Bikesnbreakdowns Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) Mission 1- Operation Transit Freedom. I was able to rescue my Transit from a lifetime of point A-B trips and imprisonment as a business cargo mule. December January February My short term goals: Lifted Transit Connect Transit Connect Light Bar Transit Connect with All-Terrain Tires. Trailer Hitch Upgraded sound system Upgraded exhaust Storage to turn the back into a bed for camping Storage for Surfboards Storage for Bikes I'll keep this forum updated on the progress of Operation: Adventure Transit. Edited March 2, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Mission 2- Operation Rolling Thunder. Driving through Palm Springs on the way to Joshua Tree I noticed that having two speakers wasn't ideal for road tripping. The aftermarket system that was installed in the car was terrible, so an upgrade was in order. I took my transit over to Best Buy before Christmas break to have my friend install a system and make a custom box that wouldn't compromise the utility of my new toy. Kicker DX500 AMP Installed where the 3rd row windows would be. Kicker COMP 10" subwoofer Tucked out of the way in a custom sub-box. Kicker KS693 Speakers Mounted in the back doors. Pioneer Headunit Finished I'll keep this forum updated on the progress of Operation: Adventure Transit. operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) Mission 3- Operation Road Less Traveled. My battle with creating a Lifted Ford Transit. When I purchased the van I knew lifting the Transit would be difficult. Many people lower their Transit, which looks great, but I've been down that road before; I decided to take the road less traveled. I previously had a Subaru that was lowered, making it difficult to go on road trips and off road. The Transit only has and inch less ground clearance then a Ranger See Transit vs. Ranger. So I figured a 1inch lift wouldn't be too extreme. I decided to start with the front to see if I could level out the front and rear end of the vehicle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There were three options that could work. 1) Strut spacers, AKA Saggy Butt spacers in the Subaru community. A spacer is placed on top of the strut tophat raising the vehicle STATUS:ABANDONED 2) Spring Spacers A spacer is placed on top of the spring raising the vehicle STATUS:NO APPLICATION SPECIFIC, PART MEASUREMENTS TAKEN 3) Coilovers or Coilover Sleeves Such as Ground Control STATUS: EXPENSIVE AND NO APPLICATION SPECIFIC PART May explore an à la carte kit. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before shots: (Front) 7" clearance on front bumper 3.5" of fender / wheel gap After shots: (Tires) 8" clearance on front bumper ( +1") 2.75" of fender / wheel gap (-.5") First Transit Connect with All Terrians? 205 / 70 R15 Yokohama Geolander A /T installed on the Transit Connect I'll keep this forum updated on the progress of Operation: Adventure Transit. Edited January 25, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) Mission 4- Operation Infinite Horizon. Aires Light bar installed with lighting attachment 5TABB (Special thanks to 103west43rd for this ) So many wires! Hella 700FF driving lights installed Hella 500FF fog lights installed More pictures coming soon! :bandance: I'll keep this forum updated on the progress of Operation: Adventure Transit. Edited February 9, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns fswerks transit and operating engineer O/O 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Reserved for build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Reserved for build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Reserved for build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
103west43rd Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Mission 2- Operation Rolling Thunder. Driving through Palm Springs on the way to Joshua Tree I noticed that having two speakers wasn't ideal for road tripping. The aftermarket system that was installed in the car was terrible, so an upgrade was in order. I took my transit over to Best Buy before Christmas break to have my friend install a system and make a custom box that wouldn't compromise the utility of my new toy. Kicker DX500 AMP Installed where the 3rd row windows would be. Kicker COMP 10" subwoofer Tucked out of the way in a custom sub-box. Kicker KS693 Speakers Mounted in the back doors. Pioneer Headunit Finished I'll keep this forum updated on the progress of Operation: Adventure Transit. Looking forward to your further adventures! I am sure you checked, but if you have not, here is some info on light bars posted in the Forum..... I added a commercial version push bar from Aires and have a picture posted in the Photo Gallery. NCRANCHERO posted the Setina website for the conventional version of a push bar. ONTHEROAD added a light bar that mounts behind the license plate. Good luck! fswerks transit and operating engineer O/O 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Looking forward to your further adventures! I am sure you checked, but if you have not, here is some info on light bars posted in the Forum..... I added a commercial version push bar from Aires and have a picture posted in the Photo Gallery. NCRANCHERO posted the Setina website for the conventional version of a push bar. ONTHEROAD added a light bar that mounts behind the license plate. Good luck! Thanks for adding the Aires bumper. It looks good and mounts to all the factory points (Perfect). However, It doesn't look like there are any mounting points for driving lights. Have you added lights to yours? This seems like the only solution for mounting lights on the Aires bar: operating engineer O/O and fswerks transit 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
103west43rd Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Thanks for adding the Aires bumper. It looks good and mounts to all the factory points (Perfect). However, It doesn't look like there are any mounting points for driving lights. Have you added lights to yours? This seems like the only solution for mounting lights on the Aires bar: Aires offers mounts that fit anywhere along the top tubular bar. Look at the photo of my installation in the Gallery. My top lights are Driving and the two lights on the right side are fog. The fog lamps are mounted in existing holes that are used for an attachment for carrying cones I do not use. Hope that helps. operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Aires offers mounts that fit anywhere along the top tubular bar. Look at the photo of my installation in the Gallery. My top lights are Driving and the two lights on the right side are fog. The fog lamps are mounted in existing holes that are used for an attachment for carrying cones I do not use. Hope that helps. Thanks for your help! I have these on order (Part number 5TABB) http://www.svcustoms.com/i-6233118-aries-offroad-5tabb-aluminum-light-mounting-tab.html As well as the stubby Aries pushbar. http://www.svcustoms.com/i-6303880-aries-offroad-1113001-push-bar.html Now just need to decide on some lights.... operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
103west43rd Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Thanks for your help! I have these on order (Part number 5TABB) http://www.svcustoms...unting-tab.html As well as the stubby Aries pushbar. http://www.svcustoms...1-push-bar.html Now just need to decide on some lights.... Perfect! One more suggestion if you do not mind. Check out Susquehanna MotorSports, www.rallylights.com. They carry the complete Hella line of lighting. Their website is a wealth of info. Very nice people to deal with. And no, I do not work for them! I went with the Hella Micro FF for a few reasons. They are rectangular to match the headlamps/the driving lights do not block too much of the grill/the two fog lamps fit in the existing holes for the cone carrier. operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) Attempting Option 1 Strut Spacer I purchased a sheet of 1" HDPE Made a template and shaped the HDPE with a router, jigsaw and drill. Problem #1 Strut tophat bolts are too short, and are unable to be removed. So the spacer would need to be designed like this: Problem #2 Even if the spacer was designed as above, the strut would be too long to go back into the spindle. Edit: May revisit this using a Focus Camber Plate. (Solves Problem #1) Edited January 10, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) Attempting Option 2 Coilspring spacer: I purchased some 20mm Ford Focus spring spacers fromTH Motorsports made by ST Suspension. Let's see if they fit.... Looks like these are for a 2.5in coilover set up. It did however, give me an opportunity to take some measurements: Edited January 11, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) Perfect! One more suggestion if you do not mind. Check out Susquehanna MotorSports, www.rallylights.com. They carry the complete Hella line of lighting. Their website is a wealth of info. Very nice people to deal with. And no, I do not work for them! I went with the Hella Micro FF for a few reasons. They are rectangular to match the headlamps/the driving lights do not block too much of the grill/the two fog lamps fit in the existing holes for the cone carrier. I purchased my Hella 1000FF kit from Susquehanna MotorSports for my Subaru. They are awesome! I have some Urethane Mudflaps I purchased from them that may need to go onto the Transit as well. AND they are a Team Dynamics Dealer. 15" 5x108 custom rally wheels would look amazing & be indestructible on the vehicle. So, it's ok I don't work for them and I'm an evangelist too! Edited January 10, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSpivey Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 This is a very interesting thread. I am going to retire later this year and I'm looking for a way to travel on the cheap to preserve my paltry savings. I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy a Transit and try to live in it, say, 4 nights out of 5. I am a landscape photographer so some of the places I want to go are going to be sketchy for a one wheel drive low slung vehicle. I have thought of hauling a Honda Ruckus around but that is going to complicate things. No way this is ever going to be a competent off road vehicle, but I don't want a "spit on the pavement and get stuck driving over it" vehicle either. Have you thought of using a separate battery/inverter setup? I will be following your progress. Thanks for sharing. operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) This is a very interesting thread. I am going to retire later this year and I'm looking for a way to travel on the cheap to preserve my paltry savings. I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy a Transit and try to live in it, say, 4 nights out of 5. I am a landscape photographer so some of the places I want to go are going to be sketchy for a one wheel drive low slung vehicle. I have thought of hauling a Honda Ruckus around but that is going to complicate things. No way this is ever going to be a competent off road vehicle, but I don't want a "spit on the pavement and get stuck driving over it" vehicle either. Have you thought of using a separate battery/inverter setup? I will be following your progress. Thanks for sharing. Hey Mike, I plan on using the Transit for an escape from Suburbia vehicle also. Is it going to be a do anything go anywhere vehicle? No. But, it does have tons of room & gets great mileage. Exactly what you need to get away on the cheap. I was tired of going on a Surf trip, and missing a great Mountain Biking spot only because I didn't have room for all the equipment. Just want it to get me where I need to go and if it gets too rough, I can always walk or ride my bike from there. As for the battery and inverter, I'm more of a minimalist and being that I'm also far from being retired from my 9-5, don't see my self traveling in this thing for more then 5 nights at a time. The transit has been amazing but if your planning in spending an extended time on the road and off the road (I know I would if I was retired) and still want the amenities of home, you can't go wrong with a sportsmobile. I'd definitely consider buying one if I had a daily driver to through in the mix. PM me your website, I'd love to check out your shots. Thanks for following my progress, it's going to be interesting to see how this thing will turn out! Edited January 12, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns fswerks transit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share Posted January 15, 2012 (edited) WEEKEND PROJECT! This weekend I spray painted my steelies black. OOOhhhhh shiny! BEFORE AFTER Edited January 15, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns Wex 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
103west43rd Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 WEEKEND PROJECT! This weekend I spray painted my steelies black. OOOhhhhh shiny! BEFORE AFTER I have also decided to go with the steel wheels minus the factory wheel covers. I have ordered the center hub caps (comes only in black) from a UK Ford dealer that has supplied some of us on this forum with UK only parts. I will post a picture when they arrive, should be this week. The hub caps I ordered cover only the exposed hub, not the lug nuts. The UK also has hub caps (comes only in silver) that cover the lug nuts. Speaking of lug nuts, it looks like you do not have the original factory lug nuts. The originals are very expensive from Ford. There is a posting on the forum about why. operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Oh yah, The Adventure Transit puts the AT in 205 / 70 R15 Yokohama Geolander A /T BEFORE AFTER Edited January 31, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 (edited) Push Bar Installed! Thanks 103west43rd! http://www.svcustoms.com/i-6233118-aries-offroad-5tabb-aluminum-light-mounting-tab.html http://www.svcustoms.com/i-6303880-aries-offroad-1113001-push-bar.html Edited January 31, 2012 by Bikesnbreakdowns operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 I was able to get out of the office last weekend for a little camp trip down to South Carlsbad State Beach. It's nice to finally have a car with space! 2 surfboards 2 bikes and all my camp equiptment and firewood fit in no problem! I was even able to set up my hammock off one of the upper tow hooks and attach it to a tree for a nice relaxing sunset! operating engineer O/O, Anton Reinhold and Wex 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
103west43rd Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I have also decided to go with the steel wheels minus the factory wheel covers. I have ordered the center hub caps (comes only in black) from a UK Ford dealer that has supplied some of us on this forum with UK only parts. I will post a picture when they arrive, should be this week. The hub caps I ordered cover only the exposed hub, not the lug nuts. The UK also has hub caps (comes only in silver) that cover the lug nuts. Speaking of lug nuts, it looks like you do not have the original factory lug nuts. The originals are very expensive from Ford. There is a posting on the forum about why. My center hub caps finally arrived. I posted a picture in My Gallery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primary Visions Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hey man, I couldn't believe when I first saw this. I myself just picked up a transit last week to replace my lowered wrx so I could fit more surfboards/bikes/cameras in as well. Basically I think I will be following what you have done almost exactly except I am insulating it along with adding a bed & lots of storage. Good luck with the build! -Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikesnbreakdowns Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Hey man, I couldn't believe when I first saw this. I myself just picked up a transit last week to replace my lowered wrx so I could fit more surfboards/bikes/cameras in as well. Basically I think I will be following what you have done almost exactly except I am insulating it along with adding a bed & lots of storage. Good luck with the build! -Will Will, Your a gentlemen and a scholar. Make sure you post your build on here, I'm looking forward to see what a former Subie owner can do to transform one of these things! operating engineer O/O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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