INTERIOR HANGING RACK

[windguy]

Back in 2015 I built a custom hanging rack inside the van to carry gear to the beach. 

Recently a forumite PM'd with questions about the rack after seeing a pic of it on a thread.

Since I can't PM pics to someone, I'm posting a few pics here to help them along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below - Rack frame made with 2"x1"x3/4" pine, glued and screwed. the deck is 1/2" plywood. Covered with bulk carpet from HD, same that was used for the cargo flooring.

 

Below - rear bracket - Simpson strong tie from HD bent in a vise with a mallet to hang plumb. Mounting hole was created using an existing reinforced hole and tapping with threads.

 

Below - shows angle of bent bracket.

 

 

 

Below - front bracket - may have given that a slight bend as well, can't remember. Mounting hole used an existing hole - bolt/nut - Nut before bracket to hold bolt in place.

 

Below - view of rack from cab area.

 

Below - a view of a gusset that was added to each hanging bracket. Not part of the initial design but the rack had a slight sway front to back and was making a creaking noise. The gusset cinched up the rack nicely. Uses same strong-tie material.

 

Below - Ditched the LED cargo light that I had ordered with the van since the rack obscured it. Plus the light stays on for 10 minutes and I couldn't control it with a switch.

The LED bar lights are controlled with two switches: at the left rear and left sliding door. Very convenient to add task lighting.

Edited December 3, 2022 by windguy
revised pics

[Chip]

It isn’t something I want to add in my TC, but I really like Windguys’ rack, and appreciate the post.
 

The space where I’d like to add a rack is over the driver and passenger seats, since that is just wasted airspace. I dream of raising the seats and having storage underneath. I don’t like the TC seats being down low, like in a hole. But there would be too many challenges to lifting the seats more than a few inches, so an overhead rack is the only way I can envision making use of all that space.

 

Windguys’ photos show two vertical tubes near the middle of the rack, between the rack and the roof. Are those supports, and are they attached to the roof, and if so, how?

 

Love the lighting! Is that wired to the existing light wires or a separate circuit? When camping in my van, I get annoyed by the interior light staying on after the doors are closed, so I like the idea of manually operated switch. That’s something I want to address—on my “when I get around to it” list.

 

Good post—thanks.

[windguy]

5 hours ago, Chip said:

Windguys’ photos show two vertical tubes near the middle of the rack, between the rack and the roof. Are those supports, and are they attached to the roof, and if so, how?

 

Love the lighting! Is that wired to the existing light wires or a separate circuit? When camping in my van, I get annoyed by the interior light staying on after the doors are closed, so I like the idea of manually operated switch. That’s something I want to address—on my “when I get around to it” list.

 

 

Thanks Chip. Hope it inspires others to think inside the box.

 

Adding storage above the seats sounds interesting.  I agree it's unused valuable space. Keep the side curtain airbags in mind if designing something.

The long items stored in my hanging rack poke through to the cab area all the way to the shelf, but only in the middle area. 

 

The two vertical tubes are wood dowels painted the same gray color.

The angle makes it look like they go to the ceiling but it's about the same height as the bracket.

It's for keeping the gear in the middle from flopping over. There's a set of dowels on each end.

Probably not necessary but helpful in keeping things from shifting around.

 

The LED light bars are sort of on their own circuit with power being tapped from the right rear AUX outlet. I can see that being useful if camping. Better than opening the door to turn the light on and then waiting 10 minutes for the light to go off. I was going to add a light at the back of the van for task lighting in the barn door area. I have since bought a rechargeable LED work light made by FEIT (2-pack special at Costco) that has a magnet that would work as well. I use that thing in the garden and inside the house. Very handy to have. 

 

 

[Fifty150]

23 hours ago, windguy said:

The LED light bars are sort of on their own circuit with power being tapped from the right rear AUX outlet.

 

 

I like what you did with lighting.

 

 

On 12/3/2022 at 6:30 AM, Chip said:

The space where I’d like to add a rack is over the driver and passenger seats,

 

 

Maybe not what you had in mind.  Ford did make an overhead console for middle row passengers use.  I have never seen it for sale in the aftermarket.  Maybe someone has that built in with their custom ordered van.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jeff_beast]

I took inspiration from Windguy's shelf and built one. My goal was to take advantage of the height above the bikes that I couldn't really use.  It's only in the back half (so the front half is still full height).  

 

I took advantage of existing holes, used a step drill to enlarge them to 5/16", and inserted M8 rivnuts.  Used 1" wide by 1/8" thick aluminum bar for the hangers.  The shelf is a 3/4" 4' x 2' birch plywood with the front length edged with 3/4" x 3/4" poplar to keep it from wanting to bow/sag (the back is supported so no need).  Carpeted the plywood all the way around.  Used 2 1/4" x 1 1/2" offset slotted angle to connect the plywood to the hangers.  It's very solid, no side to side or front to back sway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mrtn]

Nice! But shave the protruding bolt ends, good man.

[Fifty150]

Looking good