Where Did My Parts Go: A Study in Van Organization
/By Kurt Benedict
Recently I reached out on slack and asked for pictures of rack systems in service vehicles for this article, I received little feedback from the entire guild. This led me to the current conversation, do you buy a parts rack? Do you build a parts rack? All of this is to keep you and your techs from asking where did my parts go?
Courtesy of Hero Coffee Works – Montana
Courtesy of Café Techs – NJ
Interestingly, I received the same statement from both respondents; The back ends have not been built out so there are no pictures of our parts racks. It seems to be a common theme in our industry, we all buy a vehicle with good intentions of making it as tech-friendly as possible and never finish the back. We all end up the same, too busy to build, buy or install a tool/parts rack on our own. When you really think about it, how much time is wasted searching for parts and tools every day in an unorganized vehicle?
Personally, I take the time to build racks for my techs service vehicles. I understand if they can save an hour not searching for parts and tools every couple of days, the rack pays for itself. If you think about it, that’s another service call you or your tech/s can run.
Courtesy of Last Man - Colorado
I build my racks because I have my techs in smaller non-standard work vehicles to travel around Denver’s busy streets (that’s another issue, which vehicle to use?). By building the racks with some angle iron and a cheapo flux welder from any local hardware store for $150, a part/tool rack can be built. If you have never welded before, spend a couple of minutes and watch any number of videos online – especially on the manufacturers’ website. By you building your parts/tool rack it allows it to be customized to the vehicle and to your parts cases and tool bags.
Courtesy of Last Man - Colorado
As you can see, the rack was finished so a tech has access to parts and tools from both passenger doors. Also, as a tech you will have access to a folding table from the hatchback door, with room to still carry a machine as needed. There really is an advantage of building the rack for a vehicle, when not using a standard work vehicle.
With a standard work vehicle (let’s say a Transit connect - they seem to be the most popular) there are many prefabricated systems for purchase and available for install if you would rather you and your techs stay in the field. A quick search online provides multiple resources for rack systems for a connect. Just as an example I picked Amazon and found a rack system for $250, not installed.
A prefabricated system allows for shelf adjustments to fit your needs. This can be a blessing when maybe your favorite parts bin is no longer available, or if your vans are customized per the need i.e.
Install van
Super Auto technician
Traditional technician
Brewer technician
Parts Runner
Prefabricated systems can either be purchased from local dealers or online. Remember to consider the cost to either have your dealer install the system or the time required for you or an employee to install it. One downside is typically these systems must be retightened every so often to keep the noise down.
Whether you decide to build your own rack so you can customize it to the bins and tools, or you buy a prefabricated one for ease, Just remember it does pay off for you to have it in your vehicle/s.