Bulkhead Removal

[Luckypants82]

Hi,

 

New to this forum, tried to search but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.

 

I am looking to buy a new Ford Transit Connect but slightly put off by the very large bulkhead (I'm looking to partially use it for a camper). I asked the dealer whether I could remove it but he said he couldn't as it is what the seatbelts connect to. Had a look during my test drive but that didn't seem to be the case, maybe for the middle seat but that is so uncomfortable that I would never use it.

 

So I have the following questions:

1. Is the bulkhead structural, I have read somewhere that it isn't but somewhere else that it is

2. Why are they so big, I presume they are solely there to stop your cargo flying to the front. I imagine that they have the curved space as they are following the contours of the seats?

3. Can they and is it easy to remove them?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

Remco

 

[mrtn]

The rigid bulkhead in a van model is not structural. It's bolted to the body and easily accessible. The side bolts are visible, roof bolts are hidden behind the headliner and floor bolts under the cargo floor liner. Naturally removing the bulkhead will weaken the structural rigidity by some margin. The passenger models do not have the bulkhead and are doing just fine.

 

As the middle seat belts are bolted to the bulkhead you need to change the seating capacity in the registration papers to two when removing the seat belt. And disable cargo use, possibly.

[Colby C]

My US delivery transit connect, has no bulkhead in cargo van configuration, do they not sell one without?

[mrtn]

No. European regulations require a barrier (a bulkhead or cage) between the cargo and passenger compartments to avoid injury due to cargo relocation in case of heavy braking or crash.

[Luckypants82]

Thanks all, very helpful!

 

They sell the van with the following options

Mesh Bulkhead (moveable mesh bulkhead, fits behind 1st or 2nd row seats)

Less Bulkhead 8

 

No idea what Less Bulkhead actually means, I'll ask the dealer and see what they say.

[mrtn]

Weird. Moveable mesh bulkhead means like the rear seat one in Mk1 where you can remove it by undoing just 4 bolts or so? A fixed bulkhead is not moveable by any means. Then there's the cage bulkhead with a door to allow long items to be transported.

 

Less bulkhead means there is none. Probably for conversion. Or check your local regulations if they allow a van without a bulkhead. They don't here.

[Bartford]

Lucky,

 

various bulkheads exist, pls tell your dealer as some are completely unaware of this (mine was!).

You get the 'solid' 1-piece steel pressing (with an indentation where a curved window would fit if you're DIY-handy enough) and you get the almost-same bulkhead but with a window installed, plus this window has a mesh-cover on the inside. This bulkhead also has a small hatch-'door' which allows to load longer items, and this goes hand in hand with a folding (seat & backrest both!) passenger seat to make space for those long items. Btw, this is a zero-cost option for the dealer hence for you too: same price as the 'solid' bulkhead.

This window allows you to install OEM glass windows in the back doors, you realize this? Just cut out the metal parts and glue the glass on the outside!

 

In some regions a metal mesh bulkhead exists but I'd not choose this one if I were you - you wanted to make a camper of sorts?

I'd opt for the metal bulkhead with the window & hatch in it - and I'd make a door in it, behind the middle passenger seat (you know you can fold down this backrest?). Should be easy-enough if you're handy but also, the climate control of the car is meant to heat/cool the front's volume only, not the loadspace at the back.... hence all will still work well, plus it's a bit quieter with the bulkhead & door closed.

Lastly, yes, you can remove/modify this bulkhead without detrimental effects for the vehicle itself, you may just have to create proper anchor points for the seatbelts if you do.