[OutsideJack]

I’m driving around in what for all intents and purposes is a delivery van. It’s killing my very fragile ego.

Sure... we do things here and there to change the look, choose other colors than white, but the bottom line (for me) is that the Transit is a low ground clearance delivery van.

From the day I got my license I’ve always had at least one 4WD, if not more. I got rid of my TRD Offroad when I picked up the van but thankfully kept my XJ.

I love the way off road vehicles look and the way they drive. They soothe my very fragile ego. I was an R** away from buying a Sprinter AWD because of the ground clearance (and looks) but didn’t for the obvious.

In always having a high ground clearance 4WD in the garage, I think I’ve taken for granted the ability to go just about anywhere I want and find that perfect, secluded and isolated spot to hang out / camp.

I want to keep doing that, in the Transit though, and I’m losing faith fast that I’ll be able to with this van.

I was **** bent for leather on the Van Compass lift until I read that it was a body lift only and the only way you get any additional clearance with this “lift” is to add larger tires, “It is true that the only way to gain ground clearance with our kit is with larger tires...”

It’s my understanding that the Foes Racing Transit lift is a true suspension lift.

What’s the best way to get ground clearance with the Transit? I wasn’t planning on going larger than the 245/75/16 KO2’s. Is it time to switch to the Sprinter?

Any and all help greatly appreciated -

Thanks in advance -

 

[surly Bill]

I'm just repeating what you already know:

The only thing that increases ground clearance is tire height. A lift just allows you to fit marginally larger tires. The Transit wheel wells are small in diameter, so without cutting away crucial parts of the unibody, you cannot fit very large tires and have them still function without rubbing, bottoming out, or otherwise impeding themselves at some point in suspension compression or turning the front wheels. And even if they "just fit", gaps smaller than 1" allow mud or ice buildup to impede the function of the tires/van. A unibody vehicle doesn't have a chassis per se, so all lifts are just body lifts.

You can functionally increase ground clearance by up to an maybe an additional 1.5" with 3" taller tires that barely fit, with a lift to allow them to fit, and help matters by getting the rear shock mount shortening kit to move those up another 2".

If ground clearance is essential for your driving situation, AND you must have a full size van, then forget about the Transit and Promaster and get a Sprinter for the extra 2-3". Or man-up and get a Tiger Provan.

 

[richards]

i took my 2016 to QuadVan. Rear shock mounts were changed ( lowest points) in addition to the 2” lift for the true 4wd And the eaton truetrack. The cheapness in me stopped me from having the intercooler, transfer case and differential skid plates installed at the same time. Fortunately i have a friend i will visit in Eugene and try to get them to install in one day As they do not ship.
i love my cross climates 2c stock size and look at the overall performance and cost for a bigger tire more often. The skid plates seem more logical.
i think van compass ships the similar shock, skid plates and others. It just takes them awhile and more $$$$$.
With the skids, shock and observant driving you may be able to reach at least part of your goal.

 

[Janus9]

The latest van compass 2” lift works on both awd and rwd and it will add 1” of clearance. They use a strut spacer for half the lift, spring for the other half, you gain about an inch under the k frame.

TOPO 2.0 FRONT AND REAR LIFT KIT - TRANSIT (2013-PRESENT, SINGLE OR DU

Improve the ride quality and stance of your 2013-Present Ford Transit with the Van Compass Ford Transit Topo 2.0 Front Suspension Package. Developed specifically to work around the packaging and front CV shaft constraints presented with the 2020 AWD Transit platform, this kit is compatible with...

vancompass.com

You can then put on a 265/75/16 tire, with some minor trimming, which will get you an additional 1.75” of clearance.

I would also use their shock mounts which raises the rear bottom shock mount 2”.

 

[OutsideJack]

Or man-up and get a Tiger Provan

Had no idea... those are friggin awesome!

Thanks for your input. I prob should’ve researched a bit more before making my purchase instead of just assuming Id be able to do something to accommodate my needs. I was OK with AWD comparison / differences between the two (Transit / Sprinter) but I didn’t even think of / notice the limitations in the size of the Transit wheel wells.

I’ve picked up the rear shock mount kit, either combining that with some type of “lift” or selling the van and switching build platforms...

 

[OutsideJack]

i love my cross climates 2c stock size and look at the overall performance and cost for a bigger tire more often. The skid plates seem more logical.
i think van compass ships the similar shock, skid plates and others. It just takes them awhile and more $$$$$.
With the skids, shock and observant driving you may be able to reach at least part of your goal.

Interesting... you’ve converted with the added bonus of the lift but kept stock tire size. I think this is the first time I’ve read of someone doing that on this forum, but for a variety of reasons it makes sense.

Hoping you’re right that with the skids, shock and observant driving, that I might be able to reach part of my goal.

I’d love to get rid of that nagging thought telling me that I should‘ve gotten the Sprinter...

Cheers!

 

[OutsideJack]

The latest van compass 2” lift works on both awd and rwd and it will add 1” of clearance.

I believe the quote in my original post was a post from Van Compass. Maybe they’ve redesigned some and figured out how to add an inch of clearance in the front, which would be awesome...

Thanks for your input and feedback, appreciated.

 

[surly Bill]

You can add six feet of lift but if you still use stock tire size your ground clearance is still exactly the same. The rear axle and front suspension bits are still going to be the same clearance.

(disclaimer: adding six feet of lift to a unibody is not impossible, but is improbable)


If I were to purchase a vehicle solely for backcountry exploration and camping, at this point I would opt for a shorter wheelbase 4x4 pickup and a good pop-top camper, like Off Road brand. A standard cab pickup with an 8' bed for a larger camper. I'm not sure you can even buy a regular cab pickup anymore, they all seem to be "extra" or "crew" or 4-door with a tiny little token "bed" to qualify as pickups and not SUVs.
Or maybe a cab/chassis with a camper box attached, like this:

But, my Transit is my only vehicle; daily driver, work truck, vacation-mobile. It does all that adequately.

 

[richards]

Interesting... you’ve converted with the added bonus of the lift but kept stock tire size. I think this is the first time I’ve read of someone doing that on this forum, but for a variety of reasons it makes sense.

Hoping you’re right that with the skids, shock and observant driving, that I might be able to reach part of my goal.

I’d love to get rid of that nagging thought telling me that I should‘ve gotten the Sprinter...

Cheers!

I at a later date have the option to install larger tires. The agillis cross climates fit my driving profile area. Snow of Flagstaff, heat of Phoenix, forest service roads great handling with longevity.
At 68 i was stuck in a ravine in a jeep wrangler outside of Sedona. Now at 70 my vision of reality for what i want is different. Careful driving on forest service and some other light 4wd roads around flagstaff and the west are fine. it is the camping spots and nature that i can see that counts. Thus the 4wd conversion.
if you think about it, will that extra 1.5” of clearance from tires make that much of a difference. When you go over a rock and your shocks bottom out that clearance is nothing. Thus the skid plates for protection and slow movement. After all it is a lot easier to drive out 20 miles than get a tow cause you cracked your rear differential.

As to the mercedes. I looked at buying one and am so glad i did not. There are lots of threads on them here and elsewhere.

It is the pleasure of the experience not the method of arrival.

 

[OldMadBrit]

@surly Bill is only partially correct about needing bigger tires to add ground clearance under the axles. Clearance under the axle's lowest point is by no means the full story. Lift kits provide important and useful increases in approach, center-over and departure angles. In addition to which, the rear axle moves up with the wheel as you roll over objects - which obviously increases the clearance. We regularly take our lifted 4x4 Transit up trails and sometimes where there are no trails and I would happily put our Transit up against the vast majority of 4x4 Sprinters.

In today's age of 44" shod rock-crawlers everybody forgets that Series 1 LWB Land Rovers pretty much conquered the world with smaller wheels and less ground clearance that a QuadVan or Quigley Transit on 245 or 265/75/16s. 245/75/16 were the be all and end all of off-road tires not that long ago.

 

[square1]

You can add six feet of lift

Might be an issue with the new for 2021 Land Departure Warning system

 

[OutsideJack]

I should probably add for context that it’s the trails in and around Tahoe, above Fallen Leaf Lake, and all of the trails / hang out spots off of Ice House that I still want to be able to access, along with some in Nevada.

You can hit the Rubicon off of / near Ice House Road, which I’ve done before, but I’m pretty sure those days are behind me... I think!

It’s also the areas as I’ve quoted you below, that I’m really looking forward to exploring, that you and other forum folks like @Van Gogh are familiar with in AZ.

I frequently travel to and from the Bay Area, CA and AZ but haven’t yet explored any of the trails / remote camp spots in AZ, but very much looking forward to it

The agillis cross climates fit my driving profile area. Snow of Flagstaff, heat of Phoenix, forest service roads great handling with longevity.

 

[Scotty49]

Our van is a 2019 350 HR 148 WB with a Quigley 4X4 (2”added lift). We added 245/70R17 tires and 17” wheels (1.5” added clearance). The rear differential height is at 9” and the rear shock mounts are at 8”. In addition to improving my off road driving skills (as @OldMadBrit suggests), my next plan is to add intercooler / differential skid plates, Bilsten 6 front struts and Fox 2.0 rear shocks. Unfortunately, the first opening for an install at Agile Off Road in CA is not until May
These vans aren’t rock crawlers, but I do want the rig to be capable of getting to those places where ”fools fear to tread.”

 

[OutsideJack]

If I were to purchase a vehicle solely for backcountry exploration and camping, at this point I would opt for a shorter wheelbase 4x4 pickup and a good pop-top camper, like Off Road brand

That was option one with my TRD Offroad, but the lack of room inside a pop top and lo and behold... I’m finding myself chatting with you lot in a Transit forum...

I did however choose the 130” MR (similar overall length of the TRD) for the approach / departure angles that @OldMadBrit mentioned.

 

[Janus9]

I believe the quote in my original post was a post from Van Compass. Maybe they’ve redesigned some and figured out how to add an inch of clearance in the front, which would be awesome...

Thanks for your input and feedback, appreciated.

The had an only rwd lift that was like most independent suspension lifts. Lift than lower the front sub/k frame to bring everything back into alignment. That lift does not give you any extra clearance under the k frame. The latest lift they designed for the awd model, and it also works on rwd. It looks like van compass is pushing the new lift more. Probably since it costs less money, and is easier to install, so it is more popular.

 

[njvagabond]

Might be an issue with the new for 2021 Land Departure Warning system

View attachment 147368

 

[sportcoupe]

There's more to ground clearance then inches under your axles. A lift kit raises the unibody frame which increases breakover, approach and departure angles. All good things.

 

[Bargeman]

If I were to purchase a vehicle solely for backcountry exploration and camping, at this point I would opt for a shorter wheelbase 4x4 pickup and a good pop-top camper, like Off Road brand.

But, my Transit is my only vehicle; daily driver, work truck, vacation-mobile. It does all that adequately.

Which is exactly what we got rid of to get our Transit; '98 Ranger with a 4 Wheel popup. We loved it and used the sh*t out of it. Never let us down.

Before that was a Bronco and a tent. The Ranger has over 200,000 and it was time for something a little shorter in the tooth. We liked the idea of being able to "camp" anywhere without the obvious popup. We've fitted the Trutrac and the 245 Geolanders. We just got back from the Swansea ghost town near Parker, Az. and the Transit handled that 17 miles of steep rocky road without a problem. (That Ranger pic was taken at Swansea in 2012) We stopped in the Mecca Hills on the way over and realized, once again, that the Transit will never be comfortable in the sand. Thank goodness for the recovery boards. We just have to manage our expectations.
The Transit is also our only vehicle (other than bicyles!).

 

[richards]

I should probably add for context that it’s the trails in and around Tahoe, above Fallen Leaf Lake, and all of the trails / hang out spots off of Ice House that I still want to be able to access, along with some in Nevada.

You can hit the Rubicon off of / near Ice House Road, which I’ve done before, but I’m pretty sure those days are behind me... I think!

It’s also the areas as I’ve quoted you below, that I’m really looking forward to exploring, that you and other forum folks like @Van Gogh are familiar with in AZ.

I frequently travel to and from the Bay Area, CA and AZ but haven’t yet explored any of the trails / remote camp spots in AZ, but very much looking forward to it

Take a look at Arizona Highways Magazine web page. They have lots of good write ups, pictures and places to go. When i lived in Tahoma, it was old beat up wagoneers that i could afford and lots of time working to fulfill the bank account for the family. Did try the bginning of the Rubicon on the west shore access (old age and 40 years ago i can’t remember where) but it was so rough i gave up.
the boss is not as adventurous as i am. She likes the hiking so we camp at Sugarpine and Fallen Leaf. Some women like to wash their long hair every two days. Me i don’t care.
in my opinion whatever rough edges you can add to your core (pushing the limit) are more exciting life experiences.
Enjoy what you can while you can for as the song goes “all we are is dust in the wind”

 

[Van Gogh]

Fwiw, I just got back from death valley, and I'm pleased to report that the van made it downhill, and more importantly -- back up -- a ridiculously deep sandy section on a long jeep trail with signs warning driver's that 4x4 is needed. And no rocks hit the bottom at all, which is a new experience for me given the mere 7" of clearance my old fwd suv has. I've only been stuck once in my life, and it was just this past Christmas in the old suv in that exact same sandy spot (going up). I had forgotten to turn tcs off and it braked me to a stop. Granted I was also being lazy and hadn't aired down, but I'd hit that spot many times before and made it through by hauling @ss, albeit with rocks regularly crashing into the undercarriage. I think it's gotten worse there too, deeper, more rutted, easier to high center. Had to dig out both wheels, under the front axle and engine compartment, air down, and reverse out, but then I was fine hitting it fast after that with tcs off.

No such issues with the Transit AWD. Sailed right through in mud/rut manual 2nd, moderate to hard pressure on the accel (2.5-3k rpm), gentle boat-like steering to drift back to center when it starts heading for the edges. And best of all, mud/rut mode automatically turns tcs off, so it's easier to remember since toggling the awd button is a natural thing to do in a vehicle that has that ability.

Zero rocks hit the underside (VC lift, red springs, no front bilsteins, rear fox pro resis, 32" 265/75/16's), but some psi tests I did found that dropping just 6 psi front and back (on a 45 degree morning, might need more if hotter) makes a huge difference in ride comfort and the amount of vehicle rattling (not build rattle, vehicle itself), especially the headliner, which rattles and shakes like crazy on rocky rutted washboards at even just 10+ mph. I have my fox pros resis the way VC shipped (for an empty van), and haven't had time to experiment with different settings on them, but that'll be fun too.

Next set of tires I do will likely be 255 to let me remove the VC front spacers, but ideally at the same ~32" diameter if I can find something like that. The terrain contact 265/75/16's AT's are almost perfect (quiet onroad and tread designed to minimize impact on fuel economy, solid off-road performance), but I'd rather not run spacers, and while the slight rubbing with a locked wheel isn't a big deal (not pinch seem, fixed that, but inside edge where I don't want to grind), if I can both retain the 8.25" rear diff skid plate clearance (would be more without, but skid plate gets me over 12" obstacles), and also avoid rubbing the next set while ditching the spacers, I probably will. Not sure if I can find a tire to cover all of that, but we'll see. I'd rather stay 265 but I don't like even small spacers. Too much risk of stressing the steering components, which I've already had one warranty issue with. That could have just been due to a faulty oem steering gear and the wheel shake issue many stock awd users are also experiencing, and which mine had bad before the rack and pinion replacement (totally gone now), but I can't be certain, so ditching spacers seems worth exploring.

In any event, the van is one big toy for me, I enjoy tweaking it, pushing limits, making changes, debating upgrades. I hope you all feel the same. People can get downright religious over vehicle upgrades, which I've never understood. Live and let live! None of this will matter a lick when you're six feet under. Carpe diem!

Cheers.