windguy

@NWCamperMan - where did they mount your house battery? Do you know what model it is? What model refrigerator do you have? For me, having a microwave would be huge plus, if I can fit it in. Quickly heating up water for drinking or washing and heating up food would be easier than setting up a propane stove. The microwave would use a lot of power though so that's an issue.

@NWCamperman - welcome back to the forum. glad you came down off the mountain to avoid the winter weather and share your TC experiences thanks for the input on your camper conversion. I've heard of Van Specialties before. I visit the Sportsmobile Forum frequently and VS is often talked about. they do some interesting work on vans. On Art's website/facebook page, some had asked Art if he is doing work on the Gen 2 TC's and he said no, the roof is too short. he is working on the full size Transit though. that's interesting. The Fantastic Fan sounds like the best option for ventilation but I'm not sure how it would look on the lower roof of a Gen 2 TC. It's more visible at that height compared to your taller Gen 1 TC. Sorry to hear about your vibration problems, hope you can sort that out easily, like new motors mounts as Willie suggested. Good Luck with that!

makes you wonder who at Ford tested this heater solution before building. do other wagon owners have this same problem or is just a few isolated cases? wonder how well the van heater works in the Euro diesel engine models. my Volvo 850 Wagon has an awesome heater, The Sweds really know how to keep a car toasty. I'll be bummed if the heater in my new TC is substandard. maybe something like these plug in heaters would be a good temporary fix until the problem is sorted out. http://www.harborfreight.com/12v-auto-heater-defroster-with-light-61598.html

bummer bikinchris. sorry to hear that. Seems like someone on the Ford TC Facebook page posted the same issue recently https://www.facebook.com/FordTransitConnectWagon/posts/849472255172824 for those not on facebook, below is a crude cut/paste Julia Sampson Frankland‎Ford Transit Connect Wagon December 17, 2014 at 12:49pm · Canton, OH · About to take mine in for the 2nd repair on the sliding door latch. Anyone else having problems? Ford Service Hey Julia, As Charlie Brown would say; "oh brother". What is the year and mileage of your Transit Connect? I'm happy to look into this. Sarah Ford Service Like · Reply · December 17, 2014 at 1:26pm Julia Sampson Frankland 2014 with under 4k on it. It wasn't opening well - took it in for a different recall and had it 'fixed' Today when it opened the entire assembly on the receiving end of the latch stayed attached to the attaching end of the latch. Sadness. Taking it in tomorrow for visit #2 at the dealership. Like · December 17, 2014 at 1:33pm Ford Service Thanks for the quick reply, Julia! I'm happy to have your concerns brought to your Regional Customer Care Team. Just PM your VIN, dealer info, and a daytime phone number. Sarah Ford Service Like · December 17, 2014 at 1:41pm Julia Sampson Frankland Just sent - thanks.

Regarding Roof Racks, there's a thread that discusses this same subject http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/2406-roof-attachment-points-on-2014-transit-connect/?hl=%2Broof+%2Bracks#entry6928 As Carlb28 said, when ordered as an option, it's reasonable. As a Ford Accessory or Spare Part, it's extremely unreasonable. And to get roof rails, which you can't order on the van model, it's priced way beyond reasonable. That's an option I really wanted and need so I will have to come up with another option on my own. Regarding the vehicle being made in Spain and if that influences the design of the heater, I don't think so. It's just a manufacturing plant. The designers at Ford corporate are responsible for that poor design. I think Carlb28 touched on a very interesting point about the design goals of the van being Euro based. I get the feeling after reading some of the complaints (heating and lighting) are more based around the wagon/passenger version compared to the van/cargo version. If the cargo van had a bulkhead then rear climate control and lighting would be of little concern. So if Ford's primary goal for this van is for commercial use then that's the way it was designed. Converting it for passenger use was done through some add on mods, which aren't exactly well thought out. We're well aware the wagon lacks some of the amenities that a fully loaded Honda or Toyota van would have, like DVD/Entertainment options, power sliding doors and power rear hatch. It would be interesting to know the break down of cargo vs passenger sales for North America and Europe. Hope you guys can work out the bugs and start to enjoy your new van. Cheers!

@mrgone - sorry to hear you're having heating problems in the back. I checked out the user's manual and they have much discussion about climate control for the rear. One control is for the fan, and it seems that part is working for you. The other control is for the temperature and vent choice, and that isn't working. It did mention that for cold air, the front A/C has to be on. But it doesn't say that for the heater. An electric supplemental heater system sounds very strange. How does the heater for the rear passengers work for other minivans?

saw the pics earlier but now they say "empty". I like what I saw though. Nice job. What does the new badge mean? Really easy to set up your own Photo Gallery on this Forum. Then you easily attach pics to your post using the My Media tab above. Let me know if you need help setting that up. USA Gas, really?? (ha, don't want to divert your discussion to gas types)

I thought carlb28 said they are 3-way switches: on-off-door? I would expect that as a minimum. being able to switch control the cargo light from the driver's seat a nice feature but an extra.

okay, red. that's what it seemed like but in the end white is the predominate background color. that's a very cool video. thanks for sharing.

so if they are 3-way, then Mustang should be able to turn them on without having to open the doors. your lighting needs sounds a bit more difficult. Curious, does this type of option exist for other minivans like an Odyssey or Sienna? maybe you can add some type of light and switch setup with a light that isn't very bright (blue LED) so you can see what's going on without waking passengers up. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/blue-led-interior-lights http://www.amazon.com/4pc-Blue-Interior-Underdash-Lighting/dp/B000UV8FNS.

that design sounds pretty silly. needs a 3 option switch: off - on - door on, just like any normal cabin light.

interesting thought. pretty sure the passenger wagons don't have the upper lens unless you have the Titanium package. that's the reason those folks in the Facebook link above made the mod to theirs. if as you say the lens offers reflective advantages, then I'd be interested in making the mod as well from a safety standpoint, aside from the aesthetic reasons.

welcome to the forum great looking van. thanks for sharing a pic. how many miles do you have so far? regarding making the van a camper, I too would like to do this at some point. do you want to make yours a full-time camper or just like a weekend get-away type setup? it looks like you have a SWB wagon so there is one bench seat in the back that's removable, right? there are several threads under Accessories & Modifications that discuss this topic. below is a link http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/forum/19-accessories-and-modifications/ there are also conversion threads in other sections. this one is located in Interiors and is pretty good http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/2299-my-tc-rv-almost-done/?hl=semperkeith most of these are for Gen 1 TC's. Not as many for Gen 2 since they are newer. You can do a goggle search on "2014 Transit Connect Camper" and find some ideas. I don't think you'll find anything ready-made since this is more custom work tailored to an individual's needs. I'm sure there are some van conversion companies in your area that can work with you on your project.

I had no idea how a vehicle was wrapped so I checked youtube. where else can one get educated lot of videos to see but thought this one was van related @mrtn - what was the base color of the van - white or red? very cool looking, nice job

I noticed on the TC Facebook page that someone had the same thoughts as Johnyguy and made this very mod. see the link below. Sure does look more integrated this way. Not so sure about changing the nameplate from Transit Connect to Tourneo Connect but I guess they wanted to make their van something different. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=740161696039059&set=p.740161696039059&type=1&theater

this topic was started by Johnyguy in another thread and I just saw something new on it so thought it would be better to give it it's own thread. Going to repeat the original posts to get the thread started. Johnyguy wrote: The other day I was driving and I saw a wagon version right next to me at the red light I noticed above the rear lights they use a reflector instead of the black plastic filler on the cargo version I think that's a cheap move from ford,I will see how much that would coast to replace from the dealer it would help to make the van look more finished plus would help others to see you better. Windguy wrote: Regarding the tail lights, I would agree that the extra lens on top look more integrated compared to a black filler piece. Wonder why there is a difference between the wagon and van models for this. From your picture it looks like it's a separate lens assembly. Hard to tell if there are any bulbs inside this part. Johnyguy wrote: Yes it is a separate lens assembly just a reflector there is no bulbs inside . I guess they cared more about the esthetics of the wagon than the van and to save money. I've attached Johnguy's original pic and added a pic of his van showing the black lens cover version

welcome to the forum Max do you own a TC or plan to get one?

time for an update on my van order. yes, still waiting I was able to download the window sticker using the VIN number I got and the URL below. http://www.inventory.ford.com/services/inventory/WindowSticker.pdf?vin=NM0LS6E74F1180101 Your VIN starts with the NM0L. This isn't my van but just an example Not sure at what step in the order process the window sticker becomes available but fun to see something on the van. still expecting the van at the end of December to mid-January so hope it happens soon. One interesting pricing change I noticed on the sticker. The base price of the van without options and delivery went up by $200. It was $24,655 when I ordered the van back at the end of July. Now it's $24,855. I confirmed that price increase on the Ford configuration tool. The options pricing stayed the same. The base price on the 2014 is $24,525, so I was aware that there was a small increase of $130 for 2015. At the time I ordered the van the Ford configuration tool for 2015 wasn't available yet. I wonder if Ford/Dealer is going to try to stick me with that extra increase, or the increased invoice amount, when I get the van. I would think they would honor the pricing provided when I ordered but I'm expecting to hear a different story. Hopefully my next update is when the van gets delivered.

I found two options for a small low profile roof vent Ventline Vanair Roof Vent Model Number: VP-543SP Cost = $50 100CFM drawing 1.5amps http://www.etrailer.com/Enclosed-Trailer-Parts/Ventline/VP-543SP.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htbsOqSFjtY installed picture http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/r/i/rid24341_r1_800.jpg I like this unit because it's pretty discrete - only sits up 2 5/16" above roof and is 8" in diameter Not sure if you would need an aux 12V battery to run this. 1.5amp draw is pretty low, right? Power = 1.5amps x 12vdc = 18watts I also like the dark black color, which looks more like some type of antenna than a vent. The second option is a solar powered plumbing vent. Advantage is no 12V power source needed so it's pretty simple This unit is about the same diameter but sits up a little higher at 3 3/4" and it's white. Ultra-fab Solar Powered Plumbing Vent Model Number: UF53-945081 Cost = $27 http://www.etrailer.com/Enclosed-Trailer-Parts/Ultra-Fab-Products/UF53-945001.html

carlb, congrats on getting your new van. it was worth the wait. it's a beauty for sure! thanks for sharing a pic. so shiny and clean. crossbar noise is always a bummer. we don't get much feedback on this forum about racks on a TC. from your pic, you've got the crossbars placed pretty far back. hope you are able to move it further forward.

@semperkeith - thanks for the link. I'd be a bit scared cutting a hole in a brand new van. maybe installing it underneath on a bracket so it's easily accessible is a less evasive option for me. we'll see. have you made any recent additions to your camper van?

@SemperKeith - thanks for the input. welcome back to the forum. It's been a while. I've checked out your pics before. you did some really nice camper add-ons to your van. the fan install came out really nice too. I think for the Gen 1 TC with the higher roof, that type of fan is a good solution. for the Gen 2 TC with only a 6ft roof, not so sure since the fan is more visible with the lower roof. I'd like to have something a bit more discrete since you can easily see it.

yeah, welcome to the forum and congrats on your new TC. but before we start talking, we need some pics of this new ride

welcome to the forum and congrats on your new van. saw you posted a few pics of your van in your new Gallery. very nice looking. http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/gallery/image/808-2014-transit-connect-xlt-van/ your van config is the same as mine to be in silver with windows on the slider. sweet! hey, wait, is that my van or did you order one? BTW - you can attach pics to your post by using the MY MEDIA option in the toolbar. the spell and grammar checker part I can't help you with

@NCRANCHERO I like the new pics too that you just posted in your gallery. Didn't know where to comment on them but it's a sweet looking ride Looks like a Secret Service vehicle. Stealthy! You sure do spend a lot of time in your TC. Glad you like it.