windguy

RIP "Sexy Beast". Vaya con Dios. What's the name for your new van?

Sure, you can mount your crossbars to fixed mounting points, as shown in your video link. Looks like a clean solution. I opted with tracks for two reasons: I wanted the flexibility in setting the crossbars and to be able to remove the crossbars and towers since the racks will rarely be used. I'm not familiar with the rack system in the video but if you can remove the crossbars and towers and leave the mounting pads in place then that would be helpful if you don't plan to use the racks on a daily basis. If it's seasonal use then you leave the racks on and remove them in the off season. All depends on how you plan to use your rack system. As I said in my original post, Thule and Yakima are price fixed products. If you are price sensitive and not in a hurry, then wait for the occasional 20% off sale that comes up on holidays and special events. I get emails from rackattack.com with their promotions so you can get on the email list from these places to find out when they have their next sale.

YES - It's one of my top annoyances with my 2015 Cargo TC. Sometimes it's like trying to fill a portable gas can. I assumed it partly has something to do with emissions design of the pumps here in Southern California combined with a lousy filler design by Ford. I don't have the same problem with other or past cars so it's a TC thing for sure. Also don't like the fact that the filler door doesn't lock. Some pumps are way worse than others to the point that you have to push hard and continue to apply pressure or it will pop out and shutoff. I like to set the automatic fill lever and step away from the van so I'm no sucking up the gas fumes. Can't do that with the TC. I try to remember which pumps are less troublesome. I have one at my local Mobil that works better than most others but I still have to hover. Thankfully I don't put a lot of miles on the van so I'm not filling up very often. I have to be mindful of about how much fuel I need to add so I don't risk overfilling the tank. I have it in my head you're not supposed to do that with this van. Never sure if a pump shutoff means the tank is full or the pump is being twitchy. It's a process I've learned to live with but never happy with.

I didn't know you can do that. Thanks for asking about that. The oil change message came on recently so good timing. After turning ignition on partly, I pushed both pedals all the way down and after a few seconds, the message came up that it's resetting. After about 15 seconds the resetting was complete. This van sure has some weird hidden tricks for doing things that Ford doesn't advertise. Same deal when I had to sync up the added keypad with the fobs.

BTW - check out the pic below of the dash for the 2019 TC that I grabbed from the Ford website. I like this design a lot better and wish I had it. Visibility to gauges is much improved.

Thanks Don. You're help is getting me closer. To show how green I am, I wasn't sure what IPC meant. Slightly above dolt status. IPC = Instrument Panel Cluster I had saved my read out from Ford ETIS a while ago when checking on the BCM for the dark mode situation. I see IPC and recognize the DT1T-10849-SD Assembly Part Number. Copy attached. I checked the cluster part number for each model year for Gen 2 and 2014 and 2015 both start with DT1T. Years 2016, 2017 and 2018 all share the same part number and start with FT1T, the cluster that you used.

Good point. Like I said early and BetaDon mentioned too, I only use the digital speedo cause the other one is partially blocked from my viewing angle. All the more reason to upgrade. It's pretty ingenious of you to even think of making this mod yet alone figuring out how with minimal detours. Curious, what does this mean? "If you want to try it, I can look at your existing IPC configuration and see if you need to make any changes. " Is the IPC Configuration a file that you can check out using Forscan?

@Don R - thanks for the added info. I'm a little averse to changing something that's working but it sure seems like a nice upgrade.

Thanks for the additional info Don. Very helpful. When I check out the link you provided as a source, for 2016 I see the FT1T-10849-UH option. When I changed the search to 2015 (my van year) and select Speedometer, the beginning part number changes to DT1T-10849-UA thru UF. It's a DT rather than an FT. You would think a 2016 cluster would work in a 2015. Wonder what the difference in part number prefix means. If you compare your old cluster to the new one, are there any other differences other than the larger color LCD in the middle? In the LCD area on mine, there's not much margin area at the top but the left, right and bottom sides appear to have some blank space. Curious about the odometer reprogramming service. How do they verify what your original mileage is so that you're not just trying to lower the vehicle mileage for nefarious reasons?

@Don Ridley - nice job with this upgrade. Your persistence paid off. Like Beta Don, I too primarily use the digital speed reading and would consider this upgrade. Could you please provide a total cost and any other notes now that your project is complete, like where you sourced the cluster from. Thanks. I finally ordered an elm327 adapter this week and plan to download Forscan on my laptop after I get it. Looking forward to checking that out.

@bone - great job on your installation. Thanks for sharing your work. I too captured this storage space in my 2015 cargo with a different approach. I couldn't stand the vinyl cargo mat so used carpeting on plywood instead. I separated the foam from the vinyl mat and used that as filler under the plywood, which is very good sound proofing material. It's great to have the extra storage space making use of this dead space. Time for you to finish those bare door panels next! I used black paint on mine. Gives the van a nice finished detail.

Interesting. Please share a pic showing the phone mounted there. Thanks.

Sampa - another poster (tcconvert) posted in the thread link below about Pirelli Cinturato Strada AS's (a model exclusive to Discount Tires). Discount Tire is also called America's Tire in some western states. That might be an option for your replacement with the same size and ratings as the OEM Conti's.

@bug512 - thanks for the pic. I recognize that pooch pack. You posted that pic back in March. Seeing cool dogs never gets old. Right on!

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new van. Nice job on the platform. Very cool! How about a pic of your dogs?

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new van. Looks great! I like the color. There are numerous threads regarding roof racks - OEM, aftermarket and everything in between. Some already have factory roof rails and are looking for racks, others are starting from scratch. Use the SEARCH feature in the upper right corner of the page. Below is a link to a thread I posted regarding my install for a cargo model. I also included links to other roof rack threads posted at that time (11/2017) Since you have a wagon model you will need to remove headliner material to access the mounting holes.

@r1alvin - thanks for the update and videos. Sorry your water tank box got messed up. It was pretty sweet looking. Inspired by you and another poster (can't remember name), I put together a small self contained and portable shower kit that's in an milk crate. After using the shower I turn the pump switch off and bleed the pressure of the spigot (just a little squirt comes out) and I haven't had a problem with any leaking or accidental turn-ons. Hope your new setup works out okay. Good luck!

@CarlaCB - See the pics below showing the plug circled in red. I think this is what r1alvin is referring to. My van has a wire going through this plug. I think it's for the factory trailer hitch harness. My van is a 2015 Cargo model and r1alvin's is a wagon model.

CarlaCB, You can download a PDF Owner's Manual from Ford using the link below http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2014-transitconnect-owner-manual-version-1_EN-US_11_2013.pdf

Thanks JRM223. Good to know. Will give this a try after I get scan tool.

Thanks Don. On page 2 of this thread I posted what Ford ETIS provided for my van. The BCM version never changed after the two dealer visits but each time the tech said they updated the BCM. I did this a few months before my three year warranty expired. Sounds like yours is still under the three year warranty unless your mileage is over the 36,000 limit, so you can try to get your BCM version updated if you're interested. The first dealer gave me a hard time about doing this update under warranty on my second visit. The first time they didn't question it, but failed in getting it done correctly. The second visit they said Ford wouldn't cover it under the warranty. The second dealer I went to had no problems in doing the work, but again failed after two visits with two different techs. As I said in the earlier post, there must be a nuance to getting this enabled. Link for Ford ETIS is below in case someone else wants to check. https://www.etis.ford.com/home/about.do

@Don R - would it fair to say that it would work for earlier Gen 2's as well, provided the BCM has been updated, per the SSM? I'm hoping that's the case for me. Numerous posters have shown that dealers seem to have trouble performing this process. Not sure if it's updating the BCM or setting the dark mode feature or both but something is hanging up the technicians. I'd venture to guess that more have failed in getting this done right than have had success. There must be a subtle step that is being missed.

@phollenback - Thanks for taking the time to put together this tutorial. You did an excellent job. You're a skilled technical writer. You've given me the confidence to see if I can make this change to my 2015 TC, provided the two dealers that had tried to do this had actually updated the BCM as they said they did. Ford ETIS did not show any BCM updates but not sure that is accurate. If they got that critical first part done right but were unable to set the dark mode correctly, I might have a chance. Worth a shot to satisfy my curiosity keeping in mind the evil of good is better.

Zeb - Your van should still be under warranty (3 years or 36,000 miles), yes? I realize you can't drive it over to the dealer to have them fix it with a dead battery, but perhaps you can consult with the dealer on how to fix it or remedy the situation under warranty work. You can ask if your new vehicle Ford tow coverage would cover the costs to transport to the dealer or if you have AAA or insurance coverage for towing. Just things to think of before you start busting into the van causing collateral damage. Good luck!

@bug512 - welcome to the forum and congrats on your new TC. Thanks for sharing pics - good looking van - I like the color. Great looking dogs too. Lots of room in the van for them. You're going to have fun with your TC. Enjoy!