To Transit or not to Transit?
#16
02-12-2017, 07:33 AM
Cocot I'll add this bit then step away.............
Sounds like we're both of the same mind vehicle-use wise, in fact I'm considering replacing my current E250 EB with a Transit so how easily one can be DIY up-fitted to suit my needs is very, very important. Fortunately the aftermarket suppliers for shelving and other fittings & equipment aren't lacking in their offerings for Transit and its other brand kin. American Van is one such outfit, Weather Guard, Adrian Steel Products are a few more that come to mind.
Like you the idea something is "old design" isn't a deal breaker because I need/want a work truck. Things like ride comfort are so low on my list of must haves, reliability and ability to be easily modified to suit top of that list. Add in I have considerable knowledge, tools and reference manuals for the E-Series jumping into the "new" stuff isn't appealing. Because I rank overall cost of ownership much much higher than initial purchase price those issues figure into my searches and eventual choice.
My hope is by the time I'm ready to purchase Ford will have a Transit suiting my needs and have built a reliable van to rival or surpass the Old Reliable's we call E-Series.
Sounds like we're both of the same mind vehicle-use wise, in fact I'm considering replacing my current E250 EB with a Transit so how easily one can be DIY up-fitted to suit my needs is very, very important. Fortunately the aftermarket suppliers for shelving and other fittings & equipment aren't lacking in their offerings for Transit and its other brand kin. American Van is one such outfit, Weather Guard, Adrian Steel Products are a few more that come to mind.
Like you the idea something is "old design" isn't a deal breaker because I need/want a work truck. Things like ride comfort are so low on my list of must haves, reliability and ability to be easily modified to suit top of that list. Add in I have considerable knowledge, tools and reference manuals for the E-Series jumping into the "new" stuff isn't appealing. Because I rank overall cost of ownership much much higher than initial purchase price those issues figure into my searches and eventual choice.
My hope is by the time I'm ready to purchase Ford will have a Transit suiting my needs and have built a reliable van to rival or surpass the Old Reliable's we call E-Series.
With that in mind, my answer is still the same. Despite the frustration we've gone through with this thing, the Transit is still the better vehicle. It takes one look under the hood to realize why I would never choose the E-van or GM offerings. You an access the entire engine from the front, and it's substantially easier to get to the rear of the engine than even an F-series from fifteen years ago. Compared to the service nightmare that is stuffing an engine through the firewall, there is no comparison.
My issue is a fluke...poking around elsewhere online means this isn't a design flaw, but a case of really terrible luck that's challenging to repair because of how intermittent the problem is. The engines and transmissions are well proven in the F150 platform for the last six years, and I honestly believe owning one out of warranty is going to cost substantially less than an E-van.
#17
02-18-2017, 01:28 AM
We just replaced a 1998 E-150 with a 2015 Transit Cargo Medium Roof. We own a dog training and boarding business and do pick up and drops for our clients. I picked up the E-150 cheap and put a small amount of money into maintenance and a vehicle wrap. It served us well, but was getting pretty long in the tooth. I wanted something more professional and modern to represent our business, and I located a 2015 Transit 150 Cargo with 604 miles on it. I picked it up for about 12k less than a new one and have been very happy so far.
#18
04-28-2017, 04:51 PM
to help you out a bit more: yes the transit has been in production in the UK since 1965 it used the same engine as the mk1 escort and pinto (1600cc Kent engine) the reason it was a revlation in the 60s was: it drove like a CAR not a van. fast forward a few generations and it still drives like a car. the amount of combnations the van can come as is over 1,000,000 different options. because the the van is individual as you are. the only thing that isnt changeable is the drivetrain. the engine however will be shared with the new in comming ford ranger.
#19
01-28-2018, 11:24 AM
E series 5.4L is reliable The Transit is a piece of crap. Here are the issues with it. Engine failures, driveshaft failures, rear problems, brakes and tires last half as long as the E-series, leaves clogging the air intake system. The people here touting the Transit don't put much stress on the vehicle. We in the expediting business who put on 80K per year do test these vans and the E series passed the test of reliability. The Transit is failing this test. I've talked to Transit owners in my business, and everyone of them say the Transit is a big pain
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