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I want to add a newer thread on this topic, as I"m sure many passenger van owners would like to add a few cargo tie-downs. We all wish Ford had left some of the nice D-rings from the cargo van in the passenger version. I have a beautiful "new" 2016 350 XLT 12-passenger wagon, used mostly for hauling kids to hikes and bike rides. A coworker has 15-passenger (2015) with most of the seats removed for BMX bikes. So I can get a good look at the various weld nuts for seats, seat belts and D-rings. Here's what can be done with the 12-passenger without much trouble. First I ordered a set of 6 OEM D-rings from eBay.
1. There are two D-ring weld nuts over rear wheel well humps. In my van these are threaded OEM for D-rings, 7/16-20 fine thread. Simply pull out the plastic plugs and hex ratchet the D-rings into the threaded holes. That gives you two easy tie-down rings in a good spot.
2. The 15-passenger van has threaded weld nuts low on the D rear pillars (around 6 inches up from floor) for mounting the seat belt receptacles/tensioners for back row single seats. These are threaded M12x1.75 coarse thread and accommodate 2 1/2 inch long Torx T-55 bolts. The thread size is the same as the Torx bolts used to mount all the single seats. On my 12-passenger, these holes are a good spot for a couple D-rings and would allow criss-cross cargo straps to hold down my light-duty cargo. The weld-nut ports are welded in place behind the sheet metal pillar, but they are not threaded on the 12-passenger. The interior diameter of the weld nut port is too big to tap for the 7/16-20 D-ring bolts anyway. And M12 bolts would not fit thorugh the D-ring mounting collar. For these holes, my plan is to replace the 2-inch OEM D-ring bolt with a 2 1/2 inch 7/16-20 bolt (10.9 grad or higher) and use a washer and lock-nut bend the weld nut port. With the plastic pillar covers removed, there is room to reach behind with a wrench or socket driver and tighten the D-rings in place. I will have to cut hole in each plastic pillar cover to reinstall over the D-ring. I will add pictures in a few days if/when this works. (Note: The 12-passenger does have threaded weld nuts especially for OEM D-rings very low near the floor on the aft pillars pointing toward the front of the van threaded weld nuts especially for OEM D-ring, but they are blocked by the higher floor and on the right side by structural pieces of the pillar cover. On the left A/C side of the van, the A/C mount and cover totally block the left D-ring weld nut...no use even trying.)
3. The 15-passenger van also has threaded weld nuts high on the D rear pillars for mounting the seat belt shoulder strap holders for the single seats. These are threaded M10x1.5 coarse. On my 12-passenger, these holes are threaded (no idea why uppers are threaded and lowers not, Ford), but the 7/16 D-ring bolts will not fit in the 10mm holes. I have ordered high grade 2-inch M10x1.5 bolts. D-rings this high on the aft pillars might not be super useful for cargo tie-down, but they may come in handy for something. I should be able to drill 1/2-inch holes in the plastic pillar covers just like in the 15-passenger van.
1. There are two D-ring weld nuts over rear wheel well humps. In my van these are threaded OEM for D-rings, 7/16-20 fine thread. Simply pull out the plastic plugs and hex ratchet the D-rings into the threaded holes. That gives you two easy tie-down rings in a good spot.
2. The 15-passenger van has threaded weld nuts low on the D rear pillars (around 6 inches up from floor) for mounting the seat belt receptacles/tensioners for back row single seats. These are threaded M12x1.75 coarse thread and accommodate 2 1/2 inch long Torx T-55 bolts. The thread size is the same as the Torx bolts used to mount all the single seats. On my 12-passenger, these holes are a good spot for a couple D-rings and would allow criss-cross cargo straps to hold down my light-duty cargo. The weld-nut ports are welded in place behind the sheet metal pillar, but they are not threaded on the 12-passenger. The interior diameter of the weld nut port is too big to tap for the 7/16-20 D-ring bolts anyway. And M12 bolts would not fit thorugh the D-ring mounting collar. For these holes, my plan is to replace the 2-inch OEM D-ring bolt with a 2 1/2 inch 7/16-20 bolt (10.9 grad or higher) and use a washer and lock-nut bend the weld nut port. With the plastic pillar covers removed, there is room to reach behind with a wrench or socket driver and tighten the D-rings in place. I will have to cut hole in each plastic pillar cover to reinstall over the D-ring. I will add pictures in a few days if/when this works. (Note: The 12-passenger does have threaded weld nuts especially for OEM D-rings very low near the floor on the aft pillars pointing toward the front of the van threaded weld nuts especially for OEM D-ring, but they are blocked by the higher floor and on the right side by structural pieces of the pillar cover. On the left A/C side of the van, the A/C mount and cover totally block the left D-ring weld nut...no use even trying.)
3. The 15-passenger van also has threaded weld nuts high on the D rear pillars for mounting the seat belt shoulder strap holders for the single seats. These are threaded M10x1.5 coarse. On my 12-passenger, these holes are threaded (no idea why uppers are threaded and lowers not, Ford), but the 7/16 D-ring bolts will not fit in the 10mm holes. I have ordered high grade 2-inch M10x1.5 bolts. D-rings this high on the aft pillars might not be super useful for cargo tie-down, but they may come in handy for something. I should be able to drill 1/2-inch holes in the plastic pillar covers just like in the 15-passenger van.
