Great post. Finally get to see the inside of the van without side panels.
I'm disappointed at all the wasted space between the outside wall and the lower part of the inner wall below the window frames.

 

vancruse,

Thanks for posting the link. I had wondered about having to leave the drivers door open while someone fills my tank, both for the fumes and for bad weather, while I'm stuck in seat next to opening.

Has anyone seen a high roof? Be real interested in the slider opening.
Looks like in this video that the slider height, is the same as a low roof. Hoping the high roof has a taller slider, so won't have to be ducking to avoid hitting my head while entering in wheelchair.

Any observations will be appreciated.

Semper Fi

 

.....cut......

Has anyone seen a high roof? Be real interested in the slider opening.
Looks like in this video that the slider height, is the same as a low roof. Hoping the high roof has a taller slider, so won't have to be ducking to avoid hitting my head while entering in wheelchair.

Any observations will be appreciated.

Semper Fi

Pictures of high roof van show the side slide door to be the same as that on middle roof vans. If it extended all the way up it would interfere with roof curvature unless door was rounded off at top. Having said that, the middle roof van side slide door is much taller than the low roof van. I don't see how a person in a wheelchair could hit the top of the door opening.

 

Interesting that he claims to be 6-3 a couple of times and before entering van he sounds like he's saying 6-5 as if that makes the van appear taller inside than it is. Who doesn't know how tall they really are?

He also said extended van is 18 inches longer when in reality it's 28.4 inches longer -- all at rear overhang. Other vans extend 14 or 16 inches at rear (Econoline like mine 20 inches), but a total rear overhang of 6'-6" looks a little odd by comparison.

Ford seems to have put forward a large effort towards details like electronics but seems to have paid less attention to basics like space, width, proportions, etc. And to me that's most disappointing because they can't be fixed during a mid-cycle upgrade in a year or two. A new radio or GPS they can offer later but it's a lot harder to stretch the wheelbase or change the body structure.

Perhaps Ford research indicates many new buyers are more into electronics, connectivity and so on and less into basics. I may be the one out of touch with the average buyer.

 

Thanks for the video! they didnt have that lower side step as an option when I ordered mine, for $90 would've been nice to have.

 

It's a nice looking step for sure that is well integrated to body. I just wonder how well it works exiting the van. I personally find factory running boards on Econoline great for entering a van because it's easy to place the ball of the foot on the step, but when exiting I have to use only the back of the shoe or else turn the foot 90 degrees. On my van when it's wet the step doesn't feel all that secure. Just wondering if the Transit's step sticks out much further.

 

USMC Vet, just conforming what Chance and Dale_R posted about the slider in the high roof version. Same as the medium height. Top pic is the High top and bottom pic is the medium. I'd love to get the high top for a RV conversion one day.

Njhw, I also love the step-up option. Didn't realize how far off the ground the floor is.

Btw, long time lurker, saw the vid and wanted to share with you all. Learning a lot about the Transit van from this forum.

 

When the Sprinter went from T1N to NCV3 in 2007 the slider's height was raised enough to only requiring ducking by the vertically gifted. That was considered a major upgrade by many folks, leaving me very surprised that here 7-8 years later the Ford is back to T1N morphology.

 

In fairness to Ford, the Super High Roof Sprinter and the Fiat Ducato Maxi (neither sold here as far as I know) use the same size middle-roof doors when they go to the super high roof models. The Sprinter and Ducato come in three roof heights in Europe but we presently only get the low and middle roof models. Transits are just smaller and offer all three roof heights in USA.

 

Chance, Dale_R & vancruse,
Thanks for the info.
The door height may look sufficient, but you need to take in the account of the height of the wheelchair lift above the floor when it slides in, elevation of the seat panel on the power chair (short legs = lower, long legs = higher placement) and the height of the disabled person. Sprinter has a taller door entry in their high roof and the Chevy Express conversions, remove the roof, cut the doorway and add a higher door that matches with the curviture of the added roof extension.

Dale, is that 63" the height of the door opening? Or the roof top off of the floor.

Semper Fi

 

Dale, is that 63" the height of the door opening? Or the roof top off of the floor.

That is the opening itself, not floor to roof.

 

The side door on Econoline is listed at 47.2 inches tall, and Chevy Express at 47.9 inches. By comparison the Transit mid and high roofs have a door opening approximately 15 inches taller, or even a little more than that.

While door upper extensions vary in height, some I've seen on Ford and Chevy vans were no more than 15 inches. Some were probably around 12 inches. I'm only guessing, but expect the Transit door at 63 inches should be enough for most wheelchair buyers.

 

P.S. -- Mentioned the above because step cut into floor is inside the door opening but does not appear included in door opening height. Otherwise the door opening on Econoline would be well over 50 inches.

 

Not sure if it's worth a new thread, but I have been waiting to see a Transit driving test on video. I did find one about 4 months ago, but it's in Russian though. A walk through and drive on a high roof extended length. Shows a good view of the drivers position. Can't wait for an English test though. Thought I'd share for those who may be interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuhEik6Xa00

 

Chance,

That's what I'm wondering too. Since the wheelchair lift will have to come up level above the actual floor area, not just the opening.

I know with the company that modifies the Chevy Express, they cut off the roof, add a 2 foot high contoured top, cut the door opening and extend the slider door top 14 -18 inches higher to match the roof extension. Roll bars installed to reinforce the opening integrity.

If someone has a chance to look at a medium or high roof, would appreciate the height of the door opening above the level floor area.

Semper Fi

 

Chance,

.....cut.....

If someone has a chance to look at a medium or high roof, would appreciate the height of the door opening above the level floor area.

Semper Fi

Definitely worth checking but I think you'll find that to be the 63 inch dimension. Please let us know what you confirm.

 

Chance,

Hope it is. That would give me just under an inch of clearance. Wouldn't have to take off my cover. :laugh:

Semper Fi

 

USMC Vet, I wish you luck in your search. Can't believe there is still so little information on this van. My g.oogle searches yields me nothing as far as dimensions for the current U.S. model. Wish I could help more but I won't be able to even see one till I get back to the states early next year.

 

USMC, if 63 inches turns out to be inadequate, you may want to check out the ProMaster (listed 70 inches) or the Sprinter (listed just under 72 inches).

This dimension is important to me also but for a very different reason. If the top of side door opening is only 63 inches, then it follows that any windows on side of van can't be much over 60 inches high; whether factory or after market. I think this would apply to high roof van also since structure is similar to same elevation.

I'm interested in camper conversion, and would like windows I can see the horizon while standing inside the van. With Transit I fear I'd be looking at ground because my line of sight is well above 60 inches or so.

It's a minor detail but one that can either make a small camper feel open and spacious or cramped by comparison. I'll do more checking on this issue but my initial assessment is that the ProMaster meets this need much better than Transit, although I'm not entirely sure yet. I need to inspect both bare vans in person rather than rely on specs and pictures.

 

... would like windows I can see the horizon while standing inside the van. With Transit I fear I'd be looking at ground because my line of sight is well above 60 inches or so...

I measured but didn't write it down. My recollection is the top of the windows are around 56" - about an inch higher than Promaster. That's tall enough for someone seated in a powerchair but definitely not a standing person.

 

With high roof Transit a small upper window may also be possible, although I expect it would have to be smaller and higher than with ProMaster.