I found a really good deal on a van for work. It is a pimped out conversion van by Waldoch, really clean and runs great. Took the back bench and one of the back recliner seats out (seat belted the shop vac into the other back seat). I’ll post pics of the interior after I get it all set up.
Anyways, the extra padding and carpet in this van makes it so much quieter than my other work vans. It was also cheaper than any cargo van I’ve looked at. Seller just really wanted to get rid of it fast. I’m stoked!
I was thinking of getting a used diesel Sprinter, but with diesel prices the advantage of that option has diminished.
Replies
Looks like it's in nice shape. Just curious what line of work you do as it looks like a
1/2 ton. Are you planning on putting in a headache rack?
-D
I put a new plywood floor in to protect the carpet. I bolted the plywood down with the back seat bolts and I have started bolting down my tool and supply organizers to the plywood. I plan to secure all the cargo, and avoid an actual headache rack divider.It is a half-ton but has a heavy duty towing package suspension. It will handle what I haul as a trim carpenter.
I just pimped my Jeep Cherokee today.
worked out of it while the box van was down.
got the box van back with the new motor, but had to get some 16' 2x12's to the job site today. And they don't fit nicely inside the 10ft box.
so ... finally dug thru the garage yesterday. Dug out the old ladder racks I had from my last van. They're the kind with cast gutter mount uprights and an aluminum box beam running across.
knocked the ends off ... measured ... quick zip with the sawzaw ...
and now they fit the Jeep.
I'll probably take them off / on as needed ... but nice to have a better option now.
used to transport ladders by cleaning the floor of the van and lay them sticking out the back with the door bungied down kinda/ sorta tight hoping nothing small and valuable would fall off a shelf and roll out the opening at the bottom.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I might get a rack for the van this week.I need to haul long lumber, ladders, and a canoe sometimes.The rack on the van now is super low profile and is kinda wimpy.
View Image Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
that's the one I cut down.
had it on the old van for years.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
That looks good. Now that you reworked yours...it is a custom rack too.
When I install racks on my pickup I drop one mpg! So install when you need them. Nice van, I use a Chevy extended 3500 15 passenger with out the seats. Love it!
I envy anybody with anything bigger than an Astro cargo van. The other day picked up some 16' Trex deck boards (the plastic stuff) and it stuck so far out the back it would bend and scrape the pavement every time I went over a bump. I don't have a rack but if I did, I would have to put it on and take it off as needed, because the van barely clears my garage opening without one. Whenever (if ever) I move I gonna look for a place with a nice, big garage door... and maybe upgrade to an extended, 3500 Spritzer. Man I like those vans!
Congrats on the new wheels.--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Thanks.Before this, I had two Volkswagon vans and an Astro for work. I finally decided I need the extra capacity...the nice seats, sound system, etc. are a bonus.
turn them on edge the the nect time and lash them together as a bundle...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
turn them on edge the the nect time and lash them together as a bundle...
And if it's a regular problem for you, try this:
http://www.realtruck.com/productline/843/227/1/lund_hitch_hand_truck_bed_extender.html
I have seen that advertisement before. Here in Or. at least that could get you a vehicle ticket. Law here is ( or at least was) that your load may not overhang the back axle by more than 1/3 the distance between the front and back axles. Don't ask how I know.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Law here is ( or at least was) that your load may not overhang the back axle by more than 1/3 the distance between the front and back axles.
Are you sure about that? Some stock vehicles come close to or exceed that.
Either way (if that is a valid restriction), with that load you'd already be in violation. At least with that thing, you wouldn't be wrecking boards at the same time.
Well I was sure of it when I got hit with $150.00 ticket for the violation. Now admittedly that was some years back and I was driving a 2 1/2 ton truck with a 14' bed at the time and carrying 22ft. beams on it. That is why I said it is "or was anyway" I would check state laws before I bought one of those extenders though. I know I have often been in violation of the law if it is still in effect , but I also know that I did get a ticket and pay the fine for that violation.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Ahh.
I wasn't doubting you got a ticket, just skeptical at the specifics of that law(be it still in effect or retired) because many vehicles overhang the rear axle by 1/3 the wheelbase without any load at all. And it seems flagging would be a moot point if you couldn't have anything long anyway.
At any rate, like I said:
If his state has a law like that, he's breaking it anyway. At least with that thing the boards are safe.
Sorry i should have cleared the length of the bed issue up. I actually made that argument with the cop , He asked if I wanted him to measure the bed relative to the axle length as well as writing me a ticket for the overhanging load. I declined his offer. You are right though his boards are safe and the idea is a pretty good one. I will see if I can find the law, got me curious now.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Glad I was questioned on that bit of info. Found it , also proved I have a faulty memory as to exactly what I was ticketed for.
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/docs/vcb/VCB818.pdf section 818.080-090 The rule is measuring from the last axle of a vehicle operating singly that no portion of the load or vehicle may extend 3/4 of the length of the wheel base past the last axle.
Edited 4/30/2008 8:58 pm by dovetail97128
I did lash 'em together, with duct tape. Didn't think about turning 'em on edge. I have to pick up 3 more pieces next week. Thanks for cluing me in.
btw, There was 1/2" grinded off the bottom end of the bottom board by the time I got it to the job site.
I'll never forget my early daze in fixin houses, when I was working out of a Toyota Celica hatch-back. I put some cheap luggage racks on it to tote my 40' ladder around, but I only tied it to the rack. Came to a stop and the ladder started teetering, almost ripped the rack right off the car. Fortunately I had some rope and strung the ends of the ladder to the bumpers. --------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
bring a 2x4 with ya...
with only 3 sticks they will sway back and forth.. maybe even whip a bit...
geep them from flopping over on their flat too....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I keep a sheet of plywood in the bed and when I need support I just slip it out past the tail gate up to 3' with no problem , that's 13' of support. Makes me feel better to front weight the load to keep it from fopas.
Good tip on the rack and gas milage. I don't use a rack often, so installing it just when needed is a good plan.
Look at the System One racks. I've got one on my truck and bought one for my carp's van.John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
Thanks for the tip on System One Racks.
Nice ride, but all that glass is a break-in waiting to happen.
Got any plans to secure?
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
All my work vans except one, have been "all glass." The only one I had cleaned out by thieves was a true cargo van with company signage. The passenger and conversion vans...no problems. Maybe just lucky.I think the dark tint and shades are helpful. I like being able to get the extra daylight in the van when I want it.
same here i drive a window van,never had a problem. i think the thieves think your hauling family not tools. when you have cargo it's pretty obvious that you have something inside. i'll stick with the glass.larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I have decided not to put any signage on work vans for the reason you mention. I'm goin' incognito. 8>{
Last fall I bought a 15 pass Dodge 1 ton. I have the factory privacy glass, you can see that there are tools there but have to look pretty hard. I was going to get a sign " Rev Bob's Church of Restoration" for the side.
If I ever get it cleaned up inside I will try to take some pics.
i have never had a van but may be getting a 98 ford van, Im sick and tired of wet tools, no where to go we we, no where to change my clothes, no way to get certain supples to the job with out getting wet, no way to lock up the tools when i go to the store.
i have never had a van but may be getting a 98 ford van...
That's what I have. A '98 Ford E250 cargo van with the 5.4 liter V8. It has 218,000 miles on it (only 20,000 of those are mine) and it runs great. The front end is a little loose and it wanders a bit on windy days, but even brand new vans will do that to some degree. I'm very happy with it and would definitely buy another.
Good luck if you go for it.
This is the deal, I have a 86 GMC pickup with a 350, My boy put it on craigslist here in OR, A fellow calls me up from Hawaii and wants to buy it, Meanwhile my boy GABE is over there doing stuntwork and bought this van, If he cant sell it he will get the money for my truck, Send it over there and send his van to me unless he sells it, this way he wont be out the money except for the shipping{one grand}, It has a V6 which i heard gets good gas milage, One big dent in back. Im hoping i can get it cause he sez its great
I really like working out of a van, for the reasons you mention. I tried working out of a truck for a while...it was cool looking, but it was a drag.This van is actually a '97 Ford, but it is so clean and smooth runnin' that it seems much newer.
my first van was a window van.
guy before me built the shelves and "tinted" the windows.
he just used black spray paint from the inside.
at first I thot "hack job" ... till I realized how easy it was to touch up.
kept it like that for years.
tint in a can!
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
This conversion van has shades for all the back windows, so I'm just gonna use those to keep my tools private and open the shades when I need more light to see.
Please post some pics after you have your van set up. I'm having a hard time visualizing how all that glass won't pose a significant challenge.
Nice ride!
The last van I had was a pimpmobile too. It had a hightop and I could stand in it. That worked good for inside but was bad for ladder racks.
Jeff beat me to it but I was going to suggest painting the inside. I did that on my last two window vans and built full shelves on the sides.
Vans are actually very good for remodelers and I have always missed mine to some degree....but I do like having an open bed pickup truck too. Each is great when it's great.
I'd tell a few stories about dangling stuff off the back...but I'm afraid no one would believe me. Let me just say that when I worked in the steel supply yard we had "special" permits that allowed us to carry 65'! Yes....that's sixty five feet! I never carried anything that long but I did come close. The law allowed only a front projection of 3 or 4' and anything off the back had to be flagged at 3' or longer. My "CDL" test was ten easy questions and the license cost me $5 per year more than a regular one. One time they sent me out with a steel beam so long that I had to stick it past the front about 15' to keep it from dragging on the ground in the rear!
I'm glad those steel days are over....
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
If i were you, i'd be less concerned with crooks breaking though the windows and more concerned with cargo breaking the glass from the inside.
All it takes is some idiot cutting you off in traffic; You swerve to avoid, the load shifts, then your tablesaw/mitresaw/compressor exits via the nearest window.
I too own a passenger van modified for trade use. I protect all the rear windows with 1/2" hardware cloth sandwiched in frame consisting of 2 layers of 3/4" plywood (one layer either side of the cloth). Make the frames about 2" larger than the window you are protecting. Screw through the frame into the van's plastic trim. Doing it this way you still allow light in while putting off would be thieves.
I would also recommend this technique to anyone who owns a standard cargo van with windows on rear doors as this also protects the glass when you slam the door on cargo that is 3" longer than your truck allows. Thus turning your window into a mail slot! LLAP!
I use a braided steel cable and lock to secure my tools so they are literally locked in place. I have heavy steel racks that I bolted to the floor that hold most of my gear also. I've a good long history of glass window van use and a good system. I've not been in an accident, but have slammed on the brakes and swerved suddenly before and none of my tools moved.I'll be using this van for family trips so I am not gonna make it into a strictly contractor vehicle. My method of outfitting relies on using the backseat bolts to secure a sheet of plywood, then bolting the tool storage to the plywood. I can unload my tools and remove a few bolts and all the tool storage slides out and the passenger seats go back in for travel.
on my window van ... the last guy built the shelves.
2 levels each side.
top level was a hair under the width of a 5 gal bucket.
he made the shelves outta steel studs obviously on their side.
ran it ... made for a "C" .... with 1/2" ply laid into the now bottom lip.
the buckets set down into that "C" ... and were a nice tight friction fit.
nothing ever slid.
I simply swapped all my smaller stuff into buckets.
so far one of the best system I've had.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa