KevinRollin

Some van build planning considerations: Nothing permanently installed- I might need to remove everything to haul something random. I don’t have the skills to weld, or do complex woodworking. Needs to fit in a garage.

I’ve been reading here for a few weeks, and gleaned quite a bit of information from members and posts, so I thought I’d post the start of my build. I decided several years ago that a van of some sort was the best vehicle for my outdoor and hobby pursuits: cycling, camping, trail running, camping, surfing, triathlon, hiking, etc. I really wanted (and still kinda want) a full-sized van like the Promaster, Sprinter, or Transit, but as an urban dweller with an office job, I can’t really swing one of those. I test drove the FTC, Promaster City, and rented an NV200 for a long weekend trip. While I liked the taller interior of the NV200, there are twice as many FTCs on the road so I decided on that for parts availability, aftermarket, etc. after hunting for a month, new and used, I stumbled onto a used silver 2018 cargo with only 600 miles on it. It had, according to the dealer, been ordered by a customer for use as a work van, who after fitting it with rear and quarter aftermarket windows, decided it was too small and traded it for a larger Transit. His loss! So while this will be my only vehicle, it’s not a daily driver because I take mass transit to work every day, and either walk, bicycle, or Uber everywhere else. I park in a tiny garage space, big enough to open the driver door but not the passenger door, or rear doors unless I open the garage. This is going to affect how much work I can get done if I’m not finished before it gets cold! I won’t be living in the van, and at 6’2”, sitting inside and cooking, etc., isn’t happening a lot either. So most mods will be focused on hauling sporting equipment, and providing a dry place to sleep. I went back and forth on the color, white being super common, and most resistant to heat/sunlight, but silver looking less like a work truck and more a regular personal vehicle. Finding the barely used 2018 in silver that already had some windows put into it made the decision for me. I traded in my tiny hatchback plus a couple grand and drove off with a nearly-new FTC.

I found an Instagram post with what appears to be a 15”x24” window:

Has anyone upgraded their van with windows from Vintage Technologies, aka Teardrop Trailer Parts? I’ve read two older threads regarding their products: Micro Camper Conversion 2015 LWB XL by Torton Sliding Screened Window Installation by Mickster Both look like they use a window that’s about 14”x22”. Vintage has changed their model numbers and it looks like dimensions recently. Windows are here: https://www.teardroptrailerparts.com/pricing.html I’m eyeing the WD2415, which according to my rudimentary measurements in the dark this evening, will fit in the sliding door. On the inside, there’s room for the cutout without hitting the edge/lip on the sheet metal, but I think the trim ring will hit it. So I might need to reinforce that with some plastic or plywood. I want the largest window possible for visibility and ventilation.

That’s kinda cool. I’ll have to try that.

I am a little annoyed about the fuel door being on the wrong side...

I had a roll of Reflectix, 4’x10’, and I cut a piece to fit the windshield. Notched it at the top to clear the sensor package. Then did a pair for the side windows. First one of those was a pain the butt, but I got them to fit tight into the grooves around the window.

Thanks. That one will definitely fit, but I want the largest window possible in there. We’ll see what the templates show me!

Love the window functionality. Eyeing some of the Vintage Technologies RV-style windows, and am going to make a cardboard template this weekend to see if the WD2415 24”x15” will fit. Found an older thread where a member here put in a 22x14, but it appears they don’t make that one anymore.

That’s a good point! Probably best I avoided those.

Thanks for the update! I like the flat floor in the cargo van, but with a platform like yours and a half-width bed, there’d be a lower surface when seated on a chair or bed. Great photos, very helpful as I’m designing!

Thanks everyone. I only saw the issue at one dealer, but it was on one or both headlight on each of the three vans I saw. ?‍♂️ Ended up with a van from a different dealer.

Thanks. Making changes or just reading codes? Ok good to know. Thanks! Thanks. I need to do some more reading. I hadn’t made it all the way through that thread yet. May have to do my old Windows Vista laptop out of storage just for this. Almost did that a few wins ago to reprogram a radio.

Anyone using ForScan wirelessly, via Bluetooth or WiFi on an iOS or android device? No laptop, I do all my internet surfing on my phone or iPad. Eyeing this adapter: https://www.amazon.com/OHP-Forscan-Adapter-Scanner-Android/dp/B06XJL31Z7 or this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFRFJG6

I checked out a number of used 2015/2016 Gen2 Transit Connect Cargo vans today. Most of them had issues with water intrusion in the headlights. Some had visible cracking, others did not. How prevalent a problem is this? (Among FTCs; I’ve had other cars with plastic headlights and some get water inside, some don’t ). Any quick fixes or DIY solutions out there? Or is replacement the only option?

Thanks for the link!

Thank you for the link! That rod looks like the perfect size and shape. I appreciate the measurements, both of you and the platform! I’m 6’2” so being able to sleep on a platform that fits behind an extended driver seat is the dominant factor in my planning. Cant wait to se what else you cook up!

That would great, thanks. The PWFX mod is very cool, but before seeing that I was considering using some of these blocks I saw for a Jeep. Depending on the spacing between the bolt holes and the pin, I may need to drill/rout a notch in the side. Marinesurveyor, these may work for you too if it’s easier than getting square tubing cut/drilled.

Very cool mod! Is that raised disc to the right of the new longer bolt the back side of an indexing pin? Guessing you just drilled a hole for it? Are the other three mounting points the same?

Great post! Love your build. Got a link to the curved shower tension rod you used? What are the dimensions of tour sleeping platform?

Thanks, 5150. You’re not that crazy. ? Good info on the 2014 reliability and issues to date. I’m running into the same thing with 3-4 year old used, versus new. Great insight, thanks. I’m looking almost exclusively at cargo variants of both platforms. I’d take a wagon if I got a great deal on one, but nearly all of the passenger equipment would come out. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve carried more than one passenger in the last three years. That front passenger seat would stay flat most of the time!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I’m looking at used more than new, and the prices for Ford compact cargo vans are comparable to the Dodge/Ram PMCs, I imagine because there are more of the former on the road. I think the sales statistics I saw were 35k Transit Connects sold, versus 15k each for PMC and NV200.

Hello! New here, researching vans before I make a purchase. Lots of great information here! Planning on a weekender/road tripper/camper small van and the leading contenders are the Transit Connect and Ram Promaster City. Anyone pick the Transit Connect over the PMC after driving both? Any particular dealbreakers? Thanks! Kevin