OK, I have this big, shiny E250EB that's begging for some use and abuse. Problem is, there's nothing but shiny paint in the back and I'd like to keep the rust, dust and whatnot at bay.

I would like to throw a nice carpet down in the back to cut down on noise but was wondering if it would be worthwhile to coat the bottom with a DIY bedlinder.

The main reason to do it will be to keep moisture / abrasives off the paint on the floor and keep the van a little fresher.

I figure it'll cost about $200-250 and a good day's work to get it done.

Anyone with experience or opinions on this?

The first question is what are you planning on doing in the interior... that will give more of a direction on what you need. May want to spend some time looking at interiors here...
If you paint and throw carpet down you still have all those floor ribs.

I would skip the bedliner paint... put 1/2 plywood down with minimal screws and watch not to pierce important things.

I would put 1/4 plywood on the walls and ceiling after insulating... Place some plywood strips horizontally 1st as it makes screwing the 1/4 ply easier.
Dont want to do a plumping hotdog commercial on the side of those clean walls.

Having this plywood floor lets you screw cabinets or a bed down to the floor.
I would try to get something down in the step wells soon so it stays nice...

Hmmmm... good question, Quiet1.

The main idea is to insulate / silence / protect the interior while maintaining as much open, uninterrupted space as possible.

I will build items / furniture that can be easily removed when I need the cargo volume, but by and large I'm looking for a big, wide open cargo van that is a little nicer than the standard cargo van.

I'll be using the van to haul everything from compost and lumber to small boats and sails to being a spartan RV for camping trips.

I know, it's a pipe dream...

I actually just used dupicolor roll on bed liner on the floors on the front of my Early.



So far I am very happy with the results.
I also applied it to the bottom side of my dog house lid.



There was a Noticeable difference in both heat and sound.

I also plan on using this stuff on the floors of my 89 GMC.
I use this van like a pick up.
I regularly do runs to the dump yard waste center and home depot.
To me it is 60 dollars well spent for added protection of the floors wheel wells and lower walls......

......Wookee

Even though I do not plan to haul stuff, other than van run gear, in Wolf-Den, I plan to line her insides too. I plan on doing the whole floor, and about six inches up the walls before I start doing the interior work I have planned. . . I am doing this for sound proofing mostly, but rust protection too, and SOME heat relIef too. I hope it works as planned ! Lol

Cool. It seems like it isn't a bad idea and the only downside is the cost. So, if the price is right I'll hit it.

I have used Duplicolors aeresol version of the bed liner on my wheel wells and some other areas I have spotted in. It's also pretty tough as far as scratches go, Might not go on as thick as the roll on. 2-3 cans from the front of the rear wells to the back doors ( 2 coats) so maybe not as cost effective either.

NO SCREWS INTO THE FLOOR ! Use Panel adhesive to glue the plywood down...screw holes invite moisture and rust in...Leave the back of the van floor ribs open to let any trapped moisture out, Use angle brackets into the wall supports only..Use the shiny foil backed insulation under the plywood...again panel adhesive....use jute backed carpet to let air and moisture out

Having said that bedliner on the floor won't hurt, but I would like to see it after a few years..

You wouldn't happen to have a picture or sketch of this floor arrangement, would you?

I definitely agree with the no screws in the floor. Additionally, wood screwed to the sheet metal is begging for rust.

In the rear section of my 89 I did not screw that plywood down because I also use it to support my air mattress when i sleep in the van.
I have screwed the wood down on more than one of my vans with No ill results.
Bonding the wood down to the floor makes it very tough to get it back out if in the future you need to do any repair work or just change you mind on the interior lay out.

........Wookee