I am about to purchase a van, finally!
I want to “skin” the inside of the cargo walls and roof with something thin.
Masonite, luan?? What would you suggest?
And what would you coat it with for a little protection if you would at all?
Thanks,
Eric
Figured I better get my questions in soon before we have to start paying!
Replies
I think it depends on how you're ultimately going to set it up. Mine is set up with shelves across the back so I don't need to step in and hunch over to get things in and out. The middle is mostly open so I can load it as needed with larger tools (table saw, miter saw, etc). Note that the shelves sit off the floor so I can carry a few sheet goods. In the picture, my ladders are stuffed in that space.
I lined the sides with 1/2" plywood which is useful for mounting things (see side view). To do it again, I would glue carpet to the sheet metal between the ribs (for sound deadening) and use 2 layers of luan (conforms better than 1/2" ply). I would also do the ceiling the same way since that would quiet things down a lot more and it would give me additional attachment points.
Finally, for cosmetics, I would paint the whole thing the same color as the rest of the interior. In this case, gray.
-Don
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Edited 2/26/2007 6:15 pm ET by DonCanDo
Edited 2/26/2007 6:16 pm ET by DonCanDo
I thought of using thicker material as you have for mounting purposes.
How do you like the Husky work platform? I just bought one and think it's awesome.[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
How do you like the Husky work platform? I just bought one and think it's awesome.
For about $35, it's a bargain and really useful. I actually have 3. 2 of them serve as "sawhorses" and the 3rd is work table (see photo). It's just a little low for the miter saw, but it's perfect for a portable table saw. The table top is 1X18 edge-joined pine. It overhangs so I can just use spring clamps to secure the miter or table saw.
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Edited 2/26/2007 8:04 pm ET by DonCanDo
I thought that was an Econoline.
That's what I am buying. 2003 E250 with 12,000 miles.
How has yours treated you?[email protected]
WHICH content will be free, of course; WHICH content will require registration; but WHICH content will be available only to members of FineHomebuilding.com.???
Let me know if you decide NOT to buy it. A work van with such low mileage is really hard to find around here.
I love mine, but it's a '98 with 212k miles. I only put on the last 16K and I haven't had any real problems. I just had to replace the alternator, but that's practically a maintenance item at those kind of miles. The engine runs like new. It only gets about 11-12 mpg, but that's probably typical for the '98 5.4 liter engine.
Bottom line: I would definitely buy another. Good luck with your "new" van.
-Don
I'm buying it for sure.
I was going to send you a link to an '05 w/14k on it from a dealer that I had looked at. They were down to $16,500. It looks like it is gone though.
You can try yourself if you want at ryefordsubaru.com
If you are really interested in a new van, try auto trader ot cars.com. I was looking for several months and there are lots of good buys. Hey, a 2 year old truck that costs 27k new for 16k used with a few miles on it is a good buy in my book.[email protected]
WHICH content will be free, of course; WHICH content will require registration; but WHICH content will be available only to members of FineHomebuilding.com.???
The one I am buying is a 4.6.
What the heck is that?? a 289ci?[email protected]
WHICH content will be free, of course; WHICH content will require registration; but WHICH content will be available only to members of FineHomebuilding.com.???
Nice. I have a 97 Econline E350, extended. 417,000 km (254,400 mi) with the 7.3 powerstroke. All that I have done is the diff.
I have a weatherguard bulkhead and I as well used 1/2" ply to line the sides. I thought it would be much easeir to mount stuff (shelves, racks etc. to it.) I got fairly frustrated trying to make a curve with the plywood. Eventually I ended p cutting the sheet at the 2' mark horizontally and it worked great.
Makes it easy to hang things off of. I too wish that I would have painted it before I att. all of the shelving. Live and learn!
Once I figure out how to post pics I will : )
To do it again, I would glue carpet to the sheet metal between the ribs (for sound deadening)
Use Ice & Water shield instead.
Joe H
Old pieces of scrap linoleum work well too.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Tempered (dark colored) hardboard ("Masonite") if you can find it. Otherwise that plastic-covered hardboard they use in really cheap hotel bathrooms. I wouldn't use the light-colored, non-tempered hardboard, as it's too soft.
If you can get the tempered hardboard it doesn't need much protection -- quite waterproof. But to protect against stains you may want to use a varnish or some such. The plastic-covered stuff shouldn't need much protection either.
Otherwise that plastic-covered hardboard they use in really cheap hotel bathrooms.
Great idea!!
How can I tell the difference between tempered and non. I thought it all was................[email protected]
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The label and the color. Fully tempered hardboard is quite dark-colored, almost looking like it's oil-stained. Some stuff is only partially tempered (OK, but not the best) and is a bit lighter. The untempered stuff looks about the color of spice cake (to my color-blind eyes) -- a fairly light grey/brown.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I've had the extended Ford Econoline now since 95 with never a problem AT ALL. I love it . The extended van is the way to go. I can get 8'ers in there with a ton of room to spare. I added extra leaf springs and had it undercoated (not by Ford...they charge wayyyyyyyyy too much to undercoat)
I'd do the same as Dan...1/2" ply so you can mount things. that drop of extra weight is squat in the grand scheme of things.
"As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!" Woody Guthrie 1956
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