Transit Van Fit Out - GunnyR

[peter halle]

As a Transit owner since 2015 (150 standard wheelbase 3.7 liter medium roof red) I admit to drooling over your setup.  Good choice on using the factory supplied holes or anchoring points.  The boron steel areas suck for attachment.

Perhaps one day I will make mine look as nice as yours.

Who am I kidding.  That isn't going to happen.

Rock on!

Peter

 

[gunnyr]

As a Transit owner since 2015 (150 standard wheelbase 3.7 liter medium roof red) I admit to drooling over your setup.  Good choice on using the factory supplied holes or anchoring points.  The boron steel areas suck for attachment.

Perhaps one day I will make mine look as nice as yours.

Who am I kidding.  That isn't going to happen.

Rock on!

Peter

Thank you!  My intent was to not put my van into service until I had, at least, the side shelving installed.  Instead, I began to work out of it once the curbside shelving was done.  That turned out to work well as I learned a few things about my new work flow.  It was during  that first week that I learned I needed the bulkhead storage box. 

Having a van has been a game changer for me.  I would tell every carpenter who needs a vehicle to think really hard before they buy a pick up!  The van allows much better tool access as well as secure cargo carrying capabilities.  Transporting material with my Silverado was always a challenge and often required advance planning.

 

[gunnyr]

Finished up on a couple pieces of my Fit Out today.  I completed my charging station and installed an articulating work station console in the cab.  The impetus for the console was to provide a place for the dog to ride (she was cramped riding on the passenger seat alone!)  As I got started on it I thought it would be cool to also create a writing/work surface.  The entire project was made from 1/2 Baltic Birch plywood and works very smoothly!

I also completed (mostly... [cool]) the electric system by adding a house battery, fuse block, and 600W inverter to provide lights and a battery charging station.    At some point I'll extend the lighting and 110v into the cab.  I also have a thought to add some exterior lighting.

Like others, I've found myself with multiple battery platforms. Milwaukee 12v, Dewalt 20 and 60v, as well as three different Festool battery types.  They all have earned a place in my kit but they take up a lot of room!

Charging Station:
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]

Console

Stowed Position
[attachimg=3]

In motion
[attachimg=4]

Writing/Work Position
[attachimg=5]

 

[Knight Woodworks]

Nice work, thanks for the update.

John

 

[koenbro]

Excellent build. I never understood why more contractors don’t use vans. Pick up trucks [and I have one] are quite impractical, once you get past the “built tough” etc image thing.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[acer66]

Nice build, I am on the fence getting a Transit so this is very interesting.
I am 6’1” plus boots and was wondering if you would still get the medium height roof.

Thank you.

 

[gunnyr]

Nice build, I am on the fence getting a Transit so this is very interesting.
I am 6’1” plus boots and was wondering if you would still get the medium height roof.

Thank you.

Thank you! 

I am 6'0", my business partner is 6'3"  He is looking to get the medium roof van also.  The high roof van adds enough height that I would struggle to use the roof rack.  I find the clearance to be just fine.  I can fully stand up in it and move about without issue.

Seems to me that the high roof would be best when your cargo requires it or if you were going to fit out the van as a camper.  Not sure if that answers your question, but for me I am glad that I did not get the high roof.  I had a Silverado with a mid roof cap on it for many years; I wish I had made the switch to a van years ago!

 

[acer66]

Nice build, I am on the fence getting a Transit so this is very interesting.
I am 6’1” plus boots and was wondering if you would still get the medium height roof.

Thank you.

Thank you! 

I am 6'0", my business partner is 6'3"  He is looking to get the medium roof van also.  The high roof van adds enough height that I would struggle to use the roof rack.  I find the clearance to be just fine.  I can fully stand up in it and move about without issue.

Seems to me that the high roof would be best when your cargo requires it or if you were going to fit out the van as a camper.  Not sure if that answers your question, but for me I am glad that I did not get the high roof.  I had a Silverado with a mid roof cap on it for many years; I wish I had made the switch to a van years ago!

Not planning on a roof rack but it helps me a lot to know that a medium high roof which seems to be more common when it comes to used even accommodates even a taller guy than me.

On a somewhat funny side note I am also keep trying to find excuses not to make a switch to a van from my Silverado but I start to run out of excuses.

 

[gunnyr]

On a somewhat funny side note I am also keep trying to find excuses not to make a switch to a van from my Silverado but I start to run out of excuses.

I can easily get a 20 sheets of 4x8 material inside the van or few 12' pieces of trim.  16' trim goes on the roof.  I find I use the rack more than I thought I would. 

Here's a the link to the post when I was fitting out my Silverado..  What I found was that my ability to carry material was limited at best and non-existent in poor weather. 

 

[RobS888]

You guys are making me reconsider getting an f150. Will 4 by 8s fit in any transit (not Connect)? From my reading there is about 126 inches behind the seat for the short version. So it seems so.

 

[gunnyr]

You guys are making me reconsider getting an f150. Will 4 by 8s fit in any transit (not Connect)? From my reading there is about 126 inches behind the seat for the short version. So it seems so.

The van gives me the ability to securely and safely carry both materials and tools.  I no longer have to crawl around in the dark trying to dig out seldom used tools.  Now I can get to all my tools without unloading half the vehicle!

Take a look at my 26 Jan post.  4x8 sheets fit easily even with the bulkhead and storage area.  10' stock fits easily the way I am configured.  Without the bulkhead I could get 16' trim in.  Mine is a 148" wheelbase but is not the extended version.

 

[tallgrass]

Your work, as always, top drawer. I am a mechanical engineer with a organizational sickness. Deeply screwed on this. I have no need for portability in my shop. However when I see these build outs, which are well done, I always start thinking about weight, CG and other issues with the added mass of the "built in weight" on top of the tool weight.. Is it a consideration? Does it even matter, fuel costs and so on. For example did you consider light weight materials, such as honeycomb panels instead of plywood. Much like aircraft cabin construction. This is more of a curiosity question. Considering you seem to be thorough you planning, I was wondering if it a consideration, or like most engineers, I am simply over thinking this.  

 

[gunnyr]

For example did you consider light weight materials, such as honeycomb panels instead of plywood. Much like aircraft cabin construction. This is more of a curiosity question. Considering you seem to be thorough you planning, I was wondering if it a consideration, or like most engineers, I am simply over thinking this.

Thank you for your kind words!

I did consider the CG and weight, but only in passing.  I quickly realized I was going to end up going down yet another rabbit hole.  I took the easy path and simply compared what I was doing to what I'd seen others do, and decided I was going to be ok.  I did choose a 3/4 ton chassis as I knew I was overloaded in my 1/2 ton pick up.  What I did not do was to get a vehicle weight at delivery.  Perhaps one day I'll stop and get a current weight and use the manufactures curb weight and then see where I'm at.  I will say that the van drives better today than it did when it was empty. 

I've been using the set up for 4 months now and can say that I am very pleased with the layout in general.  I keep adding to my list of things to upgrade and finalize:

• Add a bank of drawers
• finalize the top of the drivers side shelving
• Improve my tie down system
• Devise a method to transport trim, thinking something like the system that [member=43024]Kevin C.[/member] has in his rig
• Add cab lighting
• etc, etc....

All in all, I used a very unscientific approach to the weight and weight distribution and seem to have gotten away with it at this point. [blink]

 

[Toolman32]

I just bought almost an identical van and starting the process of racking it out. I like the charging station. Where did you get the inverter setup?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gunnyr]

I just bought almost an identical van and starting the process of racking it out. I like the charging station. Where did you get the inverter setup?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!  My goal was to provide interior lighting and charging.  I don't have enough power to run power tools, I figure if that's necessary I can bring a generator.

This is the Inverter from Amazon.  Note that I also installed a separate house battery, isolator and fuse panel to distribute the house power.  There are lots of resources for Transit camper conversion and wiring schematics available.  Check out Pinterest and the Ford Transit USA Forum

Here is my list of electric supplies and materials, it's not totally complete but includes the major components.

 

[gunnyr]

Drawers!

When I did the initial FitOut I knew that I wanted to include drawers in the middle bay of the curb side rack.  I wasn't sure exactly how they needed to be configured so I used Ridgid tool boxes to get started.  The Ridgid boxes are great but quickly getting tools and supplies was difficult.  Several tools were kept in the blow molded cases and some were stored behind other tools.  Now I can get to all those tools quickly and easily.

I settled on Paulk Style Drawers in two different sizes.  Several of the drawers have been fitted out for specific tools and others I have left open for the time being.

Before:
[attachimg=1]

During:
[attachimg=5]

After:
[attachimg=2]  [attachimg=3]  [attachimg=4]

 

[ForumMFG]

Drawers!

When I did the initial FitOut I knew that I wanted to include drawers in the middle bay of the curb side rack.  I wasn't sure exactly how they needed to be configured so I used Ridgid tool boxes to get started.  The Ridgid boxes are great but quickly getting tools and supplies was difficult.  Several tools were kept in the blow molded cases and some were stored behind other tools.  Now I can get to all those tools quickly and easily.

I settled on Paulk Style Drawers in two different sizes.  Several of the drawers have been fitted out for specific tools and others I have left open for the time being.

Before:
[attachimg=1]

During:
[attachimg=5]

After:
[attachimg=2]  [attachimg=3]  [attachimg=4]

Can you tell me where you found your black buckle straps so your equipment doesn't come flying off the shelves?  i love that idea and i need those

 

[gunnyr]

Can you tell me where you found your black buckle straps so your equipment doesn't come flying off the shelves?  i love that idea and i need those

I used 1 inch webing, buckles and Tri Glides from Amazon to make up what I needed.

Tri Glides:
https://www.amazon.com/YGDZ-100Pcs-Plastic-Triglides-Slides/dp/B074MQCDDJ

1 Inch Webbing:https://www.amazon.com/Strapworks-Heavyweight-Polypropylene-Webbing-Strapping/dp/B01KTVG0KI

FasTex Buckles:https://www.amazon.com/10-Adjustable-Release-Plastic-Buckles/dp/B00DCZRLZW

I found it best to cut the webbing with red hot utility knife blade held in a pair of vise grips.

 

[gunnyr]

Rear Door Storage

The front left corner had become a catch-all for long objects that didn't fit any place else.  The space is mostly dead space but is primarily needed to store my ladder.  After battling (and losing) with retrieving my pry bar one too many times I finally moved much of the mess to the unused space on the rear doors.  I'm really afraid that all I've really accomplished is creating space to carry yet more 'stuff'! [embarassed]

[attachimg=1]

 

[ForumMFG]

Do you care to go into anymore detail regarding your charging station?  I have been looking for something like what you put together for 6 months now and what you have is perfect.  I too would have 3-4 different charges but never thought out how to make it work.  So could you go into the specifics regarding the house battery, fuse, and power inverter.  I would really like to duplicate what you have.