breknraj

It appears that the years of use have caught up to the ignition switch, itself, and it has become increasingly difficult to turn, at start up, sometimes requiring a few minutes of messing with it, to get it to turn. Has anyone else run into this, and is anyone familiar with sourcing a new one, and having it set to use the factory keys? (I hate having to carry more keys than necessary) Thanks for your help!

Altough it has been a few months since I've seen them, I have seen full size Transits high altitude testing, here in the Colorado Rockies, and my service advisor at the local dealership says that the testers stop there on a regular basis. The full size Transit is about the same size as the Mercedes Sprinter vans. Since I have seen them testing here, I would fully expect them to be introduced here within a couple of years.

Overall, I've been pretty pleased with my TC, even with the original transmission going bye- bye, but I, too, would love to see a diesel with a 5 speed, for all of the reasons previously stated. I was hoping that when they started building them over here, we might have some addtional drivetrain options, but it seems (last I heard) that Ford has shevled plans for domestic production, because of not getting any concessions from the UAW, and not winning the taxi competition for NYC. I'm glad to see someone else has had the same thought I did as to the potential suitability of a RHD version for rural mail carriers. I know that Subaru has (or, at least, had) a program for contract mail carriers to buy RHD Subis, and have seen a few of them over the years. Ford really ought to look into this.

I'm sure that others have also been asked, "What's it gonna be, when it grows up?"

I had the EXACT same symptoms with my '10 XLT last month. I decided to park it for the weekend and get it to dealer the next week - I didn't make it home. When all was said and done, I got a new transmission at 6,400 miles. The front planetary was destroyed, and the debris took out everything in the tranny. Now that I have a new one, I'm pretty sure that the original transmission had issues from day one, since this one is quieter and smoother than the original ever was. I asked if I could get a 5 speed to replace the auto - of course I got told no (damn it!)

Try RV supply catalogs, or even J.C.Whitney. I'm sure that you'll be able to find something like what you are looking for.

Without trying to sound judgemental, do you brake with your left foot, and, if you do, do you rest your foot on the brake pedal? I've had friends that do, and they seem to go through pads far faster than I ever do. I'm thinking that perhaps the combination of that, and the famous hills of the Bay area might be the cause.

Since all we poor Colonials get are 2.0 liter petrol engines, we probably can't offer much more help than to direct you to the Transit Connect section at http://fordtransit.org . I believe that there is a company called VanTuners in the UK that has a good reputation for re-mapping the diesels. I think that this section, here, is in hopes that the TC does well, and Ford finally decides to bless us with diesels,too.

You'll probably get more of the info that you are looking for at http://www.fordtransit.org . We here in the states only get to dream about having turbo diesels in the Connects. Our mates in the UK have lots of experience with them.

I would suggest disconnecting the battery for a few minutes, then re-connect and try the radio, again. This will sometimes cure electrical glitches.

To each, their own, but my personal question is WHY?

Azdamay, I think I've seen you post about limited range of the remote, before. While I'm not very impressed with the range, either (as compared to my BMW), I can still activate mine from about 30 to 40 feet away. I'm wondering if perhaps the antenna on the unit in your van might have a problem? Have you brought this up with your dealer?

I had the same problem, but remembered seeing somthing about it in the owners manual. The procedure for re-programming the TC to open all locks is in there, and it worked like a champ for me.

Yep, Summit County, Colorado. If you keep your eyes open around here, you'll see just about everything at least a year before it comes out for sale. I saw my first TCs about 3 years ago, when they were testing here.

If they make a barn door rear version, it could be a legit competitor to the TC, and VW already has TDI diesel infrastructure here to support bringing them over. I'll keep my eyes open, since nearly everyone does high altitude testing around here (I've been seeing full size Transits testing up here for over a year, now)

I'm actually using the Bridgstone Blizzacks WS-70s. The tire shop that I used pointed out the inflation difference, but I decided to use them, anyway, since I have had such great luck with Blizzacks for the last 20 years. I have the rears at the max reccomended pressure, and was only concerned about the TPMS lighting up. So far (about 2 months), this has yet to be an issue. We have been experiencing some of the greatest early season snows that we have seen in years, here in Summit County, Colorado, and I have had very few issues with slippage, and have yet to get stuck (although I would still love the extra control of a stick, plus the availability of all wheel drive -- maybe when they start making them here!) I didn't figure that the inflation difference would be too big a deal, since I doubt that I will ever have more than about 800 to 1,000 lbs on board. 4 good snow tires make ALL the difference when you live in snow country, and I have nothing but praise for the Blizzacks. Now, I'm just keeping an eye out for some alloys for the summer rubber!

UK, Could you tell us whether the mirrors you show are electrically adjusted and/or heated. I figure that it must be one, or both, since there is a pig-tail in the picture. I'm also curious as to whether the basic mirrors are flat, with the addition of the fish-eyes underneath, or is your passenger side mirror slightly convex, as well. This would be helpful information for us, as it would determine whether we could order replacements from the UK or the continent. Thanks for the help! Raj

Hello, all! I finally joined the family a couple of weeks ago, when I picked up my new Silver TC cargo XLT! I have been eyeing these vans for about the last 3 years - ever since I first saw them high altitude testing here in Summit County, Colorado. Back then, they were all muled and bra-ed, so I wasn't sure what I had been seeing, until I started searching the web, and discovered that it was a Ford product. I own a pool and hot tub maintenance company, and felt that this van would be a very good fit for what I do. Since I don't sell tubs, I didn't really feel the need for a full size truck or van. While I still wish we had availability of other engine and transmission options, the overall funtionality of the TC looked like it would suit the way I work my business well. So far, I have not been disappointed in this regard. I love the fact that there is nothing that I put in the back, that I can't reach from a door! I'm beginning to get some ideas on upfits that will make it even more efficeint and capable, but I probably won't be able to do anything about these ideas until next spring, at this point. Since I do live in an area that is somewhat reknown for snow, the first thing that I did was to get the beasty re-shod with a full set of Bridgestone Blizzacks. I've been using Blizzacks on my cars for 20 years, now, and have always been very satified with them. I also installed the Ford splashguards, and the vent visors on the front doors. While the color would not have been a deal breaker, I really wanted one in something besides white (since that is the color you almost always see them in). When I came across this one at Glenwood Springs Ford, and it had all the stuff that I wanted on it, I took it for a drive and decided to put money down on it (on Oct 8). I ended up having to get a few business ducks in a row, as well as just doing my regular work, so I didn't get to pick it up until Oct 30. Turns out that it was a good thing that I put the money on it when I did - there were at least 2 other serious offers (including one above sticker) while it was still at the dealer. The salesman told me that he tried to find other silver ones for those customers, but that mine was the last he could locate, until the 2011s start showing up. Silver was my first choice, and I've been pleased with all of the positive comments that I've gotten from friends and customers. Mine came with the 255* rear doors, which I originally planned to do without, but now that I have them, I'm surprisingly satisfied with them. The only bit of a gripe that I have, so far, is that the front door detents don't seem to be very strong. If I'm parked on even a minor side slope, they do not hold the doors open very well - even when I'm careful to make sure that they are engaged, and the door motionless. With only a couple of weeks, and about 400 miles on it, I'm very pleased with the purchase - it is working well for me. My long range hope is that when they start building them here in the states, there will be some additional drivetrain options available, and I'll pass this one on to my employee. I would be all over a TC with a high output diesel, and a 5 speed - and I'd be just about willing to kill for that combo with all wheel drive! Take care, and enjoy your TC's, too! Raj