[dirtyboy250]

I used separate sheets of thinsulate stuck to the roof between the ribs and then taped sheets of EZ Cool to the topsides of each headliner panel. I’m not sure the EZ cool is really doing anything, but I had some on hand. I could be imagining it, but to me it seems like the bottom sides of the headliner doesn’t get as warm now when sitting in the sun (with some ventilation).

View attachment 163514

Thanks for your information. Is the ceiling mounted board for a mount of some sort? TV mount perhaps?

 

[bhamBaker]

Have you found that the bed slide is a useful tool?

 

[Knarfly]

Have you found that the bed slide is a useful tool?

Yes, very helpful to reach or load stuff.

 

[bhamBaker]

Thanks for your response. I'm picking up my '21 HR 8Passenger wagon next week; so starting my ideas on build-out. As many have commented; you're proof of concept is helping us all!

Some questions I've got:
Is your's a Mid or High Roof?
Looks like you use it w the 2nd row removed?
Curious your thoughts on L-track for the overhead vrs 80/20?

 

[Knarfly]

Thanks for your response. I'm picking up my '21 HR 8Passenger wagon next week; so starting my ideas on build-out. As many have commented; you're proof of concept is helping us all!

Some questions I've got:
Is your's a Mid or High Roof?
Looks like you use it w the 2nd row removed?
Curious your thoughts on L-track for the overhead vrs 80/20?

Congrats on the new van!

Mine is a mid-roof. I use it with only the 3rd row in usually, as it gives lots of room to get the kids in, I put in either the 3 person bench or 2 person in the 2nd row if I have more passengers.

I also use the seat rails for attaching the bedslide, if you have an 8 passenger you won't have the rails in the back for that attachment so will need to figure out another mounting solution. Edit: actually it looks like the 8 passengers do have the rear rails...

 

[Knarfly]

Curious your thoughts on L-track for the overhead vrs 80/20?

I used extrusion because that was going to be the main components of my build. I didn't really consider L-Track. I think there are more accessories and attachments for the extrusion, I make a bunch of hooks and mounts for example, but L-track seems to work for some people's builds. Not helpful, sorry.

 

[bhamBaker]

It's a 148"... had to go HR since I stand 6'2" and want to stand fully during basecamp operations. Although my wife is only 5'even... we're an odd couple!

It won't have the seat rails in the very rear, but what I can discern from reading posts are the captured nuts are still installed in the frame; so I'll utilize those. It does have the rails for the 4th row, so I'm just missing the very back cargo area rails. I've also thought about just purchasing the seat rails off ebay and installing them as attachment points for a bed slide and tie down locations.

Thanks for the comments on L-track; it is very helpful. Gathering different builders experiences is all valuable knowledge.

 

[SION1771]

L-Track is great for quick and easy accessory adds, but we've found several of those rattle. 8020 is a little harder to add things but things won't rattle as much with that.

 

[bhamBaker]

Sion1771 - thanks for that feedback on L-track; valuable insight as well. I can see how the design of the L-track would allow for rattle if items are not tensioned.

Knarfly - I liked the concept of the cargo net separating the gear area from the passenger zone; Do you find you utilize the netting regularly?

Both my wife and I are mariners, so 'securing for sea' is very familiar to us.

 

[Knarfly]

Sion1771 - thanks for that feedback on L-track; valuable insight as well. I can see how the design of the L-track would allow for rattle if items are not tensioned.

Knarfly - I liked the concept of the cargo net separating the gear area from the passenger zone; Do you find you utilize the netting regularly?

Both my wife and I are mariners, so 'securing for sea' is very familiar to us.

The net stays up full time, almost like a curtain partition. If I go through to the back I'll unclip it at the eye bolts and walk through. I'm sure it's not perfect, but I'm hoping it will provide some barrier.

 

[njvagabond]

8020 is a little harder to add things but things won't rattle as much with that.

 

[Stadblaster]

What is the width of the ceiling 80/20 cross members? Thanks

 

[digbyn]

Thank you, this build thread has been most hopeful, doing the exact same thing. Only question I have for all is recommendation on how to bolt 8020 to the floor considering you kept the stock flooring in place? Or do you all just rely on mount points to the side walls/ceiling etc? The stock floor not that strong?

 

[Jay808]

Thanks! I installed a 1/4-20 rivnut into the roof rib where the gray plastic tree holds the headliner. This hole is in the same location on all the ribs. Then I measured and drilled holes on the extrusion. I've thought about offering some plans for the complete build to make it easier for others.

View attachment 148848

For my needs I decided the 16" was sufficient, I was able to get mine around $500. Tube length was standard 2x96" & 2x60" which was more than enough. I wouldn't buy their mounting brackets either as they're ridiculously expensive, although it is an odd mounting spacing you can easily make your own brackets with some aluminum plate or extra 8020 brackets, or try and drill straight through the extrusion. Someone else on here found an electric version with 25" stroke for around $900 which would be a good option as well.

Did you use any spacers or shims between the headliner and the 80/20?

 

[Knarfly]

Thank you, this build thread has been most hopeful, doing the exact same thing. Only question I have for all is recommendation on how to bolt 8020 to the floor considering you kept the stock flooring in place? Or do you all just rely on mount points to the side walls/ceiling etc? The stock floor not that strong?

Ford doesn't recommend connecting the ceiling/walls/floors as the unibody flexes. For the sides and bed base it's only connected to the walls/tie down points. For the ceiling it's only on the ribs. The floor pieces are connected with brackets I make that use the stock passenger seat rails.

 

[Knarfly]

Did you use any spacers or shims between the headliner and the 80/20?

I didn't use any spacers or shims.

 

[Jay808]

I didn't use any spacers or shims.

How did you prevent the headliner and plastic trim from compressing when tightening the extrusion to the ceiling? I have the crew van so there's plastic trim at the middle ceiling rib.

 

[Knarfly]

How did you prevent the headliner and plastic trim from compressing when tightening the extrusion to the ceiling? I have the crew van so there's plastic trim at the middle ceiling rib.

I didn't. It compressed a bit, and pulled it up from the plastic trim a bit, but not too significant. Since you have a crew, with headliner/no headliner split a spacer would probably be beneficial for you. You could cut and drill some wood, HDPE, or similar. There are some other options in this thread 8020 on ceiling in passenger

 

[pricklypear]

What t-nuts did you use for attaching the hanging cabinets? Roll in? I would like mine to be removeable but also slide and I cannot figure out what vandoit uses.

 

[Knarfly]

What t-nuts did you use for attaching the hanging cabinets? Roll in? I would like mine to be removeable but also slide and I cannot figure out what vandoit uses.

I used roll ins and then switched to drop in studs with an eye ring as the nut/knob. https://amzn.to/3Ya2ME7

https://amzn.to/3kBeZUu