Interior Dimensions?

[dprogram]

I've been looking for a van for a bit and reading as much as I can about van dwelling. (My little bimmer isn't very comfy.) I was wondering if anyone had taken interior measurements of their vans as I couldn't find a post on it. I really want to get a full size Chevy in the 1989-1994 year range and found this:<div><br></div><div>Chevy -&nbsp; <a href="http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/2865172713.html" target="_blank">http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/2865172713.html</a><div><br></div><div>And this:</div><div><br></div><div>Dodge -&nbsp;<a href="http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/2865292913.html" target="_blank">http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/2865292913.html</a>&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Both have obvious pros and cons. I prefer Chevy b/c I've worked on them before and I like the overall design. It had fairly low mileage. The Dodge has had a few repairs made and is larger. Could someone give me their opinion? Thanks!<br><div><br></div><div>Edit: I failed to ask my intended question. Does anyone have the interior dimensions of most common vans? The widest point above the wheel wells in a Chevy full size, Astro, Dodge full size, Ford, Minivans, etc.? After all but the the front two seats are removed what's the distance front to back? I'm trying to get a general idea so I can plan my design. I saw the Green van on cheaprvliving.com and it appears that there is a full size mattress in the back so you can lay with your head on one side and your feet near the other. Thanks again!</div></div></div>

 

[Seraphim]

<p style="margin: 0px;">There are no guarantees. The Dodge was used for hauling, and doesn't give&nbsp;mileage. He mentioned a recent oil change - makes it sound to me like oil changes weren't a regular part of the regime lol. Maybe it's the photo, but parts of the body seem slightly different colors - doors different from the rear, maybe. Wondering if it might have been in an accident? Steering, alignment, etc.&nbsp; Then again, could just be repairs needed from age and use.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Look at them and compare.</p>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>I had the same problem. Spent most of last year working on an interior design for my Dodge B-250. After a long search I got some basic interior and exterior dimensions that in the end didn't 'measure up'.</p><p>In reality there are so many points of measurement when designing an interior, like outside wall, inside stud, a width that varies by height, etc. Since I owned the van, I started taking 'exact' measurements, but I was hindered by the existing conversion interior.</p><p>So in the end I made a lot of assumptions and when I started the conversion I made adjustments at every stage of the project.</p><p>You can see my progress at <a href="http://cargovanconversion.com" target="_blank">cargovanconversion.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Van.</p>

 

[SoulRaven]

I totally agree with the previous post, first find your mechanically sound van, don't put the cart before the horse with design...<br><br>Strip down the van to a workable state and start with wiring and insulation... For the floor I used carpet insulation and then cut 3/4" plywood to fit the entire floor... Sides I would use reflectix and use 14awg wire for house power and lighting... Now time to take measurements and make templates of the sides and get that info onto a computer with drafting software... Make your bed high enough to just clear your head when sitting if a standard roof height keeping in mind the most important thing is storage under the bed...Then wire in lighting with switches and inline fuses... It goes on but ya get the idea that this process takes time and allot of forethought...<br><br>

 

[Simran]

This picking a van for a living space is a more personal matter than I had originally anticipated; something I think you will also find as you look at more of them.<br>Personally I like the chevy for the reason you already stated and also the mileage is apparent and it is a 1 owner rig. The transmissions on that vintage of Chevy scare me a little. Many of the people I've known with rigs like that have had trans. trouble at some point. I don't know if it was a lack of maintenance on them or what. I personally went back a few years to something I knew was bullet proof; but that is just me.<br>&nbsp;It was also pretty set on having the head room of a high top van; another personal preference. I am going to be spending a great deal of time in this thing but will only be moving it long distances a few times a year. That is the way my job works out; yet I still wanted something mobile enough to get into some rustic campsites in northern Minnesota when I'm working there. Also I need to pull my car either by trailer or dolly; so It needed to be heavy duty. I wanted to design the interior myself as well; so I was looking for one that wasn't finished off inside.<br><br>Ultimately I found everything I was looking for in an older Chevy 1ton van with a high top; but it took awhile of searching. I was actually open to and looked at a couple dodge vans as well. What sold me on the Chevy, in the end, was the mechanical condition of the drive train and the outside cosmetics. Now all I have to do is dream up an interior for it.<br><br>I know this does not answer you initial question about dimensions but I'm not sure the extra couple feet you gain in a Dodge Maxi is going to make that much difference in a micro living situation but I could be wrong. I'd love to here someone chime in that has lived in both.<br>Good Luck and Happy Hunting, I go pick mine up tomorrow night!<br>gus<br><br>

 

[thinker]

<P><A href="https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2011/2011_ESeries_Van_Cutaway_Stripped_Chassis.PDF" target=_blank target=_blank>https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2011/2011_ESeries_Van_Cutaway_Stripped_Chassis.PDF</A></P>

 

[thinker]

<P>i c&amp;p'd the spec sketches into my simple paint program and used it for preliminary design. rough but it allows me to be very accurate with respect to scale if i ever actually pull this off.</P>

 

[thinker]

<P>ah just figured out how to upload. hope this helps.</P>

 

[dprogram]

Well I found a 2002 Ford E150 Cargo Van with about 135k on the speedo and in great shape (considering). I've put 10k in a year on her. Yeah. Interior has been "measure and cut" for the small platform bed I made so that it would fit as snug as possible. Decided to reuse some of the wood for a platform bed in my girlfriends house. Now I plan on doing the entire interior correctly (to me) with new smooth floor, insulation, wiring and lighting. I've learned a lot lately and cannot wait to contribute details of my build. Thanks for all the wonderful advice!

 

[One Awesome Inch]

<P><A href="https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2011/2011_ESeries_Van_Cutaway_Stripped_Chassis.PDF" target=_blank target=_blank>https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2011/2011_ESeries_Van_Cutaway_Stripped_Chassis.PDF</A></P>

thanks for posting this. good info.