How I Choose My Cargo Van

As I come closer to a final commitment to buy the new cargo van, I’ve narrowed my choices down to the Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit. With the latter as top contender, I’m making my list of options for the new van.

advertisement

It became clear very soon, that most if not all models on dealer’s lots have the standard white exterior color, so often used for work vans. transit emblemWith my RV conversion in mind, a custom exterior color is my first pick, which likely results in a factory order and an additional 8-10 week waiting period, yet it comes with the benefit of exactly getting the van you always wanted.

Some spend lavishly, some stick to a budget and some are handy, while others are born with two ‘left hands’. My goal is to spend little and add value by applying my skills (I learn, while I create). This not only keeps the total cost down, but adds a lot of satisfaction, when you can design and create according to your own wishes.

Therefore, my factory installed upgrades will be limited to:

  • ¾ Ton – GVWR 9000 lbs. – To accommodate some extra conversion weight.
  • Limited-Slip Rear Axle Ratio 3.73 – For improved handling on dirt roads.
  • 220-Amp Alternator – For additional charging of the (solar) batteries.
  • Dark tinted privacy glass windows in all doors and both driver and passenger-side walls.
  • Some added luxury:
    • Custom exterior color.
    • Cruise Control.
    • Power and heated mirrors with turn signals.
    • Chrome headlamp/grille trim.
    • Wheel covers.

Many other options will be installed with after-market products at a later date and time.

advertisement



2015 FORD TRANSIT
MAJOR PRODUCT FEATURES 01/15/2014
CONFIGURATION
Transit-250 Van
Roof height option: Medium
Length option: 148” Long wheelbase
Engine: 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 – 266 HP – 249Lb/Ft
GVWR9000$950.00
REAR AXLE RATIOCODEVan
Limited-Slip 3.73X7LO$325.00
COLOR & TRIM AVAILABILITY
INTERIOR COLORCODEVan
Charcoal ClothCBO
EXTERIOR COLORCODEAvail.
METALLIC: Lunar SkyKT
FUNCTIONAL
Alternator – 150-amp/hour
Auxiliary Fuel Port
Single Battery – 72-amp/hour (gas only)
Brakes – 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes
Fuel Tank – Capless fuel fill, 26 U.S. gallons (midship)
Horn – Dual-note electric
Steering – Power Rack and Pinion
Suspension
Front – Independent MacPherson-strut, stabilizer bar
Rear – Leaf springs, heavy-duty gas shock absorbers
Tires: 235/65R16 BSW all-season (SRW)
Wheels – 16” steel
Steel Wheel with Hubcaps
Full-size spare tire & wheel
EXTERIOR
Bumper
Front – Black, molded-in-color with lower valence
Rear – Black, molded-in-color with integral step
Body Side Moldings – black
Doors
Sliding passenger-side. Medium and high roof
50/50 hinged rear, 270-degree opening. Long Wheelbase.
Grille: Black with black surround
Exterior Lighting
Halogen head lamps with Black Trim
Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL)
Mirrors: Short-Arm Dual Power
Windows, Solar Tint: No Cargo-Area Windows
Windshield Wipers: Variable interval intermittent
INTERIOR
Air conditioning: Front only
Audio
Antenna – fender mounted
AM/FM stereo, digital clock, audio input jack
2 Front Speakers
Cargo Area Tie Down Loops
Console – Center stack console with integrated shifter
Door-Locks and Windows
Autolocking on Drive
Power Equipment Group (Power Locks and Windows) with Remote Keyless-Entry
Floor Covering: Vinyl, front and rear
Glove Box
Instrumentation – Tachometer, fuel level and coolant temperature
Inside Rearview Mirror
Included
Not Included
Interior Lighting
Front Dome Lamp with Theater-Dimming
Rear Compartment Lighting
Accessory Delay – 10 minute
Configurable lighting with 30 minute auto shutoff
Powerpoint: 12V, two in instrument panel, one in center console (Requires Twin Battery)
Seating: Driver and front-passenger manual reclining bucket seats with adjustable headrest. Includes driver-side inboard armrest.
Seating Capacity: 2-passenger
Steering – Tilt & telescopic column polyurethane 4-spoke wheel
Step well pads – black plastic
Sun visors – vinyl trimmed.
Trim
Passenger A-Pillar Grab Handle
Center Console
Headliner – Cloth, front only
Front Overhead Console
SAFETY/SECURITY
Driver and passenger front airbags
Passenger-side airbag cut-off switch. Not available with seats delete or right hand door delete
AdvanceTrac w/Roll Stability Control (RSC)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Safety belts – 3-point, all positions
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Body TypeVANPrice
Order Code101A
CONFIGURATION: MEDIUM ROOF (100.8”) Van & Wagon
Transit-250 (GVWR: 9,000#)
Long Wheelbase: Sliding Passenger-Side Cargo Door148”R2C
POWERTRAIN / FUNCTIONAL
Engine: 3.7L Ti-VCT V6, E85 Flex-Fuel Capable on only SRW Models. Standard on all Van & Wagon models 9,500# GVWR or less.99MS
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Overdrive with SelectShift446S
Alternator – Heavy-Duty 220-Amp with gasoline.63CO$260.00
EXTERIOR OPTIONS
Exterior Upgrade Package – Includes chrome headlamp trim, chrome grille and grille surround. Includes full wheel covers on SRW models.18DO$360.00
Mirrors – Short-arm: Power Heated with Turn Signals542O$155.00
Wheels / Wheel Trim
Steel with Full Silver Wheel Cover. Incl. With Exterior Upgrade Package (18D).64HI$0.00
Spare Tire and Wheel51DS$0.00
Windows/Glass
Windows-All-Around, with 2nd row driver and passenger-side flip-open glass. Requires Privacy Glass (92E).17KO$460.00
Rear-Window Defogger. Requires any Window Package that includes Fixed Rear-Door Glass (17A-J)57NI$0.00
Privacy Glass – Includes Rear-Window Defogger (57N)92EO$300.00
INTERIOR OPTIONS
Audio: (18) AM/FM stereo with audio input jack. Note: Not available with interior upgrade package. – 2 front speakers only58US$0.00
Cruise Control with Message center (Full Trip Computer and Engine-Hour Meter)60CO$325.00
Floor Covering: Carpet Front.16GO$25.00
Front Seating: Pewter (grey) Cloth, 2-way manual (fore/aft/recline) driver and front-passenger with inboard armrest and driver-side manual lumbar.21CO$60.00
Front Seating: Charcoal Cloth, 2-way manual (fore/aft/recline) driver and front-passenger with inboard armrest and driver-side manual lumbar.21DO$60.00
S = Standard, O = Optional, I = Included
PACKAGED OPTIONS/EMISSIONS
EXTERIOR UPGRADE PACKAGE (18d)
Includes:
Chrome Headlamp Trim
Chrome Grille and Grille Surround
16″ Steel Wheel (Black E-coat) on SRW Models
Full Wheel Covers (SRW only)
Upgradeable Features/Options (for additional charge):
16″ Alloy Wheel on SRW Models
POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP
Includes:
Power one-touch up/down driver and power passenger window.
Power central door-locks with remote keyless-entry.
EMISSIONS STANDARD/OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL/NON-CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS SYSTEM
Standard equipment on vehicles with 3.5L or 3.7L engines delivered to Federal Emissions State or Cross Border State dealers.
50-STATE EMISSIONS SYSTEM425
Standard equipment on vehicles with 3.2L engine.
MISCELLANEOUS
COV Required79V
Priced DORA*C09
* The V.O.C. shows that an order for the vehicle has been entered in the system, nothing more. A priced DORA is a commitment from Ford to build the vehicle, exactly how it’s going to be built (which could be different from what’s shown on the V.O.C.), and at the exact price. A dealer should always check the DORA against the VOC to make sure they’re the same. It can take some time to get a DORA if the vehicle is hard to get, but usually we have them within a week. If unsure, then ask your dealer for a copy of the DORA.

Information on this page is dated. New options may have been added, others deleted. Codes may have changed. Always do your homework and verify your data independently. Buying a vehicle is an important and expensive exercise; take all necessary steps to create a happy ending.

A full original feature list including order codes and all available options for the 2015 Ford Transit can be downloaded below. Available in Open Document Format (.ods) or Excel Format (.xls).

2015 Ford Transit Major Product Features – 01/15/2014
A full original feature list including order codes and all available options for the 2015 Ford Transit.
odt [ .ods Download ] doc [ .xls Download ] – Size: 180 Kb

Build the perfect conversion

Creative ideas & new skills. Free Van Conversion guides, hands-on projects and videos, delivered straight to your inbox.

sponsors

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *