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rv:ford_transit [2022/11/26 04:03] princess_fluffypants [Fuel Economy] |
rv:ford_transit [2024/01/02 15:07] princess_fluffypants [Facts and Figures] |
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====== Ford Transit ====== | ====== Ford Transit ====== | ||
- | {{https:// | + | {{:rv:transit.jpg? |
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The stock van offered in North America is RWD, but can be ordered as [[rv: | The stock van offered in North America is RWD, but can be ordered as [[rv: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Beginning in 2023, Ford began offering a " | ||
==== Dimensions ==== | ==== Dimensions ==== | ||
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The stock engine is a naturally aspirated V-6 ([[https:// | The stock engine is a naturally aspirated V-6 ([[https:// | ||
- | The Ecoboost engine in all model years of Transits is the Gen1 engine, | + | The Ecoboost engine in all model years of Transits is the Gen1 engine, not the Gen2 engine found in the F-150. |
Auto-Start-Stop (A.S.S) was mandatory on the engines for 2020-2022, but has been dropped for 2023 due to manufacturing delays and chip shortages. | Auto-Start-Stop (A.S.S) was mandatory on the engines for 2020-2022, but has been dropped for 2023 due to manufacturing delays and chip shortages. | ||
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The majority of the holes in the cargo area of the van are 9.38mm in diameter, and usually work well with M6 or 1/4-20 rivnuts. Most Rivnuts from Amazon fit fine, but some rivnuts (most notably from McMaster-Carr) are actually slightly too large and need a full 10mm hole. The majority of pre-threaded holes are M8x1.25 thread, with a few being M10x1.5. See video here: https:// | The majority of the holes in the cargo area of the van are 9.38mm in diameter, and usually work well with M6 or 1/4-20 rivnuts. Most Rivnuts from Amazon fit fine, but some rivnuts (most notably from McMaster-Carr) are actually slightly too large and need a full 10mm hole. The majority of pre-threaded holes are M8x1.25 thread, with a few being M10x1.5. See video here: https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[https:// | ||
While some people have been able to use plusnut into the factory holes, most holes will need to be enlarged slightly.((There' | While some people have been able to use plusnut into the factory holes, most holes will need to be enlarged slightly.((There' | ||
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The costs of needing to replace 6 tires instead of 4 is mostly a wash, as the tire sizes used on the DRW are cheaper than the SRW. | The costs of needing to replace 6 tires instead of 4 is mostly a wash, as the tire sizes used on the DRW are cheaper than the SRW. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The rear valve stems are pain in the butt to access on a DRW van, making airing tires up/down extremely frustrating. | ||
==== Notes on AWD (All Wheel Drive) ==== | ==== Notes on AWD (All Wheel Drive) ==== | ||
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The Diesel engine does get noticeably better fuel economy (23mpg+ is widely reported at 65mph), however this is offset by their higher purchase cost, more expensive fuel, and long-term reliability problems that are [[rv: | The Diesel engine does get noticeably better fuel economy (23mpg+ is widely reported at 65mph), however this is offset by their higher purchase cost, more expensive fuel, and long-term reliability problems that are [[rv: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Ordering a brand-new Van ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | FULL DISCLOSURE: This section is mostly a rant about one person' | ||
+ | |||
+ | > //The ordering process for a new van from Ford is a byzantine, stupid, frustrating process that is a shining example of why people hate car companies.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | > Remember that you can't actually buy a van from Ford; you have to buy it from a dealership, who acts as a middle-man between you and Ford. In the olden-days this was a useful thing, but in the modern era dealers serve no real function aside from [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | > But because Ford sees the website as little more than a fancy brochure, the website is usually hilariously out of date or incorrect. They didn't even update it for the 2023 Transit until //after the ordering window for the Transit had already closed// for the 2023 model year. Furthermore, | ||
+ | |||
+ | > What's worse is that most dealerships aren't particularly knowledgeable about the vans either. The Transit is a very complex vehicle that has more options that almost any other vehicle that Ford makes, and most " | ||
+ | |||
+ | > To really get useful information on what options are what, you need to get the Ford Transit Order guide. Googling can find it, it's usually updated pretty often through the model run and ends up posted all over the Ford Transit USA forums. [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | > To make it even worse, many dealerships can't even order new Transits; At the beginning of a model year, Ford makes a guess at how many of each type of vehicle it can build and then splits all of those manufacturing slots between all of its franchisees. | ||
+ | |||
+ | > The dealership has to then decide how many of these allocations to use for " | ||
+ | |||
+ | > What this means is that the window for being able to order a van and have some sort of hope that it will actually be built is vanishingly narrow; sometimes only being open for a few weeks per year. For the 2023 model year the order window opened on August 24th and closed on September 11th; it was open for //just three weeks!// | ||
+ | |||
+ | > Some of these problems are, in no doubt, due to production limitations brought about by the computer ship shortage and exacerbated by the war in Ukraine; the majority of Ford's wiring harnesses were produced in Ukraine. | ||
+ | |||
+ | > But because of this, do not expect that ordering a van will be a simple or fast process; many buyers for the 2022 model year waited 9+ months after placing their orders only to be finally told by the dealership that the order had been " | ||
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FarOutRide did an excellent write-up on what the options are for more aggressive off-pavement oriented tires for SRW (Single Rear Wheel) vans: https:// | FarOutRide did an excellent write-up on what the options are for more aggressive off-pavement oriented tires for SRW (Single Rear Wheel) vans: https:// | ||
- | For Dual Rear Wheel vans, tire options are even more limited. The factory tire size is narrower than the SRW vans, at 195/75-R16 (RWD) or 205/75-R16 (AWD). Because of this, the front wheel clearance is not a problem but the limiting factor is space between the rear wheels. | + | For Dual Rear Wheel vans, tire options are even more limited. The factory tire size is narrower than the SRW vans, at 195/75-R16 (RWD) or 205/75-R16 (AWD). Because of this, the front wheel clearance is not a problem but the limiting factor is space between the rear wheels. [[https:// |
Groupthink for DRW owners looking for a little more ground clearance, lift and traction off pavement is a **215/ | Groupthink for DRW owners looking for a little more ground clearance, lift and traction off pavement is a **215/ | ||
Owners have reported mixed results with these tire sizes, with some fitting acceptably and some not. Some owners have reported that the **Toyo Open Country A/T III** or the **Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac** both run slightly narrow, which is advantageous for fitting the DRW rims. [[https:// | Owners have reported mixed results with these tire sizes, with some fitting acceptably and some not. Some owners have reported that the **Toyo Open Country A/T III** or the **Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac** both run slightly narrow, which is advantageous for fitting the DRW rims. [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
==== Lifting ==== | ==== Lifting ==== | ||
The AWD Ford Transit cannot be lifted very much. [[https:// | The AWD Ford Transit cannot be lifted very much. [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Beginning with the 2023 model year, Ford began offering the " | ||
The RWD Transit offers more options. | The RWD Transit offers more options. | ||
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* Cost: [[https:// | * Cost: [[https:// | ||
* Pros: Largest possible lift, gives maximum clearance in between the front wheels. Raises the van by 3", and can be combined with replacement control arms to give a total of **5" of lift**. | * Pros: Largest possible lift, gives maximum clearance in between the front wheels. Raises the van by 3", and can be combined with replacement control arms to give a total of **5" of lift**. | ||
- | * Cons: Relatively new and untested((available for pre-order as of this writing, MFR claims shipping in March 2022)). Requires swapping out the ball joints, adding additional cost and difficulty to installation. | + | * Cons: Expensive. Requires swapping out the ball joints, adding additional cost and difficulty to installation. |
* Cannot be installed on AWD vans | * Cannot be installed on AWD vans | ||
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Windows are a //huge// source of heat loss or heat gain in the summer. | Windows are a //huge// source of heat loss or heat gain in the summer. | ||
- | **Replacing factory windows is a pain in the butt.** The factory windows are glued in, making them difficult to remove without scratching up the paint. Some people find it easier to simply break the factory windows (covering them with sticky tape first to minimize the mess), but using an oscillating saw and wire cutting kit it is possible to get them out intact. | + | **Replacing factory windows is a pain in the butt.** The factory windows are glued in, making them difficult to remove without scratching up the paint. Some people find it easier to simply break the factory windows (covering them with sticky tape first to minimize the mess), but using an oscillating saw and wire cutting kit it is possible to get them out intact. |
Installation of aftermarket windows into cargo vans without factory windows is similar in difficulty to installing a roof vent (probably easier as you don't have to climb up onto the roof) and can be DIYed. | Installation of aftermarket windows into cargo vans without factory windows is similar in difficulty to installing a roof vent (probably easier as you don't have to climb up onto the roof) and can be DIYed. | ||
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==== 4-wheel-drive ==== | ==== 4-wheel-drive ==== | ||
- | 4-wheel-drive conversions are offered by [[https:// | + | 4-wheel-drive conversions are offered by [[https:// |
+ | |||
+ | Expect to pay $15-25,000 to have a stock RWD van converted to 4-wheel-drive. | ||
==== Other Modifications ==== | ==== Other Modifications ==== | ||
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===== Quirks ===== | ===== Quirks ===== | ||
- | Sections of the van body above the doors (and parts of the chassis) are made from boron steel, which is incredibly strong and nearly impossible | + | Sections of the van body above the doors (and parts of the chassis) are made from boron steel, which is incredibly strong and difficult |
{{ : | {{ : | ||
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* The High Roof model is //really freaking tall// at 9' | * The High Roof model is //really freaking tall// at 9' | ||
* This is too tall to fit through most drive throughs. Vans with damages to the front roof line are common due to people smacking them into stuff; make sure to inspect this area very carefully when buying a used van to check for evidence of repairs. | * This is too tall to fit through most drive throughs. Vans with damages to the front roof line are common due to people smacking them into stuff; make sure to inspect this area very carefully when buying a used van to check for evidence of repairs. | ||
+ | * | ||
+ | * The Transit Trail (available from 2023 onwards) is electronically speed limited to 81mph | ||
+ | * This is due to the factory 3.5" lift and off-road oriented tires. | ||
* | * | ||
* The vans have a high parasitic draw, Ford claims 50ma but some have measured higher. | * The vans have a high parasitic draw, Ford claims 50ma but some have measured higher. |