Californian Arctic

[ArcticMatt]

For all you fancy T6 folk with apple carplay, I was always jealous. So I've indulged with this new head unit. A Sony XAV-AX8150 single SIN unit with an adjustable display so no need to cut out half the dash like a lot of other T4 owners seem to have done these days. It doesn't block the center vents either. It was destined for my other van back in the UK but it was £300 more over here in Norway so I took it back in my hand luggage flying back Sod's law black Friday has knocked off another £70!

 

[sidepod]

Nice. You do know the LHD T4 can accommodate a full size head unit? It’s only RHD that needs hacking.
All to do with the steering column support structure being designed around LHD.

 

[ArcticMatt]

Nice. You do know the LHD T4 can accommodate a full size head unit? It’s only RHD that needs hacking.
All to do with the steering column support structure being designed around LHD.

I knew the later dash had the pull-out shelf under the head unit but you need to cut these earlier ones and or either get the smaller heater controls. Our silver Syncro has the later dash.

 

[sidepod]

Good sound quality? Is it a nav unit? Fast? My Alpine unit is dog slow booting up and processing stuff.

 

[flying banana]

For all you fancy T6 folk with apple carplay, I was always jealous. So I've indulged with this new head unit. A Sony XAV-AX8150 single SIN unit with an adjustable display so no need to cut out half the dash like a lot of other T4 owners seem to have done these days. It doesn't block the center vents either. It was destined for my other van back in the UK but it was £300 more over here in Norway so I took it back in my hand luggage flying back Sod's law black Friday has knocked off another £70!

Don't get this obsession with black Friday. ALL FRIDAYS MATTER

 

[ArcticMatt]

Good sound quality? Is it a nav unit? Fast? My Alpine unit is dog slow booting up and processing stuff.

Aye, all the nav comes via the apple car play or android auto depending on which way you swing. Can also mirror the phone for other apps too. Might need a speaker upgrade now. Boots up fast AF! it was one of its selling points how fast it is. I'm really chuffed with it so far.

 

[ArcticMatt]

Don't get this obsession with black Friday. ALL FRIDAYS MATTER

Thank the yanks. £70 off is £70 off which ever day it is. I bought another for my other van

 

[ArcticMatt]

Last month I found the carpets were sodden on the left side under the pedals. I know this is a common issue on T4s as it happened on my Syncro exactly the same back in the UK. I hoped this van wouldn't be as bad with the roof protecting the seal but it's gone in the same way. What's worse, it looks like it's been doing it for a while! Check out the rot down in the corner!

It comes in under the seal at the top corner where the panel seam seal meets the rubber screen seal and lets water in. It has come all the way down the inside and rotted from the inside out!

You can see here looking up. The water comes in the gap where the corrosion starts.

It's going to mean the screen coming out treating the rust. Maybe even a spot of welding too! Wish me luck.

 

[sidepod]

Ooooh !! Tricky to tell from the photos, is that with the A pillar trims removed?

 

[ArcticMatt]

Ooooh !! Tricky to tell from the photos, is that with the A pillar trims removed?

Aye I took them off which revealed the rot.


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[ArcticMatt]

Just had all the belts done on the Smurf so it was about time we got out and about again. This was the first sign of winter in the sky again! On the Kystriksveien (Coastal Road) near Ørnes

 

[Sp0_0k]

Just had all the belts done on the Smurf so it was about time we got out and about again. This was the first sign of winter in the sky again! On the Kystriksveien (Coastal Road) near Ørnes

Dont miss Sandhornoya on the way up. We are 2 months in Norway already.

Dont miss Sandhornoya on the way up. We are 2 months in Norway already.

 

[Sp0_0k]

Kjellingstraumen camping is one of our most favourite camps in whole Norway. Also on your 17 route.

 

[ArcticMatt]

Dont miss Sandhornoya on the way up. We are 2 months in Norway already.

That’s my local beach! Still about an hour away from where we live but as local as it gets for us

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[ArcticMatt]

Kjellingstraumen camping is one of our most favourite camps in whole Norway. Also on your 17 route.

Aye been there loads too. Kjellingstraumen is the fjord outlet to Beiarn where we live although there is no road. Theres a photo on page 7 from that same camping back in 2019

 

[ArcticMatt]

The smurf is back in winter mode. New battery too as the cold weather and my neglect killed the last one!

 

[D&S4]

The smurf is back in winter mode. New battery too as the cold weather and my neglect killed the last one!

Fantastic photo - simply stunning!

 

[ArcticMatt]

More winterness lights anyone?

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

So jealous! I’d love to travel there and witness it in person.


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[pluc99]

I'm just starting to look into a June/July trip to Norway, probably to Nordkap and then Lofoten Islands. It's all tentative for now.

 

[ArcticMatt]

So jealous! I’d love to travel there and witness it in person.


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Aye its amazing. These last few months there's been loads of activity. Its the height of the solar cycle this this year. Give it a go.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Aye its amazing. These last few months there's been loads of activity. Its the height of the solar cycle this this year. Give it a go.

Yeah, I use the app Aurora Pro to monitor areas.


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[ArcticMatt]

I'm just starting to look into a June/July trip to Norway, probably to Nordkap and then Lofoten Islands. It's all tentative for now.

Awesome! June / July in Lofoten is mega busy but it's worth it. I've still not been to Nordkapp yet. My son really wants to see the russian border for some reason.

 

[pluc99]

Awesome! June / July in Lofoten is mega busy but it's worth it. I've still not been to Nordkapp yet. My son really wants to see the russian border for some reason.

The plan is to pick up my friends at EVE airport on June 28 and head over to the islands to bicycle around for a week, using the California as a base camp. I have another friend who will in all probability be in Trondheim for a conference mid June. It's an amazing coincidence and if all works out, I will join this friend and his family on a tour to from Trondheim to Nordkapp before picking up my bicycling friends. I have friends, family and ex-colleagues in Denmark and Sweden to round out the trip to and from Norway. I'm starting to get excited about it.

 

[ArcticMatt]

The plan is to pick up my friends at EVE airport on June 28 and head over to the islands to bicycle around for a week, using the California as a base camp. I have another friend who will in all probability be in Trondheim for a conference mid June. It's an amazing coincidence and if all works out, I will join this friend and his family on a tour to from Trondheim to Nordkapp before picking up my bicycling friends. I have friends, family and ex-colleagues in Denmark and Sweden to round out the trip to and from Norway. I'm starting to get excited about it.

I love it when I plan like that comes together. I was stuck for a day in Trondheim a few weeks back. The weather was miserable but its till a lovely city to explore. Hope it all goes well for you