Building driver partition and air bag?

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Artsyguy

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I'm in the process of building out my 2015 Chevy Express 2500.  Trying to figure out the best way to build a divider between front and living space...I would need to have the wall somewhere between the two cross members in the ceiling, so I'm looking for ways to anchor to the ceiling without punching holes in the roof.  Also, a little concerned with side airbag interference or safety issues.  Does anyone have an ideas or links to an awesome divider that has been built?

I'm thinking the divider will be more for privacy.  Maybe framed with 2x2's, Polyiso sandwiched between Luan.  Right now considering house battery behind driver seat and in front of divider.  Driver seat will be all the way back, cause I'm a tall guy.  Thanks!
 
Not sure why you have to attach it to the roof.  I'd just attach it to the walls on both sides, that way I wouldn't have to worry about the roof leaking.  

If it's just for privacy, it doesn't even need to go up to the roof, which I'm guessing isn't flat.  Just get it to within an inch or so of the roof.

If you don't want to run screws through walls to hold it in place, 3M makes some EXTREMELY strong tape that could be used, think they call it VHS tape for Very High Bond.
 
Optimistic Paranoid said:
Not sure why you have to attach it to the roof.  I'd just attach it to the walls on both sides, that way I wouldn't have to worry about the roof leaking.  

If it's just for privacy, it doesn't even need to go up to the roof, which I'm guessing isn't flat.  Just get it to within an inch or so of the roof.

If you don't want to run screws through walls to hold it in place, 3M makes some EXTREMELY strong tape that could be used, think they call it VHS tape for Very High Bond.

Thanks for the input.  I want it to go to the ceiling, because I want stealth.  Meaning, ZERO light leaks.  I suppose it wouldn't need to be attached to the ceiling, but I need to do some engineering for this happen.  I guess that is the fun of this van building stuff...Due to where the divider would be, attaching it to the walls isn't possible because I'm not near a wall rib, but about halfway between them.
 
+1 to above from Op Para.  Here's a quote from the Amazon description for a particular VHS foam tape, #4941, (there's several other numbered kinds, so read up):

[font='Amazon Ember', Arial, sans-serif]Can Tape Really Replace Mechanical Fasteners?[/font]

[font='Amazon Ember', Arial, sans-serif]"Yes! 3M™ VHB™ Tape is a proven alternative to screws, rivets, welds and other forms of mechanical fasteners. Skyscrapers, cell phones, electronic highway signs, refrigerators, marine electronics, architectural windows, recreational vehicles and trailers all rely on 3M™ VHB™ tape for one or more steps in the assembly, mounting, fastening, and sealing process. When joining seams, 3M™ VHB™ tape helps create clean, smooth, water-resistant results without rows of rivet, fastener heads, or weld seams, which also allows for large-area graphic application with no need for additional smoothing to accommodate fastener head protrusions."[/font]

[font='Amazon Ember', Arial, sans-serif]End of quote.[/font]
 
All the commercial partitions bolt through the floor and the box section that runs the length of the van where the walls and roof meet. You could spend your time and energy reinventing the wheel, or you could get a commercial partition — that has any side airbag issues worked out. Some have swinging doors, some have sliders, some just have a doorless opening, and some have no opening at all.
 
you can also get velcro tape,what i would do is put the velcro on the roof then remove the stuff covering the adhesive take my fabric put it on the adhesive, done. when i did it i used towels, it worked like a champ,,,,,and the best part was when i wanted it out of the way(and you will especially if you have to remove the dog house) easy peasy, and when you want it up easy peasy. the ACE Hardware stuff is better then the big box stuff from what I've found thru experience.
 
caretaker said:
you can also get velcro tape,what i would do is put the velcro on the roof then remove the stuff covering the adhesive take my fabric put it on the adhesive, done. when i did it i used towels, it worked like a champ,,,,,and the best part was when i wanted it out of the way(and you will especially if you have to remove the dog house) easy peasy, and when you want it up easy peasy. the ACE Hardware stuff is better then the big box stuff from what I've found thru experience.

Never thought of making the cab curtain that way... hmm. Thanks for the idea!  That's one of the great values of this forum.
 
With VHS tape it isn't necessary to worry about the rib locations.  You could attach wood 2x2s directly to the inside of the walls or roof anywhere.
 
You may find new pre made at this website,

https://www.americanvan.com/


Or you may check out wrecking yards and find a divider in a wrecked vehicle that would fit or adapt to your own.

Building one of your own would be the inexpensive way to go. 

I just run a spring loaded shower curtain rod across the rib just behind the drivers/passengers seat and hang a Beach Towel from it.  Use wire shower curtain pins and pierce the sides of the shower curtain so it will hang sideways behind those front seats.

If a thief wants in, he's going to get in and tear down your divider and damage the Van.  Again one of the virtues of minimalist living.
 
eDJ_ said:
You may find new pre made at this website,

https://www.americanvan.com/


Or you may check out wrecking yards and find a divider in a wrecked vehicle that would fit or adapt to your own.

Building one of your own would be the inexpensive way to go. 

I just run a spring loaded shower curtain rod across the rib just behind the drivers/passengers seat and hang a Beach Towel from it.  Use wire shower curtain pins and pierce the sides of the shower curtain so it will hang sideways behind those front seats.

If a thief wants in, he's going to get in and tear down your divider and damage the Van.  Again one of the virtues of minimalist living.

Understood.  I'll do the curtain thing only temporarily.  I'm going for stealth, not a hippy van (nothing against hippy vans!). I'm liking the 3M tape idea!
 

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