windguy

I'm guilty of doing things like that so you're not alone. Shows you're human.

@project bike truck - Thanks for the update on your repair. What symptoms did you experience to make you want to get it checked out? I'm wondering if my transmission would need the same. It's not the smoothest thing at times. Makes me wonder if a repair like yours could make things better. My van just turned four years old with only 18K miles so I've got a year left on the transmission warranty to sort this out. Did the techs have problems getting your low rider onto their lift?

@eddy kw - Thanks for sharing your problem. Sorry to hear about your transmission woes but glad you're getting it fixed under warranty. Good luck with the repair.

Sorry to hear about your accident and losing your TC. Bummer! Glad you're okay - most important. I have a 2015 LWB Cargo Van. Below are pics of the footwell area you are asking about. I turned this 'hidden' space into a storage area, which was greatly needed. With the original carpet cut back, which has molded foam that can be quite thick in areas, the depth is about 11-12". The width is basically 48" with two 20" sections and an 8" wide hump in the middle that has a shallower depth. The platform has three pieces: two sections of decking and a brace that bolts to the floor of the van.

@cyberpine - I would also suggest getting a LWB model instead of the SWB. You're really going to appreciate that extra space picking up an extra 16" of cargo length. There are a few forum members with SWB vans but they are in the minority. Not sure if any of them use their vans for camping. I have barn doors in the back of my cargo so I can't speak for a liftgate version, but I doubt you're going to capture much space in there. Same for the sliding doors. Below are two pics showing that with the masonite panels removed.

@desert_connect - I like the idea. Good thought! It would be fun to see different spots around the US and beyond and how other forumites are using their TCs. Maybe the thread should be located in the 'Lounge Transit Connect' (The place for off-topic discussion). Making the thread a 'sticky' so it's at the top of the heap would be helpful, if the moderators can set that up.

@petermboth - congrats on your new van. Please post some pics. I've removed those plastic vapor barriers so I could add sound deadening material to the doors. Helps a lot with road noise. It's easy to peel away the barrier and then put it back when done. The adhesive around the edges has a good tack to reattach. My van only had three barriers, missing was the one for the left side upper part. Not sure why Ford left that one off.

@eddy kilowatt - great looking van, nice color - congrats! You got the van for 1/2 the cost. Very cool! So is this your van or her van?

Welcome to the forum. Are you getting a wagon or cargo model? Regarding the cab area shelf, check out the thread link below. They added the shelf I think you're asking about to the rear of the van.

@wild-surfwood - nice to see the finished job. Great work!

@Fifty150 - glad you got your van fixed under warranty and you're back on the road. That must have been one heck of a pot hole.

jrm223 is spot on. Poster SKiZo added a Fiberine top and it's a very cool conversion. See thread link below

@john - welcome to the forum. There are companies that convert vans for those with mobility issues. I would check their websites to see what van models they are using for their conversions. Best of luck in your search.

Sorry to hear about that. It would be great to see a picture of the trim you're talking about.

@Peter - welcome to the forum and congrats on your new cargo van. I'm considering adding a jump seat to my 2015 LWB Cargo van so this is an interesting topic for me. If the seating is for short distances, then a jump seat would work. Anything longer and I would go in the direction of what Beta Don is referring to and using a decent TC bench seat that you can find from a salvaged van. Those are going to be more comfortable and have a higher safety factor. I think this is the video you are referring today. I was curious to see what that person did https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvJR-ix5LTI If you're going to use the TC bench seat, then it would be best to open up the hidden foot well below the cargo deck (see pics below). It's a relatively easy job to do. I can share more pics on that. I opened mine up to use for storage and love having that amenity. Taking the cargo mat out will also expose a variety of mounting holes that exist on all vans, cargo or passenger. Below is an example of a jump seat that I've been considering. I've found several of them that might work. It has a built in seat belt and is a low cost option. Using this would require some type of adapter plate for mounting. https://www.amazon.com/Bestauto-Universal-Contoured-Retractable-Adjustable/dp/B07BBCWGT4/ref=sr_1_16_sspa?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1542259228&sr=1-16-spons&keywords=jump+seat&psc=1

@ImTom - okay, I understand your reason now. To me, the hitch seems pretty heavy duty and I'm sure Ford tested it for it rating, but you have first hand experience with it for your application. Seems like a hitch shop could custom make you a beefier hitch. That's the path I would first consider since I have no welding experience and would want to lessen my liability. I added two more pics in case others are wondering what this looks like. I guess you're back to how to get that hitch off after the mounting nuts are removed.

@appraiser219 - welcome to the forum and congrats on your new to you van. I also have a 2015 cargo. Great van with lots of cargo space. Your conversion to RHD will be interesting. Please keep us updated. Enjoy!

@nickles - welcome to the forum and congrats on your new van. 2019 already - wow! I haven't been keeping up with what's being added to new model years. Let us know if you have new features not found in older models. Curious, when did you order your van? As dparker said, lots of pics would be great. Enjoy!

ImTom - might as well welcome you to the forum since you're a newcomer. I have a factory installed hitch on my 2015 XLT Cargo. I pursued have the receive part of the hitch redone because it sticks out too far, but the local hitch shops wouldn't touch it. They would make their own hitch to replace it though, but that would be too expensive. Why do you want to remove yours? As I recall, when you get a factory hitch, Ford replaces the regular metal bumper frame with the hitch frame, which sits behind the bumper cover. If you get rid of the hitch, then you essentially have no support back there or tow point if needed. As you mentioned, I think there are only four bolts on each side attaching the hitch frame to the chassis. See pics I took a few years ago. You would think it would just drop after what you did to remove.

Got it. Very slick design. Can't wait to see it all setup. Does your helper work by the hour, job or in trade for room and board? You're a cool dad for letting him work (play) with you. Keep up the good work. BTW - that's a sharp looking van color.

You got that van for a steal! Even with the travel expenses factored in. Good find for sure. I like the dimpled look. Gives the van some street cred.

That long black tube looks like a rocket launcher - 007 style. How does the awning work with that?

@tully kieys - thanks for sharing more pics. Two thumbs up for making some very cool mods. You're doing some innovative things to your van. Two thumbs down for drinking Gatorade and smoking Marlboros, but I'm sure you've already heard that a few million times before. Sorry to jump on the dog pile.

@jackson - Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new to you TC. I have the exact same radio and there is no Sync, just AM/FM with a CD player. Exactly as 'Beta Don' described above. It's a basic radio option but works well for me. The only option I wish I had was being able to input music to the radio from a USB port. I thought that was standard on an XLT but it wasn't. I'm curious what Beta Don needed to do to install that aftermarket Pioneer Nav Unit. It's it's an easy drop-in replacement then I might be interested.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new van. Looks very nice. Your camper mods look very interesting. Please share more pics when available and details on what you're adding.