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Old 05-18-2017, 07:14 PM   #1
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Motorcycle Race Van build (clever name forthcoming)

Heeerre we go!

I race motorcycles, and, between races, practice, and coaching, I spend about 20 weekends a year at the track. I've been spending the rare overnight in my Trailblazer, which is less than ideal. I gave it to my nephew last weekend, and picked up a van to replace it today.

The plan is to outfit it to carry two bikes inside, with the paddock scooter on a Mototote out back. I live in Atlanta, so it needs to look pretty low-key from the outside, with minimal visibility into the cargo area. My neighborhood is gated, and it will never be parked outside the gate for more than a few hours (when I need to use the driveway for something), but I'd rather not have its outside appearance suggest that there's a bunch of expensive race gear inside it.

When it's not taking me to and from the track, it will be used to take my German shepherd to the vet and wherever else he needs to go. As he's about 120 lbs, white, and sheds like a beast, he's not allowed in the car.

Finally, I'll be using it to deliver large canvases to my clients on occasion, so it needs to maintain a pretty clean, noncluttered space; I'd feel pretty terrible if someone paid me for a painting and I ripped it on something en route.



2003 E350 Super Duty XL
passenger model, nonextended body
5.4 V8
Power windows & locks
Rear AC controls
Rear seats removed
Big heavy rubber mat, destined for a trash heap.

Issues to resolve:
AC on flows through the defrost vents
Cruise control doesn't work
Headliner has separated near the windshield

Immediate plans in the next month:
Drophitch receiver, with light adapter
Backup camera
New head unit (for the backup cam)
Level the floor and coat it with Bulletliner
Pit-Bull trailer restraint system (the absolute best thing for hauling sportbikes)
Custom bed setup that folds into a safety partition behind the driver's seat (currently playing with designs with my fabrication guys - should be very trick if it comes together)

Future plans for this summer:
Replace ugly front bumper, coat new bumper & grille with Bulletliner
Vent/fans on ceiling
Rolls-Royce style LED "starlight" ceiling (this is ridiculous and stupid, but the idea of it makes me laugh)
Replace old-school wheel covers
Deep cycle batteries on frame rail, inverter setup & interior USB/AC ports


Please, please, PLEASE let me know if you have suggestions or a heads up on something I'm about to mess up. This site has an amazing knowledge base, and I'm so thankful that I stumbled across it.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Ed

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Old 05-18-2017, 09:06 PM   #2
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Ed, I'll link it when I have a moment but the AC/defrost issue is a common one with a few helpful threads. I've had several vans do it but have yet to fix it the right way.

Cruise control issue is probably vacuum lines. Check em all. That's actually what the vent issue is too but it's complicated.
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Old 05-19-2017, 03:24 AM   #3
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What are your plans as far as sleeping? Are you going to sleep in the van?

Air mattress or fold down bed?

I'm curious about this since I just bought a van to do the exact same thing you are. I live in Mecca, aka Western NC.


I'm trying to figure out how to fit a bed with a mattress, not a air mattress and a bike AND be able to haul stuff like plywood,etc when needed.
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Old 05-19-2017, 06:32 AM   #4
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There will definitely be a bed with a memory foam mattress. My fabrication guy and I are currently working on a design that is a fullsize bed (54x75) when at the track, but fold ups into a safety partition while traveling (to keep me from getting hit by stuff in the event of a crash.

As soon as we finalize it, I'll post up the design.
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Old 05-19-2017, 07:27 AM   #5
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That's a great idea that I've never seen done.

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Old 05-19-2017, 07:28 AM   #6
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Van name suggestion: Marvin (M.R.Van)

A/C through defrost is a fairly common issue, see here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...efrosters.html.
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Old 05-19-2017, 08:35 AM   #7
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Member brian94ht has a bed that folds into a bulkhead. He had a build on expo. I'll go find a link. It's pretty slick.

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/th...int-Conversion
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Old 05-19-2017, 11:14 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shenrie View Post
Member brian94ht has a bed that folds into a bulkhead. He had a build on expo. I'll go find a link. It's pretty slick.

I'M BATVAN! ...a 2006 E350 V10 DIY Ujoint Conversion - Expedition Portal
Such a cool idea; I'm continually amazed at the quality of work being produced by these "hobby" fabricators.

As of right now, my bed design is going to fold up vertically like a ping pong table. I'm going to try to spend some serious time cleaning and measuring this weekend to get a more realistic idea of its feasibility.
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Old 05-19-2017, 11:25 AM   #9
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As you might imagine, I have a million questions.

Would it be better to start a post for each one, and risk spamming the forum, or pose them in this thread?
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Old 05-19-2017, 11:56 AM   #10
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"One Piece At A Time" Build - Page 3 - Expedition Portal

I like his bed deign. The bulkhead one is cool too.

Is the PitBull restraint system really worth it? Seems like it would be hard putting it in the van with the bracket connected to the bike already, unless you didn't put the part on the bike until it was in the van already.

What kind of bike do you have? I was a supermoto guy forever, then I got this:

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