tone007

My pads were gone at 35K miles, rotors were still OK, I threw a $40 set of pads from Advanced Auto Parts on and we'll see how they last. 2010 TC here.

18"x8.5", handles very nicely.

The 4 tools are what you need, I ended up pulling my headrests out and sticking the bars through the loops in the tools and going nuts on them, left, right, pulling and pushing. It eventually came out.

Unfortunately, the TC having a Focus engine means it also shares some AC components with the Focus, the compressor being one of them. I don't even want to think about the square footage differences between the Focus' interior and the TC's. Sounds like patience is key to get cool in the TC.

I seriously doubt there's a combination of any little performance upgrades that'll make the Transit Connect happy with alot of hills, especially with any kind of load. You'll be running at 4000RPM+ all day. P.S., reading your post with its random unnecessary capitalizations has made me seasick.

I haven't, but I'd bet my antenna it works at least as well as the stubby one you put on.

For dash trim removal, you first need to remove the stereo (using 4 euro-DIN style keys,) and then remove the bolts that were hiding behind the stereo's trim. At that point you just pull.

1Kg = 2.2lbs, so that means a kilogram is heavier than a pound (the equivalent of 2.20462262lbs, to be exact.) 2800Kg * 2.2 = 6160lbs. Either way, if you go by the European specs it should handle it, but if Ford US says no, it might not be in your best interest.

Solution: pair of wire clippers.

Maybe the set you got was left out in the sun too long, mine ride as smooth as silk (my opinion and also of a couple of other people who I let drive the van,) and the only noise I hear on the highway is wind.

Doesn't look all that safe without a bulkhead between you and that head-height cargo...

http://scosche.com/products/productID/1911 Just over $50 for the whole setup, the dash kit came with the tools required for stock system removal as well. The two "recommended" parts below the dash kit are correct and required.

Not that the 6000CD was horrible (aux input was handy, and it sounded good with the Sony speakers I put in the doors,) but I figured I'd put something a little more interesting in. Pretty happy with it, dashboard came apart pretty easily to run the wires.

Most manual window cars I've worked on use clips to secure the cranks, they're best removed with one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-WINDOW-CRANK-DOOR-HANDLE-C-CLIP-REMOVAL-TRIM-TOOL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5883762b2dQQitemZ380162681645QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools though you can sometimes manage it with other improvised tools.

Non-commercial here as well, my mind was made up I needed a different vehicle after a 400 mile trip from NC to VA hauling a bunch of computer stuff with my seat pushed a few inches too far forward so I could fit it all in the car. I was always a fan of the Sprinter, but that would've been overkill for sure. The TC seemed like just the right size.

Daily driver. Gets better mileage than the Mustang did!

I honestly think the vehicle is fast enough when you need it to be (while unloaded, at least,) and something had to be done with the gearing/shift points to make an engine used to moving 2600lbs around suitable in a vehicle that weighs nearly 1000lbs more. I might feel differently about the acceleration when I've got 1000lbs of stuff in the back...

..or would that turn the transmission to powder?

Automatic is fine for the TC, look at other fleet vehicles out there. The transmission does a fairly good job of shifting when it should, in my opinion.

One thing to be careful of is how far the lugnuts stick out. Some hubcaps won't fit (I learned this at Pep Boys recently.) I'm just hoping the van ones I've ordered will, they seem to have more room in the lugnut area. The Crown Vic ones I'm thinking of seem like they might too.

The stock hubcaps are a little on the ugly side, I'll most likely order some wheels when it's time for new tires. For now I'm going to try a set of these just for fun. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290392839306 Hey, it's a Ford van, right?

True, I did sleep on it for a night.