You have a golden opportunity to look back at some of your footage and see where you think your relationships have gone wrong.. so lucky to be able to do that.. just like your van footage.
Leah being part of the journey and build was a Best, losing her was a fail...With your added portable electric source an interior climate control and yes, a porta potty would make life a little more comfy...
SHC(slaughter house custom) sell a shower curtain system that clamps onto the side of your van and opens and closes within seconds and stays outside so no problem about mold or damp inside the van. From the curtain 😂
We live full time in our bus as well.. YOU were key in that decision!.. been playing music and traveling in it for the last couple of years. We're documenting the music, not the bussing so much lol.. videoing is a lot of work.. fun too! We love magnetic blinds and solar btw.. no doubt 🧐
For the weather seals USE SOME NON CURING MASTIC!!!!! I mentioned it a few years ago when you were building the van, it's the only way you'll ever get it to seal! Bit messy initially but once done it will be fine
Oh my…. Where have I been???? 😅! Watched, and wife has followed, 5-6 years ago. Guess we need to catch up to what experiences you’ve ventured into since returning from Africa/Morocco.❤
hello i'm magnum from brazil i bought a kombi and i'm building a project similar to yours only mine runs on alcohol and gasoline more modern engine the kombi t2 was manufactured for 56 years here, i'm going to use it on a trip from argentina to alaska ... congratulations for your content look for more about the Brazilian kombi
A kombi is so good off road anyway that tyres like KO2’s aren’t so important, on my 4 tonne Moho I need KO2’s just for flat wet grass! I did do kombi life in the uk back in the 80’s 90’s and loved it. Can’t beat a motorhome for convenience though. Great to see a new video.
Great video and always good to get hindsight from other people. Also a big thank you for the whole series. My 72 Kombi was very slowly being restored and your van build series spurred me into action! Worst part that I never want to do again are the rear wheel bearings. 12 months later, I am about to get it registered for the road and the first trip will be to the cafe 12km away from here 🙂 Great videos and happy travels!
I bought a sherpa van (based on the old British built BMC vans that go way back!) years ago and lived in it as a tintop for 3 years. I eventually found a super rare fiberglass top for it which I bought and transported the length of England. I am very fortunate in that after the insulation and cladding I fitted there is still a massive 30cm gap, and I'm 5ft11! So I can appreciate the high top part.. nothing more frustrating on rainy days than not being able to stand up, and terrible for your body if you're living in there for years at a time.
Great video! Rust? Mold? Time for you to return to the desert SW. I unsubscribed after Leah left. I miss her and your adventures in the North and South hemisphers.
When you were building it, I was suspect of your lack of privacy and lack of toilet, but you have to learn these lessons on your own. Happy 2023, Ben! ❤
Some good info, although you'll not redesign for a bigger bed, extra bed and a shower/loo in the kombi! However it is why I live in a truck with all that space. However you could cut the roof off and lift it 6", while you are sorting out the rust around the windows.
The OG vanman... Amazing following you over the years like you I was a t2 man till I discovered the forgotten vw camper... Look up the vw LT31 WESTFALIA florida.... Best van I have ever owned 👍
Awesome , and helpful video Ben! As a long time subscriber it was great to see glimpses of Leah again. It's weird as a follower to get invested In someone else's relationships. Was sad when Sharne left. Gutted when things with Leah didn't work out. Anyways buddy, hope all is well. Thanks for the great content!
Mosquito net for the sliding door took us a while to get right. We cracked it last year though. Combination of midge net and hacking up a cheap mosquito net for the magnets. It's definitely been worth fitting though.
She’s doing well and working in video production in Australia. She recently did the VW Treffin road trip from Canada to Mexico and filmed it. It’s on UA-cam somewhere.
Happy New year! What a great video 👍🏽 Have been watching from the beginning and it’s great to see what has worked and what hasn’t. Look forward to more Kombi videos!!
It’s nuts that I first started watching Kombi life 6-7 years ago, now being 18 looking back at all the videos I watched was an amazing sense of nostalgia. Thanks for the videos mate :)
Ben, this was wonderful, thank you! I appreciate your tips, some of it is relevant NOW and some I will keep in mind. Your good at poking fun at yourself so when you were showing the headroom and said you are very sad, I thought you were gonna say humble, (which you have become). BTW I miss her too. Still, you are the original YT van-lifer, thanks for breaking the barriers around the world! Happy New Year, may this lap around the planet be the best yet!
Happy new year to you, Ben. I miss you and Alaska a lot, bro. This is a great video. Maybe we’ll watch it sitting around the fire this weekend at BBB. Was it four years ago in the Arizona desert? Or 5? Wow!
I love the hinges for the tilting panels. Did you do a video on building that? I made a really simple frame from angle aluminum and I can detach them easily, but the hinge & prop method looks awesome. We've only been living full time for 6 months and we're barely getting our channel off the ground, it's cool to see someone who's been at this so long, gives me lots of inspiration!
Hi Ben. Very long-time subscriber here and just wondering if there is any new content coming soon? For instance, whatever happened to Faith and has there been anything going on for Kombi since the long ago Croatia trip? Thanks.
Hey Steven, Thanks for the message. We're actually working on new content right now. Just coming to the end of 3 months filming a new season and a new series. Also, news from Faith has already started going out the Kombi Crew channel members for early viewing. Once I have enough episodes together to release them weekly on the channel publically I will do so. thanks for your patience and support. I'm excited to share what we're up to.
Happy New Year Ben. I’ve been a little worried about you since the breakdown. Good to see you are fine. I love my General Grabber tires on my van. Pretty cheap and not very loud. Sewfine in Denver makes the screens you want.
Am always excited to see a new Kombi Life video. Would love a van like yours, possibly not as well equipped because I’m not likely to be spending lengthy amounts of time in the wilderness. Just checked the bank account, not happening anytime soon! 😂 Great video as always.
THAT was one of your best yet. Always wondered which systems worked best. After the Shiny new CV joint failure you might add a short bit on spare parts similiar to you good vs evil vid. what you carried and what you needed. When will your next adventure start..
Thanks Bill. I just changed the front pads this weekend. thought I better check before hitting the road next week on a bit of a 'test run of sorts' down to Spain. Found the existing pads were about 1mm thick, almost all gone . yikes. thought they would have a "squeaker" or something in there to tell me they are getting low, apparently not.
Fascinating list, but a thought comes to mind - wouldn't an indoor shower and loo require a bigger van? Agreed such a change would give you the extra headroom, but does it fit the Kombi concept?
Did I miss it or did you not talk about the 12v mini fridge? I converted our old 3-way Dometic in the Vanagon a while back and it was one of the best upgrades 2nd only to the 3L Subaru engine!
Ben your biggest mistake on that Van build was loosing Leah, sorry but I just miss her and what she brought to Combi Life. A compromise of home and van may have brough more success. I un-subscribed when she left partly because of the way she left.
it's a shame when things don't work out, isn't it - especially when we both tried so hard to make it work. Sometimes, it's for the right reasons though. Leah and I are both happy in our lives, and i think if you see what's happening now on the channel with the new series, you will see a difference in the energy, and smiles. Hope to see you over there in the comments - episode 1: ua-cam.com/video/_e73hLzJ4io/v-deo.html
They say that there's a lot of clarity in hindsight 😅
Looking forward to sharing many adventures with you in 2023, Happy New Year everyone 💕🚐💨
Maybe your future rig might be a Mercedes Benz 210D
Or the VW LT35
I've been watching for at least 3 girlfriends/fiancées....and 2 buses, you are doing great! 😎 Still watching!
Me too!
Same! I could never do it but I really respect how he puts it all out there for us to see.
He sort of touched on it but "van life relationships", women like privacy, men not so much.
And how many engines/engine rebuilds? :D
@@viesers lost count, but all since Central America.I think!
7 y watching you now, great videos and stories!
Thanks!!
Thanks for watching!
You have a golden opportunity to look back at some of your footage and see where you think your relationships have gone wrong.. so lucky to be able to do that.. just like your van footage.
So nice seeing so many clips of Leah. So many good memories. Also that clip at the end of Alaska! LOL That was so good. Great Video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
My focus was only to Alaska 😁😁 (plus Leah of course). Happy to see you share your life again with the rest of us Ben!
NLAVW sell a mosquito net for the sliding door of a Bay. I think it's an optional Westfalia one, but fits all Bays.
Great to see one of the most inspiring vanlife channels posting again! Here's to 2023 Ben🍾🍻
Leah being part of the journey and build was a Best, losing her was a fail...With your added portable electric source an interior climate control and yes, a porta potty would make life a little more comfy...
Yes Kate, it's never easy to part ways with someone so special
I love Anker products. Everything I have had has worked wonderfully and better than anything else like it.
I agree actually. They do a fab job
SHC(slaughter house custom) sell a shower curtain system that clamps onto the side of your van and opens and closes within seconds and stays outside so no problem about mold or damp inside the van. From the curtain 😂
Looks like a nice product. Thanks for the recommendation Luke
Really appreciate this video. So much wisdom from a decade or adventure!
Glad it was helpful!
We live full time in our bus as well.. YOU were key in that decision!.. been playing music and traveling in it for the last couple of years. We're documenting the music, not the bussing so much lol.. videoing is a lot of work.. fun too! We love magnetic blinds and solar btw.. no doubt 🧐
That is awesome!
@@KombiLife No @Kombi Life, you are the awesome.
Pleased to see that contrary to some on FB your not bad mouthing your previous partners. All the best for 2023.
Awesome
Your extensive experience is priceless.
I’ll definitely be incorporating your recommendations in our new Casita camping trailer.
Happy Trails
Oh how exciting Allen, I hope it brings you many miles of adventures and happy memories.
Great to see your still posting videos mate your videos helped us start our vanlife journey hope your doing well x
Happy Travels guys
It's been amazing to follow your adventures.
For the weather seals
USE SOME NON CURING MASTIC!!!!!
I mentioned it a few years ago when you were building the van, it's the only way you'll ever get it to seal!
Bit messy initially but once done it will be fine
Oh my…. Where have I been???? 😅! Watched, and wife has followed, 5-6 years ago. Guess we need to catch up to what experiences you’ve ventured into since returning from Africa/Morocco.❤
For the shower issue I'd recommended looking into a shower tent/awning.
4wdsupacentre in Australia has a great awning
thanks for the recommendation Andrew
hello i'm magnum from brazil i bought a kombi and i'm building a project similar to yours only mine runs on alcohol and gasoline more modern engine the kombi t2 was manufactured for 56 years here, i'm going to use it on a trip from argentina to alaska ... congratulations for your content look for more about the Brazilian kombi
Providing private, warm showers are 100% the key to relationship success!
A kombi is so good off road anyway that tyres like KO2’s aren’t so important, on my 4 tonne Moho I need KO2’s just for flat wet grass! I did do kombi life in the uk back in the 80’s 90’s and loved it. Can’t beat a motorhome for convenience though. Great to see a new video.
Great video and always good to get hindsight from other people. Also a big thank you for the whole series. My 72 Kombi was very slowly being restored and your van build series spurred me into action! Worst part that I never want to do again are the rear wheel bearings.
12 months later, I am about to get it registered for the road and the first trip will be to the cafe 12km away from here 🙂
Great videos and happy travels!
Haha I’ve got that job coming up soon (again) it’s horrible isn’t it haha. Happy travels.
I bought a sherpa van (based on the old British built BMC vans that go way back!) years ago and lived in it as a tintop for 3 years. I eventually found a super rare fiberglass top for it which I bought and transported the length of England. I am very fortunate in that after the insulation and cladding I fitted there is still a massive 30cm gap, and I'm 5ft11! So I can appreciate the high top part.. nothing more frustrating on rainy days than not being able to stand up, and terrible for your body if you're living in there for years at a time.
Lots of successes, and so many great memories for you to cherish 👍😊
Yes! Thank you!
Nice one .... looking forward to following along in the year ahead ...
More to come!
Great video! Rust? Mold? Time for you to return to the desert SW. I unsubscribed after Leah left. I miss her and your adventures in the North and South hemisphers.
About time Ben, i love your building skills!
I know right, more coming, I promise ☺
When you were building it, I was suspect of your lack of privacy and lack of toilet, but you have to learn these lessons on your own. Happy 2023, Ben! ❤
Some good info, although you'll not redesign for a bigger bed, extra bed and a shower/loo in the kombi! However it is why I live in a truck with all that space.
However you could cut the roof off and lift it 6", while you are sorting out the rust around the windows.
If only it was that easy. 😁
The OG vanman... Amazing following you over the years like you I was a t2 man till I discovered the forgotten vw camper... Look up the vw LT31 WESTFALIA florida.... Best van I have ever owned 👍
Awesome , and helpful video Ben! As a long time subscriber it was great to see glimpses of Leah again. It's weird as a follower to get invested In someone else's relationships. Was sad when Sharne left. Gutted when things with Leah didn't work out. Anyways buddy, hope all is well. Thanks for the great content!
Mosquito net for the sliding door took us a while to get right. We cracked it last year though. Combination of midge net and hacking up a cheap mosquito net for the magnets. It's definitely been worth fitting though.
Ohhh nice work guys.
Happy new year and great video as usual. C U sometime on a trail somewhere.
Been watching you for the last 3 years, I honestly like to see you drive the van's reminds me of the on my dad had. Your travels is a plus though.
Damn, i missed Leah. Great to see her even if it's just from older videos. Anyone knows anything about her?
She’s doing well and working in video production in Australia. She recently did the VW Treffin road trip from Canada to Mexico and filmed it. It’s on UA-cam somewhere.
@@KombiLife Here is the video that Ben refers to: ua-cam.com/video/OtPJ55FBahE/v-deo.html
@@stevenlapidus2902 You are a legend my friend! Cheers!
@@stevenlapidus2902 Thank you so much! I dropped everything to watch that video.
Check out One Happy Kombi. Leah lives and and is still lovely! She doesn’t do YT, but she does do adventure travel, and yes film production.
Happy New year! What a great video 👍🏽 Have been watching from the beginning and it’s great to see what has worked and what hasn’t. Look forward to more Kombi videos!!
Awesome! Thank you!
It’s nuts that I first started watching Kombi life 6-7 years ago, now being 18 looking back at all the videos I watched was an amazing sense of nostalgia. Thanks for the videos mate :)
That is awesome!
great vid
Ben, this was wonderful, thank you! I appreciate your tips, some of it is relevant NOW and some I will keep in mind. Your good at poking fun at yourself so when you were showing the headroom and said you are very sad, I thought you were gonna say humble, (which you have become). BTW I miss her too. Still, you are the original YT van-lifer, thanks for breaking the barriers around the world! Happy New Year, may this lap around the planet be the best yet!
Glad it was helpful!
Happy new year Ben!
Happy new year!
I am leaning towards a 70s GMC instead of another Kombi. Changing it to EV with 2 Tesla batteries and 1 motor.
Just had five days no utility power ... ok, moved back into the vanagon ;)) Stay flexible, but always listen to your partner.
Happy new year to you, Ben. I miss you and Alaska a lot, bro. This is a great video. Maybe we’ll watch it sitting around the fire this weekend at BBB. Was it four years ago in the Arizona desert? Or 5? Wow!
Oh wow wish we could be there with you Tom. Hope you have a great time. 🤙
I love the hinges for the tilting panels. Did you do a video on building that? I made a really simple frame from angle aluminum and I can detach them easily, but the hinge & prop method looks awesome. We've only been living full time for 6 months and we're barely getting our channel off the ground, it's cool to see someone who's been at this so long, gives me lots of inspiration!
You can get fly nets that fit your side door and tailgate from NLAVW
Nice work. Not magnetic, but a good second best option. 👍🏼
Very informative video, and you actually talk from expérience with a ton of footage to back it up! You're a vanlife youtube encyclopedia!
Hi Ben. Very long-time subscriber here and just wondering if there is any new content coming soon? For instance, whatever happened to Faith and has there been anything going on for Kombi since the long ago Croatia trip? Thanks.
Hey Steven, Thanks for the message. We're actually working on new content right now. Just coming to the end of 3 months filming a new season and a new series. Also, news from Faith has already started going out the Kombi Crew channel members for early viewing. Once I have enough episodes together to release them weekly on the channel publically I will do so. thanks for your patience and support. I'm excited to share what we're up to.
Happy New Year's. This channel got me homeless. Cheers legends🤙🍻😜
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences Ben jamin’ truly an inspiring saga ; )
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video and great info! Cheers!
Thank you! Cheers!
Truly impressive build. 🌿
Thank you kindly!
Happy New Year Ben. I’ve been a little worried about you since the breakdown. Good to see you are fine.
I love my General Grabber tires on my van. Pretty cheap and not very loud.
Sewfine in Denver makes the screens you want.
I appreciate that!
Am always excited to see a new Kombi Life video. Would love a van like yours, possibly not as well equipped because I’m not likely to be spending lengthy amounts of time in the wilderness. Just checked the bank account, not happening anytime soon! 😂
Great video as always.
😆 cheers Marcus
Hellooo. Nice to see you
THAT was one of your best yet. Always wondered which systems worked best. After the Shiny new CV joint failure you might add a short bit on spare parts similiar to you good vs evil vid. what you carried and what you needed. When will your next adventure start..
Thanks Bill. I just changed the front pads this weekend. thought I better check before hitting the road next week on a bit of a 'test run of sorts' down to Spain. Found the existing pads were about 1mm thick, almost all gone . yikes. thought they would have a "squeaker" or something in there to tell me they are getting low, apparently not.
starlink? looking into that?
Sir and Madam, I request you please make a vlog of Historical Begumpuri masjid in Hauz khas Delhi India.
No disrespect, but your thumbnail had me laughing in tears
Happy New year Ben. What happened to Faith? What is she doing?
update about that coming soon Leanne
Happy New Year🍾🥂
Happy new year!!
Et bonne année Alaska !
I thought the comment on the magnetic blinds would be "if you're unlucky, you'll have to ask your mom to make them."
muy buen video,gracias
Gracias a ti
Fascinating list, but a thought comes to mind - wouldn't an indoor shower and loo require a bigger van? Agreed such a change would give you the extra headroom, but does it fit the Kombi concept?
Maybe an indoor seated shower then haha
@@KombiLife Just build a small trailer with shower and loo, wouldn't have to be very heavy or big.
Great recommendations, thank you
You are so welcome!
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Leah in the thumbnail and not Faith? Has Faith left the channel now bro?
Did I miss it or did you not talk about the 12v mini fridge? I converted our old 3-way Dometic in the Vanagon a while back and it was one of the best upgrades 2nd only to the 3L Subaru engine!
Oh nice. I feel neutral about our 12v fridge. It’s mostly great but some build quality issues makes it neither a big success nor failure
I got a 2nd fridge (small 8L) to use for ice cream in the summer...haven't tried it but should be a luxury
When are you going on the world tour?
So, Ben did you permanently import the kombi into the UK?
still working on that
Four years? time flies
Must be me. Feels like every time, I check your sponsors' product, they are out of stock or unavailable. :P
Same for me actually 😁 I tell them this. Might be in stock if you buy direct from the Anker website.
Your sweater is fantastic! Do you have a link for it?
Thanks. It was a gift from a family I met on Vancouver island, so no. Sorry.
I have really enjoyed watching your adventures over the years.
I’ve been to the desert in a bug with great name..
Best wishes my friend
You too
How do you feel about the awing and your bed?
Both are good. Awning relies on Velcro in some places which is a design flaw.
Time for a new big adventure and new girl ;)
Hate, hate, hate my cv boots. Lol 1971 Westy.
hahaha
Great vlog What size tyres are you using
Clearly visible at 14:46
(Now: 205/70 R15)
how much did the van build cost in total? (ignoring costs of buying twice because the first time was cheap)🤠
I’m too scared to look hahaha 🙈
The UA-camr Amy in a van, has a great shower set up in her van
For the average person, I'm sure it's out of their price range. Nice though if you have the cash
YOU SHOULD THINK OF CHANGING YOUR VEHICLES. IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO WRITE A NEW NARRATIVE ET HAVE A FAMILY. MARRIAGE 💑 IS ALSO SO IMPORTANT.
Great info , sorry you have “fails on your relationships , maybe it’s because you are a crazy person. Take care
When is your next big long adventure? How about Africa?
Haha I'm 5ft 8 lol
you would fit perfectly haha
Ben your biggest mistake on that Van build was loosing Leah, sorry but I just miss her and what she brought to Combi Life. A compromise of home and van may have brough more success. I un-subscribed when she left partly because of the way she left.
it's a shame when things don't work out, isn't it - especially when we both tried so hard to make it work. Sometimes, it's for the right reasons though. Leah and I are both happy in our lives, and i think if you see what's happening now on the channel with the new series, you will see a difference in the energy, and smiles. Hope to see you over there in the comments - episode 1: ua-cam.com/video/_e73hLzJ4io/v-deo.html
Yeah, women don't work Ben...