16 replies to this topic

[clinchy]

hey people,

im converting my clubby estate to a van and need to know a couple of things.

how is the forward load deck supported?

is the side body stiffner located in the same area as the rear seat upwards support?

was there ever a mini van with a wooden rear floor?

many thanks.

luke.

[Jordie]

How are you getting around converting the rear windows to a van?

[clinchy]

im going to do the same as this:

http://www.theminifo...e/page__st__150

[Jordie]

have you got the panels to weld in then?

[billok]

have you got a build thread

[Tupers]

how is the forward load deck supported?

There's a brace up from the tunnel welded to centre of the load deck and the floor's also welded to the inner sills which are taller behind the B pillars than on estates and saloons.

was there ever a mini van with a wooden rear floor? many thanks. luke.

There were some vans produced that used an estate floor pan and therefore had the folding rear seat and raised wooden board over the spare wheel. As far as I know none of the vans with the full length load deck had any sort of wood over them from the factory.

Edited by Tupers, 02 January 2012 - 08:11 PM.

[Tupers]

There's some good pics of how it all goes together on a pick-up here. Clicky

[clinchy]

ive hopefull managed to source some second hand side panels but it all depends on the price at the moment.

i havent got a build thread yet as i havent really started, just stripped the shell and removed the wings.

i already have a brace up from the tunnel which used to support the rear bench, could this be adapted as i presume it is level with the rear loading deck?

so can i just remove the companion boxes and weld a support to the B pillar lowing down?

cheers for the info so far.

[CLM]

Could always do this,

http://www.theminifo...5&hl=van restro

It's one of the wagon load floor vans, he has more pics on his photobucket, I'm actually going to put a wagon floor in my van so I can have the extra storage I would get :)

If you wanted to do it totally as a metal load floor van you would want to pick up a van load floor assembly the van/pup inner sill strengtheners, a van/pup heelboard, and then the inner brace for the center of the tunnel http://www.somerford...roducts_id=1331, There is also a brace section that goes along the bottom of the center of the load floor between the front and heelboard. Then you have the battery bracket and the spare tire brackets. The main things that are not available anymore is the load floor front finisher and the load floor front rail that strengthens the front of the load floor in the van. then you have the side braces which are on both styles that went from wheel arch to roof seam that I think are also NLA.

It's actually easier to go from wagon to wooden load floor van. the rear companion boxes stay just cut off level with the floor, the center brace supports the load floor. The only things I'm not sure where to get are the metal decks that mount over the companion boxes, I have been hoping to ask l_jonez for some good pictures of them for my conversion.

Chris



Chris

Edited by CLM, 03 January 2012 - 02:57 AM.

[clinchy]

if i went metal i only wanted to do the forward load deck and keep the rear load deck wooden.

but looking at those picture the wooden forward load deck would be easier.

can you buy the wooden loading deack or just knock one up out of ply?

is the side stiffner actually needed?

[CLM]

From what I have seen, the forward deck for the wooden load floor seems like it is more or less... just the back section of the estate seat without the cushion folded flat with metal sections over the companion boxes at the same level. The van likely has it fixed down to prevent it from folding up, I am going to hinge the sections over my comp boxes with a lock so I can have secured lock boxes. And I think the side stiffener is to keep the long unsupported sides from flexing in the wind... but no I don't think it is necessary for operation.

Chris

Edited by CLM, 03 January 2012 - 08:16 AM.

[CLM]

Big picture from his post.

Chris

[clinchy]

yea i think i'll go for the wooden front then as it looks nice and simple and cost effective.

just need to get some side stiffners from somewhere :S

[CLM]

I don't think I would worry too hard about those, get the wagon-van together first and see if you feel you need them. I know my 1980 van shell, with those in it, still oilcans and flexes... They can't be doing a whole lot. Maybe someone who does fiberglass can make a fiberglass set than can be bonded to the side and actually increase the side stiffness!

Chris

Edited by CLM, 03 January 2012 - 11:13 AM.

[marksmini]

if you need any pics of a van let me know dont mind posting what you need up.