VW T5 Facelift Conversion Guide

Considering cosmetic surgery for your T5 to bring the front more up to date? Perhaps you have been shopping for a T5.1 but realised you could make an older Transporter look just as modern, and potentially save some money on the initial purchase price. 

Whatever your thought process or Transporter situation, we'll explain what is involved in the T5 - T5.1 facelift conversion below. 

This facelift guide is aimed at owners of VW T5 models built between 2003-2010 who want to replicate the look of the T5.1 vehicles (made between 2010-2015). Notably, the bumpers are deeper, the grille is much wider and the headlamps are more modern looking. 

This conversion will involve jacking the front of the vehicle in the air. Removing the front wheels to gain access to the plastic arch liners, and the bolts behind them will make life easier for you. Please ensure you do this safely and secure axle stands underneath for additional support - or use a ramp if you have access to one!

Replacement panels and bumpers are generally supplied unpainted, and whilst it's extra work, we would always recommend having a trial run of the parts before painting them, to ensure you are satisfied with the fit. Much better to make adjustments before the paint goes on. 

The later T5.1 bonnet has a smoother leading edge and feels much more connected with the lights and bumper below than the earlier iteration. Make sure you remove the washer jets and then pull the hosing free before lifting the old bonnet off the van. The new bonnet will attach to the same hinges just like before. 

You will need to transfer the bonnet stay holder and the latch mechanism over from your old bonnet, and source new rubber bonnet stops specifically for the T5.1 to finish it off. 

One of the most noticeable differences with the T5 facelift conversion is the T5.1 headlights. Available with single and double headlamps, there are also some attractive custom options, including units with free-flowing indicators to mimic the latest Audis and Volkswagen passenger vehicles. 

There will be minor wiring modifications to connect your new headlamps. Conversion wiring looms are available for around £20 if you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself. 

The T5.1 lamps will secure to the front panel in the same fashion albeit with a slightly thicker bolt. The lower part of the headlamp will require some simple fabricating or sourcing securing brackets for underneath. For a full OE finish, you can fit a complete T5.1 front panel, but there will be a lot more work involved. 

Just like the T25 front grille of the eighties, the T5.1 grille slats extend from headlamp to headlamp. This follows the design cues of the VW passenger vehicles of the time and gives the front of the T5.1 a real lift over the initial T5 version. 

These are available in a variety of specifications including the original matt black with a badge recess and a smoother gloss black badgeless design for a more custom look. 

The bumper will involve a little bit of lying on your back to remove, as there are securing bolts underneath and inside the inner arch. With the old one taken off, the new one can be put into place and will fit with the existing bumper support bar. Do be careful when removing the old one for any wiring that may be in place for foglights etc. You will need to fit those back into place with the new bumper. 

You may choose to leave your T5.1 front bumper in the textured black plastic finish for the 'commercial look' alternatively if you are going to have them painted you may consider the Sportline lower spoiler or something similar. 

To make life easier we stock a Genuine VW T5.1 front bumper fitting kit, with all the nuts, bolts, and fixings for attaching the new bumper. 

Shop the T5.1 front bumper range here.

If you have sourced a ready-painted or primed T5.1 front bumper then you might also consider fitting a lower front spoiler or splitter. By far the most common is the Sportline style, as designed and fitted by Volkswagen on their higher specification models, seen in red here. If this design doesn't suit you, then perhaps the ABT style front spoiler will be better, as seen on the black example below.  

Below the bumper or bumper spoiler, you could also fit a splitter, like the red and yellow examples below. If you are rolling on big wheels then this helps to fill the gap to the ground nicely. There is probably a small downforce benefit too, but these are far from race cars!

Find the Sportline splitter here and the standard bumper splitter here.

With everything bolted into place, there will be a few gaps in your new bumper that will need filling. Near the top, on either side of the grille, there are two plastic panels that cover up some of the attachment bolts. These can be plain (like the yellow van) or you can fit daylight running lights (DRL) in the gap if you prefer (like the red van).

Lower down on the standard bumper is another pair of bumper trims. These are available as blanks, or with fog lamp holes for accessory lighting to be added. They can be found online here. 

A nice addition to the bumper, headlamps, and grille would be to fit T5.1 wing mirrors. Not only do these look a bit smarter and more car-like, but it'll be a dead giveaway to your Transporters true age if you leave the originals in place. Find T5.1 wing mirrors online here. 

You've started, so you may as well finish! If you feel the tail end of your Transporter could do with a little tidy up too, then howabout fitting the T5.1 rear lamps. You can check out your options on our website here. 

Lastly, you can complete the makeover with the restyled rear bumper. Find our range of T5.1 rear bumpers online here. 

And that, is all there is too it! Got anymore questions? Drop us an email help@heritagepartscentre.com and our team of experts will be happy to assist. Bought the parts and done the conversion? Share your pics online and tag us #driveheritage

Andy