Scotty, I'd like to convert a Sienna minivan (probably 2008-2014) into a work van for my handyman business. Any tips for how to do this? Particularly - how can I protect the windows from the tools and materials I will be hauling around? Thanks!
Are you sure you want to buy a Toyota Siena for this kind of business? They’re quite expensive, not super fuel efficient but they are definitely very reliable.
When I did things like that I used Ford Focus wagons, the 1.6L manual with DuraTec engines as even with mileages bellow 70k miles they’re reliable enough but (mainly) super cheap (I used to get them for under $6k, but prices do differ depending on where you live) so it was pretty easy to recoup that investment. (Not to mention if you don’t drive much then having a less-reliable car that may not last 130k-140k miles matters less)
On my wagons I usually didn’t bother protecting the glass, I just wouldn’t place things at that height, But something you can do is cut out a metal mesh and put it over the glass.
but the most important thing to do for a conversion is separating your two front seats from the rear cargo area with with a net, otherwise thing’s will go flying every time you break and that’s quite dangerous.
And lastly if you’re planing to keep your boot full to the brim, put the spare wheel in an accessible location and not under tons of cargo. When I fill up my boot and I’m driving alone I usually just put it under the front passenger seat leg area. - You never want to get stuck and have to take everything out of your boot in the middle of the night or during rain.
Also, if you are planing to keep very heavy things in the rear of your car, consider putting the tool box in the front. I do not know how much of an issue that is on a Siena but it’s quite an issue on lighter cars where the rear suspension gets overloaded, the nose points upwards and the driving dynamics become bad.
When it comes to removing seats, seats have many different sensors and removing the seats may cause the airbag system to freak out. Personally I didn’t remove seats on the focus but on that model they fold quite nicely to form a ~1.7m long flat load area - and when the time comes to use it as a regular car again, it’s just a matter of removing the net, folding them back up and that’s it.
(If you are in europe, just get a Citroen Jumpy, or the Berlingo they’re much cheaper and simpler then anything else on the market. Or if you’re on a tight budget a Clio dCi wagon - they have 0 resale value but that’s good when you’re buying them used as they’re somewhat reliable nice little wagons.)
Also consider things like rubber floor mats, a good phone charger, a good holder for you phone or maybe add-on seat cushion, everything to make your life easier, and most importantly safer (not to mention, that a phone holder and Waze navigation should help you avoid tickets and points on your license - you don’t want risking getting involved in disputing fines or accidents)
I would love to see your results 🙂
I'm here in the USA and I'm currently operating out of my Toyota corolla, so a Sienna would be a huge leap forward. I do mostly small projects for homeowners and property managers and I hope to get my electricians license in a few years. As Scotty has said, our used car market here is pretty inflated and for whatever reason used utility vans seem to hold their value here in Virginia. My 06 Corolla has 200k miles and our '12 Sienna (family hauler) has 188k miles. Both have been bulletproof as far as reliability goes. I think a modified sienna will suit my business needs well. I'm planning to remove the back seats, build a plywood deck with shelves going down the middle sized to hold two rows of milk crates. Underneath the shelves I"d like to have it open so that I can slide in long materials like wood studs or 10' sticks of conduit if I remove the center console upfront.
I like your suggestions about the net. Can you send me an example? The seat cushion is a great idea and rubber mats were already on my radar.
The Sienna doesn't have a great deal of room for tools & materials. Anyway, you'll want a commercial partition and dark window tint. You can build your own shelves or buy a knock down unit from the hardware store.
Is there such thing as a commercial partition that mounts behind the front seat of a sienna? I like what you've got pictured here but it would be much more useful behind the front seats.
there must be.
Maybe this one (Travall Guard for Toyota Sienna (2010-Current) TDG1577) can be put behind the front seats too.
Also try searching "pet partitions"
Remove all second and third row seats. For the windows, use window safety guards. You may need to make them but it is not that hard.
Can you send me a link to an example of a window safety guard?
See what @Mountainmanjoe says.
Want to all propose the idea of folding down all the seats instead of the hassle of removing them all.
Makes a pretty neat cargo area
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2020-10/188ca5a0-17a7-11eb-9fef-38e2651ed031
It's amazing how much stuff you can haul in a minivan with the seats arranged like that! Since my build would be a dedicated work vehicle I believe I would go ahead and remove the seats for both the weight savings and the space savings. The cargo bay in the back where the rear seats fold into will make a nice in-floor storage area. We've already got a family Sienna so there won't be any need for those back seats anyhow 🙂