For those that doubt the Transit Connect
 

I was reading a thread about the how the Econoline van is being replaced by the Transit (full sized Transit) and the Transit Connect was being mentioned in the thread. Some people doubt the capability of the TC. Here is proof that it gets the work done. I use a Transit Connect to deliver my fleet customers engines on a regular basis. A transit connect will easily haul a dressed 6.0 Power Stroke Diesel engine that weighs 1000 lbs. We delivered on a few of weeks ago with a TC. It barely squatted. The TC is VERY capable. :-X22

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I thought about one of those when I was looking. Test drove nice. Those are made in Turkey, right?

I ain't knocking it yet but I just dropped off one at the dealer for the second left front wheel bearing in 25,000 miles. Its also getting a new ABS sensor and a new CV Axle. Mind you 25,000 miles. The Ford tech told me point blank to not overload it. I didn't want to know why for we have 8 of them in our fleet and are adding 2 more as we speak.

Yep. Turkey


We have 3 of them in our fleet. The biggest problem we have with them is we get roughly 35-40k out of brakes. We have one with 65k miles and it will soon need brakes again. All of the driving is entirely city miles. I would like to see bigger brakes on them myself. We have had no CV or bearing issues. One tire pressure sensor.

Just make sure the drivers know to DO NOT use fix-a-flat. It will destroy the sensor and have to be replaced. The axle is ok the tech stripped the threads so they have to replace it. The ABS sensor,I beleive is from the new bearing was slinging grease so I know the bearing is bad. Just sux they don't keep parts for them at my local dealer. The tech said don't overload them because the transmissions won't take it. Said they have had some of them messed up. Who knows? I am stuck with them either way.:-drink

Hey I'm the tech that worked on your Transit! Small world huh? Classic Ford right? The axle nut galled the threads on the CV joint when I took it apart last time that's why I replaced the axle. The thing about the transmission is the OD band is pretty small to hold all the weight if it's overloaded. There was a Transit that came in a few months ago that had the direct clutches and OD band burnt. It was used for installing DirectTV I think and was loaded down pretty good. Ford hotline told the trans tech they have seen quite a few burnt up direct clutches and OD bands and most likely was due to being overloaded. They use the same transmission in the Focus but dont have any problems. The payload is 1600 lbs so they can carry some weight. I think they are a great little van for what they are designed for.

Cool I just talked to Jay about it before I left work. Man I am glad this thing is your headache not mine. Talk to in person on what he said he found. Wow that blew me away. With that one being one of the first ones we got it is scareing the hell out of me for things yet to come. He said it is still got a hard pull so tomorrow you all should get into that problem. We joked about unless the driver drove it off a cliff, Now I am starting to wonder if he tried it. Well Hopefully I get the time to stop by sometime tomorrow. I guess we will see. Be good , Later.

Is that some kind of paperboard on the inside door panels? It also appears in the Fork UK site's ads. Is there insulation behind it or is it to be removed in order to put something in place like a rack of shelves and parts bins? That transit does not look like the quite small van that was at the Ford dealer in Texas. The rumored "large" ones are not due in the States yet.

It is the small US Transit Connect. The panels are particle board. Donno what is behind it.

There is probably candy behind them :D tear the panels appart!.

Can I drive with the O/D button engaged, to bypass OD, when towing? I plan on having about 400 pounds in the van, and towing a trailer with a total (loaded) weight of 1,500 pounds. I may be pushing it, but that's what I'm going to do. Thanks for any (constructive) input.

ride4, I'm assuming that when you refer to O/D this is sport mode?.. In this case that's what sport mode is used for, towing/hauling and up hill climbs or down hill descents. But we like to think sport mode is "sport mode" or sporty mode.. it helps the van corner better and use lower of higher gears based on the van's point of entry into corners etc.

Old post digging! Payload for the TC is around 1600, so 400 + your weight and fuel + tongue weight of 1500 trailer should be well under and far from pushing it. I would just let the transmission operate normally.

According to the manifest on my 2015 Connect, the vehicle is now being assembled in Spain. The manifest also notes that 10% of the vehicle comes from Canada, the transmission comes from France, and the motor comes from the U.S. The Connect is a truly international citizen.