[V37]

Emend…to free from faults and errors. Zaar…an ecstatic rhythm.

My goal is to have a North America NomadExplorer,…a vehicle to support travel and camping with few limitations,..fromcruising the McKenzie Ice Road in winter, to Death Valley whenever, and everyecstatic dance in-between.

My wish was to begin with a well optioned 4x4van. And that did not happen. So I begin with makinglemonade out of lemons.

Because of Ford’s mid 20thCentury business practices and incompetence, and my own ineptness in theprocess, this is NOT the Ford Transit I ordered and waited 3 months for (1FTYR2CGXFKB21872)but a cheap, off-a-lot version, purchased out of frustration to get a vehicle(before the end of the year).

I began my pursuit to get a 4x4 in America in February,…and I’mscheduled for a 4x4 upfit in latter September.

Some of that narrative (how not to buy a Transit) was posted #38
http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/dealers-purchases-orders/2809-paying-full-msrp-4.html

 

[V37]

After sitting a month at Quigley, I got a tentative Upfit date, andretrieved the van to begin some conversion work while waiting for the 4x4.



Ordered:
swivelrus


Removed both seats to put ESP Low-e EZ-Cool in the cab floor area.

 

[V37]

Quitefrustrating converting a van that is not want you want. The off-the-lot van did not have heatedmirrors,…and thus do not have the wiring to install factory heatedmirrors. The off-the-lot van did nothave the towing package I wanted,…and thus does not have Tow/haul mode.

What Ididn’t get on my forced to buy off-the-lot Transit: "heated mirrors, trailer tow package,uplifter switch, rear and side windows with privacy glass, remote start, brakecontroller, map light, heavy duty alternator, running board."

Ohwell,..you get stuck with something you don’t like,…one recourse is to make itinto something you like.


Ordered:
20 CLD tiles,
75 sq ft Rattle Trap,
400 sq ft of ESP Low-e,
180 sq ft TC3303 Thinsulate

 

[V37]

I did notwant the “exterior package” with cheap plastic simulated chrome hub-caps,…buthad planned on the silver steel wheels with small black caps. I asked the dealer to switch out the “premiumwheels” with the one’s I wanted,…but no could do. $4200 under MSRP, and a $2700 tax saving foran out-of-state (Pa.) licensing was the best they could do. What they didn’t know, that this was the only3.5L, 3.73LS Ingot Silver Transit on a lot in the Delaware Valley.



So,…Ipulled off the cheap plastic simulated chrome hub-caps, and put a set of smallblack hubs on. Not exactly what Iwanted,…but to me, looks better than the shinny plastic.

 

[V37]

Glad I got ESP Low-e EZ Cool

Lays in very nice with double-sided tape,...or spray adhesive. In the side panels I fitted in 3 layers (before the 3M Thinsulate).

The 400 sq ft will provide a radiant barrier that covers my entire van.

 

[EddieZ]

What particular windshield blocker is that? At least you got the lumbar seat upgrade. And, silver... the only other color I'd want, other than white. Can't be too many silver cargo vans in dealer stock... as you noted, for Delaware area.

 

[V37]

In hindsight,...I should have gotten a "white van" with heated mirrors and factory tow package,...and had it painted. At least I could have had it painted,...as is, it appears that no amount of money is going to buy heated mirrors and tow/haul mode,...save getting a whole new van.

Nevertheless,...I will free this off-the-lot Transit from faults and errors....it will take time....and money,...and a proper amount of loathing towards Ford's inept Customer Service and the KC Transit folks,...who are just following Corporate dictates.

My hope is that Ford will build more and more Transits,...and perhaps some after-market accessory companies will realize that there is a demand for upgrades.

This week:

A Eurocamper rear door Ladder

Fantastic Fan

more sound deadening and insulation work, etc.

 

[V37]

What particular windshield blocker is that? At least you got the lumbar seat upgrade. And, silver... the only other color I'd want, other than white. Can't be too many silver cargo vans in dealer stock... as you noted, for Delaware area.

That is a quite deluxe sunshade. Spendy,...but the best I've seen. Enter the code for 10% off.

http://www.autoanything.com/driving-accessories/60A5833A0A0.aspx

 

[EddieZ]

That is a quite deluxe sunshade. Spendy,...but the best I've seen. Enter the code for 10% off.

http://www.autoanything.com/driving-accessories/60A5833A0A0.aspx

Thanks for the link. Listing says "fits all Transit models". But, isn't the low roof windshield shorter than the MR and HR models?


I have a shade that I made of leftover double-layer reflectix. But, It's pretty bulky when rolled up. Have been thinking that a thinner, folding shade would be better.


WRT Tow-Haul mode... my understanding is that, if you're likely to be using cruise control, you get the same effect as TH mode.

 

[vulf]

Sorry to hear about your frustration with the order process. Hopefully you'll still be able to build a great vehicle with your van. I'm interested to see what you do with it. I just started researching my 4x4 conversion van, to be put to similar use it sounds like.

Did you look at QuadVan for the 4x4 conversion? If so, why did you choose Quigley over them?

Any plans to run bigger tires? One of my hangups right now is the limitation on tire size imposed by the tiny wheel wells. Seems like 29" is as big as you can go while still leaving room for chains. I can't find any aftermarket fender flares or examples of people trimming the wheel wells to accommodate bigger tires. I was hoping to run something closer to 32" or 33" like I have on my truck.

 

[V37]

Thanks for the link. Listing says "fits all Transit models". But, isn't the low roof windshield shorter than the MR and HR models?

This is a thick, folding shade, with a nice stitching all around. It fits the window of my MR snuggly,...however, I did a little trimming around my mirrorless mirror housing to suit my tastes. I also like the thoughtfulness of reversing (to have the black out) in cooler/cold temps, thus keeping the inside warmer. That window can be a huge thermal loss in the cool months. Think I'm going to be pretty happy with it.

 

[V37]

Did you look at QuadVan for the 4x4 conversion? If so, why did you choose Quigley over them?

Any plans to run bigger tires? One of my hangups right now is the limitation on tire size imposed by the tiny wheel wells. Seems like 29" is as big as you can go while still leaving room for chains. I can't find any aftermarket fender flares or examples of people trimming the wheel wells to accommodate bigger tires. I was hoping to run something closer to 32" or 33" like I have on my truck.

Went with Quigley (partially) because of their close relationship with Ford. They install what is pretty much a Ford Raptor front suspension, with nearly all Ford parts, and can be serviced (if need be) at any Raptor mechanic.

Unlike the QuadVan,...the Quigley Transit is lifted 2", and thus can support a taller tire. In this video, they are running 235/85/16's nearly a 32" diameter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK3spfaRJf0

When I visited the factory however, they had 245/75/16's on the red van.

For insurance purposes, a 265/75/16 is too large for a 6.5"rim

With the 2" Quigley lift (which is part of the package), one could conceivably get some 7.5"/8" wide rims and run the 265/75/16, although a 285/75/16 may be too tall. My impression is that a 32" diameter would be top, unless some body work was done,...like the attached photo:

 

[V37]

Eurocamper rear ladder arrived. Had timed the rear door work (rattle trap, ESP Low-e) for the ladder install. The ladder is pretty simple,...hang and screw. Because the top of the door isn't level, the ladder visually sits slightly off plumb.

This gives me some extra support to install the roof fan,...but is primarily for getting and maintaining solar panels. I'm considering adjustable mounts, so to get more solar in the low sun months.

Although a Nissan,..this fellow has nice electrical system with an adjustable roof panel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi3wXRFFqkM

 

[EddieZ]

Eurocamper rear ladder arrived. Had timed the rear door work (rattle trap, ESP Low-e) for the ladder install. The ladder is pretty simple,...hang and screw. Because the top of the door isn't level, the ladder visually sits slightly off plumb.

This gives me some extra support to install the roof fan,...but is primarily for getting and maintaining solar panels. I'm considering adjustable mounts, so to get more solar in the low sun months.

Although a Nissan,..this fellow has nice electrical system with an adjustable roof panel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi3wXRFFqkM

Huh, you don't have holes and slots all around your "windows" on the doors. I guess in Ford's weird world, that has something to do with my doors having glass. Ah, the holes and slots are for trim attachment in the wagons, I think. So, they use the same doors with glass, in cargo van and wagon.