Underfloor storage-aftermarket

[WVvan]

is there any advantage to having underground box versus another rear mounted box?

Hey Skrivan,
In my case I only have a stock Ford step bumper on the rear. Well not stock for my van since I got it at a junk yard. Nothing to mount a rear box to. That's why I'm going with the undervan storage. I've ordered a rear door tire mount for the spare.
WVVan

[skrivan]

ok..that makes sense. cost of bumper adds to full cost of additional rear mounted storage. good point.

[carringb]

I want an underfloor storage because I already have the spare tire and fuel cans on the back. Oversized tires don't really fit the under-van tire carrier well, and a storage box can be shaped in a way that won't affect the departure angle, unlike the spare tire.

[WVvan]

From today.
Tire carrier after removal.


All the tools I used to accomplish the above.


Look at all that lovely empty space!


Full details to follow (eventually).

I wonder if I can relocate the charcoal canister?

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by WVvan

I wonder if I can relocate the charcoal canister?

You mean like into the trash?

Mike

[WVvan]

If I knew that it wouldn't effect the engine (throw codes, gas smell or other problems) I'd be happy to.

[WVvan]

After laying under the van and doing some measuring and figuring I think I'll move the canister so it's attached to the storage box. It will be on the side of the box facing the rear axle. It should clear the pumpkin even if the body lowers six inches in relation to the axle.

[carringb]

You cannot remove the charcoal canister. Your engine will not run correctly without it. You can relocate it, pretty much without restriction as long as you mount it up-side-up.

[WVvan]

Found a new spot for the canister just forward of the axle. To make it fit I'll have to angle it sideways and add a couple more inches of rubber hose.

Here's the latest rough measurements for "The Box".


Rough calculation of the inside area excluding a few important things like the thickness of the box metal.
Figure total box as if square.
28" wide x 20" high x 32" deep = 17,920 cu in
Calculate angled part
15.41 x 5.5 x 32 x .5 =~ 1,356
Calculate beam
2 x 3.5 x 32 = 224
Subtract
17,920 - 1,356 - 224 = 16,340 cu in
1 cubic foot = 1,728 cu in
16,340 / 1,728 =~ 9.5 cubic feet

My plan is to build a full size mock up (cardboard and wood) so I can be 100% sure about the size before I talk to the local machine shop.

[4WheelDriveVan]

Any updates to this post? I'm about to start a similar project myself. I need a place to store my Trojan T105 batteries for my solar system. Because of gassing they can't be located inside the van and because of their size they won't fit in the frame rails where the normal ford van additional batteries go.

A quicker solution would be for me to simply mount them on the rear bumper in 1/4" thick metal boxes. To be able to still open the rear doors they would however cut my departure angle by 4 Inches but my custom bumper is already a good 2 - 4 inches higher than most so I'd only be loosing 2 inches of departure angle compared to other vans. On the rear bumper I will also be able to access the battery terminals as well as be able to refill them with distilled water much easier than if they were located under the van. - I think the rear bumper is where they are going to end up.... Why Trojan T105's rather than a sealed battery like an Optima? How about half the price, can handle a lot more abuse. Can be charged at 14.8V has a longer life span and did I mention half the cost???