July 2008, Work Truck - Feature
The Armadillo's High Profile
By Chad Simon
Specs Offer Flexibility
With 75 inches of rear-door clearance and 73 inches of side-door clearance, Vision offers cargo doors on both, compared to the Sprinter’s passenger-side slider. Vision’s standard high top is approximately 6 inches taller than the Sprinter and offers a slightly wider footprint.
Total cargo volume ranges from 395-500 cubic square feet, depending on make and model.
The HCV conversion adds only 90-120 lbs. of extra weight, according to Bill Molitor, fleet chassis manager for Jackson, Miss.-based Watson Quality Ford. Other upfits can add significantly more weight, which reduces payload capacity.
Molitor says the vehicle’s walk-in convenience is ideal for any industry with payload needs ranging from 3,300-3,900 lbs.
The Vision HCV takes advantage of Ford’s numerous powertrain options on the Econoline E-150, E-250, and the E-350 chassis, in both standard and extended versions. The E-150 and E-250 models offer 4.6L and 5.4L V-8 gasoline engines with automatic transmissions. The E-350 models offer 5.4L V-8 gasoline, 6.8L V-10, and 6.0L V-8 diesel engines.
Vision Manufacturing’s HCV van features a complete van chassis instead of a cutaway, incorporating the factory door hardware and electronics. The walk-thru interior has six feet of headroom and can be configured with a variety of rack and bin packages already available to end users.