Our Adventure Van - Modifications To A Transit Wagon

67350 Views 146 Replies 48 Participants Last post by kenjent, Apr 18, 2019

kenjent

Discussion Starter · Dec 19, 2016 (Edited)

In March of 2015, I ventured out and purchased a Transit Wagon for our family adventures. I wanted to convert this wagon for multi-purpose use including short beach outings, camping, long cross country trips, and any other adventures. The idea was to equipped this van with most convenience features without losing the main purpose of being a people hauler. We have used this van for trips to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Vail, Denver, Mount Rushmore, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Four Corners, Grand Canyon National Park, and many places in between. We enjoy going to new places including national parks and monuments.

This van project have been my hobby for the last year and a half. I worked on it when I have time, mostly after work and weekends. This van modification is not complete, but I am at the final stages of the project. I just want to share some pictures and ideas of my project. I will be adding more info and pictures (will create a Google Photo account) when I can. Here are a few pictures of the van layout.

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Reactions: 5

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kenjent

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 19, 2016 (Edited)

Just learned how to use Google Photo. Let me know if this link does not work.

https://photos.google.com/shared

WAMTB

· #3 · Dec 19, 2016

Looks nice! Details on your galley build?

oscarvan

· #4 · Dec 19, 2016

Very cool. Does the table/couch convert to a bed?

kenjent

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 20, 2016 (Edited)

oscarvan said:
Very cool. Does the table/couch convert to a bed?

Yes the couch does convert to a bed.
I did not think of making the table into a bed. That is a good idea. May be another mod?

I have added a few more pictures of the couch using as a bed in Google Photo folder. I have also added pictures of the solar panel and roof vent.

kenjent

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 20, 2016 (Edited)

WAMTB said:
Looks nice! Details on your galley build?

The galley is made from garage cabinets purchased from OSH. I modified the cabinet a little to the length required. The countertop is from IKEA, cut and finish to match the cabinets. All vertical panel of the cabinets are attached to the van side inner metal structure with lower and mid angles. The bottom of the cabinets are attached to the factory seat track.

I will try to take some pictures of the galley attachments.

Benjamin Loyle

· #7 · Dec 20, 2016

KenJent - I can't seem to access your google photos page. I suggest creating an album - then in the sharing options you can select "Get Link". That would be what you would want to send.

I'm curious how you got the factory seat to mount rearwards. Any trickery with that?

Lionmonster

· #8 · Dec 20, 2016

This is a really nice build. Maybe be stealing some of your ideas since we're planning a cross country trip this summer.

I couldn't get the Google folder to work. It just opened my own shared folder. I think you've got to copy of the link

https://goo.gl/photos/oUt4hhLWSZgBshSz9

kenjent

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 20, 2016

Lionmonster said:
This is a really nice build. Maybe be stealing some of your ideas since we're planning a cross country trip this summer.

I couldn't get the Google folder to work. It just opened my own shared folder. I think you've got to copy of the link

Try this link:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=OFFxejBxTmhaYkRISk9LTld0d2I1aGlWVEc0N19R

I have added some pics of the installed rivnut in the van structure for mounting the cabinets.

Benjamin Loyle

· #10 · Dec 20, 2016

Link works great - thanks!

kenjent

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 20, 2016

Benjamin Loyle said:
KenJent - I can't seem to access your google photos page.

I'm curious how you got the factory seat to mount rearwards. Any trickery with that?

The front and the rear attach points for the seat is identical on the seat tracks. You just need to enlarge the cutout in the floor panel at the forward leg locations.

Reactions: 2

Benjamin Loyle

· #12 · Dec 20, 2016

Wow! Did not notice that! I'm going to go jig saw out the floor tonight!

Reactions: 1

fromtaipei

· #13 · Dec 20, 2016

Congratulations. Your VAN anc conversion looks great. We may want to do the same.

Maybe we should organize a cross country Tranist tour and setup a place (pref a beach campsite) to meet and have a big Transit party.

GapRunr

· #14 · Dec 20, 2016

There is a picture of a Transit with the red detail in the black wheels. What color is that Transit?

Lionmonster

· #15 · Dec 20, 2016 (Edited)

Awesome! Thanks!

I really like your floor. After taking mine on a couple mtn bike / camping trips, I'm seriously considering taking out the carpet and doing something. I end up putting rubber mats down everywhere so I don't have to vacuum.

Table idea is great also.

Lionmonster

· #16 · Dec 20, 2016

GapRunr said:
There is a picture of a Transit with the red detail in the black wheels. What color is that Transit?

Its the magnetic grey. I found it on the Transit facebook group.

GapRunr

· #17 · Dec 20, 2016

Very nice... it has a little bit of a green tint to it.

kenjent

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 21, 2016

Lionmonster said:
Awesome! Thanks!

I really like your floor. After taking mine on a couple mtn bike / camping trips, I'm seriously considering taking out the carpet and doing something. I end up putting rubber mats down everywhere so I don't have to vacuum.

Table idea is great also.

The factory carpet really traps dirt and crumbs. This vinyl floor should be much easier to clean.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=OFFxejBxTmhaYkRISk9LTld0d2I1aGlWVEc0N19R

Mormonvan

· #19 · Dec 21, 2016

Looks awesome, I hope to do some of these things in the future. My first mod will be installing a TV. I was wondering was size and model TV did you use? How did you install it? Homemade bracket?

kenjent

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 21, 2016

Mormonvan said:
Looks awesome, I hope to do some of these things in the future. My first mod will be installing a TV. I was wondering was size and model TV did you use? How did you install it? Homemade bracket?

I purchased a 20" RCA TV/DVD combo. I looked into and purchased an overhead mount but it did not work out. I finally came up with a simple mount to the overhead storage structure. I made the mounting angles from aluminum angles and mounted to the overhead storage structure with 4 fasteners. This mounting method is more sturdy than the overhead mount that I previously planned. You can see the pictures in the TV/DVD Combo thread below.

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...154-tv-dvd-combo-installation.html#post279233

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