Advanced In-Car Tech / Motorhome Retrofits, Poole

[DonGraham]

We are taking our GC680 from Carlisle to Jersey and I have taken the opportunity to get some retrofit work done at Advanced In-Car in Poole, also known as Motorhome Retrofits before catching the ferry.
The one thing missing on our van was a reversing camera and James and the team have done an excellent job in providing an OEM retrofit. They even managed to route the wiring down the upper near side of the van as per OEM spec.
I also got them to adapt the two 12volt sockets on the dash to ignition switched rather than permanent live. This is so I dont have to disconnect / re-connect camper spec satnav and dashcam every time. They did this by providing and shifting to a new switched live fuse position in the fusebox beneath the passenger seat.
One thing to note. Our van already had the upper brake light recall done. I was led to believe it was a new seal / gasket? It isn’t! They use the original seal but mount it with added sealant, perhaps Sikaflex.
There will be a video on YouTube produced at a later date showing how the work was done, I’ll add a link later.
Contact James at Advanced In-Car for more information 01202 776699.
http://www.advanced-incar.co.uk/
Email sales@advanced-incar.co.uk
Highly recommended!

 

[California Rob]

I recently had some sound deadening and speaker upgrade with advance incar. They did a brilliant job. Very impressed with their workmanship knowledge and attitude.

 

[Kayleigh]

I recently had some sound deadening and speaker upgrade with advance incar. They did a brilliant job. Very impressed with their workmanship knowledge and attitude.

Does the sound deadening make any difference on the road? I’m considering that.

 

[California Rob]

I would say yes it does make a difference the only problem with having something like that done on the doors is what would it be like having the rest of it sound deadened. Engine bay bonnet wheel arches sliding door floor etc. all of a sudden you’re 6 grand in. If you can do that kind of stuff yourself or have friends that can you can save yourself a lot of money the material doesn’t cost that much it’s just very labour intensive. Ask me again in a few months I will be able to give you a complete answer.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Does the sound deadening make any difference on the road? I’m considering that.

It is a lot easier to install when starting with a bare van, retrofitting is very labour intensive.
The California's trim panels do almost as good a job, when compared to an untrimmed unlined transporter or Caddy Maxi.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NDGTT1F/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[DonGraham]

The YouTube video is now online of the work they did. Great guys, very professional.

 

[Kayleigh]

The YouTube video is now online of the work they did. Great guys, very professional.

Very professional job, but looks expensive! I am speaking to these guys about some upgrades myself.

 

[DonGraham]

I found them to be great guys, perhaps not the cheapest but you know they take care and do things properly. Even though they are at the opposite ends of the country to us (North Cumbria / Dorset) they will be my go to guys for any future mods.

 

[Perfectos]

Does the sound deadening make any difference on the road? I’m considering that.

I can confirm:
Wheel arch (bulk head side)
Scuttle panel sound deadening
works well in reducing noise from engine bay / road noise.

I did it myself, remove wheel arch liner, wash dry stick 2mm butyl sound proofing to approximately half the wheel arch (bulk head forward)
use a solid roller to get good contact and a hair dryer to help it shape and stick better.

Remove the scuttle panel fit 2mm butyl and 3mm -5mm closed cell foam (single sided adhesive) silver front face. Obvs don’t cover the roof drains

 

[Kayleigh]

I can confirm:
Wheel arch (bulk head side)
Scuttle panel sound deadening
works well in reducing noise from engine bay / road noise.

I did it myself, remove wheel arch liner, wash dry stick 2mm butyl sound proofing to approximately half the wheel arch (bulk head forward)
use a solid roller to get good contact and a hair dryer to help it shape and stick better.

Remove the scuttle panel fit 2mm butyl and 3mm -5mm closed cell foam (single sided adhesive) silver front face. Obvs don’t cover the roof drains

Thanks for the info. They offer sound insulation for the front doors. Outer door skin, inner skin and the inside of the door card. It’s about £200 per skin, so £600 to get everything done, but I have no idea if it actually makes a difference.

 

[Perfectos]

Thanks for the info. They offer sound insulation for the front doors. Outer door skin, inner skin and the inside of the door card. It’s about £200 per skin, so £600 to get everything done, but I have no idea if it actually makes a difference.

Door skin is more about improving sound from the Stereo and clarity of sound. It will obvs improve road noise.

Depends on what you’re trying to achieve .

Quite driving? Better stereo sound etc.

The more you can do DIY the cheaper

If it was my money I wouldn’t spend that kind of money. It will be an improvement but not £600 improvement

Edit ; get some high density foam about 1m long x 100mm x 100mm wedge it in the scuttle void , under the screen / behind the wiper actuator arms , it will make a considerable difference to noise

Something like this will work and be highly cost effective

 

[Kayleigh]

Door skin is more about improving sound from the Stereo and clarity of sound. It will obvs improve road noise.

Depends on what you’re trying to achieve .

Quite driving? Better stereo sound etc.

The more you can do DIY the cheaper

If it was my money I wouldn’t spend that kind of money. It will be an improvement but not £600 improvement

Edit ; get some high density foam about 1m long x 100mm x 100mm wedge it in the scuttle void , under the screen / behind the wiper actuator arms , it will make a considerable difference to noise

Something like this will work and be highly cost effective

View attachment 129160

Yes I agree. It’s too much money and definitely possible to do a half decent diy job. Is that kind of insulation not going to get damp in the scuttle area?

 

[mpill990]

Slightly off topic but we have a leak in from our rear top light (I think). It looks an easy fix but I'm not sure how to remove the rear central top cupboard so that I can access the light fitting securing screws.
Any tips please before I attack it with my screwdrivers

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[Perfectos]

Yes I agree. It’s too much money and definitely possible to do a half decent diy job. Is that kind of insulation not going to get damp in the scuttle area?

You put is high up under the lip & behind the wiper assembly framework. water drains in the lower area to each side where it escapes via the wheel arch (mines been fitted for a good while and had no issues.
If you’re concerned about water wrap it in plastic and tape it so it’s water tight.

 

[DonGraham]

Slightly off topic but we have a leak in from our rear top light (I think). It looks an easy fix but I'm not sure how to remove the rear central top cupboard so that I can access the light fitting securing screws.
Any tips please before I attack it with my screwdrivers

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Lots of posts regarding a leaking upper brake light on a GC. VW have an “improvement” recall where they remove the brake light enclosure and apply sealant and refit. Suggest you contact your dealer before attempting yourself. Removal of rear cupboard I have been told is like a jigsaw, with lots of bits to remove!

 

[mpill990]

Lots of posts regarding a leaking upper brake light on a GC. VW have an “improvement” recall where they remove the brake light enclosure and apply sealant and refit. Suggest you contact your dealer before attempting yourself. Removal of rear cupboard I have been told is like a jigsaw, with lots of bits to remove!

Thanks for your reply Don - I've tried my local VW van centre and according to them it's not listed as a recall - "the computer says no".
So I'll either diy it or pay for it to be done by the above dealer in Poole.
I'll take a closer look the next time I'm in the van..

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[DonGraham]

Hi, I’d get back to them and although not listed as an actual recall, I believe it is classed as an “Improvement recall”. I have had it done as an improvement recall at Lookers Carlisle. I know Breeze in Poole have done the recall from previous posts on here. The trouble is lots of van centres never get involved with Grand Californias so do not know.
If you live in the Poole area have a word with Breeze first, you should get it done for free, or get your dealer to contact them, or contact Breeze yourself to confirm the recall exists, then contact your dealer again.
If you have to pay I recommend the guys I used, but it will cost. It’s def not just a couple of hours job. I’d say about half a day.

 

[NickParks]

I did mine myself, and without removing the rear cupboard - its a little tight but can be done - my local van centre wouldn't do the work under warranty/recall as my rear brake light had been upgraded at some point to one with a high view camera and as this wasn't as per the original spec - A if they did the work they would only fit a new brake light without the camera, and B they would charge me £600 for the privilege!

I followed the instructions as per this link....
https://www.grandcali.com/grand-cal...t!-,Instructions by Sascha,-Sealing 3rd brake

 

[DonGraham]

I did mine myself, and without removing the rear cupboard - its a little tight but can be done - my local van centre wouldn't do the work under warranty/recall as my rear brake light had been upgraded at some point to one with a high view camera and as this wasn't as per the original spec - A if they did the work they would only fit a new brake light without the camera, and B they would charge me £600 for the privilege!

I followed the instructions as per this link....
https://www.grandcali.com/grand-california-desaster-3-bremsleuchte/#:~:text=much for that!-,Instructions by Sascha,-Sealing 3rd brake

Well done to manage to remove, seal and refit! Doesn’t look easy. I’ve heard it is possible, but mine has aircon fitted which gives even less room, so not sure if it could be done that way. Perhaps nimble fingers may help.

 

[TW8 GrandCali]

Thanks for your reply Don - I've tried my local VW van centre and according to them it's not listed as a recall - "the computer says no".
So I'll either diy it or pay for it to be done by the above dealer in Poole.
I'll take a closer look the next time I'm in the van..

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Thanks for your reply Don - I've tried my local VW van centre and according to them it's not listed as a recall - "the computer says no".
So I'll either diy it or pay for it to be done by the above dealer in Poole.
I'll take a closer look the next time I'm in the van..

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Hi Ive just seen your postWe had the leaking brake light fault the morning we were setting off for Northumberland,we have AC but managed to repair using the link to grandcali - they are spot on and luckily had already ordered the butyl tape from Amazon Germany.If you have a bit of diy savvy the correct tools and a bit of patience it’s easy.You WILL scrape your knuckles !!but since the repair not one drop of water has leaked in- I left a sheet of tissue paper on top of cabinet.I presume you GC is not under warranty so I would silicone or ct1 around the whole light to seal so the cabinets don’t get damaged until you can repair.
Luckily I caught ours early so the wife’s Dyson hair dryer did overtime up the light recess and down from top when light removed and saved my cabinets
Good luck with repair If you haven’t sorted it already I just followed word for word and all ok
Graham