This Volkswagen Transporter T6 short-wheelbase campervan was converted by Wildworx at our Warwickshire workshop, combining Swamper exterior upgrades with a carefully specified campervan interior.
The build features VB air suspension, Wolfrace Explorer Sahara alloy wheels, General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, aluminium rock sliders and a Front Runner Slimline II roof rack.
Inside, the specification includes a RIB seat-bed, custom GTI tartan upholstery, a full kitchen, diesel heating and hot water, an underslung LPG installation and a leisure electrical system with portable solar charging.
The result is a compact campervan designed for touring, with useful storage, comfortable living facilities and exterior equipment suited to travelling beyond the usual campsite environment.
VW T6 Swamper Conversion: Vehicle Specification
| Base vehicle | Volkswagen Transporter T6 |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Short wheelbase (SWB) |
| Suspension | VB air suspension |
| Alloy wheels | 5 × Wolfrace Explorer Sahara |
| Tyres | 5 × General Grabber AT3 |
| Side protection | Black aluminium rock sliders |
| Roof rack | Front Runner Slimline II |
| Awning | Fiamma F45s, 260cm |
| Seating / bed | RIB 112 |
| Leisure battery | 110Ah |
| Inverter | 2,000W pure sine wave |
| Solar | 150W folding charging kit |
| Heating | Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 RV |
| Cooking | Combination hob and sink |
| Water storage | Underslung tanks |
VB Air Suspension
One of the key upgrades on this Volkswagen Transporter is its VB air suspension system.
Air suspension can provide adjustable suspension support and ride characteristics, depending on the specific VB system installed.
For a campervan, suspension is particularly important because the completed vehicle carries additional weight from furniture, water systems, electrical equipment, passengers and luggage.
The precise functions of this installation depend on the VB configuration fitted. Air suspension does not itself increase the vehicle's legally permitted weight or axle limits.
Combined with the all-terrain wheel and tyre package, the suspension forms an important part of this Transporter's overall specification.
Wolfrace Explorer Sahara Alloys and General Grabber Tyres
The exterior Swamper conversion includes five Wolfrace Explorer Sahara alloy wheels and five General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, providing a matching spare wheel and tyre.
The General Grabber AT3 is an all-terrain tyre designed for mixed road and off-road use. Its tread pattern provides an alternative to conventional road-focused van tyres.
Wheel and tyre selection on a campervan must account for vehicle fitment, rolling diameter, wheel load capacity, tyre load rating and clearance.
For owners considering a similar upgrade, Play Dirty's Swamper alloy wheel collection includes wheel options for the VW Transporter and other campervan platforms.
Play Dirty also offers Swamper wheel and all-terrain tyre packages for compatible vehicles. These are current alternatives rather than the exact Wolfrace wheels fitted to this particular build.
Black Aluminium Rock Sliders and Exterior Upgrades
Black aluminium rock sliders were fitted to both sides of the vehicle, contributing to the Swamper exterior styling and providing a substantial side-step arrangement.
The conversion also includes wheel arch extensions and gloss-black front and rear badge and grille details.
Together with the alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres, these modifications give the Transporter its distinctive exterior appearance.
The vehicle remains a Transporter campervan; the Swamper conversion should not be confused with a change to its underlying drivetrain.
Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack
The roof-mounted equipment includes a Front Runner Slimline II rack specified for the VW T6 short-wheelbase platform.
Roof racks are useful for carrying compatible outdoor equipment while leaving more room inside the campervan for passengers, luggage and everyday living.
The rack must be loaded within the vehicle's permitted roof load and the rack manufacturer's limits, accounting for the weight of the rack and any accessories.
For additional campervan exterior equipment, visit Play Dirty's Volkswagen Transporter accessories .
Fiamma F45s Awning Mounted to the Roof Rack
The conversion features a 260cm Fiamma F45s awning in black and grey.
For this installation, the awning was specified to mount to the Front Runner roof rack rather than directly to the van body.
The wind-out awning provides an additional covered area alongside the vehicle when parked, useful for sheltering from sun or light rain.
Owners considering an awning installation on their own VW Transporter can explore Vamoose awning rails for the VW T5, T6 and T6.1 at Play Dirty.
These rails are a separate mounting solution from the roof-rack-mounted arrangement used on this build. Compatibility must be checked against the intended awning and installation.
Custom RIB Bed and GTI Tartan Upholstery
The interior centres around a RIB 112 seat-bed, specified with red Volkswagen GTI-style tartan fabric centres and coordinating fabric outer sections.
The front seats were also reupholstered in matching GTI tartan, with reshaped shoulder sections.
This creates a consistent finish between the driving area and campervan living space.
A swivel mechanism was specified for the passenger seat, allowing it to face into the living area when parked.
The interior uses a combination of dark furniture finishes, contrasting upholstery and carefully positioned lighting rather than filling the limited SWB space with unnecessary cabinetry.
Custom Campervan Kitchen and Storage
The kitchen and furniture were built around the Wildworx Basecamp-style interior, using a combination of SuperVa Titanium and Hacienda Black finishes.
The worktop was specified in Hanex BL-205 Sedimentary, with matt nickel furniture locks and a silver tambour door.
Kitchen equipment includes:
- Dometic fridge-freezer in black.
- Combined hob and sink with folding tap.
- Custom kitchen cabinetry.
- Full-height storage cupboard with tambour door.
- Additional storage beneath the RIB seat-bed.
Instead of fitting conventional under-bed drawers, the design uses a drop-down panel at the front of the RIB bed.
This provides access for longer items that would otherwise be difficult to accommodate in a compact campervan interior.
Loc8 Table Storage in the Sliding Door
The build includes a Loc8 table storage system, designed to store the removable campervan table within the sliding door.
This avoids dedicating permanent floor or cupboard space to the table when it is not being used.
For compact VW Transporter conversions, small storage decisions like this can make a significant difference to the amount of usable interior space.
The Loc8 campervan table system is available from Play Dirty for compatible VW Transporter models.
110Ah Leisure Battery, Inverter and Portable Solar
The campervan electrical system includes a 110Ah leisure battery, CBE electrical distribution and a 2,000W pure sine wave inverter.
A 150W folding solar charging kit was also specified, providing portable solar charging rather than relying exclusively on a permanently roof-mounted panel.
Additional electrical equipment includes:
- USB and USB-C charging.
- 12V charging socket.
- 240V double socket.
- LED lighting beneath the cabinets.
- Two reading lights.
- Six LED downlights.
- External mains hookup.
The available time away from mains power depends on battery chemistry, charging conditions and electrical consumption. The inverter's rated output should not be interpreted as the battery's continuous available energy.
Webasto Diesel Heating and Hot Water
Heating and hot water are provided by a Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 RV system, specified with a plate heat exchanger.
The conversion also incorporates underslung water tanks, an external water filling point and an exterior shower connection.
A winterised tank kit, including a tank blanket and electronic heating pad, was specified to provide additional protection for the water installation in colder conditions.
As with any campervan water system, protection against freezing depends on the conditions, available power and the parts of the system being protected.
Underslung LPG and External BBQ Connection
Unlike our gas-free induction builds, this Transporter has an underslung LPG system supporting its gas cooking arrangement.
The specification also includes an external BBQ gas take-off, allowing compatible outdoor cooking equipment to be connected to the onboard gas supply.
This arrangement reduces the need to carry separate portable gas cylinders for compatible equipment. Appropriate connections, ventilation and safe operating procedures remain essential.
Interior Finishing and Practical Details
The cabin and living area include Dodo soundproofing and insulation, smoke-coloured carpet lining and Altro Walkway 20 vinyl flooring in the Fog finish.
The cargo-area headlining was specified in silver Alcantara.
Wine-coloured Vanshades were fitted to the sliding door, opposite window and tailgate.
A further practical detail is the incorporation of a dedicated dog restraint mounting provision, using a repurposed cargo D-ring location.
The invoice also specified a carbon monoxide alarm, fire alarm and fire extinguisher.
A Compact VW Transporter Built for Touring
This VW T6 demonstrates how a short-wheelbase Transporter can combine substantial exterior modifications with a fully equipped campervan interior.
Its Swamper alloy wheels, all-terrain tyres, VB air suspension, roof rack and awning create a distinctive exterior specification.
Inside, the RIB bed, custom upholstery, kitchen, leisure electrical system, Webasto heating and carefully designed storage make the most of the available space.
The approach is consistent with Wildworx's bespoke campervan design philosophy : select the equipment and layout around how the owner intends to use the vehicle.
Campervan Conversions and Accessories from Wildworx
Wildworx designs and builds bespoke expedition campervans from our workshop in Alcester, Warwickshire.
Our current bespoke conversion programme focuses on the MAN TGE, Volkswagen Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
To explore our current vehicles and conversion approach, visit Wildworx Campervan Conversions .
If you already own a VW Transporter and want to source wheels, awning rails, tables or other campervan equipment, explore VW Transporter accessories at Play Dirty .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a VW T6 Swamper campervan conversion?
A Swamper conversion generally refers to a Transporter fitted with all-terrain styling and equipment such as all-terrain tyres, alloy wheels and exterior modifications. This Wildworx build includes Wolfrace Explorer Sahara alloys, General Grabber AT3 tyres, rock sliders, a roof rack and VB air suspension.
Does this VW Transporter have VB air suspension?
Yes. VB air suspension is fitted to this vehicle. The precise ride-height adjustment, levelling functions and other features depend on the specific VB system installed. Air suspension does not automatically increase the vehicle's legal payload or permitted axle weights.
What alloy wheels and tyres are fitted?
The conversion specification includes five Wolfrace Explorer Sahara alloy wheels with five General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, including a matching spare. For current alternatives, explore Swamper alloy wheels at Play Dirty .
Does this VW T6 campervan have a roof rack?
Yes. A Front Runner Slimline II roof rack was specified for the VW T6 short-wheelbase vehicle. The Fiamma F45s awning mounts to the rack rather than directly to the van body.
What awning is fitted to this campervan?
The vehicle features a black and grey 260cm Fiamma F45s awning with brackets for mounting to the roof rack. For other VW Transporter awning installations, Play Dirty supplies Vamoose awning rails . These use a different mounting arrangement.
Does the campervan have a full kitchen?
Yes. The specification includes a combined hob and sink, Dometic fridge-freezer, custom cabinetry, worktop and an underslung LPG system. An external BBQ connection is also included.
How does the Loc8 campervan table work?
The Loc8 system stores a removable table inside the VW Transporter's sliding door. This saves interior storage space when the table is not in use. The Loc8 campervan table is available at Play Dirty.
Does this VW T6 have solar charging?
Yes. The specification includes a 150W folding solar charging kit, 110Ah leisure battery and 2,000W pure sine wave inverter. Actual charging performance depends on sunlight and operating conditions.
How is the campervan heated?
A Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 RV system with a plate heat exchanger was specified to provide heating and hot water. The conversion also includes a winterised water tank kit with an electronic heating pad.
Does Wildworx still build VW T6 campervans?
This VW T6 is an example of an earlier Wildworx conversion. Our current bespoke expedition campervan programme focuses on the MAN TGE, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter. Explore our current work at Wildworx . For VW T6 parts and accessories, visit Play Dirty .
