This section is for the specialists, the mechanics, the upholsterers, and the electrical wizards who know their way around a split-window or a Bay Window. If you build, repair, or outfit Kombis for a living, you are the backbone of this community. We share your work, your hard-won knowledge, and the occasional horror story that only a true professional would appreciate.
You don't need a showroom build or a second mortgage. Start with the basics that matter for sleeping, cooking, and staying dry on a Cape weekend. We'll help you plan the layout, sort the electricals, and pick a route that won't let you down.
Not sure where to begin? Read a few real conversion stories or ask us directly about your Kombi's setup.
From the workshop floor
We spend our time inside Kombis, not in boardrooms. The people we work with are the ones who weld, wire, and sleep in these vans, and their words carry more weight than any brochure.
"I came for the electrical guide and stayed for the honest campsite reviews. The write-up on the air-cooled tune-up saved me a weekend of guessing. It reads like a mate explaining things over a braai, not a manual."
Pieter van der Merwe
1974 Bay Window owner, Stellenbosch
"The slide-out kitchen build took me a single weekend, and the cutting list was spot on. No fluff, no sponsored gear talk. Just marine ply, stainless steel, and clear steps. My Kombi finally cooks like it should."
Nomsa Khumalo
DIY camper builder, Durban
"Their route notes for the Garden Route mention which gravel patches are fine and which will rattle your teeth out. We used the Cape Agulhas escape and slept like logs at the farm campsite near Stanford."
Jaco Botha
Weekend overlander, George
"We sent Harry Kombi a question about gas regulator placement in a T3. The reply came with a hand-drawn sketch and a warning about a common mistake that could have been dangerous. That kind of care is rare."
Lindiwe Ndlovu
Camper conversion specialist, Cape Town
"The community here actually reads the build logs before commenting. I posted my split-window restoration and got three solid tips about sealant brands and one joke about my wiring. Perfect balance."
Riaan Pretorius
Classic Kombi restorer, Pretoria
"The only magazine that tells you which campsite showers are actually hot before you book."
A regular reader, somewhere between Cape Town and the Garden Route