windguy

Thanks GBL - that's exactly what I needed to know from a mechanic guru. Now I'll have to find something else to obsess about! ?

Not sure if this topic has already been discussed but it seems timely. Theft of cat converters is turning into a sport here in Southern CA. Local police blotter in the newspaper and Nextdoor app has a constant stream of reported thefts, mostly from Prius (has two cats) and late model Honda's along with higher profile vehicles like pick-ups with easy access. Local police just busted a group that had a floor jack, battery powered sawzalls, and a bunch of stolen cats. Rat bastards need to rot in hell as far as I'm concerned. When these cats were first stolen ten or more years ago, I was told they use tools to unbolt and remove. Theft prevention was to weld the bolts shut. Now the perps use battery sawzalls and just hack it out in a few minutes or less using a floor jack to prop up the car. It's a quick and damaging process. Local police offer a free engraving program to mark up the cat, which is supposed to be a deterrent, but I'm not convinced it is and enough of a measure. Seems too passive to work. According to the link below, the replacement cost is estimated to be between $2,387 and $2,421. Not sure if this is a realistic ballpark figure. Your out of pocket is your insurance deductible and you hope the parts are available. Maybe it's better to take some pro-active measures to prevent it from happening and avoid the hassle. Not sure? https://repairpal.com/estimator/ford/transit-connect/catalytic-converter-replacement-cost Questions: - Has anyone have their cat stolen from their TC or know of other TC owners it's happened to? - Is this a problem in your area? - Should that be a concern to us TC owners, meaning is it easy to steal on this vehicle? Perhaps the mechanics on the forum can weigh in on that. - Has anyone taken any security measures or considered them? My TC sits in the garage most of the time so it's safe at the house but leaving it parked at the beach for a few hours or the Home Depot parking lot may be a vulnerability. Wondering what others are thinking. Thanks! 5 Ways to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/5-ways-to-foil-catalytic-converter-thieves

@High Mileage Jim - Thanks for posting about the recall. Glad Ford finally stepped up to address the known problem. Interesting that the recall covers even recent 2021 built vehicles, yet this problem has been around for a while. Perhaps Ford didn't have enough of the replacement parts to cover new builds and recalled vehicles. You have to wonder. Link below for the recall if interested. https://ford.oemdtc.com/7236/safety-recall-21s24-shifter-cable-bushing-replacement-and-protective-cap-2013-2021-ford-transit-connect

Thanks guys. Glad it's not just me. Logging in is an easy workaround. Safe travels!

My stored bookmark in Firefox for the TC Forum gives me the screen shot below. It's been that way for a week or more and just figured the forum was undergoing maintenance. Today I tried to log in and low and behold it goes back to a normal front page view. If I log out and refresh, same messed up screen. I deleted the bookmark and restored but same issue. I think Firefox did a refresh recently, cause it looks a little different, and perhaps that's the issue. Tried Chrome and same problem. No problems with any other bookmarks or websites. Any ideas? Thanks!

@bullfreog and @Wild-surfwood - thanks for posting about your problem and providing the model year and mileage. Glad you were both able to get this fixed without incident. I wonder why the TC hasn't been added to FORD Safety Recall 18S20. Same bushing, same problem.

@rodent66 - yes, very easy to install following instructions on video provided in the link below. I added my keypad before I had plates for the van, see pic in thread. Great amenity to add to your van if you have a use for it. My keypad has be active for 6 years now still on the original battery. Wondering when that will die and how to replace. Verify part numbers for your model year before ordering.

@grindel - thanks for reporting. Glad you got home safely. What year is your TC and how many miles?

Sorry to hear about your woes. What year is your TC? Could your problem be related to the one outlined in the linked thread below?? Please keep us posted on what happens.

I'd give them a call. I checked to see the parts listing and I see the steering column but not just the steering wheel. If you find a vehicle that has a picture of the steering wheel style you're after, call them for a quote for just the steering wheel. Example links below. If you currently have cruise control then make sure this steering wheel also has CC. I think all XLT and Titanium trims come with CC but XL trim doesn't unless ordered as an option. My trim is black but it looks like one in the linked listing and pictured below is beige (could just be the sun) so perhaps there are a few color trims. Something to make sure before buying. I'd also try to source it from a vehicle with low mileage if possible so it's less beat-up. Check that out under the tab SOURCE VEHICLE. Also noticed that LKQ now offers warranty options. That's new since I bought my IPC. Good luck! https://www.lkqonline.com/2015-Ford-Transit-Connect-Steering-Column/-hS3mOPnc3Pm https://www.lkqonline.com/2015-FORD-TRANSIT-CONNECT-Steering-Column/-hS3mOPnc3Pm/-i~249152420

@don r - thanks for the additional input. Interesting. As long as the digital speedo is accurate I don't really care about the analog since I'm like you and never look at it anymore. @jrm223 - didn't realize the XL trim doesn't have a digital speedo on the IPC. Time to upgrade (if you can). You won't regret it.

@Don Ridley - Thanks Don. So you're under the assumption that the digital is correct and this has nothing to do with upgrading the IPC. That's good to know. Wonder what others are seeing both IPC upgraders and ones that haven't.

TO OTHER IPC UPGRADERS Have you noticed a difference between the digital and analog speedo after doing this upgrade? Maybe you're like me and never looked. I just noticed this after having done the upgrade in July 2019. I've been really happy with the new IPC since I primarily use the larger digital speedo and never look at the analog speedo. On a trip recently I by chance glanced at the analog speedo and noticed the difference: ANALOG = 69, DIGITAL = 65. Really? Which one is right? Hope it's the digital. I know the cruise control uses the digital value. TO OTHERS THAT HAVEN'T UPGRADES How close does your analog speedo match your digital? Please share your numbers. Thanks!

@Justin TC - Sorry, I can't give you a precise measurement because I have a plywood floor covered with carpet. I came up with 54 5/8". Good luck with your project!

@Justin TC - Sorry, I can't give you a precise measurement because I have a plywood floor covered with carpet. I came up with 54 5/8" Good luck with your project!

@MLB - Keep in mind that the weight of your SUP isn't the determining factor in how durable the rack needs to be. It's the uplifting force the size of the board creates when driving, more so at higher speeds. One place not to economize is with a rack system while traveling 70 mph down a highway with a large object strapped to the rooftop. I wouldn't take that risk but to each his own. Good luck!

Welcome to the forum and congrats on you new van. Sharing pics will make it official. In case you miss this in your readings, there is a great storage area hidden below the front cargo deck. Many of us have captured this area to use for storage. See the thread linked below for ideas. There are a few other threads sharing similar ideas for storage. It's a great mod to do and highly recommend it.

That's exactly why I added a keypad to the rear door of my TC, so I didn't have to stash the FOB at the beach. Has worked brilliantly for the last five years. Have you experimented stashing the FOB inside different types of metal containers to block the RF signal? Just storing it in the trunk is not enough to block its signal. A quick google search found the items linked below. Not endorsing these products but something like them might work. Check the reviews. Good luck! https://www.amazon.com/Keyfob-RFID-Signal-Blocking-Bag/dp/B00Y3FLYWG https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081TNGCVS/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B081TNGCVS&pd_rd_w=ptO1S&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=hk5dC&pf_rd_r=8CB9DXXEBTYBNCJ0CPKY&pd_rd_r=8eff050b-8645-4ba9-aee5-0ad885e0a646&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTENEUlhMSVNOM1RYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjM1NzgyMTM4NDNNWlJTTDBPSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjEzOTY4MThWU0w2UDFOUzhINiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

@'14 Connect - my 2015 TC does the same as well as others that have provided input over the years. All normal. And the heat is retained for a few hours sometimes. It's great when you get back in the van and want instant heat. I think the heater kicks ass in this van, maybe a little too well. The center console still gets pretty hot, even after getting the unused vent plugs fixed. Before the excess heat was affecting the sides and front plastic trim of the lower center console. Now all the heat pours out of the center vents and really gets cooking. I've never tested the van in cold environments so can't speak to how fast the radiator heat wanes when it's below 50ish outside.

@knaldak - Welcome to the forum. Your mods sound very nice. Looking forward to see pics of them. Hope you made use of the storage area under the cargo deck where the second row footwell is located. You must have with all that spare battery equipment you have. Travel pics would be fun to see as well.

I'm going to throw out a crazy/radical premonition that you prognosticators can toss around, beat up and chastise. What if Ford decides to drop the wagon version of the TC altogether? I've always had this thought that Ford imported the TC as a wagon model for the primary reason to skirt the chicken tax and they figured they could sell a few wagons along the way. But the primary purpose of importing the TC was to provide a cargo model to the viable commercial market. Based on the referenced WIKI link below, 85% of the vans imported are for cargo sales. Interesting to read about the Tariff Circumvention highlights. When Ford moves production to Mexico, the requirement to have the wagon version around is eliminated, if that was a reason. The question remains is there enough of a market to warranty its sales? Ford dropped passenger cars due to poor sales. Ford dropped the Windstar back in 1997 due to poor sales and didn't pick back up with a passenger van until 2010. That's a long gap in the market. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Transit_Connect Tariff circumvention Ford imports all Transit Connects as passenger vehicles with rear windows, rear seats, and rear seat-belts to circumvent the 25% tariff on imported light trucks.[1] The vehicles are exported from Turkey on cargo ships owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, arrive in Baltimore, and are converted into commercial vehicles at WWL Vehicle Services Americas Inc. facility: rear windows are replaced with metal panels and rear seats removed (except on wagons).[1] The removed parts are recycled.[1] The process exploited a perceived loophole in the customs definition of a commercial vehicle. As cargo does not need seats with seat belts or rear windows, presence of those items exempts the vehicle from commercial vehicle status. The conversion cost Ford hundreds of dollars per van but saved thousands over having to pay the tax.[1] Partly because of this, only the long-wheelbase, high-roof configuration is exported to North America. In most places the high-roof Transit Connect, like most Ford Econoline vans, is unable to access multi-story parking because of its height of 1.98 m (6′ 6″).[26] As of July 2018, Ford continues to employ the loophole but has been continuously in court over the practice.[27] On June 7, 2019, the United States won its appeal in the Federal Appellate Court. The court determined that the Ford Transit Connect was a vehicle for the transportation of cargo.[28] Since 2019 production, the conversion process of Transit Connects has undergone major revision. While all vehicles are still imported from Spain as passenger vehicles and converted to cargo vans (a process that happens to approximately 85% of Transit Connects imported to North America[18]), the conversion no longer involves the disposal/recycling of the removed parts; instead, the removed rear seats and rear windows are shipped to Ford in Spain for reuse.[18]

Thanks for posting that tidbit, good catch! I missed that somehow. Below is an article that highlights that change. I'm sure there are others but probably not much info on the TC itself. For those that kept insisting that Ford stopped converting cargo vans from passenger vans after being imported, perhaps this article will convince you it's still being done. Probably not. Wonder what the next Gen 3 TC is going to be like? I hate being jealous. Maybe a hybrid and/or EV since US markets can't accept the diesel. AWD option would be super cool. Will be fun to see what develops. https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/ford-will-build-transit-connect-mexico

@LizaJane - Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new van. I too have a 2015 Cargo model. You're going to have lots of fun with it. Love your travel cat. What's its name? Lots of great info already posted here to give you design ideas. Check the thread below for someone with similar requirements. In case you miss this in your readings, there is a great storage area hidden below the front cargo deck. Many of us have captured this area to use for storage. See the thread linked below for ideas. There are a few other threads sharing similar ideas for storage. It's a great mod to do and highly recommend it.