Critical dimensions needed

4669 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by PeterR, Aug 11, 2015

GAdad

Discussion Starter · Aug 9, 2015

I am curious if someone would be so kind as to give the measurement from the top of their Transit seats with headrests removed to the lowest point on the ceiling. I am mainly interested in that distance measured on a mid-roof and high-roof, but would be interested in seeing that dimension on a low roof as well. Many thanks to anyone that could be of service to me.

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GAdad

Discussion Starter · #2 · Aug 9, 2015

Just to clarify, I need these measurements made in the back of a passenger van, not in the drivers cab portion. Thanks again.

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EddieZ

· #3 · Aug 9, 2015

I have a mid-roof CARGO van... not what you asked for. But, I'll get the ball rolling, anyway, just for comparison. 32 inches, in an unfinished van. (Yes, mine is finished, but, due to roof taper, that's the thinnest part of the ceiling -- about 1/2 inch -- and, I could easily work a plastic ruler up there, to get the full measurement.)

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PeterR

· #4 · Aug 9, 2015 (Edited)

GAdad said:
I am curious if someone would be so kind as to give the measurement from the top of their Transit seats with headrests removed to the lowest point on the ceiling. I am mainly interested in that distance measured on a mid-roof and high-roof, but would be interested in seeing that dimension on a low roof as well. Many thanks to anyone that could be of service to me.

In my 130" WB, 8-passenger, low-roof Wagon (with the rear bench seat removed), from the top of the remaining bench seat behind the driver and passenger seats, to the underside of the two dome lights which drop down from the headliner about 1/2", and which are fore and aft of the bench seat, there is approximately 15" of clear vertical height.

Everything here has a bit of curve to it, so a more precise measurement might require specification of what shape you are hoping to put above the bench seat and below the ceiling. For instance, the headliner in the rear of the Wagon drops down quite a bit, just as it does on the sides (to accommodate the air bag on the left side I believe).

I will look for the brochure of dimensions, but I am not sure if it contains the info. you seek for all three roof heights -- stand by.

Here is the Body Builders Layout Book Dimensional Data brochure, but it does not contain the requested information starting on p. 10:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2015/2015_Transit_v1-1.pdf

Good luck!

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Airedrifter

· #5 · Aug 10, 2015

Midroof -- 31" -- though with the XLT interior, the very corners are shorter as there is a covering for the air curtains and air conditioner ducts.

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GAdad

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 10, 2015

Thanks guys, this is the kind of info I am looking for. just to make sure, I need these dimensions without headrests installed. Thanks and Im still looking for somebody with a high roof. Then I will have what I need.

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PeterR

· #7 · Aug 10, 2015 (Edited)

Correct, ignoring headrests.

I think Airedrifter might have skipped the nearby ceiling dome lights hanging down ~ 1/2" (if that small amt. makes a difference)? There is a 16" difference between our measurements, which mirrors pretty closely the dimensions in the Body Builder brochure I linked yesterday, which shows the following interior load heights for the Wagon [H505 -- although there appears to be a typographical error in the second column from the left on p. 17]:

LR 52.8"
MR 67.6" [14.8" more than LR]
HR 77.0" [9.4" more than MR, and 24.2" more than LR]

I am wondering GAdad what you are chasing down here? Is there something in particular you hope to stow above the seats without the headrests? Earlier you were discussing car seats for infants and children. Is the clear height here part of that analysis, perhaps for adults to lean over the bench seat to care for an infant?

I did tons of dimensional research before I ordered my low roof Wagon, having owned three Econolines since 1970, because I wanted the best compromise all-around vehicle. Happy to say I got it.

Thanks

PS -- Edit -- Therefore, the clear height in the high roof wagon should be about 9" more than Airedrifter's 31" figure, or 40" clear from the top of the bench seat back to the headliner [or bottom of dome lights TBD].

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PeterR

· #8 · Aug 10, 2015

dado6 said:
This weekend I decided to take the seats out of the van, and take some pictures and do some measuring.
[snip]

GAdad said:
Thanks guys, this is the kind of info I am looking for. just to make sure, I need these dimensions without headrests installed. Thanks and Im still looking for somebody with a high roof. Then I will have what I need.

dado6, any chance you could help out with a dimension from the top of your bench seat (not incl. headrest) to the headliner ceiling? Also, wondering how you are liking your high roof Wagon.

Thanks,

Peter

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GAdad

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 11, 2015

PeterR, thanks a TON for all the help. I haven't really mentioned what is on my mind because you guys will probably think I'm crazy.

Anyway, the main reason I am looking at these dimensions is that I am considering mounting a platform bed across the top of the seats. I love the idea of the camper conversions so many of you guys are doing on here. Problem is, I really need the passenger version as my wife and I have 7 children 13 and under. So, that being said, I'm just kind of thinking this thing through and if I can have the versatility to reconfigure the van for certain things at certain times that would just be awesome.

Here is a little bit of my thought process. I could go low roof and possibly put a pop up tent on top, or I could possibly go high top and put platforms on top of seats. To me, anything inside the van is always a better option than things outside the van. Just throwing around ideas, hoping to have that AH HA moment. It will come in due time... I know it will... Won't it?!

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USMC Vet

· #10 · Aug 11, 2015

Ah Ha >

Semper Fi

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PeterR

· #11 · Aug 11, 2015 (Edited)

Ah Ha!

Stowing a bed platform, mattress, plus one or two human beings up there . . .

Messing with the headliner and roof structure in a low roof Wagon will be a nightmare IMO, starting with the airbag which runs the entire length of the driver's side I believe.

Seems to me you are going to want the high roof. You might check out Longboard's posts, and JP4's also, as they both have high roof Vans which utilize the upper "elevations" in their lofty micro-climates, including a chin-up bar (LB), and surfboard racks with captains' chairs added behind the front seating (JP4), via the following links:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/119881-post11.html

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/camper-vans-conversions/8201-another-minimalist-conversion.html

dado6 got a high roof Wagon a long time ago [click on clue link in the recent quote from him in my other post], but he has not replied to quote notifications, so I am guessing he is down the road for good . . . good photos in his posts though . . . especially this one:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/57194-post29.html

The HR will have about 40" clear height, and the MR has 30" clear height +/- which may be enough? Platform and mattress might take up 10" max.? Leaving 20" clear which is OK for sleeping but tight for rolling over, getting out of bed with two people up there, etc. IMO. Don't forget that the headliner really dips down at the sides and rear of the Wagon, so the process of getting in and out of bed should be planned out WAY ahead of time (like now) if you get a medium roof. I think the diagrams in that Body Builder brochure hint at this. Also at the end of that document are some air bag illustrations I think. No time to look right now.

Good luck GAdad!

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