Van Blog #3 – Transit Ordered

So now I have decided which van I wanted for the reasons covered in the last post, I need to decide on all the details and exact specification. Things like colour, trim and optional extras.

There are over 450 different options in the full size Transit range from seating configurations to windows and roof heights. In this post we will go over the exact specification of the van I have ordered and why.

If you want to see the full options and spec list for the 2020 Transit there is an online PDF here https://www.ford.co.uk/content/dam/guxeu/uk/documents/feature-pdfs/FT-Transit_Van.pdf

Body Style

Panel Van, I have also ordered windows on both sides behind the cab area. One in the side load door and one on the opposite side. This should let lots of light in and when used at events provide a more friendly area for first aid treatment in the van. The panel van comes with a blank empty van at the back which is best for building out to my design.

Drivetrain

I have selected the AWD version of the drivetrain so we can drive in all weathers and get on and off rough muddy fields or down dirt roads, especially when towing. It’s surprising how bad a road AWD will get you in van if driven sensibly.

Gearbox

I have no choice with this as the AWD only comes with the 6 speed Manual Gearbox, the AWD also means I get the lower geared gearbox and diff designed for towing. The idea is that with no low rang the extra low 1st gear helps on steep or sticky terrain such as steep hill starts. But this will be at the expense of fuel economy being under 30mpg in the AWD.

Roof height

I went with the H3 highest roof which has an internal height of just over 2m in the AWD version, so even after adding some floor and ceiling insulation I will still be able to stand upright. I am 1.81m tall. Overall height of the exterior the van will be around 2.7m. Car parks and drive throughs will be a thing of the past.

Length

I went with the L3 van as they don’t do the L4 in the AWD version, this means its not as long inside as I would have liked but on the plus side it will be easier to park and get turned around in small spaces. External length is just under 6m which is just over half a metre longer than my current pick up truck. Internal usable length is 3.5m, bulkhead to rear doors at floor level.

Colour

I wanted a colour I liked but one that would be easier to keep clean and not stand out in a crowd. If I am going to be stealth camping somewhere in the woods then bright orange or shiny silver won’t be good. So I went for Magnetic which is a sort of metallic grey. It cost a bit extra but I certainly did not want the van left white, I don’t want to look like a delivery driver!

Model

Transits come in Base Spec (Leader), Trend, Trail and then Limited with each having a higher specification and interior/exterior trim levels. However the AWD is only available in the Leader trim or the much more expensive Trail version. The Trail has stuff I really am not interested in or need such as alloy wheels, leather seat trim and different grill and exterior plastics with “Trail” logo’s. So I went for the Leader trim and added all the options I wanted and none of the stuff I did not need or want.

Standard Features

The leader van comes with the below features as standard.

Safety features as standard on all Transits

All Transits come with some modern basic safety systems and features.

• Gearshift Indicator light – To help you drive economically.
• Drive Modes – Selectable modes for Slippery, Eco, Mud/Ruts, Normal and Towing where traction control and throttle settings are adjusted depending on which mode you are in. Depending on the drivetrain and gearbox some of these are different.
• Curve Control – The van will adjust power and apply braking to ensure the van stays under control around bends.
• ESC – Electronic stability control, to stop spinning/sliding wheels and keep the van going where you want it to.
• Emergency Brake Assist – Where it will apply extra force to the brakes in an emergency.
• Emergency Brake Warning – Where it will flash brake lights and apply hazards in a hard braking situation.
• ABS and EBD – Antilock Braking with Brake force distribution in hard braking
• Load Adaptive Control – The van will adjust ESC and ABS and other systems depending on the load in the van and how its distributed.
• Roll Stability Control – The van will brake or release brakes and adjust power to prevent a rollover.

Optional Extras

As the van I have chosen is the base spec Leader van as above I have added quite a few options for safety, cosmetic and functional needs as well as a few things I just wanted.

• Ply Lining – The lease company fits this for free on all vans, sides and wheel arches but not floor.
• Rear view camera with trailer hitch assist – A rear camera you can zoom in on the tow bar when hitching up. Really useful on my puck up truck so want this.
• Front and rear parking sensors – Great back up to the camera and warning you if someone has walked in front or behind you or you don’t see something in the camera.
• Rear LED downlighter – Shines a light down onto the rear door/tow bar area at night to help you see or get stuff out of the back of the van. Looks like a really useful thing. Part of the same optional pack as the Camera and parking sensors.
• Front Fog lights – Useful when driving in poor conditions where main lights reflect too much.
• Engine Underbody protection – Skid plate under the front to help prevent damage off road. Not much ground clearance for off road so this should protect the engine area.
• Front Mud Flaps – Stop stones getting chucked up under the van and damaging paint.
• Power Heated door mirrors – Good for cold icy days to defrost and adjust from inside the van.
• Towbar and electrics – Includes Trailer Sway Control system.
• 2nd row fixed glazing and in side load door – Windows in van on both sides.
• Manual Air Con – Expensive addition but more than worth it.
• ICE pack 21 – Includes Upgrade to the 8in touchscreen and Android Auto/Apple Car Play and other features such as Sync 3 stuff and audio controls on steering wheel and so on. I had to chose this pack as a minimum to get Android Auto.
• Low Visibility Pack – Heated windscreen for instant de-icing. Includes heated mirrors and washer bottle level warning but the Heated mirrors are already in another pack above and the washer bottle level can not be fitted to vehicles with lane keep alert so it’s just the heated windscreen but it’s well worth it.
• Seat Pack 11 – Quadrant City in Dark Palazzo Grey 4 way heated driver seat (fore/aft, recline, up/down, tilt) plus driver’s lumbar adjustment Dual passenger seat heated (outer) with lift up seat cushion Curtain airbags and passenger airbag. I don’t want Maxine looking like Pug in an accident so thought I better order some airbags and comforts like a heated seat for the passenger side!
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Limiter – I use the speed limiter all the time in my current truck but I don’t use cruise control as it can be dangerous if tired or distracted I will continue at the same speed. With the adaptive cruise control the van should slow down with traffic and also brake in an emergency I you don’t. It also includes pedestrian detection. Expensive but worth it.
• Perimeter Alarm – No Alarm as standard so added this basic alarm from Ford as Transits are know for being interesting to thieves.
• 3 pin power converter – 400w 230v Inverter and plug socket fitted in the cab for charging stuff and running laptops in the van – I will be adding my own power systems and inverter in the back but this was a very cheap option at £60 so worth having to use while I am converting and as a back up in the cab area for charging tools etc.
• Delete Bulkhead – No bulkhead behind the seats, this will make it much more airy and open in the back and make the space seem bigger. It will also be possible to jump from the front to the back and fit a front swivel seat in the future.

Total cost

I am not buying this and I am not going to disclose the exact monthly payment on my contract hire agreement but it’s not a cheap van! Especially as I drive around 25,000 miles a year. It will be a 5 year contract with the van being returned at the end of that.

However If I was buying it, this is how much it would be costing…

Order date

I placed this order on October the 22nd and was told there would be a 4-6 month wait time for a custom Factory Build like this which is expected.

Build date

Currently I have been told my van is expected to be built in the factory in early January, the factory for Transits for Europe is in Turkey.

Delivery date

I have a provisional delivery date of January 29th if all goes to plan but that depends on the build happening on time and shipping and delivery all being timed perfect. I am expecting this to shift a bit considering current global issues.

Hopefully you have found this useful in some way and in the next Van Blog I will start going through my rough plans and ideas for the interior and exterior build once it arrives.

Thanks for reading.