This is my first visit and post to this forum. Hope I get it right! I own a 2001 E150 passenger van that I've set up for camping. The interior was completed at the factory; i.e. it has the molded plastic pieces attached to the sides of the van, carpet on the floor and a headliner to complete the outfitting. I know there is a lot of unused space behing the plastic walls (I owned a cargo van for years) and it appears that some of the plastic may have been made to accomadate storage of some type.

Does anyone know of OE or other manufacturer's that offer storage compartments(?) for the plastic sideliners?

I'm also looking for a back-of-the-seat organizer for maps, road atlases, books, etc. I've found some cheesy ones at Wal-Mart but I'd like something that will hold up for awhile? Any ideas before I resort to a sewing machine (my least favortie tool ).

I've also seen that JC Whitney has an overhead console that attaches via your visor screws. Has anyone tried these? I can't see that the new console has a securing clip for the visor similar to the OE clip. The visors are long and heavy enough to need the clip!

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Hi KAH and welcome to FTE

Yup your first post looks good
Hopefully someone here will have some answers for you soon.

 

KAH,

If you're asking about the "Shelf-It" system, I do use it. I'll have to give it a mixed review. It did give me some much needed storage space. A place for sunglasses, cigarettes, hairbrush, a couple of CDs and a notepad (to keep track of gas mileage etc.)

On the downside it does hang a little low (into the windshield area) and takes some getting used to. Also you can store only one layer of "stuff" on the shelf. For example, if you stack one CD case on top of another the top one will slide foreward off the shelf hit the windshield and end up on your dashboard.

As for the sunvisor "clips", they do not supply them. But you can unscrew the originals and reinstall them on the shelf.

Good Luck,

Bill

 

Hi KAH, I have an 1997 E250 that has been constantly upgraded with self installed camping amenities. I am allways looking for more space and I did install the shelf it system from JC Whitney. I agree with wmcnally in that if you install the shelf as per the directions if will sit too low for me, I'am 6'2". So I left the visors in their original positions and installed the shelf further back and upward using the brackets that came with it with a little bending. It works great and the extra room is much appreciated. I had harmonic vibrations occur initially on rough roads, where sometimes things would vibrate off the shelf since it is supported only on the sides. I added a center support that I attached through the headliner to the inside of the roof and the bottom is supported by a bolt thought a hole in the center of the shelf.
I also have placed shelves in the R&L side panels that are about 4' by 1'. with 2" depth. I use them for anything not too wide. This was a lot of work and since your sides might be different than mine you should take them off and inspect them to see what you can get away with.
I put shelves into the side doors which required cutting out enough metal for the size shelves you want, I cut as much as possible. Also did this on the rear doors and added much needed space. With all this cutting you would wonder if the integrety of the doors etc. would stay intack. All I can tell you if I have spent
the last 4 years in Baja for 4 months of so each year off roading and nothing with the shelves, doors, sideshas had a problem. The van is a 4X4 conversion and I only break a leaf of 2 every year in the suspension side of things and an occasional 4Xhub, but the shelves are great.
Good Luck,

John
Hope any of the helps