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About to place my order

11508 Views 53 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  Deadwood, 
D
Like the post says. I'm real close to placing my order for the van. Although I've no idea how long it could take to see it. As I understand it they are close to closing orders for the 2015 so they can get ready for the 2016's. Who knows. I keep getting different lead times from the dealers.

Heres what I'm planning to order so far. I'm open to comments as to weather anyone here thinks I'm missing something or have something that's probably not worth having. I tried to keep it simple because I plan to do my own conversion.


250 Hi Roof 147.6'' WB Long
3.5 Eco boost
3.31 limited slip differential
Blue Jeans color
Back tilt out windows and sliding door window w/ tilt out. (I believe this adds privacy glass as well). Although I'm not sure back tilt outs are an option.
Two additional keys
Four user-defined switches (I think this option adds dual batteries and 220
amp alternator)
Long arm heated mirrors with turn signals
Front map lights
Leather Seats
Cruise control

I was on the dealer build site this morning an it does not show the option for the four user-defined switches or the extra keys. Not sure it that has changed. I'll check at the dealer today and post if I hear something different.

Couple of quick questions before I head out.

1. I'm thinking of going with Leather seats. But the leather upgrade changes to to 10 position power seats. What I would really rather have are swivel seats. I haven't seen a good aftermarket for a swivel yet but If one comes out I wonder if it won't work on the power seats. Really need an opinion on this one. To get leather power seats or just cloth.

2. Is there even enough room for a swivel seat up there. After being in the Sprinter which has a lot of room to the Transit which is kinda tight between the front seats. Will there even be enough room to say swivel the passenger seat around.

3. Did everyone pay the destination charge when buying their van. This charge just bugs the sh*t out of me. They should just put down "Extra fee because we feel like it". If it was $250 I probably wouldn't even squawk about it. But here it's in the neighborhood of $1100. Did anyone get the dealer to drop it or at least reduce it?

4. This one is kinda minor and know it is all personal choice. I'm stuck between two color choices. I'm going to be driving this thing a long time and I don't want to get sick of looking at it. I'm torn between Blue Jeans and Sterling Gray. Just wondering what colors others were choosing and why they like them.

Wow!!!! Long post. I'm thrilled if you hung with me and lasted this long. As always thanks for the input guys.
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U
Deadwood,

To add, later, just the steering wheel controls, will cost more than the $175.00 you are concerned about. Plus you get the other items, too. If you don't want the items in those 2 packages, just go with the items separately.

Semper Fi
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D
Gentlemen. Thank you all for your advice. Over the last week I have gone from thinking I was settled on the Sprinter to discovering how much I liked the Transit. A little overwhelming when ordering from scratch. And even over the last day or so i have thought of what I thought I wanted, to changing things around to finally settling on what I really want. I'm glad I didn't just go to the dealer one day and look through the options list. Between building what I want on the dealer site to the great information here has led me to feel very confident I am purchasing what I want. Now if I can only find a good dealer in AZ to work with who is interested in taking an order for a custom build. I get the idea that a lot of sales guys would rather spend their time on customers who they can sell a car to today and get paid sooner rather then wait a few months for the custom order to come in and get paid once I take delivery. Just my opinion. Not sure the experience of others here but would be interested to here. But again. The forum advice has been awesome. Thanks
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Deadwood,

Where abouts in AZ? Just looked back through your posts, saw that you fly out of Phoenix.

Sanderson Ford is the biggest Ford dealership West of Missippi. Ford sends all of their 18 wheeler problems there for repair, 18 bays just for that. So Ford tries to keep them happy, with fast service. Would have ordered from them if I didn't get hooked up with their mobility agent, whose qualifications were that he was a friend of the owner. Got tired of the run around from him.. If I remember correctly, a Mr Kingsley is the one who does all the ordering.

Might try getting in touch with him.

Good luck.

Semper Fi
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USMC Vet said:
Deadwood,

Where abouts in AZ? Just looked back through your posts, saw that you fly out of Phoenix.

Sanderson Ford is the biggest Ford dealership West of Missippi. Ford sends all of their 18 wheeler problems there for repair, 18 bays just for that. So Ford tries to keep them happy, with fast service. Would have ordered from them if I didn't get hooked up with their mobility agent, whose qualifications were that he was a friend of the owner. Got tired of the run around from him.. If I remember correctly, a Mr Kingsley is the one who does all the ordering.

Might try getting in touch with him.

Good luck.

Semper Fi
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I'm out in Chandler. I've been talking to a few of the dealers and funny thing is I just got off the phone with one of the Sanderson sales guys. Still trying to just understand his quote though. He put on the invoice that I want the exterior trim as well as interior pack but also included the the Premium which is supposed to include the former two. Maybe just to confuse me because it's far from clear. I'll keep working at though. But to be honest I think these guys are busy with customers who are ready to buy today and they lose interest in a custom order real quick. I imagine on Monday or Tuesday when they have nothing to do I'll be hearing from them left and right. It took me a little while to realize what I want. Now I just need to find a dealer to take the order.
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J
Talk to the fleet manager. They're used to taking custom orders.
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JP4 said:
Talk to the fleet manager. They're used to taking custom orders.
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JP4,

Correct ! I forgot to mention that, Kingsley, is in charge of all the fleet salesmen.

Semper Fi
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D
Sanderson is closed on Sundays so I'll give him a call on Monday and see what he can do for me. I'll give you an update if I make contact with him to see what he can do for me. Thanks. Good info.
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Airedrifter
Get the tow package.
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Airedrifter said:
Get the tow package.
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I concur. Always get the tow package :)
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J
Airedrifter said:
Get the tow package.
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Yep. If for no other reason, to get the Tow/Haul button. Very handy.
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D
I'm taking the advice of all who said "get the towing package". I might not be using right away but if I ever do it will be nice to have it already and not install it after. I also didn't realize I could put it into tow mode coming down steep hills to control engine speed. That's enough of a reason right there.

Here is my updated order list. If all goes well I could order as soon as Wednesday (out of town the next few days for work).

250 Hi Roof Cargo 147.6'' WB Long
3.5 Eco Boost
3.31 limited slip diff

Premium package which includes

Everything in the Exterior Package
• Chrome Headlamp Trim
• Chrome Grille and Grille Surround
• 16" Steel Wheel (Black E-coat) on Single Rear-Wheel Models

Everything in the Interior Package:
Complete rear trim including LH/RH full-height polypropylene panels
• AM/FM stereo, audio input jack, 4" multi-function display, Message Center (level 1 instrument cluster), SYNC®, leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for audio and multi-function display.
• Cruise Control
• Complete Floor Covering-Rubber Easy Clean
• Vinyl Sun Visor with Illuminated Vanity Mirror (Driver and Passenger)
• I/P console mats

Premium Package also comes with 10 way power seats in Leather

Heavy duty trailer package
Sterling gray paint (yes, I know I have been saying blue this whole time. Changed my mind)
Back windows with tilt out window on sliding door. (if i can get tilt outs on the back i will)
Privacy glass (it comes automatically with the window pack but I want it anyways)
Power heated mirrors with turn signals
Map lights
Two additional keys (although I can no longer see this option on the dealer build site)
Four user-defined switches (automatically upgrades to dual batteries and 220 Amp alternator.
12v outlet in back
LED lights in cargo area (I think I'll like the lights because I won't start my build for a little while. Does anyone think these will be a pain to remove when I do go ahead with the conversion.

~Orton I saw your post about the black trim looking better on the gray van. I totally agree but if I go with the Premium Package (which I will because I get everything I want and save a ton of money on it) I'm kinda stuck with Ext package upgrade which I don't really want. If I can get them to take it out I will.

I know I have beaten this thread to death changing what I want but I would rather change my mind ten times now then wish I could change it one time after the order is placed. I also want to thank everyone for their input. It has been invaluable. I plan to have this van for a long time so taking extra time now is totally worth it.
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alarmist
Don't forget autolamps.
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I hope you aren't in a real hurry because I'm afraid you've missed the 2015 order cutoff. Maybe not.....

A large volume commercial dealer will get their customer ordered vehicles faster than a smaller dealer will. It's the way the allocation system works.

All buyers pay the same shipping fee, it's not negotiable with the dealer as they have no control over it. Even Kansas City buyers pay the same as you will......
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alarmist said:
Don't forget autolamps.
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Why would he want autolamps?
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alarmist
Why would you not want autolamps?
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J
I missed the autolamps on my order. The Transit is my only vehicle without automatic headlights, and it does bug me since I drive with my lights on 24/7. Small luxury, but I would have ordered it.
JP
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alarmist
I suspect if you tape over the light sensor autolamps would give you DRLs.
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alarmist said:
Why would you not want autolamps?
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I want as little automation as possible. Never got fatigued turning the lights on/off exactly when I want.

Was not being augmentative. just trying to understand why I would need them.
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orton said:
I want as little automation as possible. Never got fatigued turning the lights on/off exactly when I want.

Was not being augmentative. just trying to understand why I would need them.
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Ditto, especially for stealth camping, the less automatic functions, the better. Rain sensing wipers? Doh . . .
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D
I'm not really worried about the auto lamps. I can see where they might be nice to have but maybe because Ive never had them I don't know what I'm missing. The order deadline topic for the 2015's has come up already but according to the dealers I have talked to they said they're still putting orders in. But I'm not sure how much faith I would put in that. I don't think they really know either. I'll find out soon enough when I order and let you know. If I have to wait for the 2016's then I'll probably wait. I've no plans to drive off the lot with a stripped down white van (unless they are giving it away). I can't imagine there will be any changes to the next model year but I can see where my lag time might get extended out quite a bit.
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