[parsi]

Thought it might be useful to have a place for Metrizens to post any nifty tricks, gizmos, alterations or solutions they've come up with.

I was looking for something to line the bed of my cargo van. I carry equipment cases that skip like pool balls on the break over the existing bed surface, so I wanted something durable, slip proof, dense and inert to also hopefully help with road noise.

So I'm in spin class where I do my second best thinking. Grinding out another climb, head hanging down, gasping, and there below me is....
http://www.americanfloormats.com/rubber-roll-matting/

This stuff is under the weight machines, spin cycles, ellipticals, everywhere. If it can absorb that punishment it'll undoubtedly outlast the truck. Got two pieces on order.

cheers

 

[flacaproductions]

I was looking for nearly exactly the same thing and went with this:
http://fleet.legendrubber.ca/products/rubber-floor-mats/automat-bar
$458 and it includes 3 chrome/diamond plate sills - one for each of the side sliders and one for the rear doors.
It keeps the mat anchored.
It comes in one big roll and is custom cut.
I don't have my Metris yet, but I have the mat and it looks great.

They also offer a heavier version:
http://fleet.legendrubber.ca/products/precut-plastic-floors/hd-ultragrip
I believe it's shipped flat in a couple of pieces.

I got great service from Dan Shelhamer at U.S. Upfitters of Wisconsin
https://www.inlad.com
3515 N 127th St
Brookfield, WI 53005
P: 262-373-0454

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I was looking for a way to give my car a "trunk", so that I could store the center head rests, a step stool for my grandmother, and a "out of sight" place to transport open liquor. (A NJ state trooper told me that while the law specifies a trunk, almost all officers, and so far all judges, consider any storage method that makes it clear it would be functionally impossible for you to access it while driving is acceptable, which requires a solution with the Metris, since its cabin is entirely open, and easy to move around while the vehicle is in motion). My solution is a 27 gallon contractor bin (http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/Homz-DuraBilt-Tough-Tote/0000000202017?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping%2Bsearch&utm_campaign=google%2Bproduct%20search&gslfah&gclid=CNixpoPOxcsCFYwlgQod4m8L8w is an example) which I have tons of from transient retail (strongly self-stacking bins are great in trucks, since you don't have to secure them with nearly as much care).

I then took two 12" bungies and bungied its through the loops in the bin to two of the back legs of the rear seat, which prevents it from moving around. Simple, cheap, and effective.

I recommend them whole heartedly if you are looking for a loading solution for cargo, too. As a flea market tote, they are hard to beat- their strong-as-heck construction allows them to be literally thrown off the back of a dock-height truck repeatedly (several years of doing it in my case) without breaking. They self stack extremely securely, so they don't go waving around back there. In the case of the Metris passenger model, the standard 27 gallon one can be packed in such a way that no securing mechanism is needed. I don't know about the cargo model. They have lid hoops that can be used for either securing in a truck or locking them with a pad lock. In my passenger model, I could hold 27 of the things (eight stacks, 3 units high). There chief downside is the jutting ring and tapered construction make them less than completely space efficient.

 

[parsi]

Excellent stuff, thanks. Especially like those diamond plate sills, the stock sills are one of my main areas of concern. Cracked and crumbled quite a few in the past.

Ordered these LED's for cargo lighting. The existing dome light is super simple to tap into and wire off of.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ODSBXB0? psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00


Here's the cargo track that comes with the cargo package, order able from 6" to 12'.
http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Ratchet-Straps-Tie-Downs/Airline-Straps-Hardware


Still thinking about insulation and sound proofing in the cargo area. Road noise is pretty well controlled but can always be better, and better heating/cooling is always good. Sure wish I had the composite panels from the cargo package, but I got everything else I wanted.

Last task is shelving, but that's just how much and what configuration I decide works best.

Oh and still on the lookout for a better passenger side rear view mirror option :nerd:

cheers

 

[tennispro]

I was looking for a way to give my car a "trunk", so that I could store the center head rests, a step stool for my grandmother, and a "out of sight" place to transport open liquor. (A NJ state trooper told me that while the law specifies a trunk, almost all officers, and so far all judges, consider any storage method that makes it clear it would be functionally impossible for you to access it while driving is acceptable, which requires a solution with the Metris, since its cabin is entirely open, and easy to move around while the vehicle is in motion). My solution is a 27 gallon contractor bin (http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/Homz-DuraBilt-Tough-Tote/0000000202017?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping%2Bsearch&utm_campaign=google%2Bproduct%20search&gslfah&gclid=CNixpoPOxcsCFYwlgQod4m8L8w is an example) which I have tons of from transient retail (strongly self-stacking bins are great in trucks, since you don't have to secure them with nearly as much care).

I then took two 12" bungies and bungied its through the loops in the bin to two of the back legs of the rear seat, which prevents it from moving around. Simple, cheap, and effective.

As a cargo solution, that seems like a great solution, thanks for posting. But with regard to transporting open liquor, be careful of following that trooper's advice.

While I'm not specifically familiar with NJ liquor laws, it's well-established from "search incident to arrest" doctrine that anywhere in the open passenger compartment, even in unlocked or locked containers, is technically within your reach, including gloveboxes as well. Locking the cargo container would be a prudent step, but is likely not enough. The test is not how far away it is from your reach; it's whether it's in the same passenger compartment. Trunks are considered a sufficient barrier.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I'm sure it varies from state to state, New Jersey's liquor laws are draconian (a good thing, we have a low drunk driving rate) which also tends to mean a liberal interpretation of anything but actual drunk driving. Do it three times and the amount of time you aren't driving will be 3, 7, and 10 years- or 20 total. Four times? You are no longer eligible for a license.

Although admittedly I've only ever been stopped for speeding and once an illegal u-turn (new sign).

 

[flacaproductions]

The composite panels are available a la carte (I believe) from the dealer.
I wanted full cargo protection package, but I also wanted the additional battery. For some crazy reason, you can't order both from the factory, (you can only get the half-way cargo protection) so we ordered the battery and he ordered the upper pieces separately and will install em for me when it arrives.

 

[parsi]

he ordered the upper pieces separately and will install em for me when it arrives.

Excellent, thanks.
If you don't mind me asking. How much did they charge for the upper (I'm assuming 4) panels?

ps- You video production? I'm a stills guy. Finally the perfect vehicle for our trade's.

 

[flacaproductions]

Not sure how much the upper panels are going to be just yet. I just know that I need to have em so we're making it happen. When I get a number, I'll update here.

I'm moving from an 07 suburban with all of the rear seats removed and replaced with custom racks. It's been great but I'm completely out of room. Ideally, I'd have a full-sized Sprinter, but it brings all sorts of parking issues with it - which is exactly why the Metris came to be. I'll be curious how it will be coming from a V8 but I'm really looking forward to the flat floor, dual sliding doors and square corners - oh and no windows to be smashed...

 

[parsi]

I just retired an 04 Yukon, exactly the same reasons. Great for a while but becoming too cumbersome to work out of. I was in heaven the first time I loaded my gear and realized how much room and how logically accessible you can load everything, and that's without even giving it much thought. Don't think you'll miss the big 8, except at the gas pump. The Metris engine/tranny is a pretty amazing piece of tech. You want to lope along saving gas, it's happy to do that. You gotta move quick and agile, it loves that as well. I'm extremely impressed so far.

 

[parsi]

Just thought I'd shamelessly bump my own thread :grin:

Here's the cargo area illuminated by the LED's in my earlier post. Nice thing is these aim down at a 45 degree angle, so if you switch them on while driving they point away from the driver and into the cargo bay. Wired right into the existing cargo bay light, so they all operate together.

If anyone's looking for a decent center console,

works pretty well. Back end sits up on a tastefully decorated brick, and the front is held in place by a small woodblock I glued to the floor. Very stable and easily removed if need be. Colors and finish actually look like they're made for the Metris interior.

 

[mt walker]

Like those down facing lights!

 

[parsi]

Not sure how much the upper panels are going to be just yet. I just know that I need to have em so we're making it happen. When I get a number, I'll update here.

For anyone looking for the rear cargo panels, I have part numbers and "preliminary" costs. Preliminary because the dealer was slammed and Metris stuff is apparently still not easily accessible via internet. I hope these prices hold up when I receive the order.

Part numbers 447-690-27-01 through 447-690-32-01 are the rear cargo panels. That's six panels for what I count seven spaces, so I'm guessing the top of the cargo door doesn't get paneled. Not sure why but it's the only thing that seems to make sense.

Part numbers 447-747-11-00 and 447-747-12-00 are the rear door panels.

Costs are $46.00 - $53.00 per panel, depending on size.

That's gonna help tremendously in the insulation/sound deadening aspect of my build.

 

[mohammadinabearsuit]

Wondering what material you used on all the metal surfaces that were not paneled?
I cant tell form the photos if this is carpet, headliner material or something else...