My New 2014 Transit Connect!

[3PedalMINI]

Well, I did it! finalized the deal today! Cut a wicked good deal, Turned out nissan sold my van from underneath of me so it made me take a second look at the new tranist. This is heads and tails better then the NV200, and slightly bigger too!

First order of business is to tint the front windows and build my shelving and racking. Im going to hopefully get started on it this weekend. The rear windows will get blacked out and im going to cover them with plywood so i can hang stuff off of it.

Empty and winter blend fuel the computer said 38.6 MPG with 100miles on the clock...Very curious to see what i will get loaded, summer blend fuel and once she breaks in.

This is such a comfortable van, and super super fun to drive (go figure) Very well built. the only thing im not fond of is the sync system, but i wont use that anyway.

XLT Package-Rear view Camera/Sync package-4 key fobs-180 degree opening doors-6 way adjustable driver seat- front a rear sensing system. I didn't really want that either but it will be nice in the city.

Im Pretty Excited!!

 

[Walk On Wood]

Looks nice! Cant wait to see how you shelf it out

 

[builderbob]

Congrats buddy!  Looks really nice!  It'll be great to fit in tight spots!  I also can't wait to see how you pack it up!

 

[Bikeboy80]

Nice, congrats! Really love the look of them. [thumbs up]

It will be quite a change from the NV, I'm interested to see how you rack it out!

 

[Jonhilgen]

You guys are effing killing me!  I've contacted my local dealership about one of these...and the guy doesn't have hardly any in stock!!!

Love the look, great size (is this a lwb version?.  I'm assuming you got the ecoboost engine.

If it gets 38 mpg, that would pay for itself quickly ( I get 15 right now.)

Nice ride, congratulations!

Jon

 

[peter halle]

Congrats!  I can't wait to see how all the van owners who have a shorter cargo area handle the sliding doors on both sides.  Will racking cover one side?  Will a center rack be built to fit that opening that will allow access from each side?

[popcorn] [popcorn]

Peter

 

[Brice Burrell]

Congrats!  Looking forward to seeing your custom fitup.  I'm really digging my Connect too, although I spent the day in my old F150, no where near as fun to drive.  One thing I don't so much is the gauges are placed too low and too deep for me to see, the top third is cut off from view.  

 

[Jonhilgen]

Congrats!  I can't wait to see how all the van owners who have a shorter cargo area handle the sliding doors on both sides.  Will racking cover one side?  Will a center rack be built to fit that opening that will allow access from each side?

[popcorn] [popcorn]

Peter

Have same question regarding the dual sliding doors.  The dealer I spoke to said that it's possible to get the connect with only one sliding door...but then he didn't seem too much on point either.

Jon

 

[rnt80]

I have a 2010 Connect and love it.  While my wife calls it the clown car, it has been great for me for nearly three years.  One f the most useful features for me has been the vertical room in the back.  It doesn't look like the new model has as much floor to ceiling room as the older version.  What is the measurement back there?

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have a 2010 Connect and love it.  While my wife calls it the clown car, it has been great for me for nearly three years.  One f the most useful features for me has been the vertical room in the back.  It doesn't look like the new model has as much floor to ceiling room as the older version.  What is the measurement back there?

It's about 48" inside and 45" at the rear doors.

 

[wow]

I can't wait to see how all the van owners who have a shorter cargo area handle the sliding doors on both sides. 

I'm old enough to (barely) remember when Chevy came out with the Corvan which was the first van that had doors on both sides. Sayw a couple of Doofuses (Doofi?) put an upright piano in crosswise, then drive over a curb only to have the corvan turn into a TRUE 'V' - folded the frame (or unibody, whatever it had in those days) right in half. Never did see it get hauled away nor what happened to the piano.

[eek]

Lesson learned - know your (and your vehicles) capabilities!

 

[Deansocial]

Congrats!  Looking forward to seeing your custom fitup.  I'm really digging my Connect too, although I spent the day in my old F150, no where near as fun to drive.  One thing I don't so much is the gauges are placed too low and too deep for me to see, the top third is cut off from view.  

Raise the steering wheel slightly unless it's too uncomfortable to drive.
What's the load length in these. Fords website just gives the stupid overall load length when the seat are folded of whatever

 

[Brice Burrell]

Congrats!  Looking forward to seeing your custom fitup.  I'm really digging my Connect too, although I spent the day in my old F150, no where near as fun to drive.  One thing I don't so much is the gauges are placed too low and too deep for me to see, the top third is cut off from view.  

Raise the steering wheel slightly unless it's too uncomfortable to drive.
What's the load length in these. Fords website just gives the stupid overall load length when the seat are folded of whatever

It's not just the wheel that's in the way, the gauges are way too low and too deep inset.  It's really a stupid design to not allow for taller people (and I'm not all that tall, 6'2"/188cm). 

The load length with the front seats all the way back is roughly 84"/213cm.  That's the US version, the UK version might be a little different. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Congrats!  I can't wait to see how all the van owners who have a shorter cargo area handle the sliding doors on both sides.  Will racking cover one side?  Will a center rack be built to fit that opening that will allow access from each side?

[popcorn] [popcorn]

Peter

The idea is to cover one door (or both) with the racking so you can access the contents either from inside or from the curb/street with the door open.  

 

[peter halle]

Cool Idea!

Peter

 

[3PedalMINI]

Thanks All!!!! FOG Doesnt have multiquote?

Plan is to mount shelving in front of both doors with access from the street side or inside. I rarely used my side doors on my NV so im not loosing anything. all of my systainers will be on the right side, the left side will be for my vacuum and seldomly used systainers like my rotary hammer etc. Im also going to try and get a row of consumables like mud-rings, power bridges etc on the top row. Im not sure yet how im going to do the two sided shelves and make them ridged without a back.

Ive ordered some LED's and tracks to get better lighting back there. I am also going for QUIET in this one. Im going to get some dynamat type material and some sound insulation.

I am going to be taking pictures every step of the way and will be sure to post my progress here  [smile]

 

[Bikeboy80]

To make the racking rigid....attach top and bottom and if you are building racking toward the rear that you can glue/ tie into the side walls just make sure you attach the front ones to them. Should hold all of it nice and rigid.

 

[3PedalMINI]

Alright guys, I have a tiny bit of progress to show. two cabinets are done, shelving is not installed yet, that will be one of the last things I do. also got a bit of dynamat installed as well. the amount of times my plan has changed is crazy, thats been half the battle lol.

I decided to carpet the boxes to try and minimize the noise of the systainers hitting the cabinets while i go down the road. The white base will be covered in carpet as well. To the left of the big cabinet (behind the single systainer cabinet) will be where ill hang my fish tapes, triangle,  base borzit and a few other random things that wont be stored in systainers. I dont know if you can tell but there is a lip on the top of the cabinet facing out, that will be for a LED light rail so i can see all the systainers and shelfs at night!

2 more cabinets to build and carpet and of course the bulk head, then need to attach to the roof and ill be 75% done!

 

[Brice Burrell]

Nice, is that some kind of outdoor carpet?  I was hoping to see the lighting done, you better get cracking before the snow hits. [tongue]

 

[woodguy7]

You doing anything to stop the sustainers from falling out ?
You say you are going to plywood over the rear windows.  Don't you get the option of no rear windows ?  Also surprised to see no steel bulkhead.  That would be the first thing i install.
Nice looking van though.