Wife and I just did a 2900 mile trip with our 3 week old Transit. Retired our 2000 e-150. Very impressed with the 3.7 engine. Had about 700 pounds of bikes, luggage plus 150 pounds of dogs. Driving the high plains back up to Idaho, one goes through a very sparse part of the country. . The high plains of Nevada are 4-7k ft in elevation so the long gradual ups and downs did see the engine seamlessly shift from 6-5th. Occaisionally downshifting to 4th. Passing was a breeze with the 3.7. We did hit a bit of snow in Az. The van worked fine in the small stuff. Ultane suggested siping the tires, will do that soon as we have some winter left here in Boise.
Considering that the van is new(not had time to insulation) the db level is low. The radiator needed some wind blockage to keep up heat while driving at slower speeds if the OAT is below the 20,s. Some black foam pipe insulation with zip ties helped that situation out.
Time for some fresh engine oil and a filter.
A few issues to address are door arm rests and set locks to manual versus auto lock. Did the walmart airfilter cover fix. Will install the cabin air filter element. Waiting for Ford to redue the air filter box and make the upper lid bigger and the lower lid small versus the backassward current design flaw.
I do like the amount of storage space for cds, hats, etc up front. Once the weather warms up here enough, spray undercoating will be applied to the inside walls that are covered up to dampen out the thin metal noises. This worked well on the old van.
Will be doing a basic camp setup in our 148 medium roof. We tow a trailer so this basic setup is for long day trips of just me camping. A dedicated small battery for a water pump, lights, vent with fan and a youtube insprired diy AC.
Also some aero mods that are blimp insprired.
Considering that the van is new(not had time to insulation) the db level is low. The radiator needed some wind blockage to keep up heat while driving at slower speeds if the OAT is below the 20,s. Some black foam pipe insulation with zip ties helped that situation out.
Time for some fresh engine oil and a filter.
A few issues to address are door arm rests and set locks to manual versus auto lock. Did the walmart airfilter cover fix. Will install the cabin air filter element. Waiting for Ford to redue the air filter box and make the upper lid bigger and the lower lid small versus the backassward current design flaw.
I do like the amount of storage space for cds, hats, etc up front. Once the weather warms up here enough, spray undercoating will be applied to the inside walls that are covered up to dampen out the thin metal noises. This worked well on the old van.
Will be doing a basic camp setup in our 148 medium roof. We tow a trailer so this basic setup is for long day trips of just me camping. A dedicated small battery for a water pump, lights, vent with fan and a youtube insprired diy AC.
Also some aero mods that are blimp insprired.
