Transit Van Fit Out - GunnyR

[gunnyr]

I also acquired a new Transit at the end of the year.  My intent was to place it in service only when the FitOut was complete ( [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] ) .....  The weather did not cooperate though. 

I had a job this week that required me to transport some sheet goods yesterday.  I would normally transport sheet goods on the top of my Silverado.  I had finished with the roof rack, ladder, and curbside shelving on my Transit.  So.... due to rain in the forecast the Transit made it's work debut yesterday!  I'm thinking the Silverado won't be back on the job site again.  Even though I only have about 30% of my planned shelving in the Transit was a huge improvement.  It was so nice to be off my knees crawling around in the back of a dark truck bed.  Some creative strapping allowed me to secure my Systainers and other supplies and I was able to get the job done!

The main feature I wanted was the ability to easily and quickly transport sheet goods.  On my PU sheet goods were always an undertaking to get everything secured on the roof.  I created slots on the edges of the uprights with my Domino and simply use clamps to hold the sheets upright.  Worked great!

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[TSO_Products]

Jeff, - I think you'll wonder why you waited as long as you have to make the move.
Enjoy the convenience and safety of your new ride!

I see the Blue Systainer got a secure place, too.
Hans

 

[kevin clifford]

The slots for clamps are a fantastic way to secure your cargo! Will ratchet straps fit in there as well?  I like that you've got a whole lot of slots, good plan.

 

[mkasdin]

Pretty roomy in there. Good organization. That’s the medium roof Transit 144-148 Wheel base?

 

[gunnyr]

Pretty roomy in there. Good organization. That’s the medium roof Transit 144-148 Wheel base?

Plenty of room!  Yes, it is a 148" medium roof, with the Ecoboost engine.  I'm 6'0" and am able to stand comfortably inside it.  I can't dance around but I don't feel the least bit cramped. 

 

[gunnyr]

The slots for clamps are a fantastic way to secure your cargo! Will ratchet straps fit in there as well?  I like that you've got a whole lot of slots, good plan.

Yes, straps will fit through them! 

I used the 10mm Domino Bit and created a 3.5" slot.

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[gunnyr]

Jeff, - I think you'll wonder why you waited as long as you have to make the move.
Enjoy the convenience and safety of your new ride!

I see the Blue Systainer got a secure place, too.
Hans

The GRS is a big part of my workflow!  All the cross cuts for the shelving were made with the GRS, of course! 

I knew pretty quick after I got the Silverado that a van was a better solution for me.  The issue I had with the Silverado is that it ran well, and it was paid for! [big grin]

 

[gunnyr]

[member=43024]Kevin C.[/member]  thread about fitting out his Ford Transit Van as well. we've been talking about the merits of the DeWalt 20v Vac and I realized I had no dedicated space for mine in my planning. The problem is now solved! I've also added strapping and fas-tex buckles to hold items in the shelves. 

The Ridged boxes are held in place with small mortices's much like the Systainer boxes sit in.

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[gunnyr]

Finally seeing progress on the drivers side today!  Everything is now painted and the uprights have been installed.  Tomorrow I'll finish attaching everything to the side and load up my systainers!

I'm very pleased with the way the domino slots are working out!  They are working well for ratchet straps, webbing with buckles, and Festool clamps used to hold sheet goods in place.

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[mac sparrow]

Gunny,

You're one of the few people I've seen that uses the Raaco service cases along with the Raaco 4 box rack.  I use them as well for cheap storage and have 1 x rack systainer which uses the same Raaco service cases.  I'd buy another couple of rack systainers but they're too expensive.

Nice fit out.  Just because people don't comment, doesn't mean they aren't looking.  Keep it up and thank you.

 

[gunnyr]

The Fit Out of the my Transit continues. Just finished the Driver's Side Systainer shelving and Level_Rail Storage box. The box has space for a pair of [member=63307]Grev[/member]'s 6' TrackTubes , several Stabila levels, 4 Festool Guide Rails, a Parf fence, and a [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] GRS-16.

Having a van is a real game changer for me! we've had quite a snow storm here in Cincinnati this week.  I was able to transport and cut drywall inside the van this morning; avoiding the slushy mess outside!

Next up is the bulkhead area!
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[kevin clifford]

Looks fantastic man, really coming together nicely!

 

[Knight Woodworks]

Looks great!

How did you attach the shelving to the van?

John

 

[gunnyr]

Looks great!

How did you attach the shelving to the van?

John

You can see the back spreader parts in my 4 Feb post.  The Transit has what would be the window frame running about 20" above the floor along the length of the side.  Ford fits that rail with a number of 8mm threaded inserts that, as you might suspect, are NOT where I needed them.  : I used 1/4-20 PlusNut Inserts to add my own inserts as needed.  The issue is that the next highest place to attach to the shelving to the side is at the roof level.... 

 

[Knight Woodworks]

Thanks. Enjoy your new ride.

John

 

[gunnyr]

I completed the Bulkhead storage box today and am very pleased with the results.  The box has dedicated spaces to hold my two Centipede work tables, the table tops, a piece of foam. a Ridgid outfeed support, and a pair of sawhorses.  In the bottom of the box is a 40" shallow drawer with dividers in it that is equipped with a sliding top so that the drawer can be used as a work surface.

The box itself provides a nice work surface inside the van.  The curbside sliding door area is where I keep my tool bag and table saw for easy access. 

Next up is the installation of the house electric system.  I'll add a second battery to the van that is isolated from the vehicle battery.  The house battery will be used to power a small inverter to charge batteries as well as lighting in the cargo area of the van. 

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[pettyconstruction]

I like the pencil sharpener , I have one in my shop also
Charlie

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[gunnyr]

I like the pencil sharpener , I have one in my shop also
Charlie

[big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[Vondawg]

[member=42009]gunnyr[/member]  Ive followed your build out from the start (and many others) but none as nicely set up...very nice work and organization!
I was wondering now that some weather has happened, how does the van handle and how’s the traction? Front wheel drive only or all wheel ? Do they come with AWD ?
Thanks

 

[gunnyr]

[member=42009]gunnyr[/member]  Ive followed your build out from the start (and many others) but none as nicely set up...very nice work and organization!
I was wondering now that some weather has happened, how does the van handle and how’s the traction? Front wheel drive only or all wheel ? Do they come with AWD ?
Thanks

Thank you for your kind words.  Like others; my design utilizes ideas I've gathered from others over the years.  I have the major pieces in place now; as you know the devil is in the details!  I'm still finding supplies and tools that need storage places.  Today I installed a 2nd battery and an inverter.  I'll be adding cargo lighting next week. 

I was out in some of the snow last week and pleased with the performance.  I also have a 4WD GMC Sierra that, if it were really bad, I'd drive it rather than the Transit.  I've also hit a point in my life where I'm not very tolerant of bad weather and am able to stay home rather than put up with it. 

My Transit is a 250 Mid Roof, Standard length, 148" WB 2WD model with the EcoBoost engine.  I am very happy with the performance and cargo capacity.  The van is fun to drive and accelerates surprisingly quickly.  The Transit does come in an AWD model I believe.