Author Topic: Transit Van Fit Out - GunnyR (Read 19689 times)

gunnyr · « **on:** January 26, 2021, 09:27 PM »

I also acquired a new Transit at the end of the year. My intent was to place it in service only when the FitOut was complete ( @TSO Products ) ..... The weather did not cooperate though.

I had a job this week that required me to transport some sheet goods yesterday. I would normally transport sheet goods on the top of my Silverado. I had finished with the roof rack, ladder, and curbside shelving on my Transit. So.... due to rain in the forecast the Transit made it's work debut yesterday! I'm thinking the Silverado won't be back on the job site again. Even though I only have about 30% of my planned shelving in the Transit was a huge improvement. It was so nice to be off my knees crawling around in the back of a dark truck bed. Some creative strapping allowed me to secure my Systainers and other supplies and I was able to get the job done!

The main feature I wanted was the ability to easily and quickly transport sheet goods. On my PU sheet goods were always an undertaking to get everything secured on the roof. I created slots on the edges of the uprights with my Domino and simply use clamps to hold the sheets upright. Worked great!

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TSO_Products · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2021, 09:38 PM »

Jeff, - I think you'll wonder why you waited as long as you have to make the move.
Enjoy the convenience and safety of your new ride!

I see the Blue Systainer got a secure place, too.
Hans

Kevin C. · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2021, 10:27 PM »

The slots for clamps are a fantastic way to secure your cargo! Will ratchet straps fit in there as well? I like that you've got a whole lot of slots, good plan.

mkasdin · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2021, 01:16 AM »

Pretty roomy in there. Good organization. That’s the medium roof Transit 144-148 Wheel base?

gunnyr · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2021, 06:32 AM »

Quote from: mkasdin on January 27, 2021, 01:16 AM

Pretty roomy in there. Good organization. That’s the medium roof Transit 144-148 Wheel base?

Plenty of room! Yes, it is a 148" medium roof, with the Ecoboost engine. I'm 6'0" and am able to stand comfortably inside it. I can't dance around but I don't feel the least bit cramped.

gunnyr · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2021, 06:35 AM »

Quote from: Kevin C. on January 26, 2021, 10:27 PM

The slots for clamps are a fantastic way to secure your cargo! Will ratchet straps fit in there as well? I like that you've got a whole lot of slots, good plan.

Yes, straps will fit through them!

I used the 10mm Domino Bit and created a 3.5" slot.

gunnyr · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2021, 06:37 AM »

Quote from: TSO_Products on January 26, 2021, 09:38 PM

Jeff, - I think you'll wonder why you waited as long as you have to make the move.
Enjoy the convenience and safety of your new ride!

I see the Blue Systainer got a secure place, too.
Hans

The GRS is a big part of my workflow! All the cross cuts for the shelving were made with the GRS, of course!

I knew pretty quick after I got the Silverado that a van was a better solution for me. The issue I had with the Silverado is that it ran well, and it was paid for!

gunnyr · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2021, 02:01 PM »

@Kevin C. thread about fitting out his Ford Transit Van as well. we've been talking about the merits of the DeWalt 20v Vac and I realized I had no dedicated space for mine in my planning. The problem is now solved! I've also added strapping and fas-tex buckles to hold items in the shelves.

The Ridged boxes are held in place with small mortices's much like the Systainer boxes sit in.

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gunnyr · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2021, 08:06 PM »

Finally seeing progress on the drivers side today! Everything is now painted and the uprights have been installed. Tomorrow I'll finish attaching everything to the side and load up my systainers!

I'm very pleased with the way the domino slots are working out! They are working well for ratchet straps, webbing with buckles, and Festool clamps used to hold sheet goods in place.

mackenzie · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2021, 11:33 AM »

Gunny,

You're one of the few people I've seen that uses the Raaco service cases along with the Raaco 4 box rack. I use them as well for cheap storage and have 1 x rack systainer which uses the same Raaco service cases. I'd buy another couple of rack systainers but they're too expensive.

Nice fit out. Just because people don't comment, doesn't mean they aren't looking. Keep it up and thank you.

gunnyr · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2021, 06:41 PM »

The Fit Out of the my Transit continues. Just finished the Driver's Side Systainer shelving and Level_Rail Storage box. The box has space for a pair of @Grev's 6' TrackTubes , several Stabila levels, 4 Festool Guide Rails, a Parf fence, and a @TSO Products GRS-16.

Having a van is a real game changer for me! we've had quite a snow storm here in Cincinnati this week. I was able to transport and cut drywall inside the van this morning; avoiding the slushy mess outside!

Next up is the bulkhead area!

Kevin C. · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2021, 09:15 PM »

Looks fantastic man, really coming together nicely!

Knight Woodworks · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2021, 07:15 AM »

Looks great!

How did you attach the shelving to the van?

John

gunnyr · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2021, 07:50 AM »

Quote from: Knight Woodworks on February 12, 2021, 07:15 AM

Looks great!

How did you attach the shelving to the van?

John

You can see the back spreader parts in my 4 Feb post. The Transit has what would be the window frame running about 20" above the floor along the length of the side. Ford fits that rail with a number of 8mm threaded inserts that, as you might suspect, are NOT where I needed them.

I used 1/4-20 PlusNut Inserts to add my own inserts as needed. The issue is that the next highest place to attach to the shelving to the side is at the roof level....

Knight Woodworks · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2021, 07:12 PM »

Thanks. Enjoy your new ride.

John

gunnyr · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2021, 08:21 PM »

I completed the Bulkhead storage box today and am very pleased with the results. The box has dedicated spaces to hold my two Centipede work tables, the table tops, a piece of foam. a Ridgid outfeed support, and a pair of sawhorses. In the bottom of the box is a 40" shallow drawer with dividers in it that is equipped with a sliding top so that the drawer can be used as a work surface.

The box itself provides a nice work surface inside the van. The curbside sliding door area is where I keep my tool bag and table saw for easy access.

Next up is the installation of the house electric system. I'll add a second battery to the van that is isolated from the vehicle battery. The house battery will be used to power a small inverter to charge batteries as well as lighting in the cargo area of the van.

pettyconstruction · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2021, 11:27 PM »

I like the pencil sharpener , I have one in my shop also
Charlie

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gunnyr · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2021, 07:31 AM »

Quote from: pettyconstruction on February 25, 2021, 11:27 PM

I like the pencil sharpener , I have one in my shop also
Charlie

Vondawg · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2021, 09:50 AM »

@gunnyr Ive followed your build out from the start (and many others) but none as nicely set up...very nice work and organization!
I was wondering now that some weather has happened, how does the van handle and how’s the traction? Front wheel drive only or all wheel ? Do they come with AWD ?
Thanks

gunnyr · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2021, 05:35 PM »

Quote from: Vondawg on February 26, 2021, 09:50 AM

@gunnyr Ive followed your build out from the start (and many others) but none as nicely set up...very nice work and organization!
I was wondering now that some weather has happened, how does the van handle and how’s the traction? Front wheel drive only or all wheel ? Do they come with AWD ?
Thanks

Thank you for your kind words. Like others; my design utilizes ideas I've gathered from others over the years. I have the major pieces in place now; as you know the devil is in the details! I'm still finding supplies and tools that need storage places. Today I installed a 2nd battery and an inverter. I'll be adding cargo lighting next week.

I was out in some of the snow last week and pleased with the performance. I also have a 4WD GMC Sierra that, if it were really bad, I'd drive it rather than the Transit. I've also hit a point in my life where I'm not very tolerant of bad weather and am able to stay home rather than put up with it.

My Transit is a 250 Mid Roof, Standard length, 148" WB 2WD model with the EcoBoost engine. I am very happy with the performance and cargo capacity. The van is fun to drive and accelerates surprisingly quickly. The Transit does come in an AWD model I believe.

Peter Halle · « **Reply #20 on:** February 26, 2021, 06:02 PM »

As a Transit owner since 2015 (150 standard wheelbase 3.7 liter medium roof red) I admit to drooling over your setup. Good choice on using the factory supplied holes or anchoring points. The boron steel areas suck for attachment.

Perhaps one day I will make mine look as nice as yours.

Who am I kidding. That isn't going to happen.

Rock on!

Peter

gunnyr · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2021, 06:42 PM »

Quote from: Peter Halle on February 26, 2021, 06:02 PM

As a Transit owner since 2015 (150 standard wheelbase 3.7 liter medium roof red) I admit to drooling over your setup. Good choice on using the factory supplied holes or anchoring points. The boron steel areas suck for attachment.

Perhaps one day I will make mine look as nice as yours.

Who am I kidding. That isn't going to happen.

Rock on!

Peter

Thank you! My intent was to not put my van into service until I had, at least, the side shelving installed. Instead, I began to work out of it once the curbside shelving was done. That turned out to work well as I learned a few things about my new work flow. It was during that first week that I learned I needed the bulkhead storage box.

Having a van has been a game changer for me. I would tell every carpenter who needs a vehicle to think really hard before they buy a pick up! The van allows much better tool access as well as secure cargo carrying capabilities. Transporting material with my Silverado was always a challenge and often required advance planning.

gunnyr · « **Reply #22 on:** March 15, 2021, 01:00 PM »

Finished up on a couple pieces of my Fit Out today. I completed my charging station and installed an articulating work station console in the cab. The impetus for the console was to provide a place for the dog to ride (she was cramped riding on the passenger seat alone!) As I got started on it I thought it would be cool to also create a writing/work surface. The entire project was made from 1/2 Baltic Birch plywood and works very smoothly!

I also completed (mostly...

) the electric system by adding a house battery, fuse block, and 600W inverter to provide lights and a battery charging station. At some point I'll extend the lighting and 110v into the cab. I also have a thought to add some exterior lighting.

Like others, I've found myself with multiple battery platforms. Milwaukee 12v, Dewalt 20 and 60v, as well as three different Festool battery types. They all have earned a place in my kit but they take up a lot of room!

Charging Station:

Console

Stowed Position

In motion

Writing/Work Position

Knight Woodworks · « **Reply #23 on:** March 18, 2021, 07:53 AM »

Nice work, thanks for the update.

John

koenbro · « **Reply #24 on:** March 18, 2021, 09:21 AM »

Excellent build. I never understood why more contractors don’t use vans. Pick up trucks [and I have one] are quite impractical, once you get past the “built tough” etc image thing.

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acer66 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 09, 2021, 07:09 AM »

Nice build, I am on the fence getting a Transit so this is very interesting.
I am 6’1” plus boots and was wondering if you would still get the medium height roof.

Thank you.

gunnyr · « **Reply #26 on:** May 09, 2021, 07:25 AM »

Quote from: acer66 on May 09, 2021, 07:09 AM

Nice build, I am on the fence getting a Transit so this is very interesting.
I am 6’1” plus boots and was wondering if you would still get the medium height roof.

Thank you.

Thank you!

I am 6'0", my business partner is 6'3" He is looking to get the medium roof van also. The high roof van adds enough height that I would struggle to use the roof rack. I find the clearance to be just fine. I can fully stand up in it and move about without issue.

Seems to me that the high roof would be best when your cargo requires it or if you were going to fit out the van as a camper. Not sure if that answers your question, but for me I am glad that I did not get the high roof. I had a Silverado with a mid roof cap on it for many years; I wish I had made the switch to a van years ago!

acer66 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 09, 2021, 06:37 PM »

Quote from: gunnyr on May 09, 2021, 07:25 AM

Quote from: acer66 on May 09, 2021, 07:09 AM
Nice build, I am on the fence getting a Transit so this is very interesting.
I am 6’1” plus boots and was wondering if you would still get the medium height roof.

Thank you.

Thank you!

I am 6'0", my business partner is 6'3" He is looking to get the medium roof van also. The high roof van adds enough height that I would struggle to use the roof rack. I find the clearance to be just fine. I can fully stand up in it and move about without issue.

Seems to me that the high roof would be best when your cargo requires it or if you were going to fit out the van as a camper. Not sure if that answers your question, but for me I am glad that I did not get the high roof. I had a Silverado with a mid roof cap on it for many years; I wish I had made the switch to a van years ago!

Not planning on a roof rack but it helps me a lot to know that a medium high roof which seems to be more common when it comes to used even accommodates even a taller guy than me.

On a somewhat funny side note I am also keep trying to find excuses not to make a switch to a van from my Silverado but I start to run out of excuses.

gunnyr · « **Reply #28 on:** May 09, 2021, 08:41 PM »

Quote from: acer66 on May 09, 2021, 06:37 PM

On a somewhat funny side note I am also keep trying to find excuses not to make a switch to a van from my Silverado but I start to run out of excuses.

I can easily get a 20 sheets of 4x8 material inside the van or few 12' pieces of trim. 16' trim goes on the roof. I find I use the rack more than I thought I would.

Here's a the link to the post when I was fitting out my Silverado.. What I found was that my ability to carry material was limited at best and non-existent in poor weather.

RobS888 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 11, 2021, 11:58 AM »

You guys are making me reconsider getting an f150. Will 4 by 8s fit in any transit (not Connect)? From my reading there is about 126 inches behind the seat for the short version. So it seems so.