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I recently posted an inquiry to the Quest list regarding van customizations. 
The responses I received, plus input from other divers has led me to the
following:

1) Tank Racks:  you need racks on either side of the van that will accomodate
twins, 80's, 40's or whatever you need.  The best way I have heard of so far is
to use a rail with a number of webbing 
cinch straps along its length, and a base that will prevent the cylinder
bottoms from slipping toward the vehicle centerline.

2) Tank Stands: one of the main advantages of a van is the ability to
accomodate two dressing divers, 1 at the rear and 1 at the side door, so a
means of leaning up a set of doubles in the correct 
position to don and walk away, at both locations, is desirable.  Suggestions
have included a hinged aluminum tube that just swings into place, or merely
designing your racks/shelving to be in about the 
right place to give you this functionality.

3)  Utility box/drawer/shelving, or some means of keeping small parts
organized, including dive gear, but also tools, jumper cables, first aid kits,
and so forth.

4)  Fresh water rinse system, for those divers doing shore dives in salt water.
Use one of those showerheads with the flexible hose mounted on the rear door,
fed either from a pump which runs on the 
vehicle electrical, or from a hard tank pressurized by a LP inflator fitting.

5) Suit hanging apparatus. - The best idea so far: telescopic roof rack
extensions which essentially create a closet rod extending from your vehicle
which you can hang a suit on to rinse it, and then 
have line or bungy cord laced across the roof to suspend a not-quite-dry suit
inside.

6) Security - bars on all windows in the cargo area, dark window tinting, and a
bulkhead to separate the cargo area from the driver/passenger.

7)  Inverter - Sine wave AC from your vehicle's DC power - lets you run
acessories such as AC battery chargers, power tools, etc.

8)  Exterior lighting - Floodlights inside the van designed to illuminate the
area immediately behind the rear door or adjacent to the sliding side door,
when these doors are open.

9)  Stereo equipment - I want to have aftermarket stereo components installed,
but do not want to risk damage from water, grit or carelessness.  The solution
- 6x9 and subwoofer enclosures which are 
mounted near the cieling, and designed as an integral part of the shelving/rack
system so as to prevent accidental damage to the speakers themselves.

I'm still working on the layout of this stuff, as I'm still shopping for the
right van.  I'll put a drawing together when I get the vehicle.

Comments?

-Sean



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