[oldasadam]

I'm just about set to buy a cargo Metris, but my dealer can't find one with the desired specs. He's found one with a cargo partition though, an option I do not want. Does anyone know if removing the partition leaves an ugly gap behind? My dealer thinks so, but he's basing that assumption on his experience with Sprinter partitions.

Has anyone removed the factory partition? If it looks funky, anyone have pics?

Thanks!

 

[LeslieB]

One dealer told me he could just take it out. When I was getting bids to buy a Metris, another dealer told me it affects the air bags when a partition is installed at the factory. I think there are less airbags. If you can't get a good answer about this from your dealer, please call Mercedes USA. Sorry, I can't remember exactly what the second dealer said about this.


Leslie

 

[LeslieB]

One more thing. Unless you want an excess amount of options, your dealer should be able to find one for you through his network. Have him look harder.


Leslie

 

[oldasadam]

Thanks, I called Mercedes USA and they confirmed removal would leave a big hole. (That said, the customer service guy didn't seem to know what he was talking about, but apparently asked someone who did...)

 

[afro_lou]

Hey! Thread zombie, I know, but I just went through the removal of a stock partition in my 2016 Cargo.

I don't know about an "ugly gap," but there is definitely a big hole. One right where the old partition was! Ba-dum-tss.

Originally, I didn't want a partition, solely for the seat travel. My dealer couldn't find a 2016 (for the incentives) with the packages I had to have, without a partition. The dealer quoted me $751 to remove the partition and base, so I said I'd try to live with it. Well, after taking delivery, we looked in the back and noticed that there's just a bunch of bolts and torx holding the actual partition in. So I decided, what the heck! Less than 10 minutes later, the partition was out, and I had full seat travel. Much more comfortable! The only thing left is the lower "base" to the partition, which I don't mind having in at all. I've had the van in to the service center recently, and they didn't see any safety issue with having the partition out, in terms of airbag deployment or efficacy.

Now, there is a little trim gap near the headliner, and I can see what looks like a curtain airbag rolled up in there, but I'm very happy with the ease of removal and newfound comfort.

 

[MOWO]

Zombie is right, but it's ok because I didn't even know about this thread and I had a related experience. Wasn't gun-ho on the partition but the only van I could find with all the other right features. I asked about getting it removed and sales called their upfitter and he said he'd take it out for free. Yea a good bunch of bolts but it look akward to removing it so I just said I'll try it out and see if I can manage with it in since its a safety feature and one thing I noticed is a reduction in road noise from the cargo area and increased efficiency of the AC/Heating system. Additionally, the added cargo security when you have no rear/side windows like my MC. I'm 99% confident leaving $10,000 worth of gear in the back when I'm out of town on work. I always wondered what it might look like if it was removed.

Thanks afro_lou for some insight.

 

[afro_lou]

It was a bit awkward to move around after I pulled it out, but it was actually much lighter than I thought it would be.

Being 6'4", and on the, uh, Husky side, the stock partition just put me way to far into the dash and up into the headliner. It's much more comfortable without. The noise isolation is definitely less without it, but I'm still deciding whether to go with an aftermarket partition that allows for full seat travel or just installing insulation behind the cargo area panels...
The added security of a partition is nice, as I carry a lot of very expensive gear with me as well, but I've already got glass in the barn doors, and I'm planning on having glass installed in the slider (for visibility). I don't usually store my gear in the van, unless I'm at a hotel or something, so I'm also planning on getting one of those "Mid City Intros Metris Alarm" (can't post a link yet...) just in case.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I would suggest, Lou, that you order and install the headliner piece from a van that doesn't have a partition. I am going to guess that airbag deploying correctly relies partially on the support given to the headliner in its rear either by 1) the rear passenger headliner, 2) the bulkhead or 3) an attachment point on the headliner module designed for cargo vans without partitions that isn't present on ones that have them. I'd ask a MB guy about that at the very least. I could see that without that support the headliner might not behave properly in and accident and might bonk you on the head. Which would cause a world of hurt given the speed they deploy with and the fact that your body would already be in extremis from the event that requires their deployment.

 

[afro_lou]

That's an excellent idea!
Although, I'm having a heck of a time finding any sort of parts list... any insight on where to find that? Or do I have to just go through the service center?

 

[Greenmanedlion]

The service center might know. Robb might be able to figure it out.

 

[MOWO]

Being 6'4", and on the, uh, Husky side, the stock partition just put me way to far into the dash and up into the headliner.

Yep, I would recommend 6'2" small/mid build and under for the factory partition.

I'm still deciding whether to go with an aftermarket partition that allows for full seat travel

I heard the Ranger Design model is 'shoddy'... flexes/noisy. The factory with window is a great form-factor, too bad it doesn't all full travel. I've done 3+hours drives and not a big issue...but it won't allow any of that 'gangsta lean' posture.

 

[gogoKawi]

Yep, I would recommend 6'2" small/mid build and under for the factory partition.



I heard the Ranger Design model is 'shoddy'... flexes/noisy. The factory with window is a great form-factor, too bad it doesn't all full travel. I've done 3+hours drives and not a big issue...but it won't allow any of that 'gangsta lean' posture.

Which Ranger Design partition? I have the Max View. It's quiet and doesn't flex, even with the windows down going 85 mph. Install was really easy and it's pretty sturdy. And you have full seat travel, with room to spare. What I don't like about that partition is the access to the sliding door handles is cramped and the Plexiglas has a slightly distorted view.

I didn't like the metal version at all. That seemed like it was wobbly.

 

[afro_lou]

Which Ranger Design partition? I have the Max View. It's quiet and doesn't flex, even with the windows down going 85 mph. Install was really easy and it's pretty sturdy. And you have full seat travel, with room to spare. What I don't like about that partition is the access to the sliding door handles is cramped and the Plexiglas has a slightly distorted view.

I didn't like the metal version at all. That seemed like it was wobbly.

Question for you: did you have the stock partition before installing the Ranger Max View? I've yet to make any calls to Ranger or Knapheide, but I'm interested to find out if their partitions allow installation to the OE partition base...

And @MOWO, yes, I was relatively comfortable with the OE partition in, but the extra couple/few inches is reeeealy nice to have. I need my gansta-lean. If I can't look good driving a van, what's the point? ;-)

 

[Greenmanedlion]

You don't want gangsta lean. It's really bad for your back. Admittedly I don't look good into matter what I do. Lol.

 

[MOWO]

I need my gansta-lean. If I can't look good driving a van, what's the point? ;-)

Well, play on playa! :wink:

 

[MOWO]

You don't want gangsta lean. It's really bad for your back.

Not to mention REALLY BAD for your increased chance of serious injury in an accident. I know you can switch off the passenger side airbag, but I dont think there is a G.L. button for driver side. LOL

But 'coolness' comes first, right? :grin:

 

[Fit4pits]

Hey! Thread zombie, I know, but I just went through the removal of a stock partition in my 2016 Cargo.

I don't know about an "ugly gap," but there is definitely a big hole. One right where the old partition was! Ba-dum-tss.

Originally, I didn't want a partition, solely for the seat travel. My dealer couldn't find a 2016 (for the incentives) with the packages I had to have, without a partition. The dealer quoted me $751 to remove the partition and base, so I said I'd try to live with it. Well, after taking delivery, we looked in the back and noticed that there's just a bunch of bolts and torx holding the actual partition in. So I decided, what the heck! Less than 10 minutes later, the partition was out, and I had full seat travel. Much more comfortable! The only thing left is the lower "base" to the partition, which I don't mind having in at all. I've had the van in to the service center recently, and they didn't see any safety issue with having the partition out, in terms of airbag deployment or efficacy.

Now, there is a little trim gap near the headliner, and I can see what looks like a curtain airbag rolled up in there, but I'm very happy with the ease of removal and newfound comfort.

Afro, can you post a picture of what it looks like removed? Both the top, and the base at the bottom? Thanks!

 

[Sadragna]

I was told if you remove the factory partition wall and you slid the seat back it will hang off the rails. The base of the chair with the partition wall is shorter then the base with out the wall. They also told me it will look like your seats will be floating.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I would assume that would depend on whether you slide the seat an inch further back or 4 inches further back.

 

[afro_lou]

Afro, can you post a picture of what it looks like removed? Both the top, and the base at the bottom? Thanks!

I'll post pics later, as I can't get the mobile site to load my pics, but if you've seen one of the partitions installed, the black metal base that attaches to the seats/floor is all that remains. I still haven't sourced the trim bits to cover the openings at the top above the seat belts, but I'm trying to track them down. I can't get pics of the lower part just yet, as it's loaded with gear for the next few days.

I was told if you remove the factory partition wall and you slid the seat back it will hang off the rails. The base of the chair with the partition wall is shorter then the base with out the wall. They also told me it will look like your seats will be floating.

The main reason I removed my partition was to regain those last couple of inches of seat travel. There is a little bit of the partition base that remains that stops the seat from full travel if the seat is also in its lowest position, but if you jack the seat up a notch, then back the seat all the way back, you can drop the seat down to very nearly its lowest position. In terms of the seat hanging off the rails? Nope. And I can't really say it looks like my seats are floating either. I drove a van without the factory partition, and my seats with the partition base go back just as far as those.

Side benefit of having the partition base without the partition in: there's a nice cubby hole to stash gear in, and the base is solid enough to strap cases to.