azdamay

Normally I'm not a fan of the faux-woody wraps (like you see on the PT Cruiser, for example) but in this case I have to say it looks pretty good. These vans are made for being a "blank canvas" with the slab sides and rear. Might as well do something fun with all that space!

They simply snap on to the wheel. Very easy to put on or take off. There is a cutout for the tire valve stem that you should line up. I find it easiest to secure one part of the cover, and then hold that part with my knee while using my hands to work the rest of the cover on.

Huh, I was just kidding, didn't realize you were actually going to do that. So how are you going to deal with the rear? From the little bit that I've seen on the internet, the Euro guys have done some dodgy stuff to get the back end to sit lower (certainly things that would modify the load rating, anyway).

I've wondered the same thing myself. I use the van to take garbage generated from my job to the dump, and if I leave all the tools and parts in the van, I usually cross the scale at around 4,500 lbs. This transmission was designed for compact cars that weight about 1,500 - 2,000 lbs less than that. I think the failures make it clear they utilized something that wasn't really up to the job. Maybe they figured most of these things would have a light load of flowers in the back. t

Nice! As the Focus guys say, needs tint and a drop. Haha.

Interesting. I have 60,000 miles and have started to experience unusual behavior of the transmission. Several times now, it has had difficulty reversing. Most recently I tried to do a 3-point turn on a sloped street, and when I went to reverse, the van just stuttered and felt almost like it was neutral... then when I pressed harder on the gas, it sort of jumped and shot backwards. After a little driving, the problem has gone away. I'm hesitant to take it to the dealer because that requires a major transfer of everything I carry in the van over to a rental, and I'm concerned the dealer will tell me they couldn't replicate the issue. Thankfully this is a fleet vehicle. My plan is to keep driving it until either the symptom is repeatable, or the transmission craps out.

Wow, seeing those pictures, you're exactly right. It's obvious looking at the rooflines and the character lines. Very similar. I don't know what to make of the styling but I like that the vehicle is otherwise more modern. The TC desperately needed more power, more gears, and more modern conveniences, and now it has them.

Cabin air pressure vents, same as you'd see in the door jamb of a car, allows air pressure in the interior to equalize with exterior air pressure. Look on the inside of the D pillar and you will see a rounded black plastic grille, this is the "entrance" to the vent. Or at least, this is what I have always presumed to be the function of these pieces.

Yeah, I had already fashioned myself one using a FedEx envelope, but it's not very good. When I saw what appeared to be a factory extending visor, I couldn't believe it. Good to know they are out there, eventually I'm sure the part #'s will make themselves known. Come to think of it, maybe it's time to start trolling local wrecking yards for a set of visors and blind spot mirrors...

I saw a newer (new enough to have the blind spot mirrors) Transit recently that clearly had a sun visor of a different size/shape than mine. The low morning sun was glaring on our left, and his visor was flipped to the left and extended to cover the whole side window. I was jealous. I tried looking at a parts diagram but it seems to show the same old visors I already have. Do newer years have visors that extend??

Might try a wrecking yard to find a stock wheel cover, or if you're looking for a change, a set of Ford wheel covers from another vehicle (like the Focus). At first, I was running with chrome trim rings on the steel wheels for an old school look. But the paint on these wheels is sprayed on very thin and they soon began to rust. Now I have a set of eBay covers. Probably your cheapest option. I picked up a set for something like 30 bucks.

Welcome to the forum. I like that color! If I'm being honest a road trip from the Bay Area to Seattle in a Transit Connect sounds really unpleasant. But then I drive mine for work and it's outfitted for work. I would have to find a pillow to sit on for a road trip! It is a heck of a useful vehicle for taking stuff to the dump, and no worries about having to tarp your trailer/bed.

Wow, Ford tried really, really, hard to make the Transit Connect have some sex appeal (I do actually like that paint color!):

Not sure why the lift gate is causing such confusion/commotion... it's obviously not going to be on the cargo van, as a lift gate is not practical for commercial use and Ford knows that!

So, pretty much like the renderings posted here. It looks like a Ford Escape grafted to a KIA Soul in that photo on auto blog. Not sure what to make of it.

Looks like the configuration of something like a Mazda5 - more car-like and less van-like. It does look like the renderings that were posted here a while back (if you can picture in your mind what's under the camo cladding). I'm not totally sold on Ford trying to put the new passenger car design language onto the vans. I know the current design trend for auto manufacturers is more complicated designs, but a van should be simple and utilitarian, and their new design language has a lot of different surfaces, angles, and body lines. Just my opinion.

I so wish I could do this to mine. Alas, it is a fleet vehicle and not really mine (nor do I have the spare money). It's humorously unnatural to hear that sound coming from a Transit Connect.

Per autoblog, Ford to recall 2011/2012 Transit Connect vans for possible wiper failure. Didn't see it posted here yet: http://i.autoblog.com/2012/08/10/ford-recalling-transit-connect-due-to-faulty-wipers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+weblogsinc%252Fautoblog+%2528Autoblog%2529

I don't have any photos, but I have also replaced my door speakers and it was fairly easy. There are hidden screws behind two places: one is a small circle behind the door pull, and then there are two hidden behind the grained trim on the door pull handle. These covers can be removed with a fine screwdriver or other tool that has a small, thin, flat edge (the round piece behind the door pull has a tiny slot to assist with removal). The rest is exposed screws along the perimeter of the door panel and possibly a few clips (I don't remember anymore). If you have power mirrors you will need to unplug the wire harness on the driver's side. Once you have everything loose, the door panel lifts up and off the door. The speakers have a plug connector so you have a choice of either buying the aftermarket adapters to simply plug in the new speakers, or cutting and splicing. I would second the recommendation of Dynamat or similar material. I didn't and now wish that I had (the doors buzz/vibrate with certain bass frequencies).

I'd still like an Ecoboost engine and a 6 (or more) speed transmission. In the near enough future, Ford will be unveiling the next gen of Transit Connect and then maybe we'll get answers to the questions about diesels and more power. Frankly if I'm daydreaming what I'd really like is a Transit (the big boy) with a 3.5 liter Ecoboost. More power and more room for all my stuff.

Haha, well then what does one do when they have a 2010 TC? I can't give them the VIN for a 2011/2012 model. I guess I can do the left side first and when someone verifies the right side, do that one. Thanks for the info about the mirrors!

Thanks for the part # and the write-up. I didn't even realize until looking at the photo on eBay that the blind spot portion of the mirror is NOT adjustable. I just assumed it was like so many others, that you could "tilt" that portion of the mirror to suit your preferences, but I see looking at the picture that it is fixed. Still, less than 50 bucks for an OEM mirror with a built-in spotter mirror and retaining the heater is a good buy. Probably will do that myself. I would find the right side a more useful mirror to have the spotter, is there a part # for that?

The European version of the Transit Connect has more variants available. There is a short wheelbase (believe it or not, the one we get is the LONG wheelbase), and a regular roof (also a liftgate/hatch instead of the double doors). If you search the net a bit, you'll find there are SWB regular roof models that have dimensions pretty similar to what is shown above. I have no doubt there will be a raised roof, LWB version available. We're just looking at an artist's conception of the proposed styling. Personally I think if that illustration is in fact indicative of the finished product, Ford is struggling to adapt their new design language onto the boxier vehicles. It's a bit awkward, it actually manages to make the current model look sleek by comparison.

What's wrong with the Ford over the counter flaps? They're relatively cheap and certainly look easy to install.

The silver caps on the black wheels kind of makes them look like old school cop wheels. For $120 you better make sure they get retained huh?? BTW unless Ford has improved their paint and/or paint process on the wheel, the black paint is gonna start to look like crap in a fairly short period of time. If you like the look, you might consider getting the wheels powdercoated black for longevity.