Leaderboard

I’m a visual guy. I’m the guy who asks for a picture menu at McDonalds. I like to see pics on threads too so I’m posting a bunch of pics on this thread. If you don’t like it, hit the back button, cuz I gotta story to tell… I hope you enjoy it. I install security systems during the day, and do metalwork on nights and weekends. I also moonlight as a level 3, super top secret, government spy when I get the time, but since I just said that last one, it’s obvious I’m not a very good one. Anyways, for my install job, I used to drive a full sized van. Now my company decided to get us all Transit Connects. My old van had a sweet center console that I could put file folders in, and had a flip down top that I could as a writing surface. The Connect is.... let's just say, lacking a little in the "room" department... Here’s my temporary solution to the problem. Classy right. It’s not like I’m the only one complaining about this either, there are 9 of us, and my bosses solution was to buy us each one of these: Awesome right. I decided to build one. I have the technology…. (6 million dollar man reference there guys…) I built this out of 14 G steel, probably shoulda went thinner as it’s kind of heavy and I’m concerned about the TC being able to hit 60 miles per hour now, but oh well. On the plus side, I can toss it out the window knowing it has enough mass to stop those pesky black SUV’s that chase me during my black OPS days… shhhhh…. The holes in the side are for ratchet straps to go under the seat. It'll go in the passenger seat since nobody in their right mind will ride with me. In the TC, there’s not a lot of room for things like my calculator and gas card either, so I put these babies on it. I’m not a caveman who stores his ball point pens in his butt cheeks, so I made some hi-tech storage containers for them. In this pic you can also see the “relief cuts” since I don’t have any way to make nice bends in 14G steel yet. I use those a lot on stuff like this. I like my writing surfaces, like I like my women... flat and close to me. So I incorporated a sweet sliding top for it, so I don’t have to reach over that darn shifter. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking “Two separate tops, and ball bearing sliding rails for it, all in 14 gauge steel… that top’s gotta be heavy!” You’re right. My pencil thin arms and weak muscles are no match for it, but I have a big fat head filled with what I assume is Ramen noodles, and brains, so I came up with this: HYDRAULIC ASSIST BABY! That large caevernous area on the right is where the file folders will now sit. I even put a little shelf inside to hold all my stuff like extra pens, business cards, brass knuckles, poison darts, and my lucky rabbits foot. Hey look at that, the pen holder is only held in place with magnets, in case he really doesn’t need any more pens! Someone was using his ramen noodles again….. I hope you enjoyed reading about this, as much as I enjoyed making it, now I'm going to go burn that old cardboard file box, in defiance.

As Azdamay said, it is usually possible to display various information in the instrument cluster. Here is how it is done on my 2010 Transit Connect. Press and hold the trip odometer reset button (the one on the left of the LCD readout) and turn the ignition switch to the start position. Release the reset button when the LCD readout says tESt (takes about 5 seconds). The first display is gAgE (it tests all the gauges). Then press the reset button 23 times to get to the average fuel economy (display will read rAFEand your mileage).Mine reads 28 which is what I get when I figure it out myself. There are 26 different displays,a few are, trouble codes(press 8 times), engine temp (press 19 times), battery voltage (press 21 times). To exit the display mode, just turn off the ignition. I have not found a way to keep any of the displays working when the Transit Connect is running.

Well if you figure out again let us know! I used to have a Focus and I recall they had a not-so-secret mode that you could engage that allowed the odometer to display various information (I believe this was for Ford service techs to easily view pertinent information). The gauge cluster in the Transit Connect is from the Euro-market Mk.II Focus... maybe they still have the same trick and you inadvertently accessed it? The old Focus trick: http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=13&ht=Instrument%20Cluster%20Test%20Mode

Hello, You may be interested in doing an upgrade to the rear door panels instead of spending money on a replacement. The original partical boards are somewhat unattractive to say the least. Check out this replacement panel set from Adrian Steel; http://www.adrianste...nect/1219/SLPTC -To remove my original panel I used a small diameter nylon rope, about an arms length. With your finger nail or some none metal flat object (i.e. plastic picnic knife) lift the edge of the snap it buttons that hold the panel in place. -Take the thin rope and slide it under the button -Make a couple of loops around the button stem and pull firmly, but be sure not to get too rough with it. (pull and strangle) -With both ends on each end of the rope pull out and side to side until the button comes out. This was a revelation from above, it was so low tech and too easy I actually had a laugh about it when all was done. It will not only compliment the Transit's interior looks but provide more loading space for cargo and a 6 foot ladder.

Here's as it sits. I used 2 ratcheting straps to hold it in the passenger seat. I really cranked them down. It's nice because I can actually position it a little bit, but yet it's still very stable. I like it best when it's leaning towards me...just a touch... I do notice the "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" light is on, probably because of the goofy position of it and it being strapped in so tight. Doesn't bother me though... Here's with the top slid out all the way. I decided to make it slide 8" and I think it's perfect. It's about 2-3" from the steering wheel. I find myself sliding it out and using it as an armrest constantly. All loaded up and ready for work! Here's a shot from the passenger side. You can see the straps here. They go through the back of the seat and underneath. The color is nearly a perfect factory match too!

I removed my particle board panels by using as standard auto parts store auto panel removal tool. It is a flat steel tool with a slot down the middle and a rudimentary handle on the end. The edge of the business end is tapered to allow the tool to slide under the round plastic fasteners. The tool has a slight bend in it to allow you to rock the tool and pop the plastic fasteners out. I used the particle boards as a template to make new panels out of 1" five layer plywood. I used the plywood to reduce vibration and to support the weight of the speakers. The 1" also give me an extra inch for the depth of the speakers. I covered that in blue vinyl to match the rest of the Transit Connect and installed Kenwood 6x9" 5 way speakers in the new panels. I used well nuts to install my new rear speaker panels.