2016 Ford TC Conversion Project

[ddbowdoin]

Hey folks, I wanted to share the progress of my 2016 TC "Camper" Conversion.

This is NOT a full time living set up. It is going to be home for extended periods throughout the summers. My wife and I are educators and are taking advantage of our time off. We are a young couple, I'm 31 and my wife is 28.

The van represents a new outlook on life. I've always been the reserved type, very calculated and limited risks in my life. I was famous for the "wouldn't that be nice... Oh yeah, in a few years" and well, it always ended up falling through. I've decided life is too short, it's time to follow through.

Our first trip is planned for this summer. We are leaving Boston and headed to Bar Harbor, continuing on to PEI, and finishing up in Cape Bretton NS.

Well here it goes... Before our van, here are the characters involved.

this is me, I'm an artist and professor.

My wife...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ddbowdoin]

We started off with a 2016 LWB TC cargo van.



We then placed a 3/4 inch plywood floor.


We installed the floor and bolted the floor down using the existing floor u bolt system, four bolt total. The floor is going nowhere.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ddbowdoin]

Our bed is a total of 12 inches off the floor, divided into three sections. We used some 2x4's as a means of providing cross bracing structural support. The bed is 48 inches wide, utilizing the whole floor space as a bed.

We decided on a full bed as there are two of us and I plan on using the van as a means of transportation and sleeping only.







This my progress so far!





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ddbowdoin]

I decided to make this a rolling thread as I'm always up for people's suggestions. My father is helping me, I don't know how to do a lot of this stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LoupGarou]

Looks good!

When jointing plywood peices together, pocket screws are your friend.

 

[cortttt]

Congratulations on making the big plunge! Have fun seeing the country and be sure to make it out West

 

[ddbowdoin]

Found these containers that fit perfectly, on sale at The Container Store.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ddbowdoin]

The floor is set, broken down in three equal sections. It sits roughly 12 inches high. Simple rope for handles. Simple but solid construction.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[masterplumber]

Nice, maybe you said earlier, and I missed it. Does the whole box slide out when you're not traveling so you can haul cargo? I was thinking that would help make the van multi purpose.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Nice, maybe you said earlier, and I missed it. Does the whole box slide out when you're not traveling so you can haul cargo? I was thinking that would help make the van multi purpose.

The bed frame is bolted to the floor using the existing o ring floor threads... Am I saying that right?

Taking it out wouldn't be a huge grind but I don't see this ever coming out. It has the 9 inches of internal storage under the bed with the total frame only coming in at 12 inches.

I wouldn't really ever need to haul anything heavy duty with the van.

The most I ever do is transport frames and the removal of the mattress would make that a breeze.

 

[masterplumber]

In your situation that sounds like a great plan then. I really like the size of the TCs for quick trips. I was just thinking if I got one I would need to use it as a light work vehicle also - to complement my diesel pick up. I was thinking I could have a work box and a camp box that would be interchangeable, but it sounds like getting to the anchors may not be so easy. Do they possibly have tie downs in the corners of the cargo floor? I could maybe arrange an anchor system off of something like that?

 

[ddbowdoin]

In your situation that sounds like a great plan then. I really like the size of the TCs for quick trips. I was just thinking if I got one I would need to use it as a light work vehicle also - to complement my diesel pick up. I was thinking I could have a work box and a camp box that would be interchangeable, but it sounds like getting to the anchors may not be so easy. Do they possibly have tie downs in the corners of the cargo floor? I could maybe arrange an anchor system off of something like that?

I'd say it would be easy... The threads are existing, there are only 4.

It used some strange metric thread though, my old man had to bounce between a few box stores to find one that worked... Since these suckers are made in Spain.

It's a great car, certainly not a live - in full time van... No way.

Although, I think if I were single I could manage. I live in an expensive part of the country. Most of my friends spend 2K on either rent or a mortgage for a house that needs love.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ddbowdoin]

The touch of a woman.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ddbowdoin]

First trip in the books. 18 days through Maine and Maritime Canada and it was absolutely wonderful.

Van held up. A few learning experiences here and there and ready for our next trip.

Our Skeeter Beaters worked wonders and helped with the ventilation issue.

Rather than having a roof vent cut I picked up a GoalZero Yeti 400 and a Fantastic 12V portable fan which drew 16watts and let us sleep with a nice fan all night.

PEI

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BobBski]

Looking good

 

[Odyssey]

What Skeeter Beaters did you use?
And how is that fan setup working for you?

 

[ddbowdoin]

What Skeeter Beaters did you use?
And how is that fan setup working for you?

Ordered the Ford TC models, not a perfect fit since they're designed for the older model but not hard to make work.

There is another brand that fits over the window like a pillow case, I was in contact with the owner and they're close to getting the new redesign models up for the TC. They're expensive but I'll order them as they'll fit perfectly. They also make magnetic screens for the side and rear doors.


The fan was great. When I travel alone it's easy since I have room next to my head but with my wife we left it at the foot of the bed and it worked fine.

We Jerry rigged a mosquito netting to the rear doors and it worked wonders.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Odyssey]

Thanks. I had never heard of the Skeeter Beaters before. While reading your reply, I remembered that Google is my friend.

Keeping out insects is high priority for me.

I could certainly make these with a roll of NoSeeUm mesh from the big box store and cut up the flexible advertising magnets that are everywhere. I can make a pattern from yesterday's newspaper. Seam tape and some simple sewing. There's a metal door at the car wash that has dozens from all sorts of vehicles that rolled through- I'll be asking my Dry-Guy about that next time I roll through.

My minivan has 2 sliding doors that would make an interesting adjustment if I opted to use the over-the-door application, but would avoid the inevitable adhesive residue of an interior install. Nor interfere with the Reflectix window coverings.

It's all coming together!

 

[ddbowdoin]

Thanks. I had never heard of the Skeeter Beaters before. While reading your reply, I remembered that Google is my friend.

Keeping out insects is high priority for me.

I could certainly make these with a roll of NoSeeUm mesh from the big box store and cut up the flexible advertising magnets that are everywhere. I can make a pattern from yesterday's newspaper. Seam tape and some simple sewing. There's a metal door at the car wash that has dozens from all sorts of vehicles that rolled through- I'll be asking my Dry-Guy about that next time I roll through.

My minivan has 2 sliding doors that would make an interesting adjustment if I opted to use the over-the-door application, but would avoid the inevitable adhesive residue of an interior install. Nor interfere with the Reflectix window coverings.

It's all coming together!

We ran into some heat and don't have any insulation. That's the next step!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk