azdamay

Interesting, do you have a link to a news story or article? The stuff I found suggests the full-size Transit is going to be built in KC: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/04/3187767/ford-would-add-1600-jobs-invest.html http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/05/ford-transit-van-coming-to-america-as-kansas-city-built-t-series/

So I finally ended up getting new brakes at about 28,000 miles. Done at the local Ford dealer, and they noted that the pads have a new part # (they had to order them special). He was not able to say why there is a new part #, but my observation so far is there does seem to be less brake dust. But, I gave up on the ever-thinning black paint on the wheels, and put the stock wheel covers back on. So that might also be a variable regarding reduced brake dust. They also replaced the rotors, apparently they were at or below the minimum specs. At any rate, the brakes feel great. Nice and strong again.

This is all part of Ford's plan to consolidate models across the globe, which streamlines production. The 2012 Focus is an example of how Ford is realigning a vehicle that had diverged into two totally different platforms, back to one platform globally. I think future rules and regulations, and fuel economy requirements, have something to do with the replacement of the E-series with the Transit. But I expect a whole lot of belly-aching from loyal E-series drivers, because the Transit is a very different vehicle from the traditional American V8 van. It is much closer to the Sprinter in many ways. I'm curious to see what it ends up being priced at. I went to the Mercedes Sprinter website and "built my own" using the least expensive model (SWB, low roof), the cost came to about $43,000... or nearly twice as much as what my company paid for the Transit Connect. An awful lot to pay for a cargo van. If Ford can sell a Transit at a more reasonable price, they could win over Sprinter shoppers.

Welcome! I had no idea where Yermo was, looked it up... I have a feeling the air conditioning in those Transits is going to be put to the test. Good luck!

Thanks for the heads up! I doubt mine will get a chance to sit for 50 days, but my company has many in the fleet and I can easily conceive of surplus vans sitting that long. Good to know for when it happens.

Check crutchfield.com; all you have to do is plug in year, make, model, and it will tell you what fits. From there you can narrow down to the units that have the features you want using the checkboxes on the left side. That's what I did. I just can't replace the head unit because in my case this is a fleet vehicle, I do not own it.

Haha, kudos to you sir, that is funny. :lol:

I'm not sure you could find anything that is the same "form factor" as this head unit, in the United States. I'm not familiar enough with the European Fords to know with certainty, but my guess would be the only OEM upgrade would be something from a different Euro Ford. It would be cheaper and easier to simply replace the stock head unit with an aftermarket one. As I said in the other thread, there are many that come with built-in or add-on Bluetooth, and can control your iPod/iPhone from the head unit, many also have an interface to allow you to plug in an adapter that allows you to keep use of the steering wheel radio controls... with the added benefit that it will have a much better internal amplifier, better display, and so on. Oh, and with regard to concerns about theft, there are some that have those options and stil retain a pretty plain appearance that doesn't scream "steal me" like the higher-end stuff.

I don't really have a way to host it. If you like I can email a copy of it to you.

The only way you're going to be able to do that, is with an aftermarket head unit. There are many available that will do exactly what you want, including in the double-DIN size that fits the Transit Connect.

Not that I am aware of. Even if you bought one and attempted to remove the existing console, there are components located under it that would still be in the way. Not the least of which is the shifter, which is only available as a floor-mounted unit (no column mount available).

Ah, I did not realize you had the "Ford Work Solutions" package. I have no knowledge of that system or how it works. Good luck on finding a solution to your problem.

I did mount that Hella Triple Tone air horn. It helps (somewhat) in at least letting people know you didn't like that maneuver they pulled on you. Doesn't prevent it, though. I have a theory that generations of kids raised on video games (I'm one of them myself) now treat the roadways like the roads in a video game. There are no consequences, and as long as they don't actually have reality come crashing in on them, they continue to think they can drive like they do. To them, a Transit Connect is just one of those vehicles plodding slowly along that you swerve around in the video game because it's in the way of accomplishing your objective. I'm serious, I really think that while people may not be actively thinking like that, it is happening on a subconscious level. Also, I totally agree that the hood of my van apparently does not read "Gaggenau" but "cut me off, please" and that you can be bouncing off the speed limiter and someone is still trying to get around you. My other theory is that cargo vans, the ones with NO windows, that is, seem to irritate people because they can't see through them. But rather than be polite and simply change lanes, they just tailgate you in the hopes that you will move over. I dunno... these are things I pontificate on as the crazies swerve all around me each work day.

Holy cow! I've had a couple small objects whiz past my head through the open window (mostly flies and a bee once)... never occurred to me it could be deadly. Think I'll keep that window raised a little higher when travelling on the highway from now on.

If you have the OEM Ford "Nokia" Bluetooth, the microphone is the little pod sitting at the top of the left side A-pillar. As I mentioned to you before, the Bluetooth sucks. Depending on your phone, you may need to turn the volume on the phone up. The first phone I had, the volume control on the phone made no difference and I got a message saying to use the volume on the Bluetooth device. The new phone the company gave me to replace the old one, the volume control has a HUGE difference on the overall volume when on Bluetooth. If I forget to turn it up, the voice on the other end sounds very faint. But bottom line the Bluetooth is not great. When I really need to make sure someone can hear me (and I am driving), I take my chances and turn off the Bluetooth on the phone and use the phone normally. At some point I may even give up and go back to my Jawbone II.

I've wondered that myself. I thought maybe it was for storing a two-way radio?

Thanks for the info on the brakes. I'm hoping when I get brake pads/shoes replaced I will get something that puts out less dust. The stock Ford pads put out a ridiculous amount of dust, my front wheels turn brown in ONE DAY.

I'm pretty sure I mentioned somewhere on here that a local Wheel Works joked that the "lunch wagon is here" upon hearing my air horn. I also get the "it looks like a Sprinter that shrank too much in the dryer" comment once in awhile. Also have seen it called the "Fusion van" because the frontal styling looks a lot like the 1st generation Ford Fusion.

I don't know about manufacturing it here. It was the talk a while ago, and I'm guessing it depends largely on how well the Transit Connect has been selling here. Regarding the van's performance, yeah the critics reviewing it agree with me... but the members here on this forum seem to be for the most part pleased with, or at least at peace with, the performance. I average about 23 mpg but presume that could be higher if I didn't flog the crap out of the engine getting up to speed. Regarding the diesel engines, the engine bay in the Transit Connect can probably accept any number of different Ford engines (with some modifications, of course). The lack of diesels here is usually excused by any number of different things, and it might very well not pass emissions... but I think it boils down to a fear that it simply won't sell based on buyers' previous exposure to diesels. With regard to trained service techs, they sell plenty of Super Dutys with diesels, they've got to be prepared to service those. I like the upright and easily-accessible cargo area, I like the swing out doors (instead of a liftgate), the parcel shelf over the dashboard. I find it to be quieter and for the most part, more comfortable, than the Grand Caravan C/V I drove previously. I can have a conversation with a passenger at a normal volume, and I don't have to turn the radio up as loud to be able to hear it. It's small and easily maneuverable which is great for things like parallel parking. The reverse sensors are especially handy since I have no windows on the rear doors. I don't like the horrible audio quality (or the Bluetooth, which nearly every person I talk to over it, says makes it sound like I am down in a well). I don't like the lack of power or the constant feeling that the van is straining to continue to propel me forward unless I am on straight and level ground. I also have problems with traction, which others here have said they do not have. It might boil down to the OEM tires, but I have lost traction on dry pavement trying to make it up steep driveways, and got stuck going uphill on a dirt road. I eventually made it but I had a hell of a time and was worried I might have done some damage (the transmission did not want to shift into park when I got to the top of the hill). The shape of the thing makes it susceptible to cross winds while driving. In medium to high winds I have really had to white-knuckle the steering wheel. Some of my dislikes could be changed easily enough. In my case, this is a fleet vehicle that I do not own, so I'm not going to shell out my own money to do it.

Unfortunately I don't have any news to give you about the diesel. I'm hoping since the Transit Connect is due for near-future redesign (since, as you mentioned, it's been out in Europe for years already) that maybe Ford will at least offer a diesel or an Ecoboost engine as an option. I'm in the minority here on this forum it seems when it comes to this topic, but the previous-gen Focus-sourced engine and transmission are not up to the demands of this vehicle. They qualify as barely adequate. I like manuals too, but I'm not sure I'd want to deal with that given what I do for a living; stop-and-go rush hour traffic is unpleasant driving a stick. What I'd really like is a 5 or 6 speed automatic, with some capacity for "manual" shifting. The 4F27E isn't actually that old of a design but it sure seems like it with only 3 gears + overdrive and no special "manual mode" available. I can see how a manual would be useful off road, however, or if you don't have to spend a lot of time stuck in traffic. If you do get a Transit Connect some time off in the future and plan to use it on dirt/gravel roads, do yourself a favor and upgrade to tires more suited for off road/all terrain driving. The OEM tires are absolutely terrible in the dirt in my experience. Actually they're not that great on the road either but what are you gonna do.

So you did get a Transit Connect, after all? Which one did you end up purchasing?

I'm surprised no one else has responded to this topic... this forum is a bit dead lately. At any rate, hope you find a solution that works for you, or a vehicle that works for you. I was thinking wheelchair-accessible modified Transit Connect, but you'd be left with the same problem, not enough cargo space (and an uneven floor). Plus of course the added cost. http://www.wheelchair-accessible-vans.com/details/photos.php?id=025850

Try here: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide And here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle_led_bulb_finder.php Neither bulb guide lists the city lights, though. I think the city lights are W5W. I believe LED's are not recommended in headlamp housings because the high heat from the headlights will cook the LED bulbs.

A test drive with your usual equipment in the back ought to help you decide whether or not this is the right choice. My company switched me from a 2006 Grand Caravan C/V to the Transit Connect. In many ways I find it an upgrade, in others, a downgrade. It has more usable cargo space, a (relatively) flat cargo floor, swing-open doors instead of a hatch, and more modern accommodations. But it needs more power, more forward gears, and I wish mine had traction control because I've needed it. Got stuck on an uphill dirt road recently, I really could have used something other than an open-differential FWD on that road. Most folks on here seem satisfied with the vehicle as-is, I guess it depends on how easy you are to please. I'm always wanting more.