[driley]

Wife and I are planning on picking up a High Roof extended body Transit that we are going to convert. We are more than likely going to pick something up off a lot as there are not many things we must have that would push us to order.

The most difficult to find option for us is the Passenger side glass in the sliding door. Not too many of these around in the cargo vans on lots. We also must have the tow setup. We will occasionally tow our Jeep with the transit.

We would like diesel almost entirely for adding the option of adding a diesel space and water heater like an Webasto unit. This will cost a lot but seems like it would add a lot of comfort. Open to input.

What I could REALLY use input on is 250 vs 350 and even dual rear wheel options. We are building out a camper van that will be used a lot for short trips but will hopefully seem some extended trips at some point. We have full timed in a larger RV before.

We are planning on solar, decent batter capacity and inverter. We will have a enclosed shower at some point and as much water capacity as we can get away with.

I'm not really sure how much this is all going to weigh. I am thinking of going with a 350 just to be sure. Not sure about the dual rear wheels? I would rather avoid the dual setup if I can.

Thoughts?

 

[ultane]

Look closely at the GVWR, GCVWR, and how those affect 'cargo' and 'towing' ability.

 

[orton]

To me the side glass is a requirement for lane changes as is the rear glass for use of a rear view mirror. My conversion plan does not block the rear windows from the rear view mirror.
I bought the 148" WB but not the extended. It was important for my application to retain the ability to park in a normal parking place both on the street and in box store lots. Would be nice to have the longer inside space but at 5'-10" I can sleep across the van. Everything is a compromise so you have to make a choice. FYI I added about 2100 lbs converting the Sprinter and think I can do the same thing for Transit a couple 100 lbs less with better material choices.
Sprinter was diesel and Transit is gas. If I add heat, I think a Propex heater that burns propane is a better choice than any diesel fueled heater. Diesel does not burn clean and propane does. I actually think I will not need a heater because I use a 12 volt heating pad to keep warm and do not heat the van interior. No heater noise and reduced refrigerator noise. I do not live in a cold climate.
If interested my Sprinter build was well documented on the sprinter-source.com site. Search "orton DIY" for separate posts on each subject.
I do not want any brand diesel with the current complicated diesel emission hardware and software.

 

[JP4]

We would like diesel almost entirely for adding the option of adding a diesel space and water heater like an Webasto unit. This will cost a lot but seems like it would add a lot of comfort. Open to input.



Thoughts?

Not sure about the water heater, but the heaters are also available that burn gasoline. There is an auxiliary fuel tap built into both the diesel and gasoline transit tanks.
JP

 

[driley]

To me the side glass is a requirement for lane changes as is the rear glass for use of a rear view mirror. My conversion plan does not block the rear windows from the rear view mirror.
I bought the 148" WB but not the extended. It was important for my application to retain the ability to park in a normal parking place both on the street and in box store lots. Would be nice to have the longer inside space but at 5'-10" I can sleep across the van. Everything is a compromise so you have to make a choice. FYI I added about 2100 lbs converting the Sprinter and think I can do the same thing for Transit a couple 100 lbs less with better material choices.
Sprinter was diesel and Transit is gas. If I add heat, I think a Propex heater that burns propane is a better choice than any diesel fueled heater. Diesel does not burn clean and propane does. I actually think I will not need a heater because I use a 12 volt heating pad to keep warm and do not heat the van interior. No heater noise and reduced refrigerator noise. I do not live in a cold climate.
If interested my Sprinter build was well documented on the sprinter-source.com site. Search "orton DIY" for separate posts on each subject.
I do not want any brand diesel with the current complicated diesel emission hardware and software.

We have been looking at getting a conversion for some years now and lurking on forums. I have definitely seen your Sprinter build information

Would love to go with the standard long van and not extended but it is just not practical for us. I mostly use a wheelchair, have adaptive sports toys to haul around, dogs.... but we will make it fit with the extended and hunt for parking.

We live in the Eastern Sierra, so many trips are going to be from the house direct to camping or events.

I will research the Propex heater. In our full size RV, cold camping burned up propane pretty fast. But it was a big poorly insulated beast. Plus we lived in it through a couple of winters.

Thanks for the info.

 

[driley]

Look closely at the GVWR, GCVWR, and how those affect 'cargo' and 'towing' ability.

Yeah, will do. I spent SO much time on this researching the full size RV we were in for a while.

 

[driley]

Not sure about the water heater, but the heaters are also available that burn gasoline. There is an auxiliary fuel tap built into both the diesel and gasoline transit tanks.
JP

Nice to know about the fuel tap. Thanks.

 

[VinceP]

Look closely at the GVWR, GCVWR, and how those affect 'cargo' and 'towing' ability.

Also look at the RAWR, his could be a deciding factor for you if are towing, particularly with the extended body.

How heavy is your Jeep and its trailer?

The tongue weight that far behind the axle will put a fair bit of load on the rear axle (assuming you are not flat-towing). Add the rear weight of the conversion and it could be getting close for the 250 extended.

 

[vnehess]

What I could REALLY use input on is 250 vs 350 and even dual rear wheel options.

I was looking for a 250, but found a loaded 350 SRW, now i'm happy I did. It drives great, does not feel over stiff, or rough at all. Which I feel is the usual downside of the larger spring on the 350.

I suggest that you drive a 250 and a 350 , and if you can't tell the difference in handling or ride, then go for the 350 as this allows more future options for outfitting your rig.

 

[driley]

Also look at the RAWR, his could be a deciding factor for you if are towing, particularly with the extended body.

How heavy is your Jeep and its trailer?

The tongue weight that far behind the axle will put a fair bit of load on the rear axle (assuming you are not flat-towing). Add the rear weight of the conversion and it could be getting close for the 250 extended.

The Jeep is towed four wheels down. So no trailer and negligible tongue weight.


The Jeep is about 4500lbs.


Looking at specs we can probably do it. Though should probably have the 3.73 ratio axle to be on the safe side if we go with the diesel.

 

[driley]

I was looking for a 250, but found a loaded 350 SRW, now i'm happy I did. It drives great, does not feel over stiff, or rough at all. Which I feel is the usual downside of the larger spring on the 350.

I suggest that you drive a 250 and a 350 , and if you can't tell the difference in handling or ride, then go for the 350 as this allows more future options for outfitting your rig.

Thanks. I am thinking the 350 makes sense for us.

 

[PeterR]

Thanks. I am thinking the 350 makes sense for us.

Sounds like you have towed the jeep before, behind the RV maybe? From years of trailering, the one caution I would add is that the extended body Transit could have sway issues towing your Jeep. Did you ever have do use any sway control before? There are threads here discussing the Transit's built-in sway control (which can be turned off) so you might want to search the site (to the right) for "sway control" or "TSC" etc.. star gazer made some comments after his trip a few months ago. Good luck!

See here:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/84577-post59.html

 

[USMC Vet]

Wife and I are planning on picking up a High Roof extended body Transit that we are going to convert. We are more than likely going to pick something up off a lot as there are not many things we must have that would push us to order.

The most difficult to find option for us is the Passenger side glass in the sliding door. Not too many of these around in the cargo vans on lots. We also must have the tow setup. We will occasionally tow our Jeep with the transit.

Thoughts?

driley, & orton,
Don't let the side windows be a deal breaker. Even though I will have them in my wagon, when it gets here, I am having an RV camera system installed (2 side cameras and a always on, rear camera) I'm permanently in a wheelchair and find that even after I transfer to a drivers seat, the nature of the larger vans are that there are blind spots. So with the camera system monitor mounted up front, between the Transits large mirrors and the camera's it's a better view than just looking out the windows (plus, I can't turn to look over my shoulders anyway) . Going to have it wired so that split screen is the primary view with rear and one of the sides, when turn signal is activated (yes some of us still use them) the view will be rear and the side I want to move to. That will show me any vehicles coming up behind me or in the adjacent lane, so I can move over safely.

Check out the Tadibrothers RV cameras or the others posted in other threads.

Semper Fi

 

[VinceP]

The Jeep is towed four wheels down. So no trailer and negligible tongue weight.

The Jeep is about 4500lbs.

Looking at specs we can probably do it. Though should probably have the 3.73 ratio axle to be on the safe side if we go with the diesel.

Yes, the 3.31 diesel is rated surprising low for GCWR (10600). It would only leave you 160lbs for your conversion if towing your Jeep!

The 3.73 would allow for 3060lbs of cargo when towing. That happens to be equal to the full cargo capacity of the 250. How that is distributed front-to-rear between the axles will determine if you need to go with a 350 vs 250.
Verify my figures before deciding! I just quickly pasted the website specs for LWB-E into the spreadsheet I used when deciding on mine... No warranties expressed or implied

 

[driley]

driley, & orton,
Don't let the side windows be a deal breaker. Even though I will have them in my wagon, when it gets here, I am having an RV camera system installed (2 side cameras and a always on, rear camera) I'm permanently in a wheelchair and find that even after I transfer to a drivers seat, the nature of the larger vans are that there are blind spots. So with the camera system monitor mounted up front, between the Transits large mirrors and the camera's it's a better view than just looking out the windows (plus, I can't turn to look over my shoulders anyway) . Going to have it wired so that split screen is the primary view with rear and one of the sides, when turn signal is activated (yes some of us still use them) the view will be rear and the side I want to move to. That will show me any vehicles coming up behind me or in the adjacent lane, so I can move over safely.

Check out the Tadibrothers RV cameras or the others posted in other threads.

Semper Fi

The main reason we want a side window is just for light inside when camping.

Will definitely check out cameras if we do not end up with one without at least a backup monitor.

 

[Epps]

driley: I had one pass me yesterday on my way into work (Trenton NJ) high roof, extended, with the side door glass. I thought it was a crew van until I passed it. So their out there! Go with the diesel and the 3:73 gears.

I've driven the high roof extended 350 dual wheel wagon and it drove just as nice as the short wheel base wagon. Really no difference at all from the driver's seat. My wife felt the same. The only thing different was the turning radus, but that can't be helped.

Epps

 

[driley]

driley: I had one pass me yesterday on my way into work (Trenton NJ) high roof, extended, with the side door glass. I thought it was a crew van until I passed it. So their out there! Go with the diesel and the 3:73 gears.

I've driven the high roof extended 350 dual wheel wagon and it drove just as nice as the short wheel base wagon. Really no difference at all from the driver's seat. My wife felt the same. The only thing different was the turning radus, but that can't be helped.

Epps

I'm finding vans that are close. The one linked below is real close but lists the axle as 3.31. It has the tow package though. On the Ford site, when I configure a van like this, it automatically changed the axle to 4.10.


http://www.inventory.ford.com/services/inventory/WindowSticker.pdf?vin=1FTSW3XV8FKA43993

 

[driley]

May end up having to order our van. The tough combo to find is 3.73/4.10 axle AND a sliding door window on the same vehicle.

 

[mactweek]

May end up having to order our van. The tough combo to find is 3.73/4.10 axle AND a sliding door window on the same vehicle.

Ordering a van is better than it was last year. I ordered mine Feb 24 and it should be here next week?. I think it is on a rail car. I stopped by the dealer on Friday and one site listed it on a rail car and another said it was still in rail yard in K.C. So maybe it had been loaded but hadn't left the yard yet.
If you order, you can get exactly what you need, and nothing extra. Then you get to spend a couple of months planning your build.

 

[driley]

Ordering a van is better than it was last year. I ordered mine Feb 24 and it should be here next week?. I think it is on a rail car. I stopped by the dealer on Friday and one site listed it on a rail car and another said it was still in rail yard in K.C. So maybe it had been loaded but hadn't left the yard yet.
If you order, you can get exactly what you need, and nothing extra. Then you get to spend a couple of months planning your build.

Yep.

What I am hearing now is that orders going in now will be for 2016 models and will not be built for a few months at least.

I found two models on a lot that meet our needs.

Passenger side sliding window
3.73 Axle ratio
Tow Package
LWB Extended High Roof
Plus some other nice to haves like backup camera and upfitter switches.

There are two for us to choose from.
3.5 Eco Boost with dual rear wheels
3.2 Diesel without dual rear wheels

Still thinking of going for the diesel so that we have diesel interior and water heating options.

We may be an owner next weekend. We will see. BIG purchase.