davidparker

Here is one alternative in the US. Not very pretty, but it should be effective. https://www.slicklocks.com/ford-transit-connect-kit-2014-present.html

Just watched the video.... Thats scary!

Cargo Van or Passenger Wagon? If its the cargo van and only the bumper swap and locks, it should not be that bad. You may be able to use factory parts on the locks, a lot depends on the wiring. I can't speak to the wagon, since mine is a cargo version.

So I wanted to break up that "big black hole" of the front grille and found a web site for custom european license plates. https://www.customeuropeanplates.com/14-character-european-license-plate.html I think it looks a little better.... (By the way, It says CONNECTEDNESS)

I have replaced O2 sensors on other vehicles and they can be tough to get out. Probably from all the heat cycles. However, once the old one is out, its fairly easy. If EACH injector caused the idle to drop, thats probably not the cause. If ONE of them made no difference then that would probably be the culprit. Same with plugs. Coil packs, however, can exhibit intermittent failure, so the rule-of-thumb may not apply unless it is totally dead. Sorry I was not much help. Let us know what you find. ☺️

Welcome! I think you will find this forum very helpful. I have!

zalienz, just used your instructions for removing the console, thank you! FTCOne, I will be using you tips on the plug, thank you. Willygee, I took a look at the panel and it can NOT be rotated. The spacing on the screw holes is not the same and the contour on the top is lower on the coin side (but not by much).

I wish I had seen this post earlier as I ordered a new part for my project. A little google search and I found the place. FYI, the correct link. https://bowautoparts.com/find-parts/

I agree, that is REALLY bad. Typically when there is that much imbalance, they will break the bead and rotate the tire 90 or 180 and try again. Racing tires have a dot on them to identify the point which is typically mounted near the valve stem. Here's some more info if you interested... https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=17

I usually use WD-40 on road tar, glue, etc. Its fairly safe on paint. You will have to wash it off and wax the area afterwards, but it might be a little bit better.

BBJ, I totally dig those wheels with the GT stripes. I think anything (well, almost anything) you can do to make a white TC different is a plus. Here in Charleston, SC we have more white cargo vans than I have ever seen. Ha ha, now i'm one of them!

As for road noise, have you replaced the tires yet? I had a BMW with run-flats that were very noisy. I got rid of those and it made a significant difference. A different set of tires probably wont cure it, but might help. I suspect the XL rating makes for stiffer sidewalls and more noise. Others on this forum have installed Dynamat and seem satisfied with the improvement in noise. Also, you might want to take a look at the Transmission section of this forum. There are a couple of posts similar to your shifting issue. You might just need a fluid change. I glad you still want to keep the vehicle. Nothing worse than being stuck with a car you hate. I inherited a 79 Sunbird with a new wife. Could not wait for the chance to get rid of it (car of course!).

Yep. I totally agree! It's my #1 priority. I have been doing research on a side camera system and think I know what I want. But, I'm still researching what my best options are with wiring and mounting before I order the system. There are a couple of things to consider when picking a camera system for this application. Like where to mount the monitor, the size, video sensing, etc. And the camera has its own list as well. But I should have it figured out in a week or two. ?

So, I finally gave into the voices in my head and bought a 2018 TC Van LWB XLT. I had been driving a 2001 Toyota Tundra 4wd pickup. But I moved from the Midwest to South Carolina and a black 4WD pickup was not working in a crowed southern city where it gets really hot, rains daily, doesn't snow and has no parking. Hmm, you probably already are nodding your head. So here are my first impressions after about 2 weeks. PROS: - I really like the maneuverability. Although its the LWB, which I've read is not quite as easy to maneuver as the SWB, this is WAY better than a full size pickup. -Talk about room, man this thing is big on the inside. It makes me feel small driving it. I already have a lot of stuff in it and still have room. I think I'm going the like the LWB for that. -Very comfortable to drive. OK, it's not a Cadillac, but it is every bit as comfortable and my old pickup. I really like the telescoping steering. I'm 6ft, and with most vehicles without it, I have to choose between cramped knees or stretched arms. -I like the backup camera, but being over 50 I have to put on my reading glass for tight spots. -I like the cargo doors. I know some like the lift gate, but I have had a few hatchbacks and I wanted to try them. However, I would not get them without the glass. Even with the glass, it takes a while to get used to the reduced visibility. I'm used to it now, so I have decided I do prefer the doors. I like just swinging one open and throwing the stuff in. -I like having a roof and locks. With my pickup, I was always covering up my stuff when it rains (which happens a lot here) and taking it out at night. Now I just lock the doors! -I like the rear sensors. I wasn't looking for them, but they were on it when I bought it. And now I really like them. Already saved me a couple of times, even with the backup camera. CONS: -No passenger side sliding door window. So when I was looking for a TC, I wanted the cargo van with both sliding door windows. The dealer couldn't find one, so I negotiated a lower price on one without them. I now realize that I'm OK without the drivers side, but I really miss the visibility on the passenger side. I park in a lot of angled spaces and invariably a SUV parks next to me. Then I have to do the "creep out of the parking space while some numb skull blows the horn at me" maneuver. Even with a passenger looking for me, it still can be tricky. And while the backup camera gives me a safe start, in the city they come at you way too fast to pickup on the camera. I read in this forum that the panel can be replaced with glass (a big thank you to the poster!), so I felt better about my decision. However, I think I am going try mounting a side view camera. I will post the results after I do. If it doesn't work, I will be replacing the panel. If it does work, I think I'm going to like the added security of the panels. -"Fisher Price" kiddie key. I know some people can't live without remote entry and locking. I get it. But I really don't like having the remote ON the key. Yes I know there is a transponder in there, but it doesn't require a key the size of a tablespoon. I have ordered a remote less transponder key, but I will be giving up the remote entry for the ability to put the key in my pocket. It would have been nice to have a separate remote to take when I have a passenger and a simple key when its just me. MEH (indifferent): -Sync. So I ended up with the Sync system and I like the Bluetooth connectivity for music. But the voice command system is marginal. Some will like it, but I'm not a phone guy so it doesn't do much for me. -Blindspot mirrors. These are the small ones with the convex corner in the upper outsides. So, yes they help. But I think I would have preferred the large mirror with the bottom convex section. I might get the aftermarket add-ons posted about in the forum. But I'm going to drive it a little longer. They are getting better, but even so, they are not great. -Hardboard panels. Yes it is a cargo van, so I get the use of hardboard (Masonite to some). But I will be painting, covering, or replacing them. I am sure they will look really bad when they get stained. -Performance. I have yet to enjoy the benefits of better gas mileage, but it DEFINITELY is not fast. (Hmm, on second thought, it might save me a few tickets!) -The crap I get from my friends. Some get it, some don't. (Happens a lot in my world!) Overall, I am VERY satisfied with my decision. I'm really happy to be part of this forum, since it was a big help in making my decision. I hope this post will help others figure out their purchase

Hi everyone! First let me thank all those that have posted. It was very helpful in making my decision! Since this is the "Introduce Yourself" section, I will take a minute to tell you about myself. I'll post a new thread to tell you about my van in the "Owner Impression" section. So, this is "me" in a nutshell. I'm a retired engineer, spent the first half of my career in manufacturing and the second in software (and now I really hate computers!). Married, no kids. Been a gear head my whole life. Started with dirt bikes, then I started drag racing, and later switched to autocross for about 10 years. Next it was jet skis (I had 5 at one time) and boats. I moved off the water and built a 29 Ford Roadster Pickup, and now I'm back to motorcycles. I have the requisite Harley, but I really like my Honda Silverwing super scooter better (Shh, don't tell anyone!). And when I'm not wrenching or going fast, I like to BBQ. Again, this forum has been very helpful and I look forward to posting some of my mods to continue the goodness.