[ShadeTreeMech]

Thanks for the preview information. It came in handy already. I took delivery of a custom order 2015 Transit 250 Cargo van yesterday from Santa Fe Ford.

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[Knot Yett]

Hello ShadeTreeMech, really like your pictures, wish everyone did more of that. I just ordered a van almost identical to yours except for the addition of windows all around and 60/40 doors. I went for the 250 instead of the 150, and now I'm not so sure that was a wise idea. Since this will be a camper conversion and not a whole lot of weight added inside, maybe it's going to be a rough rider. Now that you've had yours for a year I was wondering how's the ride? and how much weight do you carry?

I suppose if my ride is too bad I could replace the rear springs with 150's, or install a 400 pound battery bank back there.

Thanks, Knot Yett

 

[ShadeTreeMech]

faux windows ;-]

Knot Yett,

I've only had it for a couple of months and only have 500 miles on the odometer. Mostly highway miles except for some cross town traffic this morning. I can tell I'm sitting on top of the front wheels and not behind them like in a car or truck. I can also "feel" the road, but it's not a rough ride. A lot depends on perception. Just a guess, but the wagon version will seem quieter and smoother than a similar cargo body.

Load out will vary. Mostly I got the 250 for towing a boat and hauling a motorcycle around. Maybe a larger trailer sometime down the road. It's better to have and not need it, ... I'm working one getting some insulation in now.

Darrell

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[pwrov1]

Nice Transit! Looking good! Thanks for the pix!

 

[Quest4Adv]

Nice, I'm in St. Aug. Not too far away. Thinking about getting one just like that.

 

[Knot Yett]

ShadeTreeMech, OK, now I feel better, had fears of bouncing down the road like a basketball. Thought you had your van for a year, my mistake, but 500 miles is enough for a road test. I have a 2011 F-150 with a shell that rides "hard" and it has never bothered me at all, I'm not expecting a passenger car feel. I ordered a cargo van with windows all around, not a wagon. But, after I do what you are working towards, with insulation and panel, it gradually becomes a wagon. My wife was wondering why the office chair?......I said "to work on the ceiling"......great idea!.....will copy that for sure.

We agonized for several months over Medium Roof or Low Roof, pros and cons for both. She favors the MR (and she's only 5' with her hiking boots on) and I'm 5'7". Since 2004 we've been traveling and camping in a Toyota Sienna and learned to get along OK with that challenge. Now the LR Transit is 10" higher inside, and I'm mostly sitting, reclining on the bed, or sleeping - so I can live with that. I really like that the LR will fit thru our local $5 car wash. And, I really need the 60/40 doors so I can build in a room air conditioner and hidden vent fan......so we (or mostly I) went with the LR.

Thanks for the quick response and good photos,
Knot Yett

 

[ShadeTreeMech]

Fresh air ...

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Looking for the pix!

Interesting: What can happen when coping and pasting text.

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Nice, I'm in St. Aug. Not too far away.

Interesting: My second break in run was out to St. Auggie and then down to Flagler.

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I have a 2011 F-150 with a shell that rides "hard"

Interesting: I've got a 2010 F150 Screw cab with an ARE topper. It's got the best ride of any vehicle I've had. Can't bring myself to sell it because I'm starting to think that might of been the end of Ford's "golden age".

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[Knot Yett]

That rear air vent sure looks good, could you provide details, especially where the motor came from and is it 12 volt or 110, hose diameter, etc. These vans need air, wish the factory offered more windows that open.

Thanks,
Knot Yett

 

[ShadeTreeMech]

the devil in the details

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It's all a 3" setup to fit in the available spaces without cutting holes in the body. The exterior access on the passenger side is too close to that stubby exhaust pipe outlet (might be ok for a shore power line). The fans are for venting fuel (and other) vapors on boats. The fans are noisy. Stepping them down to 9 volts helps some. I've also got some 12 volt PC fans that are quiet, but don't move as much air. There are two fans so I can check getting air out or air in for different situations. Short term I'm using the Y and fan vents from the louver kit to direct the flow and close out one or both sides. When I get it figured out I'll build a long box in between the last roof brace and the channel above the rear doors to house it all and try to silence it some more. I'd like to build "box" to function as a duct so I can try to direct some air through all those hollow spaces behind the panels and between the roof braces. That's to dry the areas out as much as to cool the van. Just a temp setup for now to see what works how and when ...

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085UZKIO
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O0DE9E
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VRE4IO
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPUTL4
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LXTCQHM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085UZLPG
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GGONYM

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Needed to add the mud flaps due to the exit location and I was tempted not to go with the "blue oval".

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[ame]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NIJQC[/ame]

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NIJPI[/ame]

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[audiopyle]

The vent system looks great. I was thinking of doing the same but did not know yet where the pillars & frame were open as my van is on order. I had started looking at computer fans or maybe a squirrel cage type blower. So on your van the pillar is open to the underbody structure just by removing a cover, or did you have to cut?

 

[audiopyle]

If you haven't already done so you should put a screen over the intake to keep mosquitos out.

 

[Knot Yett]

I had a brand new 12v squirrel cage blower that I dragged around with me for many years and finally sold in my last yard sale because I could not imagine what I would ever use it for.....oh, well. I have a lot of different sizes of computer fans, and they are pretty quiet but don't move a whole lot of air. Maybe that Attwood fan could be mounted outside, for less noise inside, looks like it would be easy to do. And / or use a
variable rheostat control.....might work.

 

[ShadeTreeMech]

by removing a cover

on your van the pillar is open to the underbody structure just by removing a cover

No cutting and mostly a clean run except for some of the OEM wiring. View from underneath ...

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[ShadeTreeMech]

All that unused space ...

Maybe that Attwood fan could be mounted outside

All that unused space just begging for a purpose ... Mounting outside was why I got the Duct Mounting Plate. For stealth, the PC fan running inside has appeal.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPUTL4

 

[Tourneo]

Surprised to see the old tail fin Caddies at corner of 6th St & 23rd on Ford Transit Forum.

Glad to see your clever adaptation of Transit body structure for forced fresh air duct. And that beach pic out the door looks like Matanzas?

Have tried my best to find my dream Transit Wagon in stock while in New England's Megapolis. Searched 500 mile range ME-MI-DC. Came close out of the year end inventory & will give it 1 last shot. Considering a loaded cargo Transit & building a Steel Tent interior. Thanks for the inspiration.

Expect l'll have to wait to order from Santa Fe or Ocala Ford when I get back home. Parks has been incredibly discouraging.

 

[ShadeTreeMech]

Re: Gainesburger

"beach pic out the door looks like Matanzas"

Nail on the head. How about this one taken this morning ...

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"wait to order from Santa Fe or Ocala Ford"

I ordered through the salesman that handled the commercial sales. I think he left and took a management job at White Ford in Chiefland.

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[ultane]

Ponce Inlet???

 

[Tourneo]

Used to fish out of Ponce Inlet regularly. Old friend inherited a condo near Harbor Inn dock/restaurant & had childhood friend who was diver & charter boat capt. When he had cancellation or no clients & weather was good we went out.

Used to launch next to St. A light house, but decided I like the ramp by Usina Bridge much better. Fish Matanzas mostly on foot.

Can still drive on parts of Crescent Bch. & Porpoise Pt. Had 2 huge sun roofs in 1st Econoline. Could stand up, rest elbow on roof & drive on beach w/enough room for passenger too. Was great for girl watching & locating schools of fish. Back in the day you could get away with parking out on the beach all night.

 

[ShadeTreeMech]

Ponce Inlet???

Still there as of this morning. Love the coast, but I try to time it before too many people are out ...

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"Had 2 huge sun roofs"

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I put a 20" hatch in the old Dodge van. Caught trout and flounder out of the retention pond next to the bridge over to Crescent Beach - from on the roof - over the top of that 6 foot chain link fence. I want a hatch behind the driver's seat in the transit and a roof rack big enough to put a small tent on. I think I'm going to have to take up welding first. ;-]

 

[Tourneo]

Had heard that retention pond next to 206 Crescent Bch bridge could be loaded with Flounder, looked at shimmying under chain link, but never tried it. Have escaped the heat & thunderstorms on catwalk under the drawbridge. Also caught many Sheepshead, Trout, Ladyfish & Tarpon by utilizing the structure & lights.

May have seen that blue Dodge 40 years ago?

Ford dropped the ball on Transit's flip out windows, but the anchor points on the roof should be useful for many purposes. Was thinking of one of those African safari 2nd roof skins might be just the ticket in FL sun?

ProMaster fan covered his roof w/solar panels.