ncranchero

Well I thought I'd try radio improvement via antenna. I realize this is opposite from what most are doing but my AM reception was simply awful. I had some standard Ford screw-in antenna masts but the thread pitch was wrong. So I took a broken one, found a screw of the proper size/thread, drilled a pilot hole in the screw head, inserted the mast and welded it together. :spiteful: Installed it and wah-lah, reception. So the issue IS the crappy little short antenna. Now I'll be happy until I probably break it off! It needs a spring base........ And FWIW, I don't park it inside.

You can view the Audio and Work Solution wiring schematics info I have here: http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a154/ncranchero/Transit%20Connect/Service%20Manual%20Info/

My mileage is fluctuating quite a bit. I guess the varying loads and routes/conditions cause that, IDK. I've gotten 25.5 to 26.2 a couple of times. Usually it's in the upper 22's to lower 24's. Have 4063 miles on it now. Monday will be 4 weeks of operation.

I haven't had such a poor radio in a vehicle since my VW's in the 60's!!! The reception sucks, the sound quality sucks! I'm thinking of getting a fender mount antenna since I do listen to a particular AM talk radio show. New speakers are going to be a must also. I'm really liking the little van okay but some of the driver accessories are really sub-standard for this country. :angry:

A Class 5 ????????? OMG, that's quite optimistic! :hysterical: Class 5: Any Trailer hitch with capacity greater than 10000# gross trailer weight and 1000-1200# tongue weight. Usually a 2.5" receiver or in some special cases a 2" receiver. "Getting up to speed fast" is a phrase that should never be used in association with a TC ! U-Haul :angry: won't even rent a trailer to tow behind a Sport Trac ( with a 12,000 lb tow rating ) because of the Explorer fiasco years ago. They will rent to a Transit Connect? I bet that will result in some interesting crashes!

I was reading that you should have the rear u-bolts re-torqued every 15K miles. :o Anyone had a problem with the rear suspension? By that being a 15K mile maintenance item it makes me think there has been a problem along the way somewhere. But, if a problem exists wouldn't 15k be a bit long to put off the re-torque/inspection? I think I'll check mine a bit sooner. FYI, torque is 92 ft.lbs. in the typical cross bolt pattern and the vehicle MUST be resting on it's wheels (not jacked up).

Have you checked these out in comparison to the ScanGauge? http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/index.htm

Say WHAT?? Is that a typo? Is that vehicle weight across the scales? I approach the 1600lb payload rating every Tuesday and yes, it's pretty much a dog! Empty or with very moderate loads it adequate, pretty much what you'd expect from any loaded I-4 automatic vehicle. The 1-2 shift has an unbelievable "hole" in it. I don't know who calculated out the gearing for this thing but they need to sharpen their pencil for future models. Better yet would be a 5-speed automatic. The "bog" problem seems to be common......I hate it!

Is that 39.5 a tank average, a trip average or a 6 miles downhill on the freeway average? Had mine 3 weeks today,3050 miles, and my last tank was 25.1. It seems to still be improving but I doubt I'll see anything near 39.5............

That's how I'm thinking. I may be using mine for purposes for which it wasn't designed or intended, IDK. If that is the case then Ford is restricting their own market, even more so with the overpriced electric model. If they are targeting a market, okay. If they are restricting the vehicle to a market, not so good. You're actually just feeding my argument. The 75, or even 125, mile electric vehicle travel distance leaves out a major part of the market. My three travel days are 500,300 & 200 miles so I wouldn't even look in it's direction. Fuel prices do fluctuate but so far it averages out over a few months. Besides, going from a 14-15 mpg E250 Super Duty to this 25 mpg TC is saving a chunk in daily operation costs. Longevity/maintenance costs? After putting just under 200K on each of my last 3 E250's with only tires and oil changes I seriously doubt this TC will measure up to that. And what IS the cost of that battery pack replacement????

Hey there, Dexter are you just spamming us by these vague posts to get your signature plug in??

Says the taxi version has sliding second row windows. That might be a welcome addition. I'm with Joe on the rest of the ideas. A $60K 75 mile ......... a $60k anything TC is just lunacy !

I think this will be less forgiving than the E250 but I hope I'm wrong. I only use it 3 days a week, will have 3000 on it tomorrow afternoon.

Only had it 2 1/2 weeks, have 2600 miles on it. Hope it lasts!

What are you doing for the current TPMS? Did you install new sensors on your new wheels or just put out the light? And what are those Lincoln wheels? Did you post that and I missed it?

Mine gets no less than 21 regardless of where i drive it. I run it about maxed out weight wise once a week on a 500+ mile trip, like today. Only ran half the trip interstate today and got 25 on the return tank full. usually it's 23 or there abouts.

I registered over there a couple of weeks ago but never got the confirmation e-mail. Maybe they didn't want the Yank! :angry: Thanks for the plate info! Have a mate from Scotland, was here stateside a while, now down under in Melbourne. Cheers!

OMG, mid-60's ........... for a TC .............. of ANY description? :confused: Anything I paid mid-60's for would have to make people drool! All I get in this TC is people pointing fingers and laughing! Ice cream truck, pink kitties, "wtf is that thing" .......... but I do kinda like it, the truck not the comments!

I accepted a white one out of inventory two weeks ago but was told it would be late Jan or Feb if I ordered one. Sounded a bit like BS to me but I did read that transit was 90+ days.

Stepped Unlock Programming With the ignition switch in the OFF position, press the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter simultaneously for 4 seconds. The turn signals flash twice to indicate the mode change. Repeat Step 1 to enable/disable the stepped unlocking feature.

To get an audible lock "confirmation" why couldn't you just add a small, low amp draw, horn activated by the drivers lock actuator circuit? Also, I "think" I have tried locking the vehicle with the fob, while it was running, and it wouldn't lock it. I'm in and out of a vehicle all day long, tho not very far from it, and my E250 I just left running and locked it with the fob. Now I'll have to cut it off every stop and come back to a hotter/colder vehicle. :angry: I'm still the newb here and you folks may have figured it out. I could stop with it still running, doors unlock themselves when I opened the drivers door, but the rear doors wouldn't be unlocked. Mash the unlock and they still wouldn't unlock. Finally I read the options and now all doors unlock together.

My 6000CD is not Bluetooth enabled...... :angry:

Where are you going to mount your radio equipment? There's just no spare room in this thing. I'm looking at the package shelf overhead as a place to put a radio or two. I have to figure out how to get the wiring & antenna cables up there without looking too tacky.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably be doing the same thing. :D BTW, whats a 55 plate or a 57 plate? WTH is a plate?