Show me your van!

[cerviarborist]

I'm going to divert away from the cool side to the careful side. Do be careful to outfit fire extinguishers near every door. Also, in an abundance of caution, it's a good idea to put a purpose designed protective screen between the drivers and passengers seats, and the cargo area. Remember, in an impact, or even a sudden panic stop, anything that's not under restraint will become a projectile. In addition, it's out of standard and a pesticide operation violation (at least in Florida), to have pesticides in the same area as drivers and passengers. If you're going to be carrying chemicals, a complete bulkhead between the drivers area and the cargo area is in order.

 

[JD3000]

 

[Reach]

View attachment 83233

From what I know of you, that’s exactly what I would expect you to drive!

 

[evo]

View attachment 83233

Hey that’s my van! Somewhere I have a photo of me riding a unicycle holding onto to the roof

 

[27RMT0N]

I don't have a work-van, but am a van-guy, on my second and very customized Econoline right now.

The best thing you can do work a work van though is two-fold, improved security in the form of a partition between the seats and storage area, plus improved locks, and then wall-mounted shelving. Not sure what kind of van you have, but check out https://www.americanvan.com/ for all kinds of built-to-fit work related parts.

 

[Analog]

3M thinsulate is the best insulation out there for sound damping and thermal insulation properties. Spendy though. Definitely don't do Great Stuff.

 

[ghostice]

There's this kind of stuff too: Amacel. I've also in the past contact glued closed cell foam from blue camping mats for sound deadening in smaller areas - worked fine. Have to watch the solvent in the glue tho - it can dissolve some foams. Try a bit first.

 

[lumberjackson]

Finally got some photos of my progress on the van so far. Nothing fancy but about 1/10th or less of the cost of manufactured steel shelving. Still going to put in a partition as suggested and add some hooks and dividers as well as some small drawers on the back end of the shelving.

I added a little bit of batting and used plastic upholstery rivets to fasten sheets of 1/16" hard plastic to the "window" and others cutouts in the body for insulation and prevent the outside of the van from getting dented from things on the inside.

 

[treebing]

If I was going to get a cargo van, I'd want to insulate it to keep it from being a hot box in summer as well as for noise reduction.

I did this with my transit connect. I dynamatted (off brand) the shit out of it. It rides so quiet and nice now. so sile t and the doors thunk like its a luxury vehicle.

 

[treebing]

I can get pretty much all my gear, my kids and my dog in this van.

 

[treebing]

someone asked where i put the brush

 

[southsoundtree]

Bulkheads are an important safety feature.

 

[islandarb]

View attachment 84769I can get pretty much all my gear, my kids and my dog in this van.

Dog looks so cozy....

 

[data farm 26]

I always wanted a safari van and the stars finally aligned recently, I might start working out of this one or just use it for camping I'm not sure yet. it's an old cop van.

 

[27RMT0N]

Vans are the most practical vehicle there is, assuming you ignore gas mileage on the heavier duty ones... (like my E350....)

 

[27RMT0N]

Oh yah, this is how I know:

(not pictured are the couch I have in the back, or the queen size bed when road tripping)

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I had some Safari/Astros. THe last two were AWD. They all fit my needs.

There isn't another vehicle in that niche any more.

My '82 E250 had about 240,000 miles on it when it went to the breakers. One of the best things I ever bought.

 

[RyanCafferky]

I had some Safari/Astros. THe last two were AWD. They all fit my needs.

There isn't another vehicle in that niche any more.

My '82 E250 had about 240,000 miles on it when it went to the breakers. One of the best things I ever bought.

The 4wd low roof sprinter vans and AWD transit vans aren’t much bigger than the AWD Safari and Astro vans but the price sure is!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

but the price sure is!

In 9/82 I bought my E250 brand new for $10,000 which is equal to $31,500 today. I think that new E250 Transits would be around $50,000 today

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Making an Astro/Safari AWD into true 4WD isn't difficult or expensive.

When my last Safari got smashed I moved up to a Suzuki Tracker two door w 4WD. Now I drive an '03 four door Chev/Zuke 4WD. Not a camper like an Astro'Safari but one nice rig to tow behind my camper and as an everyday driver.

Look at the 4WD conversion for yours. Simple nuts and bolts