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Building A Van Divider

salsorrentino | Posted in General Discussion on February 23, 2007 08:06am

Hi! I’m looking to construct a wood divider to separate the passenger area from the cargo area on a 1998 Express Van. I also want to have a cutout for a piece of Lexan for rear visibility. It also needs to be fairly airtight, as we have a gas powered pump operating in the cargo area.

 

Ideas and/or pics would help.

 

Thanks!

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Replies

  1. danski0224 | Feb 23, 2007 01:54pm | #1

    A gas operated pump??? Gonna be operating this while the van is occupied???? Is the pump exhausted to the outdoors? Have you heard of the Darwin Awards?

    "Fairly airtight" won't cut it.

    It will take less time to buy a premade steel divider and install it than to mess with the wood. Get a perforated center section and cover it with the Lexan. Caulk all seams and the perimiter. Get an inverter and a CO detector. Update your life insurance policy and your will.

    1. Marc | Feb 23, 2007 04:08pm | #2

      Pretty long-winded way of saying "That's a DUMB idea!"

      1. oldfred | Feb 23, 2007 04:18pm | #3

        Gives it longer to sink in

  2. user-73429 | Feb 23, 2007 05:30pm | #4

    Spend the money and get a "weatherguard" bulkhead.  they have what you need for a divider.

    As far as running the gas powered pump - what danski said!

  3. salsorrentino | Feb 23, 2007 10:49pm | #5

    I guess you need more information. The exhaust from the Honda 13 hp goes through the fender. No, we are not in the truck with the engine running. The side and rear doors are open. A WeatherGuard is no good. There is no way to seal a steel divider with caulk around the edges.

    This is really a question for a fginish carpenter who would be acclimated to a compass, templates, joinery,  a jigsaw, etc--all of which would be needed to complete this job.

    1. danski0224 | Feb 23, 2007 11:15pm | #6

      I have a steel divider in my van. There would be no problem using caulk to seal the gaps.

      Might need a little backer rod or Great Stuff here and there, but still, no big deal.

    2. Shep | Feb 24, 2007 01:26am | #8

      Figure out what ribs you're going to attach the panels to, and how.

      Template everything with cardboard or masonite- transfer that to your ply.

      Make sure you have the doorway parallel and square.

      Cut everything, install, fit door, and caulk.

      I'm guessing it would take me about 1 day, at most.

    3. User avater
      JeffBuck | Feb 24, 2007 10:30am | #10

      "This is really a question for a fginish carpenter who would be acclimated to a compass, templates, joinery,  a jigsaw, etc--all of which would be needed to complete this job."

       

      well there ya go!

      Jeff

           Buck Construction

       Artistry In Carpentry

           Pittsburgh Pa

  4. telephoneguy | Feb 24, 2007 12:27am | #7

    I use a permanently mouted Onan generator in my van that is exausted out thru the fender and has been wired with electric start and exteror plugs...it's professionally installed and I have never had a problem with fumes.You'll need to have a roof vent installed and kept open when running it.I think carpet cleaners run their units same way.

  5. User avater
    McDesign | Feb 24, 2007 01:50am | #9

    I'd have to go with Shep - make some sort of frame (maybe a grid of wood 2x2?); skin with scribed masonite from cardboard templates.  I'd probably skin both sides for strength; caulk both sides.  Summit racing has some nice scratch-resistant coated lexan for race car windows that might be nice.

    Forrest

    <edit> cover the front side with auto carpet; that and spray adhesive from AutoZone



    Edited 2/23/2007 5:51 pm by McDesign

  6. User avater
    EricPaulson | Feb 24, 2007 04:27pm | #11

    Somebody must make them, although I have searched high and low and not found them.

    I am about to purchase a van and will embark on a similiar project. I wish to isolate the cab from the noise and the dust. I will not sit in or place my lunch and laptop or whatever in a filthy dusty enviroment.

    My plan calls for the cab side to be covered in vinyl with a center door mounted on rollers to roll towards the passenger side. That way I can open it for long material, or to see throught the side doors for traffic.

    Eric

    [email protected]

     

     

    It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been

     

     

     

  7. User avater
    rjw | Feb 24, 2007 07:00pm | #12

    I'm with the "dumb idea" crowd.

    First, assuming the roads in you area aren't perfectly smooth, and assuming (without really knowing this one) that a van body flexes and twists and deforms some small amount in normal use, it is hard to imagine anything other than an integral part of th construction (e.g., firewall) that would stay sealed.

    2nd: most people with CO poisoning don't know they have it. "I haven't had any CO problems" can only really be answered with a sensitive CO monitor. (Just 'cause you aren't dead doesn't mean you don't have a CO problem.)

    3rd: (or 2nd and 1/2) long term low level CO exposure can cause permanent, serious health problems (such as neurological and heart)

    Next: as one person suggested, "taking care" of the exhaust isn't the only critical factor: adequate air supply is as well.)


    With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise Him in the midst of the throng. For He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save them from those who would condemn them to death.

    - Psalms 109:30-31

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