The Scuba Van

[Dubious]

I bought my wife a new van and decided to take the old 2005 Toyota Sienna and turn it into a dedicated scuba van. Had it out memorial weekend for the first time. Will need to make some changes and address the suspension. I will take some video of it later.

4 tanks on each side on slides
propane tank plumbed to outside for grill and Mr. Heater
storage for canopy, chairs, and other items
Blackstone grill custom table/cabinet. Sits on drawer slides.

Platform

All Cabinets in. Tank drawers on 400 pound full extension drawer slides.

loaded for Dive weekend

View of 20# propane under propane box hatch

Propane is plumbed to quick connect outside of van.

Cooking on the Blackstone flattop with custom stand.

cooking steak after a day of diving with wife buddy.

 

[NothingClever]

Nice work, brother!

 

[tbone1004]

very nice though I would double check the payload weights on that...
I would HIGHLY recommend investing in a set of these for that weight. My parents had a Sienna from the same era and it was quite a low rider when we had it loaded down for family vacations. This will get it the back end up to help save on the springs/shocks and more importantly keep your headlights down where they are supposed to be and more weight on the front end where you get all of your power/steering/braking.
2005 Toyota Sienna Air Lift 1000 Air Bag Helper Springs 60732 | SuspensionConnection.com
or
2004-2021 Toyota Sienna Van - Firestone Coil-Rite Air Bag Helper Springs (NO-DRILL) [REAR] [4155] | $93.60 | SD Truck Springs | Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts

 

[CycleCat]

Nice setup! You are a good carpenter!

 

[BackAfter30]

Give some serious consideration to the propane tank. It is not legit to have one in an enclosed space like that. Look at a motor home, they are outside or in externally ventilated compartments. I'm not sure of the details here, but I'd hate or you to learn the hard way that it really is a thing.

BTW, looks great.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

That.is.awesome. ... and now I'm hungry.

 

[kelemvor]

Give some serious consideration to the propane tank. It is not legit to have one in an enclosed space like that. Look at a motor home, they are outside or in externally ventilated compartments. I'm not sure of the details here, but I'd hate or you to learn the hard way that it really is a thing.

The DOT says you can have up to four 5lb LP tanks inside a minivan. I'm sure they don't intend for the tanks to be used while in the van, but you're allowed to have 'em in there. Obviously a leak in an enclosed vehicle could be deadly so outside is safest but there's not a good way to do that with a minivan.

However

Using that propane tank on its side is dangerous. 5lb tanks have a regulator integrated into the valve (that's why those full/empty gauges never work right). The regulator is designed for GAS, but if the tank is on its' side then it will be submerged in liquid when the tank is more than half full. Some tanks also have a relief valve integrated - those also won't work right when submerged in liquid. You should find a way to mount the tank right side up - at least when in use. They do make propane valves designed to be sidemounted, but that doesn't look like one.

 

[jale]

Hi
Nice work
But is it a scuba van or a BBQ van?

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

Holy hell that is impressive!

Well done

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

Hi
Nice work
But is it a scuba van or a BBQ van?

From my personal experience they coincide.

Finishing a dive with out our portable BBQ just doesn't feel right