I am new, and happy I found this site

[DrewMoto]

I have been coming back to this site every now and again for the past year, since before I bought my 2014 extended E-350. I have seen enough cool build threads and information here to know I had to join. I will be doing what you'd call a home build, because I can't afford a full-blown SMB. Also, my floor plan will be closer to what you'd call a "Transformer" because my van will see a lot of daily driver and cargo van duty.

My use case is pretty similar to some others I've seen on here...I like a simple, walk-through floor plan with the ability to load at least one full size motorcycle in the back. The goal is to be able to load up and go on a trip on short notice without too much effort, because all the gear and supplies I typically use will be already in the van.

Coming from a pickup truck I already appreciate the ability to load and unload the van as time allows and shut the doors, knowing that rain and prying eyes are not landing on my valuables.

Anyway, I hope to help some others in return for the advice I will receive, and eventually contribute lots of useful information.

 

[Zappo-SMB]

Welcome bud let's see pics of van/moto

 

[DrewMoto]

Thanks for the welcome. The van exterior is nothing special. It looks like any other passenger Econoline and I'm going to try to keep it that way. It was used as a shuttle before I bought it so it came with a lot of seats that I got rid of. I kept just a few, which have shoulder harnesses, so I can bolt them down wherever I want and I was able to remove all the seat belts that were attached to the van body.

I want to avoid an expensive, ad hoc fit-up of the van, where I buy a bunch of stuff I find out I don't need or can't use, and have to rebuild every other fixture to make something work. I'm using the van as-is for awhile so I can learn my preferences and plan accordingly.

Here is my main motorcycle -- a KTM 990 Supermoto R. Very fun bike. Some things are easier to do while its on its side, like removing the shock, and the polypropylene fairings don't care.

 

[BenJJ-SMB]

The best advice I got when I started my build was to wait to work on the interior until you go on a few trips and figure out how you want it to function. The inside of my van looks very similar to yours where it is just a floor and some seats. I got the advice from my older brother who is working on his 3rd complete overhaul of his interior at this point...

Were the seat belts you removed gray by chance?

 

[86Scotty]

Nice bike and van. Nothing better for a moto nut than a big van. Racing enduros is what got me into vans. I spent many a weekend in an old Chevy with one bench seat moved forward and 2-3 KTMs in it. Over time I realized what great little campers you could make out of one. I don't ride these days (too busy with kids etc.) but I look forward to something about like you have sooner or later.

I really dig the layout you have now with the single seats back and to the sides. Perfect. You have the right idea. Take your time and see what works. As far as a moto van goes, less is more.

:b5:

 

[DrewMoto]

BenJJ: That's hilarious about your brother. That reminds me of my brother who built a hot rod. I swear he bought 2 or 3 of everything at some point. He really built about 2.5 cars but ended up with just one.

For several months after I got the van, I was in analysis paralysis thinking about an elaborate build with all the bells and whistles. Once I got on the internet and started seeing all that inspiration, I got really carried away with my ideas. I realized I would end up not being able to use the van for a long time, and thousands of dollars later, I would probably have built something that I hated. So, I've taken it camping a few times, loaded some bikes, slept in it a lot...just seeing what works. My first priority is figuring out a wheel chock setup that will work. Then, I need to get my bed off the floor.

And yes, the seat belts I took out are gray. Why do you ask?

86Scotty: It sounds like you had a lot of fun with your bikes and vans! Now that I'm seeing your username, I remember that about a month ago one of your album pictures was on the "random album photo" section at the top of the page and I clicked through your album (the blue van). I was thinking of doing the same thing you did with your house batteries -- making a bracket to mount them to the frame under the body.

When I decided to buy a van, I thought I would do the partition wall behind the second row like so many moto vans have. But I quickly realized I loved being able to move from the driver's seat to the back of the van without setting foot outside. The people who build their vans that way say the wall is necessary to keep gasoline fumes out of the passenger area and to protect the occupants from the bikes and equipment flying forward in a crash. I see the point, but I don't think it's the only way. A solid mounted wheel chock and secure tie-downs, and good driving, should prevent the bike from flying forward. And fumes...I've never noticed them. Also, I don't plan on sleeping in my van while the motorcycle and gas cans are inside. I will have to unload those first and then make my bed.

Do you have any opinions on the partition wall philosophy?

 

[BenJJ-SMB]

And yes, the seat belts I took out are gray. Why do you ask?

I picked up a tri-fold bench seat/bed and some captain chairs that have some grungy tan seat belts. I want to get them reupholstered in gray and was keeping my eyes open for some gray seat belts to match. I might be interested in buying them if you would want to sell them and they would mount to my chairs.

 

[86Scotty]

Do you have any opinions on the partition wall philosophy?

I'm with you, for a moto van keep it open and leave it for living space while the bikes are out. For me they were always out and under an EZ-up (weather permitting) as soon as we hit the paddock. I've never noticed a gas smell on any bike that didn't have a problem. Of course, on the way home dirt bikes are going to be smelly but so is everything else including us. I'd go for a roof vent or opening windows instead of a partition. Get one of these and you can leave it open and running even in the rain.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-a...BvG-inE_q13eoecL98oPSJyPY81MAptgaAj3GEALw_wcB

 

[DrewMoto]

Thanks for the advice, Scotty. I do plan on installing a fan -- just not sure what the best approach will be for me. I haven't decided if I'm willing to do roof penetrations, and fan placement would be coupled with roof rack plans (solar panels, too), which I haven't figured out yet. If I wanted to avoid cutting through the roof and headliner, I was thinking of making a removable panel that covers the driver side 2nd row pop-out window, mount the fan in the panel, and pop out the window when I want to be able to run the fan.

Ben, sending you a PM about seat belts.

 

[86Scotty]

That's a good idea. I'd probably do a rear window though. Find some aluminum sheet the same thickness as the glass and install a fan in it, black out the rest to more or less match the tinted windows. That's what I've thought of doing anyway. I called Maxxair customer support when I was thinking of this one time and asked what they thought of a vertical install and they said they thought it would be fine but couldn't really approve/guarantee it or whatever since it hadn't been done. I think it would be fine.

 

[DrewMoto]

Rear window, OK. Closer to the source of the stink, makes sense. There was another forum...might have been Expedition Portal, where a snowboarder with an AWD Express did that with a rear door window. I think he used plastic and a Fantastic Fan. He covered the plastic panel with black vinyl.

 

[Vanderpooch]

What are you using on the windows for privacy?

 

[86Scotty]

Rear window, OK. Closer to the source of the stink, makes sense. There was another forum...might have been Expedition Portal, where a snowboarder with an AWD Express did that with a rear door window. I think he used plastic and a Fantastic Fan. He covered the plastic panel with black vinyl.

I like aluminum because it's easily bendable, won't crack or rust and easy to cut a hole in. I was thinking I would just Raptor Line it, but that's just my coating of choice lately. There may be better options for color or coating.

 

[DrewMoto]

What are you using on the windows for privacy?

It is a product called Heat Shield, made by Aircraft Covers, Inc. They're available for every window on the Econoline. I ordered it from here: High-End Motorsports Automotive Parts and Accessories

It's basically just a thin layer of insulation with a reflective side. It uses suction cups to stay on the side glass and just visors to stay on the windshield. There have been times on a really sunny day when the shiny side was too hot to handle! Fit is pretty good on most windows although there are some that still leave the edges uncovered. I'm not too concerned with that right now as it's primarily to keep the interior cool and obscure the view. They're not blackout.

I probably could have made something myself using Reflectix but I just needed to get it functional quickly so I could start sleeping in it. I leave the covers on all the back windows all the time and take off the front ones only to drive. I can deploy the covers quickly enough that I do it practically every time I park.

 

[DrewMoto]

I like aluminum because it's easily bendable, won't crack or rust and easy to cut a hole in. I was thinking I would just Raptor Line it, but that' my coating of choice lately. There may be better options for color or coating.

Aluminum sounds like a solid choice. Steel would be too heavy if it had uniform thickness that matched the glass. If I decided to do stainless, I'd do a thick perimeter welded to a skin, but that's more work.

I've also considered doing it out of 1/4" King Starboard (marine grade HDPE), already black. It wouldn't feel nearly as solid as aluminum though.

 

[Otter-SMB]

Welcome to the Transformer Club! I'm with you about not tearing the van apart and having it unusable and expensive, all at once. I don't haul a motorcycle, but just about everything else and want to have quick access to that space whenever I need it. This is my open setup now:

I'm looking at building a platform bed, probably on narrow, tall, boxes, something along these lines, to preserve the middle space:

As to a rear fan, I really like what this guy did. They used plexiglass:

The interior build isn't the prettiest job, but I'm impressed with how he fabbed up his van, quickly, and with basically no experience. The thing that really caught my eye was how he "modularized" the sections onto floor pieces that bolted into the original seat holes, which makes them removable. Then he added flooring.

You can take a look at his site here:

Cross-Country Travel Adventure & USA Tour - My Big Adventure™

Good luck with your build. I'll be following.

.

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Wasn't somebody just posting about adding a Fan-tastic Fan or Maxx Fan in a rear window?


Herb

 

[EmMay]

'I haven't decided if I'm willing to do roof penetrations...'

How will you add your PentHouse pop top if this is the case...?

:b1:



eme

 

[Smoker-SMB]

I have the same fear about putting a big square hole in my roof so figured why not split the fear in half and install 2 smaller holes. I'm probably irrational since I'll have 2 potential sources of leaks and rust, but pouring money into a van may not be my brightest financial decision either. In my passenger van I intend to initially retain the headliner so was thinking about how to work around the AC duct in the ceiling. I came across the Ventline Vanair. Doesn't seem as nice as a Maxxair, but appears to be fairly low profile. Does anyone have any experience with them? I have only seen a few examples on youtube. Thx

 

[DrewMoto]

Otter: Yes! Your interior is so clean. Did you use carpet? If so, can you please tell me the source? I'm thinking I'll stay with carpet for now and see how it goes, since it's what I already have. I'm anticipating replacing it every few years after it has accumulated many stains.

My floor already has custom steel mounting plates bolted in to allow mounting all the bucket seats that the shuttle company used. I have 52 internally threaded holes in a rectangular pattern at my disposal for doing modular, transformer-like fixtures.

I'll do a separate post detailing that aspect of my van.

Tall, narrow boxes over the wheel tubs -- yes. Exactly what I was thinking of doing. I am thinking of a bed platform that folds up or otherwise easily stows away to open up the middle space. The video you linked ("For Transformer Fans") has an inspiring micro-galley design located exactly where I'm thinking I'll put mine.

[youtube]kKq5xkIU-Pk[/youtube]

Thanks for the link to the fan in a rear window. That's probably what I'll do.

EmMay: I don't see a penthouse top or high top in this van's future.

Smoker: I too came across the Ventline Vanair and thought it might be a better way to go if keeping the stock headliner. The downside I can think of is that it doesn't have any of the automatic-close or thermostat options that the Fantastic Fan and Maxxair have.

Maybe I'll get over it, but for now my goal is to keep the outside as close to a passenger van as I can. It just seems like the least appealing van configuration for thieves. Everyone knows cargo vans are full of expensive tools and campers are full of expensive toys. But passenger vans are just full of empty seats.

Has anyone ever heard of installing a fan so it exits underneath the vehicle? In practice, all car manufacturers do this, in a way. They put a one-way flapper valve in the body at the rear of the vehicle, hidden behind a bumper cover. On pickups they're obscured by the front of the bed box. That way they ensure flow through the cabin with all the windows closed. The problem is that the blower motor in the heater plenum draws a lot of current compared to a Fantastic or Maxxair fan, so you wouldn't want to leave it on while parked.