Leprechaun

I found a pair in the UK, for just over a hundred bucks with shipping; suggest you look "over there". Note that many European country's roads are right-hand traffic, so mirrors from there would be almost ideal.

Agreed on both points! I didn't examine them, but IIRC, the seat bottoms were a bit narrower than the stock seats; I do recall noticing that they swiveled outward to facilitate entering/exiting. I didn't consider trying to use the stock seats; as I thought of it, I expected to find suitable aftermarket seats with appropriate swiveling mechanisms. Sadly, the lady who has the greatest difficulty getting into my truck wouldn't benefit from it at all (she has trouble folding and lifting her legs to get her feet inside), so I did not pursue the notion. That being said, my age and mobility make me interested in benefits such seats would provide to a number of folk. However, the OP's wish to swivel front seats, even only the passenger seat, to face the rear is not realistic via any means. His best upgrade would be the platform, rather than the seat -- say to a 40' motor home.

This thread seems to be dormant, and it looks like the site is as well. But in the event that someone opens this one hoping to find out if the TC can be modded with swivel seats, I can confirm that it not only can be done, but has been. Sherrod http://www.sherrodvans.com did a TC conversion that caught my eye in early 2010 when I was shopping for a Lincoln SUV. It had four "captain's chair" seats, a 17" TV where the shelf is, and was priced more than double the price of the '10 TC. Because my primary criteria for van selection was the convenience of the little old ladies I occasionally gave rides to Mass and doctor appointments and such, Serrod's swiveling front seats were a very attractive feature. Sadly, some folk seem to think that front seats can swivel to face the back. I hope they don't waste too much time and money pursuing that notion. However, there are aftermarket seats that do swivel to allow easier entry and exit. Hope somebody someday reads this and finds it helpful!

Old topic, but nobody's commented on HiddenHitch, so... I got a HH Class III from eTrailer.com and installed it on my 2010 TC XLT. Did it alone, and I'm not only older than dirt but arthritic. Yet it took only about 1-1/2 hours, and a good bit of that was rigging a lever to lift the hitch into position so I could get the bolts started. Before deciding on HH, I downloaded and read the installation instructions and specifications on each of the three; I went with HH, ~5.00 more, when I learned it could be installed without lowering the exhaust. I'm *very* pleased with it, and even more pleased with eTrailer -- prices; product selection; and especially customer service.

Today my 2010 TC XLT trapped me inside. I made a brief trip without incident, picking up one of my sweeties and driving her to a medical appointment. I stopped at the door of the clinic, letting her out, then drove away to park. In that driving, I noticed nothing unusual yet after parking I was unable to open the driver door. The door handle does not engage the latch mechanism, it just moves freely with a tug and springs back when released; no solenoid sound. The key fob unlocks all the front doors except the driver door. The solenoid in the driver door clicks, then immediately clicks again. Using the key in the lock, it is possible to turn CCW and engage the lock. Turning CW, it can only turn about to the point of engaging the latch mechanism and no further. (It cannot be rotated all the way to the ninety° position when the lock is disengaged). No, the locks didn't freeze -- The low temp last night was in the low 60s; it was in the low 70s when I got in, and about the same when I tried to get out. Since I can't get the door open, I can't get the driver door panel off (and probably couldn't anyway <sigh>) All suggestions deeply appreciated!

I've recently seen a TC with "outriggers". I couldn't get closer to him than three or four cars (he was really scooting, rapid acceleration from stoplight and zipping through traffic -- did he maybe have a turbo retrofit? <grin> I did see him take a corner ahead of me and it didn't tip over, though personally I'd be very leery of sway with the stock suspension/tires/wheels. So it seems that some TC owners have found those side-mounted carriers to be a good solution. Cheers! -Lep-

Yew piple r makin me *crazy*!!! I' *straining* to improve my gas mileage and average ~24.3 - 24.6 with light loads (empty to 2 or 3 passengers) on metro Atlanta (Georgia) roads (hilly, mostly 40- to 55-mph. My ride is a 2010. with ~15k miles Is there something that we (poor suckers who only get 24 mpg or less) are missing out on -- like a refined computer? In desperation, seeking your wisdom -- and thanks in advance. -Lep-

Hey folks, have you, or do you know of anyone putting a work platform on a TC? Something that would support ~350# and could be walked on (such as photographing sporting events). Please share your info! Thanks, -Lep-

My AM reception on the stock AM/FM (no CD) model 1500 RDS radio was also lousy. I replaced the stock antenna with the largest one I could find, 18 inches. It did not make a difference. I then replaced the radio with the AM/FM/CD model 6000CD. AM is fine on the 6000CD model. My 2010 6000CD also has crappy AM reception. However, most of my driving is north of Atlanta (GA) where the hills and trees interfere with the few AM stations I tune. I must say that some of the FM stations also are somewhat vulnerable to interference. All of my Mark VIIIs (with antenna embedded in the windshield) always get great reception, as does my '07 VW GTI, with a "rubber ducky" antenna like the TC's. I'm a bit surprised 103west43rd's replacement antenna did not help. But my experiences with the 6000 assure me that good sound (and features) require replacing the unit with a unit from a Fusion (I drove one for a week and my MP3s and radio stations were perfect) or after-market supplier. FWIW Cheers! -Lep-

Thanks, JJ Cobra. Actually, the 6000 is promoted as MP3-capable. (See the #2 note associated with 'Shuffle folder and Repeat folder' on page 29 of the 2010 Owner's Guide: However, the note on page 33: lets us know that Ford knows these players are not very reliable and there is no plan to improve them. <sigh> Anyway, since they are _supposed_ to play MP3s and _might_ play re-writable CDs, I'm betting some clever guy(s) can educate us. Cheers! -Sean-

Ouch! I've burned a rewritable CD and tried playing it in my TC 6000 player but got a "CD ERROR" message. Buried at the bitter end of the 'Entertainment Systems' section of the manual is information that "Due to technical computability, certain recordable and re-recordable compact discs may not function correctly ..." Have you, or someone you know, burned an MP3 disc on re-writable media and successfully played it on the 6000? Thanks! -Sean-

In the UK forum there is an article with several pics and step-by-step for lowering a TC for small investment and half a day's labor: http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=73896&hilit=lowering Before and after pics make me wonder if we all are going to go this route!

Weird! What happens when you press the unlock button twice? You don't mention your model -- does your key fob have one lock button and two unlock buttons? And if so, does the second unlock button properly unlock the rear door? I hope you are still under warranty as it seems that the programming is screwed up.

Great! And good thinking to check the Focus forums. Thanks for the details and also thanks for your impressions with the final result. So... how about some info on your source and your installation (and maybe pics). And are you satisfied with the location you picked? Thanks! -Sean-

Great news, SS. Many thanks for sharing all the info, particularly the nitty-gritty. I'm drooling! Have you learned of any other trannys that might easily be fitted? (I am VERY leery of ours even with your additional cooler.) Again, kudos to you! -Sean-