Anyone Had Any Experience With Ford Transit Vans?

Rik · *by **Rik** on Thu 18/Jun/09 10:57am*

I owned a Transit (my only Ford). It was brilliant, low deck for easy loading. Handle brilliantly(for a truck), RWD, good for drifting! Engines are bullet proof (I limped it 200Ks after the bottom end shat itself). Loads of space in the back for getting changed out of wind/rain. UK roads are flooded with them, they are the trademans weapon of choice

Tama · *by **Tama** on Thu 18/Jun/09 11:00am*

I've talked to two mechanics and both of them have said "pieces of shit, avoid them"

I guess there's a reason for them being so cheap :huh:

xcmtb · *by **xcmtb** on Thu 18/Jun/09 11:29am*

Only one I've driven was mint... 4.0L turbo manual FTW

chalky · *by **chalky** on Thu 18/Jun/09 11:57am*

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/TopG ... 162621.htm

Ford Transit getting raced around the Nürburg

Thermo · *by **Thermo** on Thu 18/Jun/09 12:12pm*

Tinkerbell wrote:
E Dogg Capizzle wrote:You mean Vim Fuego? I believe their van was called The Beast.

Bad News = best hair metal band eva

Blow f*cking Queen off the stage

Lamedoggo · *by **Lamedoggo** on Thu 18/Jun/09 12:16pm*

I drove around North London in one sitting on a deck chair in the back - great times!
:thumbsup:

ratrod · *by **ratrod** on Thu 18/Jun/09 12:31pm*

Tama wrote:I've talked to two mechanics and both of them have said "pieces of shit, avoid them"

I guess there's a reason for them being so cheap

I've heard that the turbo ones have a few issues. Can't remember if it was head gaskets or turbos.
My current work used to have one and everybody hated it.

xcmtb · *by **xcmtb** on Thu 18/Jun/09 12:38pm*

The one I drove was hired though, so didn't see any breakdowns

mfw · *by **mfw** on Thu 18/Jun/09 1:03pm*

I had a 1980 ex-ambulance tranny van, converted to a camper.
It was awesome :thumbsup:

Until if failed it's WOF

Simpleone · *by **Simpleone** on Thu 18/Jun/09 1:19pm*

I loved the one I had in Scotland for cycling and climbing trips it was geat. In the snow we put two bags of cement or sand in the back to get traction! Fit a vent of you want to sleep in it though, and the can be like a freezer during the night. I had a 2.8D non turbo never had an issue, it rusted away after about 400,000 miles though! salty roads

pushbikerider · *by **pushbikerider** on Thu 18/Jun/09 5:50pm*

Grumpyoldman wrote:We've used them at work for the last 8 years.

They're comfy and good to drive, but it seems that they are prone to burning out clutches. May not be a problem with the newer ones though.

My previous employer had 3 of them, all well over 200km's old all three seemed to be very reliable, the only strange thing with them is that they don't have a very good set of glow-plugs so winter starting can be a bit tough

They handle well on the road (for a van) much nicer to drive than a hiace (IMHO)

Chickie · *by **Chickie** on Thu 18/Jun/09 7:31pm*

My man just bought a cheapish one lined with ply and carpet - great for carting the motorbikes, mountain bikes and sleeping in.

Get a non-turbo one

There are a heap on the road hence why they are cheap and it make parts cheap too :thumbsup:

banga · *by **banga** on Thu 18/Jun/09 7:57pm*

Ask Marshy(J-Dog) about Black Magic or Super Tranny. They've both done thousands & thousands of miles round europe carting Kiwis to races, as well as being set up for sleeping in. Both Non-Turbo diesels, they would chug away at 65mph all day without a worry. Black magic I think has been laid to rest due to rust.

BTW I've got a manual 2wd Super custom and its pretty much better in every respect compared to a transit. Except maybe total load capacity.

CrustyMTB · *by **CrustyMTB** on Thu 18/Jun/09 8:36pm*

I spent a few winters toting ounters round the ski-fields of France in Trannies, I agree with the clutch issues. They will chug up anything, ok to drive easy to fix for a useless all thumbs mechanic like meself.

pushbikerider · *by **pushbikerider** on Thu 18/Jun/09 8:58pm*

banga wrote:BTW I've got a manual 2wd Super custom and its pretty much better in every respect compared to a transit. Except maybe total load capacity.

I presume then the Super Custom is much nicer than the ride of the white Hiace you had before? how low is your super custom??