A Sprinter Carpenter Van

[stp57]

1067
My Sprinter replaced this thing (1986 Dodge Ram). Great choice, eh?

1068

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1070

[Altered Sprinter]

stp57
The best part is the extra height in clearance you get, even a blind man could see that, But man no safety barrier behind you , I have nasty visions of that flying from the back into the cabin if you were ever unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident.
Richard

[stp57]

True. Most of my stuff is cabled or strapped down. But, I do need to secure the rest. Thanks for your comments. I've had the Sprinter for a month now, I need to button that stuff down!
Steve

[Altered Sprinter]

Hello Steve.
Thought you would reply on that one , seriously I was not suggesting for a moment that you could be the one creating an accident! But the other nut behind the wheel, of another vehicle. Question do you have the mesh type rear cargo partition, with sliding centre or opening doors? even if you as a carpenter, could whip up a particle board partition behind the drives seat floor to roof , at least your head would be safe, if you like I 'll post a snap latter on in the day of how the mesh ones look easy to make too.
PS Love the false floor , with drawers, that is what took my attention, you put a little thought into storage.
Richard.

[BaywoodBill]

A very thoughtful and useful conversion but I second Richard's admonition to protect yourself... in an accident when somebody comes whipping across and smacks you or a lovelorn cow jumps out in the road, some of that stuff might come unstuck and knock your head right off.

[chaozz]

Partition
under $300
these sit back a few inches so your seat moves
back unlike the factory one.
and you actually need one according to the IRS
to correctly write off the van..
although i dont think they have Partition police that check
http://www.americanvan.com/catalog/standard_large. cfm?FamilyID=265

[acvr4]

Years ago, I was going through Inspection at a DMV here in CT and was turned down since I didn't have a divider installed. I was going to install one anyways but I was told it I had to be in to pass.

That was a long time ago and I'm not sure if that is a law here in CT or the guy was just on a power play.:idunno:

[chaozz]

for your taxes since you bought this van..
there is couple things you might want to think about.
depending on miliage you drive.
that can make a (huge) differance of how you choose to do the write off.
You can deduct the whole purchase price (but) if you do that
you will lose the 44.5 cents per mile (forever).
or you can take the standard deduction and then take the yearly
milage deduction.

there is more to it if you need info let me know..

[stp57]

Great info guys!
I was wondering about how to write the van off. 44.5 cents per mile looks alot better. Any other info would be much appreciated.
You are right abourt the partition. I'll design something I can remove easily for when I use my van for pleasure & empty out the tools & stuff. My wife really likes this van when things aren't clunking around in the back.

Steve

[stp57]

BTW, if anyone is interested, I fastened my latters to the van's ceiling rather cheaply by using electrical steel channel from Home Depot ($10 for 10') with bicycle hooks attached to the channel with inserts that slide in the channel. At present, I secure the hooks to the channel with bolts & I have to use a wrench to loosen one side to remove/fasten a ladder, but I'll eventually make the hooks spring-loaded like the $200+ versions you see on the web. This will be a whole lot cheaper.
Steve