windguy

pretty sure the TC has a Class I hitch - rated for 2,000 pounds. I think you're right on the 1.25" size but I can confirm. Other forum posters have mentioned they got an aftermarket hitch from Curt. See the link below. http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2014_Ford_Transit+Connect.htm

If you want to stick with Conti's I'm sure a decent tire place (or Ford dealer) can get you a proration on those tires since the wear is well below the rated mileage. Worth checking into to see how much credit you can get. Below is a link to Ford's Tire Warranty Guide. Good luck! http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2015-Tire-Warranty-Guide-version-4_tirtw_EN-US_02-2014.pdf

I'm ready to get a pair of custom Seat Covers and a Sun Shield. CoverKing's website doesn't show a seat cover or shield option for a Gen 2 TC. I called them and they confirmed they don't have them available and the rep has no idea if they will. Any other suggestions for sourcing these? Generic seat covers is always an option but I prefer to spend a little extra and get something a more tailored fit for the seat. Same for the window shield. thanks

I ordered my 2015 TC with a factory trailer hitch. No immediate need for it but figured it would be good to have for future use. The only problem I have with it so far is that it sticks out beyond the bumper about 1.5", so it's a real shin grabber. Ouch! I've banged into it several times and tonight my wife did the same, so it's not just my boney legs getting kissed by this chunk of metal. Do others with this stock hitch have the same problem? I'm strongly considering removing the hitch until I need it if that can easily be done. I took a look underneath to see how it's mounted, and there are four bolts per side that it's attached to with a nut. The head of the bolt is hidden inside the frame so not sure if those are welded on some how. If I remove the nuts and pull the hitch off, what will happen to the bolts and can I easily reattach it? thanks

I agree that cutting into the roof of a new van is daunting and getting it sealed properly with the roof design would be a challenge. venting the hot air at the roof would be most efficient way to keep the van cool and well vented. I sure wish there was an easy solution to this. might have to pull out the 3-D blackboard to figure out something

adding a vent for the cargo area was discussed in the this thread http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/2769-cargo-area-vent/ In summary, the Gen 1 van is taller and adding a 14"x 14" fantastic fan type vent would be less visible. With the Gen 2 van being 9 or so inches less in height, a vent of this type would be very visible and I'm not sure how good that would look. It would be the best functional optional but I'd be a little worried about its appearance since it's a decent looking van. The smaller Ventline Vanair might be a less obtrusive solution. To me it looks more like some type of satellite antenna. The only down side is that it doesn't move as much air. It would be great if this model had some type of solar option to power it.

that would be interesting, no? http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/10-vehicles-the-usps-should-consider-in-the-search-for-new-mail-trucks/ss-AA9njs1#image=11

welcome to the forum I can only speak for the Gen 2 TC's - 2014-2015. The LWB - Long Wheel Base version has about 7ft + from the rear doors to the back of center console. If the seats are moved all the way forward, you can pick up 6 or so inches of more space. I'm 6-2 as well and plan to do some light camping in my van at some point, so plenty of room for that. Very comfortable driving with lots of headroom, the most I've ever had so that's a nice plus. Stop by a Ford dealer that has the TC's in stock and bring your pillow along. The only issue for camping is lack of ventilation in the cargo area if you get the van model (no rear seats). None of the optional windows open, just the two front ones.

@operating engineer - thanks for the offer. if/when I get closer to adding this option I may take you up on the offer.

that sounds like a nice mod. can you take a pic of what you did (switch, lights, tap point)? For my Gen 2, I'd be interested in adding some type of switch in the back to provide loading/unloading light. I can see the wiring going to the power outlet in the back when you open the side panel door. thanks

I did a little exploration today to see what is under the cargo mat and wanted to share what I found out. I lifted the mat on the driver's side in front of the sliding door. First removed the d-ring tie-down with a T-50 torx bit. Then lifted up the black step molding, which is held down by yellow plastic fasteners and peeled back the mat. I also peeled back the black side panel just to see what's behind it and how to get the step removed if I wanted to go any further. As you can see from the two pics attached, the platform looks very similar to the drawing in the builder's guide posted earlier. I marked in red where the step up occurs, as I can see the carpeting close to the surface through a nearby hole. This is about 22 inches from the leading edge and the width inside the step molding is about 38". Removing the platform would require a lot of work with some unknowns. The sides of the platform go underneath and support the step molding in front of the sliding doors. You would need to first remove the two black side panels that go between the sliding door and the rear door. It appears these are held in place by numerous fasteners, just like all the other coverings in the van. Nothing is screwed down anymore. With the side panels removed, then you can remove the black step in front of the sliding door on both sides. Remove the four d-rings and then the mat will easily lift out. Not sure exactly how the platform is held in place. Is it bolted from inside the van or through the flooring from underneath? you would think it would be from inside. As much as I'd love to create a storage area where this platform is, the amount of work involved to remove it and then build back support is extensive. I'm not sure it's worth it. I put back the pieces I removed and the only collateral damage was that one of the yellow fasteners for the step molding fell down into the well somewhere where I can't get to it. Not sure it's necessary to replace it but may source a fastener some time in the future. There is a small storage area that has a black plastic cover, 1/2 over the face of the platform and 1/2 on top. It just snaps in and you can remove it by just lifting the mat up slightly. The compartment is located right behind the center console on the platform.You can see this in the picture attached. It's a bit strange and not sure how you would use this but it is there.

@Ford TC - welcome to the forum. Since you're in Colorado, the issues about the rear heater being deficient, as noted in this forum, should be a concern. Check out the threads talking about that or better yet if you're looking at a 2014 van on a dealer lot, test out the heater yourself to see how well it works. good luck!

thanks I haven't drive the van enough yet to even consider MPG's.

it took two pics to show the rear plate. side view shows how it flairs out at the bottom. when you look at the back view it seems that the plate area was designed more for a Euro plate that is wide and narrow and not for the size of a US plate. one option is to raise the plate a few inches by drilling two new holes in the plate so it sits nicely in the plate area. We'll see how much it bugs me.

got my plates today and after cinching down the rear one the bottom flares away from the body. maybe it's just me but I'd rather this plate lay flat against the door panel. perhaps adding a spacer would help to prevent this. anyone else do something like this to their Gen 2 TC? thanks

pic of keypad mounted on rear door

MOD #1 - decided to remove the black styrofoam pieces today. don't think these perform any function and not sure why they are mounted. They seem more as a backing material for a headliner. You can see one on each side of the bulkhead where the slider door yoke goes into. I've attached a pic of where that is The smaller of the two pieces had two adhesive strips holding the bottom edge in place. the bigger piece didn't not and was pretty loose. The pieces are held in place by a few plastic one-time use fasteners/retainer. It was easiest to cut the fastener below the quarter size head with a wire cutter. Then remove the foam and then pull out the remaining shaft of the fasteners with pliers. Very easy to remove. I think it looks much cleaner without it and this will allow me to build a ceiling rack much easier.

thanks mustang

@mustang, I'm pretty sure that there is a different body style for vans vs wagons so I'm in agreement there, but all come with an open panel for the window area on the slider so it's the same part. Then the wagon models are finished with the movable window and the van models are finished with a static glass panel at the factory. In Maryland if the slider glass wasn't an ordered option, like you and I have, the window is removed and a blank panel is glued on and then water checked for leaks. I think I read that somewhere. One poster on this forum had commented that he found broken glass around the cargo mat in his van. Perhaps that window didn't come out very clean. Not sure how the back windows are handled. It would be nice if we could get a insider at Ford to confirm what actually happens rather than us guessing, but it is fun to toss around theories. glad you didn't get too much snow. good luck with the next storm heading your way this week.

do you recall what size torx bit you used? was it a T50?

thanks Mustang. it's kind of flimsy if you ask me and not very good looking. you can see a piece of the same material inside the opening where the slider ends towards the B pillar.

@mustang, I was under the impression that this panel was also converted until I looked at my van and I'm in agreement that this part is not altered in processing. I think the windows they remove are the windows on the slider and rear doors. My van looks identical to yours so I believe no glass was changed on them but don't know for sure since the slider windows are static. But if you look at a cargo van without windows, they add a panel where the glass goes. Very easy to do at a processing facility. I think that would convince you that this is added later on and not at a factory. Take a look at the threaded holes above the slots where the seat belts would go and you can see the hole was used and not factory fresh. It's no big deal but more of a curiosity thing. It's a great van either way and I'm totally stoked to have it. BTW - how are you going with all the snow? My mom's in NH (more inland) and she said she hasn't had that much snow this winter so far. lucky for her.

thanks for posting that. I'd love to see a video of them making the transformation and/or a list of changes they actually make in the conversion. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, after removing the seats they add back the platform and then obviously the cargo mat and four d-rings.

On a cargo van, anyone take a look at the black styrofoam that's above the sliding door on each side and wonder what's its purpose? see picture attached to show what I'm referring to. The styrofoam is in two pieces and not very secure. I'm not sure what's actually holding it up. There doesn't appear to be anything behind it and can't figure out it's function. I'd like to add a storage shelf for gear above the entire ceiling and the foam is in the way. I'm more inclined to remove it unless someone convinces me otherwise. thanks.

@mustang - I not 100% convinced my cargo van didn't start out as a passenger model. the threaded holes on each side of the van where the seat belt would attach to the frame appears to have been used compared to other threaded holes that haven't been. the paint around the hole shows some wear like a washer was used and perhaps was touched up with paint. hard to tell. I'd be curious to know for sure that this conversion is no longer happening.