akblack10
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- Joined
- Oct 23, 2011
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Hello, I have been on this awesome forum since 2011 and have traveled in a Truck Camper and Tacoma with ARE Cap for the last few years. Both vehicles have served me well and I will continue to use them to see new places and seek new adventures in the years to come... but...
I have been interested in a small, economical, more fuel efficient run around town vehicle that I could use as a daily driver and convert myself. I have had my eye on the Ford Transit Connect for a few years. A few weeks ago I purchased a 2013 Ford Transit Connect, with 70K miles.
I have been driving it for about 10 days and so far my combined MPG (Highway / City) has been 27 MPG. It drives great and seems like it will be a great platform for a conversion. I like the fact that is has sliding doors on both sides, has large rear cargo doors and I can pass through from the cab to cargo area.
I started my conversion last week and will post updates as I go... My plan is to use the vehicle as a daily driver, for short trips, specifically with my kayak.
Above and below, the 2013 Ford Transit Connect as purchased.
First Mod was to remove the contractor's shelving and the cab to cargo divider.
Below, the vehicle without the contractor's shelving and divider.
The next step, below, was to set-up the vehicle for use with my kayak. I added a Malone folding kayak rack. It attached to the existing contractors ladder rack already on the vehicle. I simply needed to buy 4 longer bolts of the same thread and it attached in about 5 mins. I have been using the Malone folding kayak rack for about 3 years on my Tacoma and it works very well. It's available on multiple vendors, like Amazon, for about $160.00.
Below, The Malone Folding Kayak rack in the folded down position.
I have been interested in a small, economical, more fuel efficient run around town vehicle that I could use as a daily driver and convert myself. I have had my eye on the Ford Transit Connect for a few years. A few weeks ago I purchased a 2013 Ford Transit Connect, with 70K miles.
I have been driving it for about 10 days and so far my combined MPG (Highway / City) has been 27 MPG. It drives great and seems like it will be a great platform for a conversion. I like the fact that is has sliding doors on both sides, has large rear cargo doors and I can pass through from the cab to cargo area.
I started my conversion last week and will post updates as I go... My plan is to use the vehicle as a daily driver, for short trips, specifically with my kayak.
Above and below, the 2013 Ford Transit Connect as purchased.
First Mod was to remove the contractor's shelving and the cab to cargo divider.
Below, the vehicle without the contractor's shelving and divider.
The next step, below, was to set-up the vehicle for use with my kayak. I added a Malone folding kayak rack. It attached to the existing contractors ladder rack already on the vehicle. I simply needed to buy 4 longer bolts of the same thread and it attached in about 5 mins. I have been using the Malone folding kayak rack for about 3 years on my Tacoma and it works very well. It's available on multiple vendors, like Amazon, for about $160.00.
Below, The Malone Folding Kayak rack in the folded down position.