In need of a few measurements

[Silver350]

Wondering if someone could provide the following measurements on an RB Ford with Penthouse:

Distance from the rear edge of the front doors to the front edge of the top.

Length and width of the area where the bed rests on.

Distance from the rear edge of the front door (s) to the front edge of the surface that the bed rests on.


Thanks.

[jage]

I believe it may vary with floorplan, as do the number and ratio of the bed platforms.

[SCBrian]

Jage, I think he's referring to the top with his recent top acquisition.

[my3kids]

I can try to do this for you when I get home tonite. I have an 06 E350 RB with electric PH and standard length 2 piece bed. SMB-w will make the bed in any length you prefer so I chose standard.

Ray

[Silver350]

Originally Posted by my3kids

I can try to do this for you when I get home tonite. I have an 06 E350 RB with electric PH and standard length 2 piece bed. SMB-w will make the bed in any length you prefer so I chose standard.

Ray

That would be great. BTW it's not the bed length I'm after, it's the rails the bed sits on, end to end and side to side.

[my3kids]

I forgot that I drove my van into work today. Here are the measurements:

• You asked rear edge of front door to front edge of top. I couldn't easily do this because the measurement points weren't inline or on the same plane. And I think the front edge of the PH top is just slightly curved/bowed. I measured instead (from the exterior) the distance from the centerline of the van from where the top of windshield ends (meaning past the glass, past the rubber-ish seal and where the painted roof begins) to where the PH top's black rubber strip rests on the roof. That distance is 13.5 inches.

• You asked length and width of the area where the bed rests on. The width of the opening is 36.25 inches. The channel on each side is roughly 2 in for the PH bed rests on so the overall width for the PH bed placement is about 40in. The opening is wrapped in grayish fabric by SMB so I wasn't able to get an exact measurement for you. The length of opening is 105 inches.

• You asked rear edge of the front door to the front edge of the surface that the bed rests on. See my difficulty above in trying to do this. I measured instead (from the interior) the distance from the centerline of the van from where the top of windshield ends (meaning just past the glass and where the factory fabric headliner begins) to where the PH opening begins. This distance is 31 inches.

Note that the total distance in inches measured from the interior (front to back) is 31 + 105 + 5.5 to reach the rear door's door frame if you will. Not the door themselves but the door frame. (A pict would clarify what I'm talking about but I don't have a camera with me.) This remaining 5.5 inches is wrapped in grayish fabric by SMB.

Before you start taking out the Sawzall you should confirm these measurements. Mine has an electric lift and doesn't impede the PH length opening of 105 inches. My PH bed is pushed all the way rearward and butts up against this 5.5 in piece.

Hope this helps™,
Ray

[Silver350]

Excellent. Thank you very much. I won't be cutting anything for a while but the day will come.

[jage]

I would* cut a very conservative hole, put the top on... wait, no:

Put the top on to ensure fitment
Cut a very conservative hole
Mock up top placement
Remark and cut actual hole

You can always cut more away...

(*having never done this)

[Silver350]

My plan once I've refurbished all the components:
Reassemble the top upside down, without springs, and measure the relationship between the frame and the top, then measure the van towards the rear and see where it lands.

I'm guessing I'll find that the frame is meant to bolt to the roof crossmember at the rear of the cab.

The one I salvaged is basically two rails that run front to back and a rear galvanized piece that goes between the rails. The front was held in place by the van's structure. The hole was 46.5"x 107" which may be the same as the dimensions posted here, depending on where it was measured.

Having never seen an operating SMB up close except driving past me....

[Pntyrmvr]

Hi;

My "Sporty Illustrated" article may shed some roof swapping tips. You may use it as you wish. I only want a can of Oly...

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8775

Best wishes.

Regards,

Gavin