11 of the Coolest Ford Transit Vans in the USA

[68fastback]

11 of the Coolest Transit Vans in the United States



Ford Transit – America’s best-selling commercial van and the vehicle with the most configurations in its class – offers 58 vehicle configurations with the introduction of a dual sliding door option for 2016
Owners can customize their Transit vehicles with the help of upfitters, including 12 located within 30 miles of Kansas City Assembly Plant, where Transit is built
Ford built more than 100,000 Transit vehicles in North America for the 2015 model year, with Transit leading the company to post its best July commercial van sales in 15 years


DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 20, 2015 – Ford Transit, America’s best-selling commercial van, offers 58 vehicle configurations and even more customization potential through upfitters.

These 11 specialty vans – tricked out for specialized jobs ranging from transporting art to rescuing puppies and teaching kids to surf – capitalize on the flexibility of Transit, which features the most configurations in its class.


More... (https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/10/20/11-of-the-coolest-transit-vans-in-the-united-states.html)

Hey, what about Mike and Frank -- the Pickers :grin:

[Tommy Gun]

Link no worky on mobile...

[Joe G]

Link no worky on mobile...

Doesn't work at all. :doh:

[68fastback]

Must have broken ...I refreshed it ...try it now

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/10/20/11-of-the-coolest-transit-vans-in-the-united-states.html

[twobjshelbys]

#1 had a Mercedes twin that was at Barrett Jackson Vegas 2015:

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/2015-MERCEDES-BENZ-SPRINTER-LIMOUSINE-CONVERSION-188263

I looked in, it was very nice.

The picker guys switched from Mercedes to Ford, I'd bet Ford gave them the truck for product placement.

[68fastback]

#1 had a Mercedes twin that was at Barrett Jackson Vegas 2015:

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/2015-MERCEDES-BENZ-SPRINTER-LIMOUSINE-CONVERSION-188263

I looked in, it was very nice.

The picker guys switched from Mercedes to Ford, I'd bet Ford gave them the truck for product placement.

I think you're right -- and they had it in the series since near day-1 of availability so must have been an early build.

[Orf]

Hey, what about Mike and Frank -- the Pickers :grin:

Those two have changed quite a bit since 2009.

[68fastback]

Those two have changed quite a bit since 2009.

yeah ...I'm always amazed what they're willing to pay for some rusty stuff half rotting into the ground -lol- but they know their business...

[Orf]

yeah ...I'm always amazed what they're willing to pay for some rusty stuff half rotting into the ground -lol- but they know their business...

I didn't mean business-wise.

[twobjshelbys]

yeah ...I'm always amazed what they're willing to pay for some rusty stuff half rotting into the ground -lol- but they know their business...

And they operate on pretty thin margins. They seem happy to go away with (typically) triple-digit (100-999) profit margins on stuff. Whereas the Pawn Stars guys won't touch anything for less than 2x margin. Some of that has to do with Iowa vs Vegas, but most of it is greed. Reminds me of the dealers that try to buy GTs. One well known dealer recently offered me less than I paid for it 4 years ago "because the market is going down" and asked him what he would sell it for - when I finally demanded an answer he said more than I was asking but he thought I was desparate". Bottom feeders.

[68fastback]

And they operate on pretty thin margins. They seem happy to go away with (typically) triple-digit (100-999) profit margins on stuff. Whereas the Pawn Stars guys won't touch anything for less than 2x margin. Some of that has to do with Iowa vs Vegas, but most of it is greed. Reminds me of the dealers that try to buy GTs. One well known dealer recently offered me less than I paid for it 4 years ago "because the market is going down" and asked him what he would sell it for - when I finally demanded an answer he said more than I was asking but he thought I was desparate". Bottom feeders.

Yeah, not surprised.

Pawn Stars probably has more overhead too -- like Chumlee and the old man :rofl3:

[68fastback]

I didn't mean business-wise.

What did you mean, Greg? Margins, etc? When they opened Atlanta that probably changed things somewhat ...and then they did a major expansion and renovation at the Iowa location. One thing that's not clear to me is if they are equal partners or if Mike is the owner since it seems like Frank buys independently -- not just for his private collection (e.g. oil cans) but to sell in the stores. Maybe they both operate that way and the stores are an independent consignment vehicle (owned by one or the other or both) that takes its cut to move items, the stores & personnel being the major part of the operational overhead?

Or did you mean that as time goes on they look, more and more, like the number "10" :giggle:

[Carnut]

Neither Frank, Mike or Rick can afford to buy high and sell low or even. That old cost of overhead will bite you every time. Then you have factor in the change of value due to economics, currency, price of commodities such as gold or silver, and how long an item will consume overhead costs. Oh, then there is the fickleness of the buying public and the cost to liquidate items such as at auctions etc. We know auction fees can be as much as 30 percent of the sale, maybe more that I am not aware of.

[68fastback]

Yeah, I think overhead is a huge consideration for both of them. Rick often alludes to the cost of things sitting around and to the cost of prepping for auction and auction fees. Mike and Frank don't seem to talk about it but they always seem very focused on not wasting any time ...and turning over as many new rocks as they possibly can.

[Orf]

I meant personally. I met both of them in early 2009, while spending a week in LeClaire for a new equipment test at one of my customer's plants about 15 miles up river. Nice guys, and easy to get a hold of. That all changed after the first season aired in 2010.

They may still be the same nice guys, but they are never at the store any more. Except to shoot scenes to make it look like they are.

[68fastback]

I meant personally. I met both of them in early 2009, while spending a week in LeClaire for a new equipment test at one of my customer's plants about 15 miles up river. Nice guys, and easy to get a hold of. That all changed after the first season aired in 2010.

They may still be the same nice guys, but they are never at the store any more. Except to shoot scenes to make it look like they are.

Ah, I see. Yeah, they seem like nice guys too.

Yeah, they probably had to jump on the faster tread mill after that ...and now with 2 stores and a major reno, even more so. The TV show undoubtedly drives more traffic too. More shelves that are harder to keep full, so no time to be at the store in Iowa ...but that's how they make their money. They sure seem to enjoy it but being on the road that much seems like it could become a real drag, if it weren't for the constant adventure of discovery.

Re Ric Harrison, Jan's bro organized a trip to LV with 3 buddies to chill at a Casino and also hit all the cool places: Shelby's new facility and museum, Ric's Gold & Silver, Rick Dales Las Vegas Restorations, Danny's Count's Kustoms, a couple others ...apparently they all encourage tours (and some charge for them) but he said it was even more fun than they had anticipated ...all surprisingly laid-back and personable.

[Tommy Gun]

4x4 review for Dan.


"Congratulations on your new van, how does the 4WD version drive compared to the stock van?


My personal van (and ModVans camper van prototype) is a 2015 2WD. I've put over 20,000 miles on it in the last year, so I have a pretty good idea how it drives. The new 4x4 is a 2016. Both vans are EcoBoost, T350 chassis and have the same factory tires. I drove the 4x4 100 miles back from the dealer. Here is my comparison:

My 2WD Transit is the best driving full size van I've ever experienced. We put 250,000 miles on an Econoline and I had a Chevy based RV that I put over 20,000 miles on, so I have an idea what these drive like. I much prefer the car like drive of the Transit.

The first thing I noticed is that the 4x4 feels higher from the driver's seat. I wouldn't have thought 2" of lift would make such a difference, but it felt more like 6". It is possible that the 4x4 van is riding a little higher because it is completely empty. The next thing I noticed is that the rim of the steering wheel is skinnier and feels more like leather. I'm not sure if this is due to 2015 vs. 2016 or because the new van has all the electronics options. In any case, I like the steering wheel change - it reminds me of an older BMW.

On the road, the steering feel of the 4x4 is noticeably less refined and more truck like. It is not bad, it still does a good job of staying in its lane, it's just not as good as it was. Also, you can feel a big difference when maneuvering around a parking lot. It almost feels like the 4x4 is engaged even though it isn't. Quigley claims the turning radius is smaller and I'd agree that it may be slightly smaller. On the terrible highways of LA, the suspension feels the same. The transfer case is noisy - you can hear the chain riding on the gears. I'm sure some of the noise will go away once the van has an interior, but I don't think it will go away completely.

There is a different gear noise that comes and goes in 2wd but is very prominent when the 4x4 is engaged. The driver side front axel is leaking axel grease. I'm going to have to get that looked at, so I guess I'll find out how the Quigley warranty process works. The warranty paperwork I have reads like an HMO: I have to call in first to get permission to see a "doctor". The 4x4 gear noise may be related to the leaking axel."

[68fastback]

4x4 review for Dan.


"Congratulations on your new van, how does the 4WD version drive compared to the stock van?


My personal van (and ModVans camper van prototype) is a 2015 2WD. I've put over 20,000 miles on it in the last year, so I have a pretty good idea how it drives. The new 4x4 is a 2016. Both vans are EcoBoost, T350 chassis and have the same factory tires. I drove the 4x4 100 miles back from the dealer. Here is my comparison:

My 2WD Transit is the best driving full size van I've ever experienced. We put 250,000 miles on an Econoline and I had a Chevy based RV that I put over 20,000 miles on, so I have an idea what these drive like. I much prefer the car like drive of the Transit.

The first thing I noticed is that the 4x4 feels higher from the driver's seat. I wouldn't have thought 2" of lift would make such a difference, but it felt more like 6". It is possible that the 4x4 van is riding a little higher because it is completely empty. The next thing I noticed is that the rim of the steering wheel is skinnier and feels more like leather. I'm not sure if this is due to 2015 vs. 2016 or because the new van has all the electronics options. In any case, I like the steering wheel change - it reminds me of an older BMW.

On the road, the steering feel of the 4x4 is noticeably less refined and more truck like. It is not bad, it still does a good job of staying in its lane, it's just not as good as it was. Also, you can feel a big difference when maneuvering around a parking lot. It almost feels like the 4x4 is engaged even though it isn't. Quigley claims the turning radius is smaller and I'd agree that it may be slightly smaller. On the terrible highways of LA, the suspension feels the same. The transfer case is noisy - you can hear the chain riding on the gears. I'm sure some of the noise will go away once the van has an interior, but I don't think it will go away completely.

There is a different gear noise that comes and goes in 2wd but is very prominent when the 4x4 is engaged. The driver side front axel is leaking axel grease. I'm going to have to get that looked at, so I guess I'll find out how the Quigley warranty process works. The warranty paperwork I have reads like an HMO: I have to call in first to get permission to see a "doctor". The 4x4 gear noise may be related to the leaking axel."

Cool! ....if they want to know what truck-like is like they should have driven my '78 E250 4x4 Quadravan :lol:

I'd bet they can change that transfer case noise if they adjust the tire pressures so that rolling radius is nearly equal ...no doubt when the van's empty there is more weight on the front so that might, in effect, have the rear 'pushing' the front which will force slack into the TC chain and tend to make it run loose/noisy. Dunno if that's it but it's what I'd 'adjust' first.

Quigley's now using the F150's independent front axle assembly ...maybe that's just for 150s tho -- dunno.

Bill, check out this YouTube on-track vid of dually Transit 350 long-tall vs Mercedes Sprinter :rofl3: ...the huge Transit totally outhandles the Sprinter ...I love how well it handles the transitions and rumble strips ...even 'drifts' with full control :lol: ...it's just so much more stable than I thought possible.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BN28La2cI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BN28La2cI

[Joe G]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BN28La2cI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BN28La2cI


That's exactly what TG's daily drive is like. :play:

[Tommy Gun]

Yeah, can't wait to start going to work in it! :wtg:

[Joe G]

Yeah, can't wait to start going to work in it! :wtg:

Bet your handling is even better with those fancy-shmancy wheels. :webers:





:rolleyes:


:haha:

[68fastback]

:lol:

:chirp: ;-)

[Tommy Gun]

:look:

[Tommy Gun]

Transit van donated by Ford. :wtg:


22998

22999

23000

.

[68fastback]

Cool!

Here's one Ford just donated last week (https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2018/07/30/ford-delivers-new-transit-to-help-feed-detroits-homeless-at-roos.html).

[Tommy Gun]

Wish they would donate one to me. :look:

[68fastback]

:lol:

...if they do a 4x4 version I'd do their extended x-country touring testing :weg: :mafiasmilie: :biggrin: