautifully converted by a boat builder. Just failed MOT on 3 minor things, one being not enough pressure behind water to windscreen wipers. Firstly, where does the water go? 2ndly, how do I get to the squirters?
Thanks in anticipation, Susie
Hi Susie. Water is below the dash and may be concealed behind the lower section by a flap at the off-side end. The squirters should twist and unclip. Are you on Facebook? Join VOLT (https://www.facebook.com/groups/voltowners/) and ask there. Good luck
Having been looking for a couple of years, I think I’ve finally found one. Just wondering how I find the Model & conversion company? Its an LT35 with 2000LT on the body. Thanks
Hi Malcolm. Join the VOLT Group on Facebook and post a photo there. We can help you out – https://www.facebook.com/groups/voltowners/
http://apascual.free.fr/amenageurs_pro.html
Use Chrome for instant, decent translation, but the pictures might give a clue.
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forums.html?SID=3636-a5d8d7a4b94zd1ac97aa4275694444
There is a lot of accumulated knowledge in the Yard too, scroll down to LT Chat,and some pictures of yours would help.
Yeah…not on facebook. Got it home now so will have a look around the chassis. Already been told the header tanks & gear gaiters are not available, any suppliers about?
Sometimes headers turn up new but there are four? different types. Breakers/eBay is the only way at the moment.
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/
Gaiters are the same but a universal one can tide you over.
To help you look for parts read this, http://vwlt.co.uk/wiki/484-2/vw-lt-mk-1-buyers-guide/
Also saw one at Mugello, amongst farsands of campers, walked past it twice before someone pointed it out. Next year!
Hi. I have just bought my 4th LT camper. It appears to be a professional conversion with a shower cubicle just behind the cab area. Do you have a list of which companies offered LT camper conversions?
4! Nice. If you use Google’s Chrome browser you may find yours here: http://apascual.free.fr/Accueil.html Did you look in Other Conversions: http://vwlt.co.uk/about-the-vw-lt/other-conversions/ Get on VOLT and post us some pictures! https://www.facebook.com/groups/voltowners/
I am a nigerian but need volkswagen bus lt bus for my small growing business in Nigeria. A very low cost bus that could still sustain my business for sometime. _ MJ Bright ( Lagos)
Hi Tim, being a fan of the LT since my early twenties, after being given the ‘brick’, a mk1 LT28D as a new delivery driver. They put all new drivers in the ‘brick’ until they became competent, where they then were assigned iveco dailys. As I became competent, I refused the new vans and stayed with the ‘brick’ for two years before some temporary idiot took her out and totalled her. Saddest day of my career, drivind ivecos, AND lost my favourite truck. The seed(obsession) grew, and I have just bought an excellent LT35D panel van, which I intend to restore and take to meets. I am joining yr group today, after 40 yrs yearning and four very different LT ownerships…more soon…
Hi
Am thinking of buying a 1984 petrol LT28, but several people have put me off by saying it’s impossible to find parts. Should I listen to them or not?
Cheers
Paul
Generally most parts are still available – if not new then certainly 2nd hand as there are always series 1 LT’s being broken. Join the VOLT group on Facebook – plenty of reassurance there. Have fun
anybody know where to obtain a brake bias vale from?
Hi. Look the part up on something like http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/vw/LT/ and the start Googling. If you get stuck ask on the VOLT page on Facebook
Hiya,
Will the ‘bricks’ be making an appearance again at the Adventure Overland Show this year? It’s the 5th edition of the event, now held within the prestigious setting of Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse, Warwickshire 24-25 September 2016 – http://www.adventureoverlandshow.net If so I can position you in alongside Club 80-90 Sycronauts as before.
If you can make it, please email me at 4x4trading@talk21.com for a Club Display Stand Booking Form.
Cheers,
Tom McGuigan
(Event Director)
Thanks so much for the invite Tom – we’d be delighted and will see you there under the VOLT banner 🙂 Any other LT 1 owners who’d like to come please drop me a line via the contact form. Ta
what’s the best engine conversion possible to get more power and speed from a LT 45 i was looking at Mercedes-Benz OM603 3.0 TD engine with auto or if i could find one manual gear box
the d24t engine fitted to this van is massively underpowered and revs too high if that will not fit i might look at sprinter engine and manual gear box
It’s an often discussed topic. There have been successful transplants of several different engines including Merc e300td, Rover V8 & Lexus V6. The main trouble is marrying the gearbox. Of course you could change this too but you are then likely to have to modify the prop shaft… Depends where you want to start. Have you read through the threads on the Brick Yard LT forum or joined the VOLT Facebook group? Lots more info there. Remember to search before you post 😉 Good luck
I’ve done a few om606 conversion if I can be any help.. I’m about to carry out a 606 conversion in my lt
hiya, i have 2 x on606 24v engines with mechanical pumps, im thinking of putting into an lt35 or 46, i believe you can just change the gearbox to that of a sprinter and it will marry or i can keep the van auto using the standard box, is this right? your help greatly appreciated
I really need help finding the fuel pump relay in my van. It’s the lt35 2006 plate. Looked under dash, under the battery plate and still can’t find it. Please help
Hi,
Can anyone help please? My daughter has a extremely reliable 1982 LT35 with a 2lt four cylinder petrol engine with a 4 speed gearbox. However there is grating noises when in 3rd and 4th and the local garage said it is the gearbox. I have tried everywhere to find a used gearbox and discovered the 2.4lt engine one does not fit. Read somewhere that a 5 speed can be fitted, but not sure if this is true. Anyone any ideas where I can find a box or if a 5 speed will definitely fit?
Thanks Tom
Breaking vans will be the only way to get a gearbox.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/voltswapmeet/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/voltowners/
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forums.html
The whole drive train could be transplanted, D24 engine to rear axle but because the 2l engines has a central prop shaft and the D24 were not it means a lot of work in the enginebay.
Hi all, I have an LT32 SWB low roof 2002 does any body know where I can get roof bars from?
Also looking for someone who makes ply racking or has a template for some.
Tia
I would have thought searching eBay would find some easily, unless roofbars are an oddity against roofracks. 2002 is a few years late for us as our model stopped in 1996.
i am not a member but found this site whilst looking into this lt28 the post has been posted on other vw forums . Through sad circumstances i have inherited a 1985 t28 a few months ago , the issue is that’s it in the south of France and some bloke called mairie wants it shifted as it has sat in a parking bay for a while as the previous owner my wife’s dad has died .
I know little history of it or what the value of these campers are, so some guidance would be appreciated as I have another bereavement my wife’s step mum to deal with and dealing with the marire and the notaire will take some time as we also have the rest of the estate, a gite (shed with stairs ) to sort out.
So the options are is it worth saving or do I let this bloke take it to the metal shopper as he suggested I know it’s sort how longs a piece of string question.
I don’t really have the time to go to France to decide if I want to bring it back , so if anyone is interested it or are in France and want to look at it or save it let me know otherwise it’ll be scrapped . I have only one photo
I have read this story a few times now and it is indeed sad for you, and also for the fate of the van.
I know that many French, German, Dutch and Belgian owners have seen it too.
We hope that the van is saved by someone.
Hello fellow LT owners and fans.
I am a LT and vintage car enthusiast who was lucky enough to acquired an incredible 1992 ex prisoner transport LT31 bus from Dresden Germany with only 42000 original kilometres on the clock.
Now please don’t hate me but I have chopped it for my “kaffeepolizei”
coffee food truck project installing a concession window and of course removing the almost brand new rear interior (with Great Care!!)
So point of the blog! I have 12 (2x single, 3 x double and 1 x 4seats) original AS NEW 1992 VWLT bus seats and the complete interior including side cards roof lining hand rails over head luggage racks etc that need very good new home.
if you are interested and would like to know more and see some pics please email me on s.bouchard@epitomecoffee.com
Im not looking for big dollars just enough to cover the time required to carefully pack and ship.
Keep on truckin!!
Hi, l have just found this site and would like to add my experiences with an LT40 fitted with the five cylinder petrol engine. On two occasions the pick up in the sump became blocked and the engine seized due to being starved of oil. I would urge anyone with this engine to ensure oil changes are performed on a very regular basis and the pick up filter cleaned whenever possible. The LT was a great small commercial and streets ahead of the Transit that eventually replaced it. Keep your LT regularly serviced and it will serve you well for many years and miles to come!
Great advice, thanks for sharing
HELP!!!!!!!
I have purchased a 1993 lt35 and I’m totally smitten, if a bit terrified too.
It won’t start and the battery is sound. Does anyone know where the starting motor is and how I can access it please?
I seem to have new problems on problems.
Thanks x
Hi. First thing to check is the glow plug fuse which is under the engine cowl in a little black plastic box to one side. They develop hairline cracks which can be hard to spot. Then you should check whether there is power to the glow plugs. Do both of these with a multi-meter. The former would need new glow plug fuses (readily available), the latter a relay (harder to find). If it’s neither of these move on to fuel. LT 1 fuel pumps are notorious for developing air traps so you want to gravity fill it from a jerry can but undoing the clear hose that runs to the fuel pump. Good luck and ask on the VOLT group on Facebook for more info.
Good morning my name is Lee. i am trying to find a kit to raise my 2004 lt35 can you help please
Thanks Lee
Here you go Lee: http://vwlt.co.uk/shop/#lift-kits
Lots of other related info here: http://vwlt.co.uk/forum/discussion/3/wheels
Hi guys, would like to pick someone’s brains if possible.
I’ve been offered a LT35 campervan it’s done 100,000 miles F’ reg 1988. It’s in really good condition.. The problem I’ve got the owner has asked me to make him an offer on it and I have absolutely no idea what it’s worth???
I don’t have any experience at all with VW so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Rich..
How long is a piece of string?! So hard to tell without photos as it totally depends on what you get inside for your money. If it was just a panel van between £500 and £1000 depending on whether it had power steering and a turbo… Good luck with it
Halo I am looking for the following parts for my VW LT28 1981 this parts ore from another maker can you help me please with this ?
gr Jan 0031616143027 janjavasta@gmail.com
9560550 Wheel arch left and richt rear ( both )
9560591 Wheel rim repair panel, rear left outer part
9560592 Wheel rim repair panel, rear right outer part
Try Arek here http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/vw-lt-mk1-body-panels_topic81549.html or here https://www.facebook.com/VW-LT-Mk1-Body-Panels-and-Spare-Parts-166643277372162/
whats a lt40 td like on fuel
looking to buy one
don’t no anything about them also told gutless very slow
Low 20s mpg. Depends what your expectations are really. They are a commercial vehicle after all. Most LT40’s has the ACL engine which has good low down torque but you will probably be wanting on hills (as you are in any series 1 LT)
Looking to fit power steering on my LT 35 mk1 fitted with diesel turbo engine any suggestions
A breakers yard is your obvious answer, but you could always keep a beady eye out here: https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-vw-lt/k0
I’m after a LT35 / LT31 / LT28 / LT45 Panel Van S.W.B Turbo Diesel for sale. I live in Bristol. ITs definitely got to be a MK1 LT Panel Van for sale I want one for me self to run up & down in for House / Flat Removals etc. I’m after a T25 / T3 Transporter Panel Van in Diesel / Turbo Diesel which I put on the T25 Website already. So if you know any one who’s got a LT S.W.B Mk1 Panel Van in Diesel / Turbo Diesel for sale please call me on 07470 274 562 my name is Leon & I’m Autistic diagnosed with Autism & I’m in Easton Bristol.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards
Leon
I stumbled across your website yesterday while trying to find some spares for our 1989 VW LT35. I was surprised to see two pages of an article from the December 1992 edition of Motor Caravan Magazine, which featured the Reimo conversion of our van to a motor caravan, by CMC, then at Folkestone, now Hythe.
This was shown in the section “Other Conversions” under the heading “Westcountry” but it is actually a Reimo.
It is a LWB, high top, 2.4 L normally-aspirated, and lives in Bearsted, Kent.
Its name is “Piggy”, because it was a pig to park until we had power steering fitted!
Its registration is now MGC1P, with the text “Mike Goes Camping In Piggy” at the bottom of the number plate.
I am trying to obtain a coolant pipe which seems to be a composite material, part number 075121083, and the base plate to which the accelerator pedal is hinged, part number 281721531 (VW list it as “bearing cover”).
Do you guys have meet-ups? Do let me know, and assistance with sourcing parts would be appreciated, as at my age I am not very computer-literate!
Cheers,
Mike Cuming
Hi Mike. Thanks so much for dropping us a line. I have amended the error. As for your part – it looks like you have 2 options: 1) contact a breaker such as Peter @ AlfaSud parts (I know – he does lots of LTs too!) or 2) have one made up by a silicone hose specialists. Do you have your original pipe? If so they should be able to match it. Good luck!