New Transit Owner in TX

8063 Views 23 Replies 9 Participants Last post by thegreatgumbino, Nov 8, 2016

thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · Oct 29, 2016

I've been on the forum for a couple months gleaning information and asking questions in preparation for our wagon order with Matt Ford, but haven't posted an introduction thread. Picked it up the van yesterday and brought it home to Houston. I'm very happy with it after ~800 miles. We are a family of 6 with two large labradors that travel with us. We see both sets of grandparents & cousins, etc. regularly in addition to having several friends with kids we spend time with, so we went with the 12 passenger for the seats and additional cargo space in the rear. I can fit the wagon and two seater stroller in the back with room to spare, or I can setup the dog's crate for travel.

Timeline:

Ordered 8/15/16
Received VIN 8/24/16
Projected Build 10/10/16
Window Sticker 10/16/16
Build Date 10/17/16
Delivered 10/24/16
Picked up 10/27/16

2017 T350 XLT 148WB MR Options:

X2C.....LWB 12 Passenger Wagon High Roof
302A....XLT Trim
UX....Ingot Silver
CB.....Charcoal Cloth
16E....Vinyl Floor Covering Front & Back
21R....Charcoal Cloth 10 Way Power Driver & Passenger Seat w/ heat
99G....3.5L EcoBoost X3L 3.31 LS Axle
446.....6 Spd Auto
92E....Privacy Glass
57N....Rear Window Defogger included with privacy
542.....Short Arm Power Heated Mirrors w/ Turn Signal
153.....Front License Plate Bracket
64S.....Easy Clean Aluminum Wheels
63C.....Heavy Duty Alternator
63E.....Dual Heavy Duty Batteries
67C.....Upfitter Switches
87E.....Auxillary Fuse Box included with upfitter switches
53K.....Modified Vehicle Wiring System Included with Upfitter switches
53B.....Heavy Duty Towing Package
59B.....Tow/Haul Mode included with Heavy duty tow package
67D.....Trailer Brake Controller
584......Sync 3 with Navigation
41C.....Lane Keeping Alert included in Navigation
43R.....Reverse Sensing System
90C.....Power Inverter
66P......SecuriLock PATS
86F......2 Additional Keys
62B.....MyKey

First Thoughts:

Ecoboost engine has lots of pickup. It did great for highway/city driving on the way home. Gas mileage suffers when driving over 70. I averaged 15 mpg over 12 hours. Vast majority of driving was highway with cruise control. Need to do some reading on the forum to see if there are any pointers for improvement. This was with rear AC off and front AC on 1 or 2.
The best add on purchase thus far is the Pikabu 180-Degree HD Clarity rear view mirror attachment. LOVE this thing. I can see all the kids in the back as well as it improving the view of the road behind me (with the headrests removed).
Ford still isn't installing the in cabin air filter (Baldwin PA30000). Fortunately, I bought one ahead of time and brought it with me.
It is amazing being able to almost stand up and walk through the vehicle. I'm 6'3" and with 4 kids in car seats, and this is a most welcome feature.
I really like the short arm power mirrors. The dual mirrors feature was needed when getting use to driving the big van.
Glad we went with the vinyl flooring due to kids/dogs, but being black it shows every spec of dirt or grass. It will motivate me to keep it clean. Might pick up a small handheld vac to keep in the van.
I often use my knee to steer if eating while driving. The cruise control lever is right where my left knee hits the wheel, so I kept turning the cruise control off.
I had the driver and passenger windows tinted and experienced the glare off the dash in the side mirror issue documented here. Need to find a dash protector to reduce glare.
Charcoal seats look great. I like them much more than the gray. They do show dirt/specs instantly.
Wish there were more than 3 car seat LATCH connections. This is kind of silly IMO.
The power seat is very comfortable for long drives. Very happy we went with dual power seats

Plan to add:

Ionic running boards on passenger & driver side
Might add the WeatherTech mud flaps. Still undecided on this
Dash cover of some sort to reduce the glare in the side mirrors
Aftermarket remote start & alarm system. I really wanted one key FOB instead of two with the Ford remote start. Need to research options here.
Need some seat organizers for the kid's stuff
Need some trash cans of some sort
Ford keyless entry keypad(s). I wanted to the option to place it where I wanted, so I didn't get one put on at the factory. I accidentally ordered two from Amazon, so I may put one on the driver's door and one at the back door. Trying to decide if I want to install it on the door or on the glass.

I look forward to spending more on the road and hope it brings many years of enjoyment and dependability. Thanks to the forum for all the insight.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 29, 2016

scase said:
Have not been able to find a dash cover. Please post Source if you do.

Also ,could you post how it goes on the install if you put WeatherTech mud flaps on the front?

Suitcase

I was looking at these dash covers from CARiD. Haven't read about anyone trying them out, yet. Their site says you can return them as long as they aren't embroidered.

https://www.carid.com/2016-ford-transit-dash-covers/

I will post about the WeatherTech if I get them.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 31, 2016

Armenian said:
Awesome Rig,,,How do you like the Rear A/C in it? Does it blow real cold when you idle? Thanks!

So far, so good. My wife road in the back with the kids today and it cooled plenty well.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 31, 2016

asdrew said:
You will grow to love your wagon more and more if you are like most of us, congrats!

I like that Pikibu mirror and will get one, I initially looked to get something like that but only found poor quality ones.

Ours is a low roof and we get around in it okay, but we're short. We like fitting in parking garages.

Mine has the charcoal seats too, they look so much nicer than the pale grey ones. The deciding factor for us were all the stained pewter seats in the used rentals we looked at. With 4 kids in car seats, you'll be glad for that.

The limited LATCH points is annoying to me too, we put up to 3 seats in for the grandsons and I would appreciate more options.

I am so glad I replaced the factory step with the Ionic ones, you won't be disappointed.

Besides tinting the front windows, I added a tint strip across the windshield, it helps a bit.

I keep a medium size black wastebasket in the back, those kids can generate some trash! The key is finding one without a skinny base that won't tip easy.

I have 3 keypads on our wagon, SO convenient!

We usually have the right rear seat removed and the left rear in its place, which makes moving around from front to back for all the stuff convenient, plus a little extra floor space. When we need all 12 seats, I put it back in. We have 2 black storage bins back there for odds and ends.

I really love the Pikibu mirror. It's well worth the money. I'm thinking about adding the strip of tint on the windshield as well. That window is huge.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 2, 2016

Ordered the Ionic running boards today. Looking forward to receiving them Friday. The kids are having problems getting in the van with the big step.

I also ordered a CoverCraft Dash Mat. Hoping it solves my mirror dash glare problems.

Picked up a couple of these collapsible storage bins to keep in the cargo area for grocery bags & misc.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 6, 2016

I installed the Ionic running boards today and they look great. I also put the remote entry keypads on. Man, I wish I would have had one on my previous vehicles. I laughed when I finished programming two keypads and 4 key fobs and had then installed in about 5 minutes. Matt Ford wanted to charge me $95 and said it would take an hour.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #19 · Nov 7, 2016 (Edited)

ilovehotshot said:
thegreatgumbino, did you install the Ionic running boards yourself? How long did it take? Did you put the keypad on the door or glass? Pics of both would be appreciated.

I did install it myself. I'd say it too me a total of 3-4 hours. Would have been faster, but I did the majority of at night with a flashlight after the kids went to bed. It would have been a LOT faster if I had access to a lift and or a creeper seat. I crawled under for installation, which wasn't an issue until I needed to fully tighten everything up. Once the boards are in place there's not a lot of room to get under them, so I crawled in on the driver side and slid over to the passenger side to tighten. Pulling up one side on a big curb or using a jack would work as well. That would have added quite a bit of wiggle room, though there's a good bit of space underneath to begin with.

If you choose to DIY, I'd recommend the following:

1) Sort, check and label inventory against the packing list.
2) Make a sketch of the vehicle and the layout of the different parts so you can lay them out within reach of where they install.
2) Make sure you read all the instructions carefully. I jumped right in and had to start over.
3) Install the twisted hangers on the brackets before getting under the vehicle to save some time.
4) Make sure you have a Torx T30 or T30H bit if you have rear AC. I was unaware that I needed one until the package arrived and I read the instructions. Fortunately, I found one in my toolbox. The instructions actually call for a Torx T30H, but my 2017 only required the T30. This is to remove the rear AC line connection to attach the hangar.
5) Make sure you have a 1/2" deep well socket as a regular depth will not work.

I installed the keypads on the driver's door glass and on the rear door glass. I wanted the driver's door keypad that was as inconspicuous as possible when looking out the window. FWIW, I paid ~$70/keypad on Amazon.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #20 · Nov 7, 2016 (Edited)

CrewVanMan said:
You saved that $95 because of the forum and the DIY information that is found here. Can't blame the dealership for charging to deliver a service. Same with the running boards as my local upfitter charges $150 to install them and you did them yourself.

You're correct, Ed. The forum is an invaluable resource, and I'm grateful for all the information the members provide including yourself. Without your help, I wouldn't have a new 2017 custom order Transit sitting in my driveway for marginally more money than the 2015/2016 base models sitting on the lots in Houston. However, you're mischaracterizing my comments about the dealer programming the keypads & remotes for me:

thegreatgumbino said:
....I laughed when I finished programming two keypads and 4 key fobs and had then installed in about 5 minutes. Matt Ford wanted to charge me $95 and said it would take an hour.

Capitalism is a wonderful thing, as is the Law of Supply and Demand. I never blamed the dealer for anything. They provided a quote and timeline to provide a service. I didn't agree with their cost or timeline, so I installed it myelf. However, the cost wasn't the driving factor in my decision, it was the time frame as we needed to get on the road.

My intent in posting the aforementioned was twofold:

1) Inform forum members that the process is indeed very quick and simple.
2) Provide a price reference so fellow members can make an informed decision as to whether or not to pay someone to do the work for them.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #21 · Nov 7, 2016

thegreatgumbino said:
I really love the Pikibu mirror. It's well worth the money.

I want to reiterate how awesome this Pikibu mirror is. It snaps over the Transit mirror in seconds and expands the field of view immensely.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #22 · Nov 7, 2016 (Edited)

thegreatgumbino said:
Plan to add:

Aftermarket remote start & alarm system. I really wanted one key FOB instead of two with the Ford remote start. Need to research options here.

I spoke to the local Viper installer and he quoted me ~$499 installed for the Viper 5806V remote start/alarm system. For $599 I can get the Viper SmartStart remote start/alarm system with the phone app access (add'l yearly fee). Seems like a fair price in comparison to the Ford factory remote start ($495) & alarm option ($165) for a total of $660. The reason I was initially drawn to this route is the Viper gets you all functions on one key FOB instead of two from Ford. Additionally, I walked into ACE Hardware the other day and they had a sign that they do chip'd keys starting at $45.

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thegreatgumbino

Discussion Starter · #24 · Nov 8, 2016

ilovehotshot said:
thegreatgumbino, Thanks for the details of installing the running boards and pics. I am going to order a Pikibu mirror. Any plans on adding an AC to run when camping or a roof vent? I am in San Antonio and do lots of camping so I am trying to figure out what kind of AC to use. (2 hose portable or roof unit)

No problem. Sorry, no plans to do any serious mods. Only using it as a family van for the time being.

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