Introducing Vanilla

I'm getting in to expedite/hot shot work these days but want to set up this Transit as a multi-use adventure/work/utility vehicle. Work is the reason I chose white and didn't stick it out for a silver or dark gray one.

Hopefully the floor plan speaks mostly for itself but I should add a few things. I borrowed the templates from the Sportsmobile design studio and edited them with my lousy computer skills but the basics are hopefully obvious. The main thing that I couldn't represent is that the two captains chairs shown in the diagram are actually going to be the standard second row that comes in the transit, the split second row with a single jumpseat right inside the side door and the double seat on the left side. I plan run E or L track throughought the floor for tie downs and will modify these seats to be moved around as needed or completely removed based on load/work needs. I need to be able to haul 2 standard pallets (48x48x48ish) so the rear side storage cabinets will only be about 10' deep and probably about 3.5' high. The 2 platform bed sections I'm thinking (roughly 3x6' will be removable to be stood up out of the way and stored for larger loads/pallets in the rear.

In those side cabinets I will house 2 4d batteries, inverter/charger/electronics, fresh water tank I already have, perhaps a fold down or stow-away shower pan at some point, diesel furnace I already have and still have some storage for gear and work supplies.

Towards the front I will put an SMEV sink/stove combo for maximum efficiency and a fold up counter extension over the bottom of the bench seat on the left. 2 drawers and 2 cabinet doors will fit under hopefully. My fridge will be my big 70 liter Truckfridge chest fridge I already have and it can be moved around wherever based on need. Above sink/stove will be upper storage with a tiny microwave and cabinets going all the way down the driver's side to rear. On the passenger side I will have upper cabinets from slider back. I'm hoping to learn a bit about 8020 and do the upper cabinets in that. The galley cabinet will probably just be birch ply construction with a butcher block top.

300 watts of solar with 2 Maxxair vents on the roof, no rack per se, just a frame to mount the solar.

Swivel passenger seat only

3/4" barn stall mats in the rear with aluminum plates down low for pallet/cargo abuse.

This is a passenger van, which I wanted for rear air and to look less like a commercial vehicle. Rear inside windows are already tinted and will be covered with Reflectix. Rear and slider will be limo tinted with Reflectix when parked. Window shades, possibly roll down, on galley windows. I also hope to make a quick-deploy front privacy curtain on aluminum track for the windshield and front windows. Obstacles for upper cabinets in the passenger van are getting around/removing the side curtain airbags and rerouting some ducting.

Outside the van will be pretty much stock except I will add an awning, solar and roof vents. Oh, also planning on Ultra Toils with some better looking and bigger all-terrain rubber.

Comments/suggestions welcome!

Mobileempire said:

Where's the pictures?

Click to expand...

Here's Vanilla next to my recently converted 4x4 Econoline. It's going to a new home tomorrow.

IMG_2975 by 86scotty, on Flickr

My first mod was window tint! The view inside the Transit passenger model is amazing and vision is amazing, but that's a LOT of clear glass. I had the rear windows tinted over the factory tint, windshield done with a strip of limo (5%) and the driver and passenger matched to the rest of the sides with 20%. It's much easier on me on sunny days now.

IMG_2977 by 86scotty, on Flickr

I'm gathering parts for my interior conversion but some simple things got done this week.

Red LED upper console mod:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/electronics-audio-lighting/55338-red-led-console-mod.html

I pulled all but one two seater bench behind the driver for shuttling my kids around.

Also in: SMEV/Dometic 8621 stove/sink combo
Blue Sea 7610 battery isolator

Other than that I cut some Reflectix for privacy.

I think it's time for her first bath and a cold one (not the bath )

Wheels and Tires have been added!

At the time of this post my van is NOT lifted, stock height. I replaced the original wheels/tires at 50k with Ultra Toil 16" wheels with BFG KO2 245/75-16 E-rated tires. The wheels are the only offset Ultra wheel offers. Here are pics of the fit in the wheel well at stock height

Rear (van mostly empty)

Untitled by 86scotty, on Flickr

Front (no trimming required, no rubbing)

Untitled by 86scotty, on Flickr

Side views to show offset

Untitled by 86scotty, on Flickr

Untitled by 86scotty, on Flickr

space between tire and strut on front, about 1-1.5" inches

Untitled by 86scotty, on Flickr

Kitchen cabinet has been installed. I used a Dometic 8821 sink/stove (hob) with a 7 gallon Aquatainer under the cabinet. In it I mounted a GoWesty submersible water pump and Westfalia (Shurflo) cold water faucet. The fridge is a Truckfridge T130.
The unusual layout of the cabinet is so I can get two 4x4' pallets of freight in the van for work. Over the holidays I plan to pull it back apart and stain it and add T-molding around the cabinet and table, and future cabinets. Also, I need build a proper drawer and doors for the cabinet. Anyway, progress is slowly being made.

First cup brewed on the stove:

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Here's a glimpse of what the finished product will look like. This is the cabinet I did in my old Sportsmobile. I really like birch cabinets with black T-molding.

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/members/3846-albums500-picture22187.html

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/members/3846-albums500-picture22192.html