Ford Extended Van internal Storage ideas

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

If anyone has removed benches and done a custom storage for directionals, twins, and lots of kites I would love to see a picture of it. Off the water for awhile and need a project before I go back to work.

Thanks,
Eric

shred_da_gorge · Fri Aug 13, 10 10:45 am

I recently rebuilt the benches/platform in the back of my extended E250 to increase the under-bed storage and allow the platform to be removed from between the benches for utility. Just used plywood and 2x3s, built the benches so floor space accommodates 4x8 sheets of plywood/drywall, screwed 2x3s into the side walls of the benches for the platform to hang on, planned height so milk crates and other common storage boxes can slide underneath, and built a rectangular platform with some inner braces and plywood embedded on top. It bolts to the benches from underneath with 4 bolts and wing nuts, seems to hold it just fine with no rattling.

The one caveat is that in order to make the platform rectangular I had to make the benches taper. The van is wider in the middle than it is at the rear, so that was kinda tricky.

A friend has a raised roof on his and devised ingenious upper storage to hang his windsurf boards with nylon rope, PVC pipe, and cleats. Basically raises and lowers the PVC rack frame to slide them in and out of bags - total of four, two on either side. I don't have the raised roof on mine and similar attempts to hang boards from the roof have failed miserably (plus I've envisioned a 5'7" pointed projectile coming at the back of my head in a rear-ender). The original bed platform was on top of the original benches (previous owner's implementation), and it was way too low to store all my windsurf gear under (now I just kite and drive a wagon).

Would send pics but I live in Cali and my buddy Scott left with the van for Hood River just this morning. I needed it up there and he just happened to have ridden his bicycle down the coast and needed a way back. PM me if you want to check it out and I'll arrange it.

It was kinda funny in conversation with people around here (Californians tend to be big into 'image')... talking about remodeling... my van. Now I can't live down the "down by the river" thing.