[danketchpel]

I was stoked to find out our custom ordered van came in early. I wasn't expecting it for another month, what a nice surprise.

The commercial acct guy I worked with liked the green color so much he's ordering another to have on the lot to show off. We're really happy with the Gem Green color, it's unique and changes quite a bit depending on how the light hits it.

Here's some pix of it.

 

[ford99]

Congrats, green looks really good!

 

[EddieZ]

I was stoked to find out our custom ordered van came in early. I wasn't expecting it for another month, what a nice surprise.

The commercial acct guy I worked with liked the green color so much he's ordering another to have on the lot to show off. We're really happy with the Gem Green color, it's unique and changes quite a bit depending on how the light hits it.

Yes, that's a nice look. Congrats.
That's the most barren dash-radio(?) I've seen. What spec is that?

 

[danketchpel]

The basic audio setup I think. All I want to do is plug my iPod into it and play tunes. I might upgrade the speakers. It has an audio input jack.

 

[CrewVanMan]

A local dealer here in the DFW area has a Green Gem T-350 MR 148" WB XL Wagon on their lot similar looking to yours. I see it every time I pass the dealership as they have placed it near the front of the lot. Its a 15 passenger wagon with 10 way power charcoal cloth interior, Trailer Tow package, Cruise Control, and Privacy Glass.

When the sunshine is bright, the Green really shows up on it. On a cloudy day, it has a darker look nearly Black.

 

[Clam]

The basic audio setup I think. All I want to do is plug my iPod into it and play tunes. I might upgrade the speakers. It has an audio input jack.

The backup camera works with that little screen?

 

[airmengarrettm]

Haha, Clam in vans with the base radio which has no screen, the reverse camera is displayed on the rear view mirror instead. That's where they should be on any radio in my opinion unless you have the Sync 3 screen which is good and large. I just think that viewing your rear view mirror whole reversing would put the picture closer to your eyes and allow you to look out the rear of your vehicle simultaneously.

 

[hammerdown]

Like the Diesel badging on the 2016's much better than the giant ones on my 2015.

 

[danketchpel]

Haha, Clam in vans with the base radio which has no screen, the reverse camera is displayed on the rear view mirror instead. That's where they should be on any radio in my opinion unless you have the Sync 3 screen which is good and large. I just think that viewing your rear view mirror whole reversing would put the picture closer to your eyes and allow you to look out the rear of your vehicle simultaneously.

Yes, IMO having it in the rear view mirror works quite well. Now I just need to calibrate myself with the image so I have a good feel for true distances etc.

I'll shoot a photo of it in action and post up the next time I drive it.

I really wanted Bluetooth for my phone but was in NO way going to ante up the more than $2k in extra electro bling to get it. I'll do an aftermarket solution instead. I don't know why Ford doesn't offer a cheaper BT option as I'm SURE lots of contractor type buyers would like to have it.

 

[asdrew]

I really wanted Bluetooth for my phone but was in NO way going to ante up the more than $2k in extra electro bling to get it. I'll do an aftermarket solution instead. I don't know why Ford doesn't offer a cheaper BT option as I'm SURE lots of contractor type buyers would like to have it.

For ours, I added a Garmin 2689LMT GPS unit with Bluetooth, Voice commands, and lifetime map updates.

Will be hard wiring it to 5vdc, mounted above mirror using this inexpensive mount from ebay

 

[danketchpel]

For ours, I added a Garmin 2689LMT GPS unit with Bluetooth, Voice commands, and lifetime map updates.

Will be hard wiring it to 5vdc, mounted above mirror using http://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e1140...1&exe=13342&ext=33945&sojTags=exe=exe,ext=ext

Hmmm, that does look like an excellent option. I see that Nuvi on Amazon for $142 refurb.

How is the microphone and speaker for making calls?

I've been considering a newer Nuvi for the Van. I have an older 260 in the car at the moment which needs a map update.

 

[asdrew]

It's been fine so far, I got a refurb one for only $139 with lifetime updates, less than they wanted just to update the Maps in our old Town & Country.

 

[danketchpel]

I ordered the 2689 LMT 6" refurb unit with the lifetime map updates (won't go any other way from now on) from Amazon for $142. I dug around and it had great reviews and seemed hard to beat the deal. It still has a 1 yrs warranty.

The link you posted for the mount required a eBay log-in, probably because it was from your order history or ???, maybe you can post a different link to it. I'd like to take a look at that option.

 

[asdrew]

The link you posted for the mount required a eBay log-in, probably because it was from your order history or ???, maybe you can post a different link to it. I'd like to take a look at that option.

Sorry about that, I copied and pasted it from an ebay email :| I fixed the link in the previous post.

Here is the proper link for the mount, I drilled 2 holes in it for screws to augment the adhesive: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IG-PSTARA-M...717316?hash=item4cfcbc5c44:g:coQAAMXQTZhR1HA7

 

[Deadwood]

I love having a cargo van with full windows all around. Looks like a passenger van on the outside but all cargo inside. I was getting gas recently and someone next to me commented on how big the van is and asked how many people it could hold. I kinda smiled and said it only holds two.. As for the back up camera I opted for the Navigation upgrade which was $1,200. To me it was worth it to get the bigger screen to use as a back up camera as well as getting the navigation built in. Not to mention the blue tooth works great in this thing.

 

[nc rick]

Very nice van! I have been thrilled with the reduced stress of hauling bikes in the van vs our old 14x7.5 enclosed trailer. You will enjoy that beauty!

 

[danketchpel]

Very nice van! I have been thrilled with the reduced stress of hauling bikes in the van vs our old 14x7.5 enclosed trailer. You will enjoy that beauty!

I'm thinking we need a dedicated subforum under Camper Vans and Conversions for Moto Haulers as there are a lot of "us".

I'm just starting to search out front wheel chocks, ramps, tie down solutions, etc. and it would sure be nice to have all that info in one place.

 

[nc rick]

I just got my Pit-Bull restraints and am working out the mounting. I have been using baxley chocks but I know the rear axle restraint system will be conservative of time and space while providing a bit more safety in the event of some unfortunate driving event. A problem for me is that I haul all different types and brands of bikes. I learned a lesson; the same tie-down system I used very successfully for my track bikes caused an issue with dirt bikes bars shifting ( due to the height of the bikes and the long travel suspensions effect on the tie-down system ) I can see evidence of my miscalculation from the outside of the van. I need to get some walls up. I suspect your glass will be more forgiving of such little bar bumps.

Regarding pit bull mounting, I am getting a quote on a rear mounting plate interface from a laser/ water jet company.

I agree, us motovan folks need to stick together, we are still a minority class

 

[danketchpel]

Rick,

How do you like the Baxley stands? I have seen the Sport stand at a local shop but am considering the larger "LA stand" as I need to go from 17 - 21 front wheel sizes to cover my bikes, plus "possible others".

I don't think the rear stands will work with two of my bikes that have single sided swingarms. I'm thinking I might go with mounting the stands to a sub board that locks into place using the body ribs the way Smitty did his. The other option will be locking them down to the L rail I plan to run on the floor. The L rail approach is probably the most secure.

The other stand I saw that I liked a lot was the

I'd also like to make use of them in the garage when necessary.

 

[nc rick]

I can't say I have seen every stand there is but I do own 3 different brands. I think Baxley is the best, I use our sport chock on all kinds of bikes and haven't adjusted it. We haul some customer bikes but I regularly go between sport bikes and 21" wheel dual sport bikes with out issue. I have not tried it with a 600 lb dual sport like a GS or something but I guess it is fine. My DR650 is in it a lot.

My first pit bull is for my single sided swing arm Ducati. That restraint still picks up on both sides of the wheel. Is good. ;-)

I have had good luck with k&l shop equipment. I have not used their wheel chocks.