hdrider

Contact them by email. That's what I did and they were very helpful. They had the wheels for me in less than 24 hours. (I did local pickup, since they happen to be located in Chicagoland.)

Thank you for the response. It is helpful to know that this is at least possible. However I do not have the time or confidence to begin soldering resistors into the system. The furthest I would go is plugging in some sort of black box that accomplishes what I need. I would ideally like to be able to install the seat for occasional use, and plug the seat back into the airbag system. Then unplug it, take it out, and replace it with the black box. This is a work vehicle after all, and I'm sure many people are trying to do the same thing. Maybe someone will begin selling something like this (bootleg or underground, if the liability issues are too big).

I bought a set of winter wheels for the 2014 Transit Connect from MyPartsGarage.com. They were less than $60 each, and listed by the manufacturer as a fit for the 2014 TC. Some wheels may appear to fit based on their specs, but retailers are reluctant to sell them unless they are specifically listed by the manufacturer as fitting the vehicle. Otherwise they are not certain they will fit and/or there may be safety issues. Consumer reports rated winter tires, and based on their information, I bought Pirelli Winter 210 Sotto Zero Series II.

The file uploader must be broken. It tells me the file is too big, but it is only 41K. I have successfully uploaded files before, can the moderator help with this?

How about a pic? I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

I have the symmetrical rear doors. They unlock with the remote.

It is a work truck so safety has to take precedence over style. Johnguy, if you have a better, or different solution, please post a photo of it so we can learn.

The standard factory mirrors are completely inadequate for the cargo van configuration, IMO. There is a serious blind spot to the left of and directly behind the driver. The only way to see what is in this spot is to use the small, wide angle mirror in the corner of the main mirror. This does work, but the wide angle mirror is very small. This could be a problem when changing lanes. During my failed quest to order a TC (see other threads), I tried to order it with the optional large mirrors. I could never find a picture of what these actually looked like, nor could the dealers tell me anything about them. When I purchased my TC off the lot, I tried to find out if the small mirrors could be swapped out with larger mirrors. However over an hour spent with the parts department and service department at the dealer proved fruitless. They eventually found the larger mirrors in the parts catalog (after denying over and over again that these actually exist), but in the end they could not say for sure whether they could be swapped out. They did tell me they were $300 each, plus labor to install, and if they could not get them to fit, they were non-returnable, and I would have to pay for them anyway. So I found Rosco aftermarket mirrors, and had them put on as part of the other up fits I did. Photos are attached of the original mirrors, and the Rosco mirrors. The Rosco mirrors are heated, but do not have power adjust. They cost $115 each, plus installation. They make a tremendous difference in field of vision. I highly recommend them for safety on the cargo van. The up fitter told me they also have a contract to install 50 of them on TCs for Commonwealth Edison, but mine was apparently their first install.

I am searching for information on whether removal of the front passenger seat on the 2014 XLT TC cargo van will disable the airbag system. By removing the seat, and leaving an opening in the lower portion of the bulkhead, I could easily haul 10' material in the van. The seat seems to remove fairly simply by removing 4 bolts and unplugging the wiring harness. However I also know that the seat contains airbags and sensors. When I was at my up fitter, I noticed one being fitted that way, but apparently the customer had removed the seat, or it was a fleet vehicle that had been ordered that way. So I know it can be configured that way, I just want to be sure it does not compromise the airbag system. The front passenger airbag will disable automatically anyway (as indicated by a light on the dash), if the sensors do not show an adult is sitting in the seat. However, I'm not sure what happens if the seat is unplugged. I do not want to disable the entire system. I emailed Ford, and they gave me the useless CYA answer copied below. I contacted the dealer, and they tell me not to do it because it will disable the system, but based on other questions I have asked them, they don't seem to really know anything about these vehicles, and may just be making this up. I have searched, but cannot find anything, and have no idea where to get an answer. ----------------------- Hello Dan, My name is Corazon, I am from Ford`s Customer Relationship Center (CRC). I have reviewed your email inquiring about your 014 Ford Transit Connect. First, I would like to congratulate you for the purchase of your new 2014 Ford Transit Connect. Please note that all alterations or modifications to Ford vehicles must be done in compliance with Federal Emission Control Standards or any applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. If an after-market modification is responsible for a component failure, the Ford warranty would not cover that repair. Therefore, Ford Motor Company does not recommend modifications to your vehicle. However, if you would still like information regarding modifications to your vehicle, please speak with the Service Department of your local Ford Dealership. Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company. Sincerely, Corazon Customer Relationship Center Ford Motor Company

Well at long last I finally have a TC. The one I had hoped for, which is one of the few I could find with Quick Clear windshield defrost, is still stuck in Baltimore. The dealer tried to find out when it would ship to them, but Ford could tell them nothing (as usual). But the dealer did have one come in that had almost everything else I wanted, so I took it. One feature I got that I had not considered was front vinyl floor covering. In reading the description on the Ford configurator, I thought that it was just vinyl floor mats. Of course you can probably get better floor mats from Weathertech. But it turns out this option is actually the elimination of the carpet. This is a fantastic idea, as I've said for years, it is lunacy to put carpet on the floor of a work vehicle. So I lucked out with that. Another feature I could not get was the larger mirrors. I never could tell exactly what these were, as there seem to be no good pictures of them anywhere. But after using this for a few days now, I'm definitely going to need to add aftermarket mirrors. With the cargo van configuration there is a very bad blind spot on the drivers side which you cannot see by turning your head, due to not having glass in back. The only way to view this blind spot is to check the small convex mirror set into the larger mirror.

Well, mine finally arrived this week, after about 17 weeks from order date. Unfortunately the dealer apparently screwed up the order, and it has a rear liftgate instead of the symmetrical rear doors with no glass, as I specified. Totally useless to me, since the lift gate won't work with a ladder on top, and will not provide the security I need for my tools. So, back to square one. They did give me my deposit back without too much hassle, although they didn't have much choice, as I had given them the configuration in writing, and even went through it with them verbally (several times). However it looks like inventory has improved, so I may find something close on the lot. And the prices have dropped. A lot of them in inventory are still configured kind of stupid though. Most of them are still being built without lights in the cargo area. But there are now some around with USB ports and backup cameras. I also wanted the quick clear windshield defroster, 'cause I hate when its below zero chopping ice off the windshield, and I even saw one of those. But its tough to get a cargo light, quick clear defroster, and backup camera all one one vehicle.

Windguy, I can be more persistent, but at the end of the day, I can't really force Ford to do anything. They are going to proceed as they want, and they have clearly shown they don't care about a customer like me. If they did, they would at least tell me what is going on so I can plan. Regarding options, it's kind of silly I needed to order this thing in the first place, but all the dealers seem to have on the lots is stripped down vehicles. All I wanted was a XLT LWB cargo van with a decent radio with bluetooth and a USB port, and a backup camera. And a light in the cargo area. Jeez, you'd think this stuff would almost be standard, or at least the dealers would order a few that way. As long as I was ordering anyway, I got the quick clear windshield defroster, large mirrors, and fog lamps. The color is the basic white with charcoal interior. Nothing radical. I wish somebody could figure out where these things are in Baltimore, and just go over there and find out what is really going on.

I ordered and put money down on a 2014 TC in mid-February to use in my business. They told me it would take about 4 to 6 weeks. It's still not here. It was apparently built some time ago, as they gave me the VIN back in March. They tell me it is parked in Maryland for some reason. Nobody can tell me why. The dealer is useless and will not return phone calls or emails. I finally opened a help request with Ford online. Somebody called me and confirmed, yes, its parked in Maryland. They don't know why. They told me there is no way to find out. There is no way to tell if or when it will released from Maryland. They told me there is no way to find anyone in Ford who can tell me why. I'm at the end of my rope. Trying to figure out if I should walk away from my deposit and go buy a Nissan. Customer service at Ford is an absolute joke.

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Thank you 103rdwest43rd. I have been through the "Build your Transit Connect" application multiple times, but am unable to find the roof rails listed as an option. If you have a link or a way to get to them, that would be appreciated. Perhaps they are not available on the model I am configuring which is a long wheel base, XLT cargo van, but I'm not sure why that would be. I plugged in the parts numbers you gave on the Fordparts.com, but they show up as not found. However by going to the model number, and looking for roof parts, I did find part 513A08A, which is described as a roof track. Sounds right, but there is no picture, unlike most of the other parts, so I'm not sure. How did you find these parts? If you have a link to the accessories catalog, I may be able to start with the Thule crossbars you mentioned and go from there. I went to the Chicago Auto Show this morning, and talked to the Ford people there, but they didn't know whether roof rails were available, or much else about the vehicle. Ford sure does not make it easy.

I’m trying to put together specs for the purchase of a new 2014 TC along with up fit equipment for my business. I’ve been trying for weeks to get information regarding the roof attachment points. The TCs I’ve looked at at the dealers have a series of black plugs in the roof, which cover some sort of holes that apparently can be used to attach equipment to. (See attached photo). I contacted the dealer to find out what was under these plugs (threads?) and how to remove them (pry out? screw out?), so I could figure out how I am going to attach equipment. The dealer had been unable to get answers, and someone finally convinced the service manager that they should try to get one of these plugs out. (They didn’t want to allow it because they were afraid it would cause a leak.) They told me these pry out and there is just a hole underneath with no threads. Now they are telling me they saw some reference to factory installed rails that use these holes. However the dealer hasn’t been able to figure out what the rails are, or how to order them. If there are factory rails, that would be great, because I could attach to the rails. I'm not sure how I could seal the holes if I bolt through them. Meanwhile, I emailed and called Ford for technical information, using numbers found on their web site. (They email you back and tell you they can’t answer questions by email, you have to call). So far they have been unable to get answers on any of this (after a few weeks). Does anyone know anything about this, or have a way to get through to anyone at Ford who can answer basic questions about the vehicle and specifications for ordering? I would like to order the vehicle with factory rails if available, or if not, figure out how to use the holes and seal them properly. I have also contacted a large national up fitter, who happens to be based locally, but they don't seem to know anything about the 2014 TC, and said they have no equipment (yet) that will attach to it.

Although I've been happy with Ford products over the years, I've yet to find a dealer who knows very much about what they are selling, or is interested in finding out. And there aren't all that many Ford dealers in the area to choose from. The next nearest dealer to me is still insisting that the 2014 TCs are the same as the 2013s, and the new version will arrive this Summer as the 2015 model. Obviously they are confusing the full-size Transit with the Transit Connect. I've tried explaining it, but that was a waste of time, as they don't seem to believe me. Thank you for the link to the owners manual above. I checked it myself, and although the aux in port is described on p. 253, there is not a diagram that I can find that shows where it is located. I assume my photo above shows the correct location. Page 253 does show a diagram showing a single USB port (noted as "if equipped") near the location of the aux in, in my photo. However the vehicle I looked at did not have this USB port. Page 254 shows a console that looks different than the one in the vehicle I looked at, showing the location of a cluster of two USB ports, the SD slot, and audio input. I'm not sure which vehicles will have the USB cluster. I'm guessing if you order the SYNC option, you get the other type of console shown on p. 254. But I'm not finding that explicitly stated anywhere. And per the manual, apparently some vehicles do come with just a single USB port, but I'm not sure which ones.

A couple of the 2014s arrived at one the local dealers yesterday, and I test drove one this morning. I think it will work out well for my business, but need to know if the USB port(s) are going to charge my devices, otherwise I have to look at some kind of aftermarket solution. There were no USB ports on this one that anybody could find. Maybe because it did not have the SYNC option. There was a hole that the dealer thought was an "aux in" port on the center console (see photo). Nobody could really say for sure. I asked the dealer to find out what you need to order to get the USB ports and whether they have enough output to charge an iPad, but I'm not optimistic that they will come back with an answer, or if they do, whether I can believe them.

I'm trying to find out if there are any USB ports on the 2014. I know that the Ford SYNC option is available and can connect to a phone via Bluetooth. But I'm wondering if a USB port is available and if so, if it will charge an iPhone and iPad. (Not all USB ports will provide charging.) Is it part of the Radio/SYNC option, or is it located somewhere else on the vehicle? I've looked on the Ford web site and can't find it in the options or specs, or spot it on any of the gallery photos. The local dealers are pretty clueless about the vehicles in general, and none of the 2014's have showed up here yet to look at.