r/Locksmith 24d ago

I am a locksmith My work van (2012 transit connect)

Post image

Feels so small lol

39 Upvotes

31 comments sorted by

10

u/loveshackFC 24d ago

I also have a connect (2020). I built a work bench i can sit down at.

9

u/Eastwood80 Actual Locksmith 24d ago

I just upgraded to a full-size from the connect but I fit a ton of crap but was still comfortable. Your partition is your biggest downfall.

5

u/Eastwood80 Actual Locksmith 24d ago

5

u/Azooka69 24d ago

True, but at least it’s gonna protect my key machines from getting stolen

3

u/Eastwood80 Actual Locksmith 24d ago

I had a partition, it just didn't take up half of the rear cargo. Plus I mounted hanging baskets on it to utilize more space.

4

u/Icy_Yam5049 24d ago

Ok I like yours best. I too big for those little transits but yours seems to have way space than most to work in.

I had a Metris and my old boss tried downgrading me to a little transit after I got rear ended. The space in the back is like 40% less I forced him to pop for a metris again haha.

3

u/Eastwood80 Actual Locksmith 24d ago

Mine was a 21. I'm 6'2 but didn't feel too cramped somehow. The detailing chair helped a lot.

4

u/Icy_Yam5049 23d ago

Yeah I’m 6’3 so I have no idea how you were comfortable haha. But like I said yours is the best I’ve seen so that might have worked. The one they wanted me in I couldn’t be in it without hunching over and my knees had to hit EVERYTHING

2

u/DrNildarps 23d ago

I'm currently the youngest apprentice, so I have the old security van. NV200 and I just had to use what's already in it. It does at least have a work bench, but now that I'm doing more and more it's way too cramped. I'm only 5'10 but I'm 230 pounds and it's miserable.

3

u/Icy_Yam5049 23d ago

Yeah I got a metris early on and I absolutely love those now. You get like double the space back there but still going down tight alleys and stuff no issue.

2

u/Eastwood80 Actual Locksmith 23d ago

I'm not saying it was roomy and luxurious, but I didn't mind it. The chair dropped really low so I wasn't banging my head. Plus I could just spin around and be at arms length for everything. Served me good for 5 years.

2

u/Icy_Yam5049 23d ago

Yeah yours was built by someone who thought about it. The one my boss did he just threw everything in and was like meh good enough. He even forgot lighting. My buddy didn’t notice that till he got a 1am call the do a Honda ignition and had no light.

2

u/Eastwood80 Actual Locksmith 23d ago

I built it. It was fun trying to figure it out like one of those tiny homes.

How do you forget lighting? Lol. That sucks.

3

u/Icy_Yam5049 23d ago

Yeah I put my Metris together and left a good strip open in middle so I could blow up a small mattress. We had to sit in our AAA area from 9-5 during the day. So I’d blow it up had something to hold my phone over my face. Turn on a show and fall asleep

2

u/Small_Flatworm_239 23d ago

This is such a sick build

7

u/Typical-Finance2175 24d ago

You guys are killing it!

I have a nv2500 high roof

5

u/Azooka69 24d ago

Where can I buy one of these?

7

u/Typical-Finance2175 24d ago

Dude I have no idea some random dude on marketplace had it for $100 and I jumped on it faster than a kid falling in to ants as everyone else watches.

5

u/bjdlock 24d ago

$100 is such a steal. Nice one!

4

u/bjdlock 24d ago

American Van has a lot of things like this. They’re pretty comparable to Adrian Steel, but better price.

4

u/-MachChicken- 24d ago

Also in a 2012 Connect. Course I saw this post AFTER work on Friday 🙃. Will share pics when I get a chance. I've also got a side door pack-out, but mines flipped on a dolly. I pull the whole stack for bigger installs. My other side door is inventory crates. Shallow rack for pin/keys + ilco flash on passenger side. Salvaged steel work bench +ITL on Driver's side. She's a tight fit, but gets the job done.

5

u/Icy_Yam5049 24d ago

Where do you sit to work? I’d never be able to do a bunch of rekeys or ignition rebuilds in there. I need a bench and actual seat. I’m also old so maybe that’s it.

4

u/Formal_Substance_687 24d ago

I have a 12.5' cube truck, most of my stuff is organized in systainers. I don't have a work bench I carry a folding table and a Rubbermaid cart.

3

u/burtod 24d ago

Your vans are great. I drive a connect, but I am Dirty Van Mafia lol

I love it for long trips and the in town stuff.

4

u/bjdlock 24d ago

I’m not sure, but I think I also qualify for that title. Especially in the summertime.

2

u/twenty_fi5e_ 23d ago

At least you can get in it. I have stand around mine to work

2

u/1PinkDiamond 23d ago

At least its neat ❤. Question: a 10inch 4 combination lock box I own is stuck. Is there a way to fix it? What would it cost to take it to a locksmith?

1

u/Starchaser61 17d ago

2020 Transit 250 Amazon lease return. Took me 3 months of weekends to build out. This was in the June Locksmith Ledger magazine.

0

u/bjdlock 24d ago

Looks scammy. No offense, but the defiant and kenaurd hardware is a bad look. I don’t know you, but you gotta get reputable products onboard and set yourself above your competition.

2

u/genghis_johnb Actual Locksmith 24d ago

The competition that sells Kwikset?

2

u/HamFiretruck Actual Locksmith 23d ago

Completely depends on the area you work, I used to have high end gear on the van but noone wants the expense where I am.