[ksvan]

Hey all,

I figured I'd introduce myself here since I will probably be using these forums a lot in the future. I'm planning to build out to an RV (obviously!) with a new transit I am custom ordering. Dealer said 6-9 months but who the **** knows how long it will take.

Have some wrenching experience with a 2016 Transit 350 HD EL that I helped my father build out. Basically fell in love with it and have decided to pull the trigger since my parents are now officially retired and use it constantly. I'll have to get some pictures up of that rig for everyone, it's pretty nice!

Anyways, I put in the order yesterday with Freeway Ford and got the order confirmation email from Ford. Check out my build sheet and let me know what you think -

Cheers,
Ryan

 

[CrewVanManInfo]

Questioning getting Agate Black for a exterior color. It will take a lot of insulation to keep out some of the heat in the summer months.

 

[Bill Guiffre]

I agree with Ed. I love the Black on the Transit. But ordered the Avalanche Grey after doing some research on the temperature differentials. Some posts with information in this forum as well.

 

[Vanaroo]

Well if you are going to get Agate Black, Minnesota is the place to do it. Congrats on your order!

One thing that caught my eye is that you have the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package (53B), but as far as I can see, you don't have the Trailer Brake Controller (67D). Maybe that's on purpose; but since it's kind of odd (IMO) that it's not included in the HD tow package I thought I'd mention it. The other things is that it's not easy to add after the fact.

 

[CrewVanManInfo]

If you are going to build it out as a RV type vehicle, I am sure it won't be staying on the road close to MN.

 

[LittleHippo]

Lol, maybe he wanted a black van so that's what he ordered?

Congratulations and welcome!

 

[ksvan]

If you are going to build it out as a RV type vehicle, I am sure it won't be staying on the road close to MN.

Yeah I have been considering the color. Definitely not my favorite line up of colors. Just not crazy about any of them and I thought the black looked really nice. I will be doing a lot of ski trips with this van, but yeah of course I will be doing summer camping across the country as well. I want to add AC and shore power, plus venting windows and fans. Hoping that and good insulation are enough to make up for it. The 2016 transit is a darker brown and we've survived with that just fine for the past few years.

 

[ksvan]

Well if you are going to get Agate Black, Minnesota is the place to do it. Congrats on your order!

One thing that caught my eye is that you have the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package (53B), but as far as I can see, you don't have the Trailer Brake Controller (67D). Maybe that's on purpose; but since it's kind of odd (IMO) that it's not included in the HD tow package I thought I'd mention it. The other things is that it's not easy to add after the fact.

Thank you! Yeah I didn't know that I will have to look into adding that, thanks for mentioning it!

 

[ksvan]

Lol, maybe he wanted a black van so that's what he ordered?

Congratulations and welcome!

Yeah I will be the idiot at the campground with a black van, but a happy idiot nonetheless!

 

[MrCash]

One thing that caught my eye is that you have the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package (53B), but as far as I can see, you don't have the Trailer Brake Controller (67D). Maybe that's on purpose; but since it's kind of odd (IMO) that it's not included in the HD tow package I thought I'd mention it. The other things is that it's not easy to add after the fact.

He could be like me. I got the tow package but not the TBC. I'll probably seldom use the hitch but I figured it would be nice to have the option and would cost more to add it later. I don't see myself using it for much more than attaching a bike rack or towing a small trailer. My understanding is you only need the TBC if you were towing something bigger.

 

[ratherberiding]

Yeah I will be the idiot at the campground with a black van, but a happy idiot nonetheless!

Better a happy idiot than smart and sad. From another black van owner. I will add that if you get the fancier max fan (assuming you put one in) the auto setting with front windows cracked is very much your friend. AVS window deflectors for keeping out any surprise rain. Works in Mississippi so should most places.

 

[Janus9]

Well if you are going to get Agate Black, Minnesota is the place to do it. Congrats on your order!

One thing that caught my eye is that you have the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package (53B), but as far as I can see, you don't have the Trailer Brake Controller (67D). Maybe that's on purpose; but since it's kind of odd (IMO) that it's not included in the HD tow package I thought I'd mention it. The other things is that it's not easy to add after the fact.

I didn’t order the tbc, but did get the trailer tow package, so I would get the medium size console, instead of the large console that comes with the tbc. The medium console gives you more room for your feet when going from the driver seat to the back in-between the seats.

I will add an aftermarket controller if I ever need one.

 

[ksvan]

He could be like me. I got the tow package but not the TBC. I'll probably seldom use the hitch but I figured it would be nice to have the option and would cost more to add it later. I don't see myself using it for much more than attaching a bike rack or towing a small trailer. My understanding is you only need the TBC if you were towing something bigger.

Yeah most of the time I will be using the hitch for racks or a small trailer. But it would be nice to have the brake controller for some larger toys like a boat!

 

[Vanaroo]

I didn’t order the tbc, but did get the trailer tow package, so I would get the medium size console, instead of the large console that comes with the tbc.

He's already getting the large console though, so that's not a decision for his order vis-a-vis the TBC. I just wanted to make him aware of it because (to my mind) if you order the "Heavy Duty Towing Package" you would kind of expect the TBC to be included in that. Just didn't want him to have any unexpected surprises since it's one of those things that's hard to add later.

Actually now that I'm back I'll mention a couple of other things I have on my "order list" that I noticed you don't have (unless I missed them). Not to say that means you would want them. But just if you wanted feedback. I know it's the kind of thing I was very interested in when coming up with my ideal future order.

1) Front wheel well liners. They keep a lot of crud out of the engine compartment (hello Minnesota). These you can add after the fact by buying the part from Ford and you save a little money. But not a ton if you just want them to come on the van. These are order code 15C. I want to say they are around $250-ish to order.

2) Dual note horn (very inexpensive - $20 or so?) Order code 85D

3) Two extra keys (cheap now; expensive later) Order code 86F (Unless you don't have keys, but I couldn't tell for sure.)

 

[Janus9]

He's already getting the large console though, so that's not a decision for his order vis-a-vis the TBC. I just wanted to make him aware of it because (to my mind) if you order the "Heavy Duty Towing Package" you would kind of expect the TBC to be included in that. Just didn't want him to have any unexpected surprises since it's one of those things that's hard to add later.

Actually now that I'm back I'll mention a couple of other things I have on my "order list" that I noticed you don't have (unless I missed them). Not to say that means you would want them. But just if you wanted feedback. I know it's the kind of thing I was very interested in when coming up with my ideal future order.

1) Front wheel well liners. They keep a lot of crud out of the engine compartment (hello Minnesota). These you can add after the fact by buying the part from Ford and you save a little money. But not a ton if you just want them to come on the van. These are order code 15C. I want to say they are around $250-ish to order.

2) Dual note horn (very inexpensive - $20 or so?) Order code 85D

3) Two extra keys (cheap now; expensive later) Order code 86F (Unless you don't have keys, but I couldn't tell for sure.)

Definitely get the extra keys now. Much cheaper to order the option. If you lose one key and have to buy a spare, it is going to be super expensive to buy the key and have it programed.

I didn't notice the large console already. If I got the large console, I would definitely get the TBC. For me, that smaller console was critical. It makes a huge difference IMO, so it was more priority.

 

[Covid van de Mic]

Wowzers. W2X0 is $6030 higher than at the start of 2022!

 

[ksvan]

He's already getting the large console though, so that's not a decision for his order vis-a-vis the TBC. I just wanted to make him aware of it because (to my mind) if you order the "Heavy Duty Towing Package" you would kind of expect the TBC to be included in that. Just didn't want him to have any unexpected surprises since it's one of those things that's hard to add later.

Actually now that I'm back I'll mention a couple of other things I have on my "order list" that I noticed you don't have (unless I missed them). Not to say that means you would want them. But just if you wanted feedback. I know it's the kind of thing I was very interested in when coming up with my ideal future order.

1) Front wheel well liners. They keep a lot of crud out of the engine compartment (hello Minnesota). These you can add after the fact by buying the part from Ford and you save a little money. But not a ton if you just want them to come on the van. These are order code 15C. I want to say they are around $250-ish to order.

2) Dual note horn (very inexpensive - $20 or so?) Order code 85D

3) Two extra keys (cheap now; expensive later) Order code 86F (Unless you don't have keys, but I couldn't tell for sure.)

Hey thanks for the reply, I didn't realize it didn't come with wheel well liners (part of a car IMO), so I will definitely want that. And more than one key. They really cheap out on us these days huh? Hope it has some gas in the tank when I pick it up😅

As for the dual note horn, is that needed? I guess I don't know how shitty the normal horn is.

Will get this stuff added to my build on Monday. Thanks again

 

[ksvan]

Wowzers. W2X0 is $6030 higher than at the start of 2022!

Yes the price jump hurts, but considering I was planning on buying a sprinter (with diesel!) before this, it doesn't bother me too much 😅

 

[njvagabond]

Yeah most of the time I will be using the hitch for racks or a small trailer. But it would be nice to have the brake controller for some larger toys like a boat!

You might want to search around and read up on peoples views about the long mirrors vs the regular ones. The long arm mirrors don't telescope like some other vehicles. Other than folks that tow a lot or big trailers there is a strong preference for the short ones. Seems like extra width all the time is not worth the convenience for the infrequent benefit when towing. Some people also go with some type of clip on mirrors for towing.

I see the aux fuse panel but did not notice upfitter switches (maybe I missed it though or they are part of a package and not called out). If plan on using that fuse panel to get power for add on stuff and you don't have the switches, get the switches, especially since you already have the large console that is required for them.

Good choice on the cloth seats. Don't get me started about leather interiors. Come to think of it I don't see the 10 way seats (unless that's also an included with package thing). At least in 2020 that got you heated seats and is the main reason I got them. Factory heated cloth seats ... not going to find that in many US vehicles. I'd think that would be really nice in MN winters.

Now, about that choice of color. FWIW - I have a small black sedan (TSX). Got it cuz I knew the owner/history and the price was right. Looks great when freshly detailed (especially the subtle blue metal flake) . Other than that I hate everything about black paint and would never choose that color. I could not imagine taking care of black paint on a HR Transit, that's a lot of scratches/swirls to avoid/fix. Did anyone mention the heat issue?

 

[Vanaroo]

That's a good point on the long-arm mirrors. I would get them because I really like wide mirrors for towing, BUT they don't power fold, which the short arm ones do. Most people who are not going to be towing probably would prefer the power folding short arm mirrors, as you say @njvagabond .

I think a number of @ksvan 's choices are due to the RV Prep package. I pasted in the summary of the RV Prep package for 2023 below.

Speaking of which, @ksvan (and if you aren't looking for meddling input then nevermind!), if you ordered the RV prep package because you thought "well, I'm making an RV so obviously it's meant for that," just know that many people who are planning to make a camper van don't order the package. Not that it doesn't have good stuff, but it might have things you don't want -- or be missing things you do. My "ideal" order, for example, would have 10-way heated driver/passenger seats (I'd add my own swivels), so I wouldn't take the RV Prep package even thought I'd be making a campervan.

Basically all of the ingredients of the various packages can be ordered separately. Sometimes you are getting a price break by getting a package, but I'm not sure that's always true (and if you are missing things you want, or getting things you don't want, it may not even be such a deal).

If you really want to know all the ins and outs, I would suggest downloading the 2023 Order Guide, printing it out, and settling in with a highlighter and notepad for an exciting evening of old fashioned paper shuffling. Then you will know all the ins and outs. For prices, I look on the Ford website for "build your own." Those will be 2022 prices right now, but close enough relatively. I downloaded the Order Guide (free) from Blue Oval Forum, but I think it has been placed here as well. Once you read it, you know as much (or often more) than the dealer.

RV PREP PACKAGE (47D) Includes:
● Modified Vehicle Wiring System (53K)
● Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package (53B)
● Dark Palazzo Gray Cloth, 4-way manual swivel Driver and 4-way manual swivel Passenger (21
● SYNC 4 with SiriusXM® with 360L, HD RadioTM, Navigation, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (iACC) and 12” Display (58F)
● High Resolution Digital Camera (61E) when Reverse Brake Assist (43S) is not selected ● Front Fog Lamps (55D)
● Black HID Headlamps (91C) (Except when equipped w/ Exterior Upgrade Package – SRW (18D) or DRW (18L))
● Wiper Activated Headlamps (91B)
● Front Bumper, Body Colored (53G)
● Illuminated Sun Visors (85C)
● Carpet, Front only (16G)
● 8 speakers (4 front/4 rear)
● Side Sensing System (94A)
● Blind Spot Assist 1.0 (65A)
Upgradeable Features/Options (for additional charge):
● Dark Palazzo Gray Cloth, 4-way manual swivel Driver and 4-way manual swivel Passenger seats (218)
● 360-Degree Camera with Split View and Front Washer (61D) includes Honeycomb Mesh Grille with Chrome Surround