windguy

Someone showed me their 2013 Ford Escape yesterday, which has the keypad integrated into the frame of the door along the pillar as shown in the video link below. Well hidden and a really nice feature. Too bad the TC doesn't offer that. Moderator - can you move this thread over to the Alarms, Keyless Entry, Key Fobs & Remote Start? Sorry I didn't start this thread there, where it seems like a better fit. Thanks

@sandman, Sorry, but I didn't think HeyZeus' post was negative, actually quite funny. you guys share common interests so you're in the same camp. brothers from another mother as they sometimes say. like Rich said above, I would think the Ford Transit - short wheelbase with a low roof - the smallest version, would be ideal for you. You'd have just enough room to cover whatever biking activities you might encounter without having to worry about making compromises. I can groove that they are made in the US too rather than Spain so there's some pluses there to consider. Delivery time should be faster. For me, being able to park the TC in the garage was a requirement so the Gen 1 wouldn't have worked. I'm stoked the Gen 2 has a shorter roof height but can understand why others prefer a taller version.

@bxff After you get that installed, could you please post some info on both the wheels and tires - size model. etc. thanks!

welcome to the forum congrats on getting your new TC. That sure was a long wait. cool looking wagon pics. you're really pimping your ride. can't wait to see the rest of your mods. if you want to post pics, it's best to create your own gallery, upload pics to that and then you can attach them to your post if you want to. the file size limit for regular attachments is only 500KB for all files so there's not much to work with there. Photo gallery is found under Your Profile then My Settings

I checked the Ford Accessories offerings and they don't offer any wheels for Gen 1 (2013 or older). See the link below for wheels for Gen 2 (2014, 2015). These wheels don't list other years as being compatible so that's worth digging into. Maybe you can find these Ford alloys at a better price and you know it fits and matches what you have now, assuming they are the same. http://accessories.ford.com/kit-wheel-10767.html getting the right fitting wheel can be a challenge sometimes. last winter I bent the wheel on my Volvo wagon and ordered a "compatible" steel wheel through the local Discount Tire (America's Tire). Everything fit just fine in terms of mounting, but the wheel cover wouldn't fit. I had to get a Volvo wheel at 2X the price.

glad to hear you got yourself a new TC. sweet! I'm sure you have seen that there are a bunch of threads on wheels and tires, but for Gen 1 TC's. have you checked to see what the difference is between Gen 1 and Gen 2 wheels and tires? If they are the same then your question might be answered. I'm curious myself so please keep us posted.

nice job setting up your gallery. looking forward to seeing some pics of your TC

the forum limits you to 500KB of space for attachments. not very much. you can delete older attachments to free up space. another option is to create your own Gallery and upload pics there. I think you can link a Gallery pic in your post like you would an attachment, without the space limitations. I have yet to do so but many other posters have. then you can add some fun pics of your van, which I'm not sure we've seen before, have we?

were you drafting behind a semi?

I saw that too but I'd ask a Ford parts person if one exists.

Has anyone installed one on their TC or has one factory installed? I saw some videos on youtube and it seems pretty easy to program and stick on the van with double sided tape. The keypad is no longer an orderable option for 2015 so you need to buy it as a spare part, which is only $85 or less (same price if ordered on a 2014). http://accessories.ford.com/actuator-asy.html Part Number: ES7Z-14A626-A is compatibility for TC - 2013, 2014, 2015 and not compatible for vehicles with push button Part number: 7L2Z-14A626-BA for TC - 2010 - 2014. Not sure of the difference.

it's nice weather, but we need some rain badly. yes, the keypad installs with double sided tape and you can stick it anywhere on the van. for me the back door area would be most convenient. it operates just like your keyless remote. it also has a battery that needs to be changed. this was an option you could order for 2014 but for some reason they dropped it for 2015. I'd prefer to mount it where I want to anyway. I'll start a separate thread to see if anyone else has installed one.

I surf and windsurf at the beach often and currently use a keysafe, like a realtor lockbox, that I got from Home Depot. I put my single key inside and I hang it from the roof rail. If you stash a key on the car it's susceptible to being stolen either by someone watching you or finding your hiding spot. They know you will be gone for a while. Adding in a keypad will be the ultimate solution for me to not having to worry about the key or getting locked out by mistake. I'm really glad Ford offers this option and it's only $85 or less and easy to install. Good to have for other activities as well like running or biking or if multiple people want to gain access to the car and don't have the key.

ha, ha, yes. It's an obsession at this point. I've got nothing else to play with. :( Since Ford updated the TC page for the 2015, I wanted to see if they also updated the accessories, which they did. I need to add in a keypad for entry since that is no longer offered as an option for 2015, so couldn't order one. Easy to install and can be mounted anywhere, which might work out better for me this way. Need to do something will I'm waiting, and waiting and waiting ..................

@Johnguy This accessory was made just for you. Maybe me too Not sure about compatibility for a TC though. Check it out and let us know http://accessories.ford.com/locking-fuel-plug.html

The Ford site is finally showing 2015 for the TC. http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitconnect/?gnav=header-trucks

@103west43rd thanks for posting. glad Ford is on top of these issues.

sorry to hear that. dang! hope it can easily be resolved. good luck with that

glad to hear it. that means you should probably put in an order now considering the wait time

TC review from 09/08/14 - short segment but fun to watch http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/2014-ford-transit-connect-review/vi-BB2v5Jl?refvid=BB4b4MF

@Johnyguy You might find this video interesting regarding "Distance to empty" http://support.ford.com/vehicle-features/distance-to-empty Cheers!

found this on the Ford site. Thought it was useful to check out. http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1251735780107&pagename=Owner%2FPage%2FArticleDetail&recid=1251387049545&parentheadlineimageid=1234280151969&parentrightrecid=1251734739239

@johnyguy let us know if you decide to put the wagon model lens on. thanks for the application tips on the panels. Sounds like you did a nice job. keep us posted on your next upgrades

@johnyguy, that's a good tip on finishing those panels to protect them. thanks for sharing that. I assume you used spray lacquer for this. I haven't seen the rear door pocket but it sounds like a nice feature for storage. Let us know what you find out on this. 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.

the ad fee varies by region. some areas of the county might not even have it. would be interesting to get input from other posters on what they paid and for what area of the country. the dealers have to pay for it so they are allowed to pass it along to the consumer as part of the invoice amount. As I mentioned earlier, they don't advertise the TC so it should be exempt from this bend-over fee.