Any idea what this part does?

[windguy]

On a cargo van, anyone take a look at the black styrofoam that's above the sliding door on each side and wonder what's its purpose?

see picture attached to show what I'm referring to.

The styrofoam is in two pieces and not very secure. I'm not sure what's actually holding it up.

There doesn't appear to be anything behind it and can't figure out it's function.

I'd like to add a storage shelf for gear above the entire ceiling and the foam is in the way.

I'm more inclined to remove it unless someone convinces me otherwise.

thanks.

[mustang]

I think its only purpose is to keep debris and or fingers out of the door track slider thats behind it

[windguy]

thanks Mustang. it's kind of flimsy if you ask me and not very good looking.

you can see a piece of the same material inside the opening where the slider ends towards the B pillar.

[windguy]

MOD #1 - decided to remove the black styrofoam pieces today.

don't think these perform any function and not sure why they are mounted. They seem more as a backing material for a headliner. You can see one on each side of the bulkhead where the slider door yoke goes into. I've attached a pic of where that is

The smaller of the two pieces had two adhesive strips holding the bottom edge in place. the bigger piece didn't not and was pretty loose.

The pieces are held in place by a few plastic one-time use fasteners/retainer. It was easiest to cut the fastener below the quarter size head with a wire cutter. Then remove the foam and then pull out the remaining shaft of the fasteners with pliers. Very easy to remove. I think it looks much cleaner without it and this will allow me to build a ceiling rack much easier.

Edited January 30, 2015 by windguy