Double Nickels

Obvious solution is to install hardware in the headliner. Then you can hang little trees too.

Every location will have different rates for labor and parts. Labor could be $100 - $200 an hour. ATF could be $5 - $10 per quart. With a machine, the job could be done in an hour. I did the triple drain and fill with hand tools in an hour. When you shop the job around, ask them what the process is. Some independent shops have good equipment and techs who could do it just like a dealership. Stay away from any shop who insist that their own proprietary, multi-vehicle, ATF is better than Mercon LV. The Ford Service Procedure is a triple drain and fill. So a "dump and refill" is the correct process, if done 3 times. Stay away from any shop which will only drain and fill once.

I found rear signal flashers that worked fine with the OEM halogen in front. Then I installed front signal LED. Hyperflash when I signal a turn. Regular below flash pattern when I activate hazard light switch. I'm leaving it alone for now. The front signal lamp size was not easy to find in LED. LED is much brighter and more visible.

Limo tint is great. Makes a huge difference. OEM AC is loud, but seems to work. There are rooftop AC units. It all depends on what you want to do. I think that while you are camping, a roof fan is sufficient for airflow.

Those are European specification rear fog lights. In Europe, they want increased visibility in inclement weather. Not just so that you can see. Other drivers need to see you. You can install fog lights in front. Use that circuit to trigger the relay.

What I see is that the cooling system is acceptable and efficient. Engine and transmission fluid temps can rise to 225, and drop back to below 185. A lot of factors. Ambient temperature. Drive style. Condition of coolant and ATF. Biggest overlooked factor is if car is working correctly. Mechanical thermostat can get stuck. Electric fan can lose power from bad fuses and relays. Temperature sensors can fail. As an owner, the easiest thing to do is the fluid change. Once the car is raised and the lower cover removed - you can easily drain and fill the ATF. Since you are already doing an oil change, a drain and fill will only cost you the price of the fluid. WalMart sells Valvoline for about $20 per gallon.

Sylvania LED is more expensive, and more reliable than low cost LED from Amazon and eBay. I'm using them. Less expensive LED were a lot brighter. They also flickered and burned out.

The formulation is probably different today. The API and GF grading has changed, with another change on the way. I think today's bottling is probably safe for modern engines.

Maybe Deaver Springs or Galpin Ford could build a custom lift. Call them. https://deaverspring.com/

I'm wondering how accurate the OEM TPMS system is. It's good enough for what I need. But it's probably not a precision reading. I used the tire inflator @ Costco, set to 51 PSI. Here are my screenshots right after topping off the tires, and after 30 minutes of driving. And in the morning, after cooling down overnight, the tires will be a little lower.

Just because they're asking that much, it doesn't mean that they're getting it. I bought a wheel with an offer of $50. Seller paid shipping. Those OEM wheels sold by salvage yards are still less expensive than buying a new wheel from a dealer. As long as you don't mind that it came off a van which was wrecked. Sort of like vintage clothes. You don't care about wearing a dead guy's pants.

Sorry. I just thought one of you Would raise your hand. Junipero Serra Freeway. California. So that rules out guys in Europe.

Once the seal has been cracked, so to speak, oil begins to degrade. Even if you are not driving it. Your engine is not a hermetically sealed system. The oil is in the environment. Air temperature changes. Condensation. Water vapors. Oxidation occurs. 1 year is fairly conservative. But not really. Even the most expensive oil will degrade over time. So Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Amsoil, RedLine.......none are impervious to water vapors, condensation, and oxidation. It's not like you can use Mobil 1 15,000 mile oil, and expect it to be good for 5 years. You could send in a sample for analysis to determine the usable life of the oil. At the cost of an oil analysis, you could simply change the oil. My strategy would be to use the lowest price oil which meets Ford specification. No sense in throwing away expensive oil.

If you guys are mounting winter tires on OEM steel wheels, look for used wheels which already have the sensor. I see them eBay. Usually from junk yards.

It sounds like the dealership is doing everything that they can think of. This is probably one of the issues which will take a few years before a TSB is issued.

My readout on the OBD2 says Turkey. That doesn't mean the entire car is built there. Maybe it's partially assembled in Turkey and Spain. Both countries known for fine automobiles.

Which one of you has a 1st generation with a porthole window? Blew right by me on the freeway.

Without the consideration of being a good global citizen, I don't buy Mobil 1. Too expensive. My current over the counter choice is whatever has the best price. Speaking of which, Havoline currently has a rebate. Unless Chevron has also offended society. Then we'll have to find another option.

Here are the screenshots for easy reference.

If buying used, the factory tow package has the trailer light harness installed as part of the tow package. On trucks, there's usually an auxiliary transmission cooler, engine oil cooler, and sometimes better brakes. I am not certain, but I don't think the Transit Connect tow package has much more than the hitch receiver and light harness. The factory installed tow package is not an indicator that the van was used for any towing at all. I once bought a truck with a tow package, because I wanted other features that came with that truck. I never towed anything with it. The next owner got a factory tow package which was never used to tow.

Thanks Osco. +1 vote for underinflate!

Indeed! Quite insightful.

That Nissan mod is good if you don't plan on anyone riding there while driving. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. It will only encourage creativity.