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Building Out Interior as Service Vehicle?

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by David Choo, Jul 5, 2015.

  1. David Choo

    David Choo New Member

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    Hey folks, just picked up a Prius v. Wondering if anyone has ever heard of anyone building out the interior to use the car as a service vehicle?

    I'm an HVAC technician and was hoping to build out the interior to use this over a gas guzzling truck. I've already taken out the back seats, but was wondering if anyone had ever heard of, or could point me in the right direction on building out the interior to accommodate things like a ladder, perhaps some drawers etc.

    Thank you!
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I don't think the Prius is that great of a utility vehicle. The service trades would need something like the Ford Transit type vehicles to fit their equipment properly.
     
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Seems like someboby here took out the rear seats and built a platform to make a camper perhaps. The ladder might be a stretch unless it was one of those multipurpose folding and sliding types. How about a roof rack or better yet, a hitch and small trailer.

    There has been talk of a hybrid truck someday.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check out the thread, 'who needs a truck, the prius will haul it all'. you can easily fit one of those gorilla ladders.
     
  5. David Choo

    David Choo New Member

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    Well the first step was thinking of is to build or have someone build something like this... basically with the rear seats out, I'd put a platform like in the drawing I made... where the back seats used to be.
    In the bottom shelf, I'd put a gorilla type ladder that folds down short but chubby. In the second shelf would go some containers I could easily slide out to access tools and such. Then boxes sit on top of the entire thing.

    I appreciate folks telling me to get a van, but I don't need to carry that much equipment for what i do, and I feel the Prius v is more than enough to fit everything.

    It's just a matter of being able to access it all without having to take out everything I put back there know what I mean? :)

    [​IMG]
     
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I carry two ladders in my v, but both were chosen for my Gen 2, so you may be able fit larger ladders. (see my avatar to see a 17 foot ladder in a gen 2)

    amazon.com/Werner-MT-17-300-Pound-Telescoping-Multi-Ladder/dp/B0000VYDHK/ref=sr_1_1?&ie=UTF8&qid=1436132305&sr=8-1&keywords=werner+17+foot+ladder

    amazon.com/Cosco-11-880PBLW2-Platinum-Platform-3-Step/dp/B002DPVATU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436132366&sr=8-1&keywords=painting+ladder

    I did not remove the seats, just bought a generic cargo mat that I use backwards over the back of the reclined seats.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks like some 4 x 8 sheets of 3/4 a/c plywood, and some long drawer slides for the middle shelf. does the battery breathe through the floor?
     
  8. David Choo

    David Choo New Member

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    I suppose it could just be as simple as that huh? So thick sheets of plywood and some 2x4... but man that would be ugly... then again, it is a work vehicle i suppose. Maybe I can find a way to carpet it or something?

    Yes battery breathes through the floor... specifically states not to cover the vent where it breathes from.

    Jimbo, I carry two ladders as well, similar to yours... but the werner is the shorter one and will fit side ways through the rear passenger door so that's why i was thinking of the shelves.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there must be companies that make the stainless slide out shelves for the transit et al. but you probably looking at some serious denaro. how about the places that do truck racks and stuff? i suppose it would have to be custom sized.
     
  10. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    That's just the air intake. You also need to leave the under-deck compartments in place so it can properly vent through there into the 12v battery area.