List of useful little tips/tricks for the L400

[tonydca]

I occasionally run across a non-obvious clever little design detail or useful/cheap trick for making life with the van a Little Bit Better, so I thought I'd post the ones I can think of and encourage other owners to do the same.

Add to the list; the more the merrier!

Here's mine: (disclaimer - stock SWB L400 lo-roof 8-seater; middle-row bench)

- There are two little nylon loops in the crease right where the rear bench halves hinge to recline; they are exactly the same distance apart as the headrest posts. When stowing, after you lay the bench half flat and before you flip it up sideways, lay the headrest face-up on the bum part of the bench with the posts facing rearwards, and slide the posts all the way into the nylon loops. Then when you lift the seat up, the headrest is cleverly stored up against the window glass & held in place by the two little nylon loops.

- on each of the front lower corners of the middle bench seat is a small but very sturdy triangular opening which works beautifully as a tie-down point for anything you are carrying in the back, especially if you have the middle bench facing rearwards and the rear bench halves folded up to carry something big. Then you use these two plus the two small attachment points where the rear bench halves lock into the floor and - *BINGO* - four-point tiedown for cargo netting/ropes/etc.

- a cheap $2 IKEA blue box fits absolutely perfectly on the floor between the two front seats, right behind the transfer case shifter. Like it was made for it. Great for carrying all kinds of stuff and keeping it close to hand.

- If you are bringing those 4-litre milk jugs home and they are rolling around in the back, the plastic-lined alcove into which you step to climb into the van through the side sliding door is the perfect dimension for holding them upright, and the door will not squish them when it closes.

[delicioso!]

love these small tidbits with high intrinsic value! thanks tony for starting it up!

- speakin of ikea bins.... with the back seats folded down, you can get perfectly fitting bins with lids at wallmart/zellers (can't remember the brand) that fit underneath the seat, great place for snacks on the road. just measure the rectangular space lengthxwidthxheight and take it to the store. you can get 2 of the same for under left/right seat, and a slightly smaller bin fit's between the fold down legs..for some space saving storage.

- with our 2 kids rear facing on the mid row captains chairs, we've found it easier to enter the van through the back with one of the back seats folded up. mom sometimes sits in the back. and the triangular space between backs of the rear facing seats and front seats create a nice snug space you can stuff with bags/tents/folding chairs for roadies/camping.

+1 on the space on btw the step and sliding door, used that for the 4L jug of water for camping, just right!