Double Nickels

If certain streets are not set aside for commercial vehicle lanes and parking, then deliveries don't make it, and nobody can get any service work performed. Then there are streets with lanes painted red for buses and taxis only. Curbside parking is 45°, back in only. You must back in, and pull out forward. Any car in a parking space head first, gets a citation. Street parking meters give 3 minutes for a quarter.

The large mirror looks like a European Market part. I don't see them in The United States..

Sure. Imagine pulling in cab first, up to a dock. New motorcycle riders park with the front tire up to the curb. Most people I see riding, back into the curb. But it's all perspective. For somebody who has never had to back out, without being able to see, and lots of oncoming traffic......as opposed to someone who seen those collisions happen.....same way we all view the world through a different filter. What I don't understand is parking 2' - 3' from the curb. Don't they know that the car is encroaching upon a live lane of traffic?

Projects like that are never cost effective. Maybe fun. Maybe challenging. Just a money pit. Doesn't matter if you have funding. Return on investment is the pleasure of your dreams coming to fruition. Or a lot of money spent, and it never works.

I believe there are larger mirrors available. Like the mirrors on larger trucks and vans.

Since you are rally racing, I would spray truck bed liner on the underbody. You don't need it to be pretty. It would help insulate, but more importantly, protect.

Most people only drive to commute. They don't need to own a car. There are alternatives. Car ownership is a luxury item. I own several vehicles. I still see the value in taking the bus. Obviously, we don't all live where the bus service is good. I get that. Public transportation is also a luxury item. Ask anyone who lives in a big city. Taking busses, Subway, ferry service......way better than stop and go traffic and no parking. Not to mention the higher insurance, higher gas prices, and paying $20 an hour for parking.

That sounds like it will be good. Only concern is cabin noise without a resonator. You could always turn the radio up.

I look and feel like The Poor Man's Jeffrey Epstein. White creeper van. Ice cream. And a puppy.

Many advantages to diesel.

That dual clutch transmission was known to be bad, and Ford sold them anyway. I don't understand that. This could turn into a lemon law buyback, like Chevy had with that defective small car they sold. The Explorer, Escape, Transit Connect, Edge, Taurus.....have different versions of a transmission jointly developed by GM and Ford. Mixed results. No obvious consistent defect. But a lot of wear and tear is causing failure with fleet use. For light usage, with more service intervals, they are working okay. Just don't drive it 24 hours aroun the clock or chase anyone with lights and sirens. Change the lifetime fluid every 30,000 miles.

Great work WindGuy. Your van looks tailored.

That's incredible. Your mileage stays above 25. Mine is consistently under. My E250 company car, with a 4.6L V8, gets 15 - 17 consistently. When I first got a Transit Connect, I was really disappointed. But I also understand that short trips, city traffic, and extended idling to keep the air conditioning running kills my mileage.

How many Amish are trading in buggies for Transit Connects?

Nice!

Wow! You're really moving out there. my MPG is lousy! 17! you all will notice that ambient temp is @ five-five for the double nickel i was beginning to think that everyone was get 27 for better, and I got a lemon I'm using the free version of Torque Lite. Haven't been able to read transmission temp. Is anyone able to see their granny with Torque Lite or Torque Pro?

Wide brim hat, trench coat, and shorts are the uniform.

If you're building out a camper, look for a wagon. Less room with the seats, but you could remove them. At least you will have air conditioning duct work built into the rear. And the wagon has headliner and insulation.

I would worry more about the Dodge Ram breaking down. At least with the Ford, we know that the mechanical issues are minimal. Biggest concern is the transmission, and it looks like it will be okay with regular fluid exchanges.

From what I see, water gets in from the windows. The seals don't keep all the water out. That's why the bottom of the door have drainage.

My dealership ordered a part and it was wrong. Now they have to figure out which part to order. When they get that right, I can post the correct part number.

For function, reliability, durability......I would not buy the Dodge. Dodge small vehicles are not reliable. I would recommend a Ram truck with diesel. Jeep Wrangler is a great off-road vehicle. But most small Chrysler products are not very good. I suppose if ProMaster was a good van, you would see them everywhere. But you don't. Not do you see Chevrolet. You see Ford, Mercedes, and Nissan. Check out what Dodge van owners have to say. Walk through the service bay, ask Dodge techs what they think. That's how I decided not to buy an Explorer. Dozens of police cars with the transmission out.

Fuses are under the hood, behind the glove box, and under a panel on the passenger side under the 3rd window.