davidparker

@yellowbandit - Your concerns are valid. While the TC is not UNcomfortable, it is not plush. And the power is "adequate". Certainly not what you are used to. Reading between the lines, I suspect you are looking for a little more room than your previous wagons and a little more utility than a classic minivan. So that pretty much limit your choices to the Transit Connect, MB Metris, and Ram Promaster City. For me, I would not consider the Promaster, since it is based on a Renault platform and the reliability is suspect. (check out their forum, you can decide for yourself) So that leaves the TC and the Metris. For my needs, the Metris was not worth the extra $$. However, you may find it closer to your needs. It has more power (turbo), is a little larger, and can be optioned up to be fairly plush. All that being said, you really wont know until you drive them and get the bottom line price. If you do get the TC, you will have a lot of support from this forum. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

@Sgsf12 - Congrats! I am sure you will love it.

I switched from a 4wd Toyota Tundra to a 2018 TC LWB XLT cargo version. In my case, I wanted 1) the ability to haul stuff without it being exposed to weather and thief's 2) Better gas milage. 3) Better maneuverability (especially parking). It does take some time to get used to the lower ride height. Especially switching from a truck. It took a couple of weeks for me to adjust, but now I am fine with it. In fact, I like not having to climb up in the cab. These are pretty tough vehicles, so you won't have to baby it. It's not for off-roading, but it will handle dirt roads etc just fine. The cargo versions are often used as commercial delivery/work vehicles so they get a lot of abuse and hold up quite well. Initially, I thought it was underpowered, but I have found it has enough power to get the job done. And I REALLY like the improved gas mileage! That "bump" in the overhead console is probably the sun glass holder. You can remove it and replace it with a the filler panel from the XL version. Although a lot of folks would like to have that option, especially with the convex mirror in it to look at your kids. For what its worth the lift gate has much better rear visibility than the barn doors. However, once I got used to the backup camera and the side mirrors, I found I only use the rear view to see if someone is tailgating me. Yep, the invisible front end is a challenge. I've had my TC for 4 months and I'm still not used to it. I think the front parking sensors would help. I have the rear sensors and love them, even with the backup camera. But, its more of a nuisance that a problem. Usually I just end up being a little further away from the car in front of me. But that's ok, because the van is so much shorter that my truck that I'm still fully in the parking space. Good luck with your search! Finding a good used TC can be frustrating!

Its my understanding that the diesel will not be available until later this year. Although, I don't know why. It is offered in the UK. Maybe its a EPA certification thing. Also, it will only be available in the SWB Van when it is released. I was surprised that the SWB wagon (gas or diesel) is not available. However, I was surprised that Ford quietly cancelled all sedans. So who knows.... https://www.autoblog.com/2018/04/25/ford-cancels-all-cars-mustang-focus-active/

The Electric Vehicle conversion guys have electric heaters that work really well, but they usually have lots of voltage (ie batteries). Depending on how many you have for your RV conversion. They might be a good source. These guys seem to have a good reputation in the community. http://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=324 http://www.canev.com/heater.php Trucker web sites might also help. https://www.zoro.com/roadpro-vehicle-direct-wired-heaterfan-rpsl-681/i/G8897962/feature-product?gclid=Cj0KCQiA37HhBRC8ARIsAPWoO0yghDleBqUqjQzET_5mvnEcBsj4_humWeHaCBi47_ZnGnP4OgVHt9YaAvdGEALw_wcB Of course you can search the RV community. They have a lot of propane and electric options. I've got one of these portable propane heater for heating my garage when I'm working on the car and it works really well. I just refill the camper propane tanks from a larger 25# tank for the grill. It would work for awhile, until you can get a more permanent solution. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200307957_200307957 Let us know what you end up with!

I would like to drive one to see just how bad the motor/trans combo is. I know that in a lot of car reviews, the vehicles are never fast enough or handle well enough. I once read a review on a lincoln towncar, and the writer said it handles like a pig. I thought, "Duh, did you think it wouldn't". On the other hand, I know my 2018 gets caught searching for the right gear once in a while and I wonder with the smaller motor and 8 speed it happens more often. I know that Ford dropped a gear from the original GM/Ford co-developed 9 speed. Maybe they discovered that the motor just doesn't work well with this transmission. Anyhow, I quick test drive should answer the question.

@PhotoAl And you can get any accessories that fit when he is bored with them. Maybe even a set of wheels!

@GBL If I did not need the capacity of an FEC 100, the Rec Tec would be on the top of my list! (Probably would already have one!) They are an outstanding smoker. I have had a ceramic smoker (A Primo, not a Green Egg) and a side draft smoker (wood). I am current using a UDS (ugly drum smoker). But I have cooked on a Traeger, a Rec Tec and an FEC 100 (as part of a BBQ competition team). And I am convinced that pellet smokers are the best! @fifty Cooking a whole pig is an event, not something you do often. I agree that stick burning (real wood) is the best flavor, but not something I want to do weekly. Been there, with my side draft smoker.

The armrest is a two piece assembly. You could remove the top part if you desire. The "nubs" are pockets for the sliding doors. They are fixed and even if you cut them out, the door sliders will need that space. Sorry! You may want to consider a long wheel base version.

Some of the hyper-milage guys attach vacuum formed lexan covers on their wheels with zip ties for aerodynamics. You might be able to zip tie the hubcap through holes in the cap and the holes in the wheel. May not look that good, but would certainly keep them from flying off.

Pellet smokers rule! (Ha ha, that should start a long thread). I REALLY want an FEC-100, but so far, I have resisted the urge. Not sure how much longer I can hold out though.

I have a 2018 LWB Cargo with the barn doors. There is a latch on the inside that will unlock the doors. Please note, I have the default locking scheme that requires a separate, 2nd key press, for unlocking the rear doors. Therefore, I had to use the inside barn door latch twice to unlock it. But, it did unlock from the inside.

In a big 'ol pig smoker.... They are common in the south. Cooking a pig (commonly referred to as a pig pickin') is an all night ritual involving copious amounts of beer, occasional shots of moonshine or whisky, and a lot of story telling. Followed the next day with a really large meal of delicious pulled pork and side dishes like collard greens, mac and cheese, and cole slaw. Banana pudding and pecan pie for dessert. Then a really long nap. Usually takes me a day to recover!

So I was watching old movies (as in black and white) over the holidays and saw an early (around 1940-1950) sedan delivery flash by on the screen. The thought hit me... "That kinda looks like a TC" (it was probably the wine...) Anyhow, as I thought about it some more, I realized "Duh, what do you think a sedan delivery is!". A delivery vehicle built on a car chassis. So for your amusement, here is a pic of a '46 and a link to short history of the sedan delivery. https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/another-look-at-sedan-deliveries/

Congrats on your new TC and your new career! I like the blue with the wheels, nice combo. I have had my 2018 about 4 months and like it more every day. I totally agree on the oversized "remote on the key", what a PITA. I ended up buying a standard sized transponder key that I keep on my key ring and use daily. I only use the "remote on the key" when I know I will be taking a passenger. You can get a keyless entry pad from Ford. It's a little pricey but not too bad. However, it just sticks on with adhesive and is a bit of a pain to program. Seems to work though, and the adhesive does allow you to mount it where you need it. Totally dig the Falcon and the F100.

@jrm223 I suspect your van has a powerpoint located on the right rear of the van. If you don't need it, you can tap into that without running a new power wire. It is fused at 20A, so you may still want to use the inline fuse supplied.

Congrats on your new wagon. If you are like the rest of us, you will soon really like it. She will too (although it may take a while). My wife was ok with it at first. But now thinks it's cool.

Congrats on your purchase and welcome.

You could order a set of european "center" covers. They will probably stay on better, since they are much smaller and weigh less. But you will probably have to paint the exposed wheels since the factory paint is not very good and does allow the wheel to rust. https://www.fordpartsuk.com/alloy-wheel-centre-cap-5361

I know it sounds silly, but velcro (hoop and loop) has been used on spacecraft. if properly applied it can be really strong.

Im not sure on the TC, but many first gears are not synchronized, so in most transmissions a bad clutch will definitely cause a problem with shifting into 1st. Even with a synchronized gear, a bad clutch will cause undo wear on the other synchronizers and gears. So I would definitely replace the clutch. Even if it doesn't fix your first gear, it will still save wear on tear on the transmission and probably delay the expense of a new gear box. The good news is that you have a manual transmission. Unlike us here in the US, we can't even get a manual transmission. So when we lose a gear we are screwed!

Sorry, per the owner's manual, it can only be towed on a dolly... http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?bookCode=O39543&languageCode=en&marketCode=US&viewTech=IE&chapterTitleSelected=G1600997&subTitleSelected=G1601066&topicHRef=G1606394&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&userMarket=USA

Sounds to me like you have the MyKey function enabled on your vehicle. You can clear the settings IF you have the admin key. Check page 45 of your owners manual. http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2014-transitconnect-owner-manual-version-1_EN-US_11_2013.pdf.

Glad to hear you got it fixed. Also, glad it did not totally fail while driving. Sitting on the side of the road in traffic is always a miserable experience...

OP = wisdom, my friend!