Transporter T5 L2H1: Fornomad's bright, modular van conversion
Near Narbonne, the Fornomad workshop has turned a Volkswagen Transporter T5 L2H1 phase 2 into a bright, versatile van. Complete Exokit interior panels, a U-shaped bench seat, rear tall units and one bold choice: leaving the whole right-hand side free as a walkway or for a bike.
The project: a T5 L2H1 designed for active weekends
The Transporter T5 phase 2 (often called the T5.1, built from 2009 to 2015) remains a highly sought-after base for a van conversion: reliable, pleasant to drive and discreet day to day. The L2H1 version adds around 40 cm of length compared with the L1, while still fitting under car park height barriers.
Fornomad chose to use this length in a different way from simply adding more furniture. The right-hand side unit was deliberately left out. The result: a real walkway from the tailgate, and a clear space to store a bike, sports gear or bulky luggage.
The interior panels: light oak and light grey felt
The base of the conversion is the complete Exokit interior panel pack for the Transporter T5/T6 L2H1: floor in 9 mm birch plywood, ceiling and side walls in 5 mm poplar plywood, made to measure to follow the shape of the bodywork.
The walls and ceiling were given a light oak oiled finish. Fornomad paired it with light grey felt on the pillars and around the openings. The contrast is soft: the wood warms up the whole space, while the felt adds a muffled texture and neatly covers the curved areas. An LED strip set into the ceiling spreads warm light along the full length of the van.
More light: an open bulkhead and side windows
Two changes completely transform how the space feels. Fornomad removed the upper part of the bulkhead: from the rear, your eye now runs all the way to the windscreen. Sliding side windows were also fitted, to let in natural light and provide ventilation.
Grey blackout curtains, fitted on the windows and as a divider with the cab, bring back privacy in the evening.
The living space: U-shaped bench seat and rear tall units
At the front of the living area, an Exokit U-shaped bench seat in the classic version forms a lounge around a table on a central leg. The storage boxes under the seat offer easy-access storage, and the bench seat converts into a 120 x 180 cm bed in a few moves.
At the rear left, two Exokit tall units house a compressor fridge, with a storage drawer above it. All the furniture is CNC-cut 15 mm birch plywood, with a light oak oiled finish to match the interior panels.
Electrics built into the furniture
Fornomad carried out a complete electrical installation, designed to disappear into the conversion. The fridge is built into the rear tall unit. On the side of the bench seat, by the sliding door, there are two 12 V sockets and two 220 V sockets, within reach from the lounge as well as from outside. No visible cables: everything runs through the furniture and behind the interior panels.
The result
This T5 L2H1 shows that a successful conversion is not measured by the number of units installed. By keeping the right-hand side free, Fornomad has created a van that breathes: a sociable lounge by day, a 180 cm bed at night, and enough room to load a bike without taking it apart. Natural light, pale wood and felt create a calming interior, far from the work-van feel.
Conclusion
Do you have a Transporter T5 or T6 to convert? Discover the complete T5/T6 L2H1 interior panel pack as well as the U-shaped bench seat and tall units used in this project, available in raw plywood or with an oiled finish. And to see more of the workshop's work, take a look at the Renault Trafic 3 converted by Fornomad.
