[Damien Archambault]

I have read on here were some have desired to have or build a crew van. Unfortunately I haven't read anything to encouraging as far as any positive conclusions.

I suppose I will back up a describe what or how I plan on the van. It would be my primary source of transportation. I don't really have a bunch of family that need to haul around. Just one 10 yr old. This unit will see some miles on the hiway. I drive a lot between Longmont co and central west Wyoming. This means that it will see lots of high speed crosswinds like up to 55mph plus and average of 25 to 35. Mainly between Laramie Wyo. Then in the winter lots of snow and ice.

Originally I was looking at mini vans(go ahead and laugh, get out of your system). Really, between friends and family, they all looked at me like I was combing $##t threw my hair. I don't need to explain to anyone here why a van just makes sense. Even if nothing else but a mini van.

I own a f-150 now but just feel cramped in that once I load up stuff two dogs and a kiddo I get claustrophobic. I could get and have had campershells which could help. They just suck as far as climbing and crawling on your knees having to reach for crap ect. I love my truck as far as driving. Its just been nice with the king ranch trim. Obviously the transit offers no such trim

Looking the mb is what got me started. But after some education and the fact my brother sells ford, I began to look in this direction. I am trying to decide on many things but most important I would like to make it fairly versitle. Here is are things I'm certain on

130' wheel base, it will be used for camping mountain biking, ice fishing (rarely though) and occasionally brewery and pub crawls (camping). I would like it safely travel four to five people(rear buckets in mind). And it would be cool if it had one bench seat that was easily removable towards the rear for kids that want to watch their movies while adults talk smart towards the front.

Things in debate

1 strongly leaning towards the 3.5 eco

2 leaning towards med roof, but the high winds in Wyo have a little worried, yet would like to camp like a human and not a cave dweller.

3 would love to get the Quigley ⁴x4. Just that is that 12 to 13 grand is quite a bit. Then trying to imagine the size of the mushroom cloud if ford suddenly announced that they will be offering this option in the near future.

Getting the van and building how I like or go with the wagon. The wagons wrap around windows look nice from the outside, but really like the sleeping area to be closed off since it would sometimes be sleeping quarters.
Then again have read some unsavory posts as to both costs and Finnish issues with after market installations.

The if someone could point me in the right direction as to what it would cost diy for bisic insulation with a fairly attractive and good functional material. I would to be able to hose things out. And the wagon interior while nice and complete just looks stuffy and OK.

This what I'm thinking any way, feel free to enlighten me.

 

[alarmist]

The odds of Ford offering a 4x4 in the Transit are near zero. Medium roof in a 55mph crosswind is going to be a handful. You get the seating you want in a wagon, that alone might make it worthwhile. You can get a wagon with a vinyl floor.

Edit: I believe you also get a rear swaybar in the wagon which might help in crosswinds.

 

[Damien Archambault]

The odds of Ford offering a 4x4 in the Transit are near zero. Medium roof in a 55mph crosswind is going to be a handful. You get the seating you want in a wagon, that alone might make it worthwhile. You can get a wagon with a vinyl floor.

Edit: I believe you also get a rear swaybar in the wagon which might help in crosswinds.

I see. I do like the looks of the lower better. Is the sway bar after market? I just remember it be offered in the build site. Honestly, I don't really know what a sway bar is. I always thought it was something that was hooked up to a trailer for stability.

 

[alarmist]

A swaybar is basically a spring designed to keep the van level. It makes a connection between the two sides of the rear suspension. When one wheel moves, the swaybar pushes the other wheel in the same direction. I suspect the wagon suspension has some comfort tweaks relative to the van and the swaybar is needed to replace something that got lost in the process. But that's just speculation. A rear swaybar is standard on the wagon, I think. Never looked under one. Sway control for a trailer is like a damper to prevent a trailer from swinging side to side. Don't know much about them other than they come in a lot of varieties.