The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Hi all, great ideas thanks,

DragonMan, like the idea of colour temp and dimmer etc, (I better not get too carried away as I mainly need the lights to load/unload the van ) I'd prefer direct 12v rather than a controller, but then again it's worth looking into. Yeah the stickiness was a thought too how it holds up.

OAT,  I saw that some have 'chips' for each LED and you can cut them and use the rest of the tape, primary is to light the van practically (I know I am going to get carried away with this and probably fit multi colour if I am not careful)  Reliability is one thing, but they won't be used for continuous lighting. I also thought about sealed diffuser units to fit but went away from that due to knocking them loading furniture etc, strips would be right for the job as flush (ish) to the roof beams and unlikely to hit?

Casper, Yep, I looked at the link and they look good, just know I would break them loading, I have some research to do on the ones you linked to (whore houses, never thought to ask them, good excuse there for further ideas)

Good stuff guys, any more info great, this is now eliminating my wide initial questions

Update 2: Ok this is starting to get a bit much..... water pump leaking! So here we go again, booked into the garage next Friday for that and the cambelt of course... Not doing cambelts myself, not on the level of evilness the damned machine is showing me, it's gonna get fix whatever it feels like throwing at me!

Update: Seeing that the van had a horrible rear end knocking and was due in the garage the very day the clutch blew, today it had that finally done. I had both sides (bushes) done and I will try to get some pics if the guy still has them, totally shot. I also had changed both rear shocks as a matter of 'why not if its wearing out' £180 (including parts and labour) which I think was an absolute bargain and saved me 8 hours of swearing. Apparently a Ford Granada bush puller/setting tool does the job easily.

Have to say the van handles so much better, thinking now of getting the fronts done.

I must be mad, just spent £1250 on tax/insurance/clutch/shocks/bushes and front brakes (is this mad or now have I caught the Dispatch bug?)

Yep all electric is coming, but I hope to not worry about charging bloody batteries in 15 years time and just putting my feet up

I have decided that this van is going to stay for as long as reasonably practical to do so. It's for work anyway and I can do some mods etc to update/make it more useable, things like the headlamps (recent post on that and great response) led lights in the back, not going to bother with a reversing cam as the bumper provides plenty of feedback, getting various things done before the go wrong like the cambelt, brakes and fluids, bushes etc.

If I was to use it for trips abroad, it will be ok and should be reliable with the above done.

To be honest, I rarely need much luxury on trips here and if I do (not working) take the car.

OAT, sound advice indeed

It is a good question, I only bought my Citroen Dispatch 2002 2.0 about 3 years ago, yeah its giving me wallet problems right now but its just what I need for my business. Having said that, a new van these days do provide much more luxury in the cab, with Bluetooth stereos, satnav built-in to a central display, funky underbody lights when you open the doors and all sorts of gadgets like parking sensors and rear-view cameras, led lights in the interior and of course leather seats.

Having said all that, the cost of these vans is really high, and as mentioned above, servicing costs are more, the complicated computers running you and the vehicle, and in my view, much of the maintenance is beyond the home mechanic now without full diagnostic equipment.

If you want in-built satnav and Bluetooth, led lights under the doors, leather seats and reversing cameras, all can be installed (with design too) to these vans at a far less cost of a newish van with them.

Better to modify to your needs than buy an expensive idea of what manufacturer thinks is cool.

Sorry long this reply! In short is it driving all day? or just collect/drop/commute a few times a day?

Must add, been driving many types of vans for 11 years now and this one just suits me

Yeah, I am in the mind of making a budget for repairs above servicing, at the end of the day, the van is perfect for my needs and has become a bit of personality regards its foibles, besides most jobs are home mechanic ones not like todays vehicles

I have done some 80 odd miles on the new clutch now since getting it back yesterday evening, no signs of anymore noise from the drive/engine than normal. Very smooth with no vibrations across the revs from idle up. Not sure what make of kit they fitted, will find out. 2002 2.0 HDI. Just pleased it wasn't worse the way the clutch exploded

Well, the clutch certainly did a great job messing my wallet and day up! The central portion of the friction plate decided to have a moment with the rest of it, the 'self destruct mode' was definitely appropriate for this thing...

Dellboy, um bit late, they fitted the solid flywheel kit (if it lasts a few more years I'm happy)

Hahaha, yep, mine hasn't had a bath (apart from floods this winter) all year too.  Had to replace it as couldn't be arsed to glue back together the million pieces that kind driver left behind lol

Hi JohnDragonMan, yeah I am going to fit new door locks soon so the whole panel needs to come off again, duct tape?

Casper, Hi. Lover the silicon sealant idea, but honestly it's a cheep 15 min job.....well if you don't have to re take the panel off again as I did.