How are the Ford Transits?

[Aesop]

Been strictly on the GM Van train since BW's 2017 video about which Van to buy.

However being a tall person has me wondering how are the high roof ford transits? Are they as reliable as the GM vans?

I realize that GM has been making their vans pretty much the same since 2003 and that there are parts galore for them and all that.

Just wondering in case I want to upgrade to a high roof Van sometime down the road. I know already to not go with the dodge ram promasters cause anything dodge is .

Mercedes would be all right but anything Mercedes is $$$$. Not to mention, the Mercedes vans are diesel and diesel kinda sucks in cold weather, and ya don't wanna run a diesel out of fuel.

So for high roof vans, that leaves the Ford transit. Are they reliable? I know that they come in awd nowadays, which is nice. But, I also know that they apparently have the v6 eco-boost motors which i guess are not that great?

As for towing ability, I do have to admit and think to my self, when is the last time I towed with a Van? Lol

Personally, I think that gm hasn't made a high roof Van in the express or savana is because they want the vans to be able to get into a lot of places where in the older parts of the country, such as in cities for example, there is no room for high roof vans.

 

[INTJohn]

Dodge is owned by Stellantis-Fiat ; hardly a piece of ****.
If you ignore Promaster you are really selling your self short. They have advantages that Ford & Mercedes just don’t have. Yeah; It’s a European design so there are some things that Murahkans need to adjust to.
Also; diesel doesn’t suck in cold weather - those days are long gone - besides if you’re livin in it, drive where it’s warm.

I researched the ******* out of all 4 companies & models b4 I went with a Promaster and have no regrets; had my Promaster for 18 months; 20,000 miles; never been back to the dealer.

Build link:
https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/my-2023-promaster-livability-build.49021/

If your sold on GMC go buy one and have a glass high top added. It’s not a big deal; prolly cost 3-5 thousand.

sayin……
jonny the master pro

 

[Tony's Dream]

I had a 2016 Ford Transiet Connect for a couple of years and then upgraded to a 2019 Ford Transit 250 to give me more room. I stand 6' tall and the high top gives me plenty of room to stand up. I haven't had any problems with either van. The only concern I have with my new van is no cruise control! They can't install an after market control. The only way to add cruise now is to replace the steeting wheel with one that has controls built in it and then buy a program to upgrade the vans computer. Ford is unwilling to do this due to warranty issues??

 

[rruff]

So for high roof vans, that leaves the Ford transit. Are they reliable? I know that they come in awd nowadays, which is nice. But, I also know that they apparently have the v6 eco-boost motors which i guess are not that great?

Buying new? For reliability, I think they are both mediocre, but GM is in that ballpark as well.

If you want/need AWD there is only one choice... but frankly I wouldn't get it, since I avoid snow and mud pretty much always.

On the Tundra the low range and 4WD really comes in handy... but IME of living fulltime in the west in a wee 2WD Toyota PU for 13 years, ground clearance is the biggest limiter. So I think I'd be fine with 2WD in a van since I can't get low range anyway.

Ground clearance sucks though in both of these. They both need a lift and bigger tires, plus the Ram needs its rear axle moved up (cut and weld), while the Ford needs its lower rear shock mounts raised (cut and weld). I think the Ford would be easier to do. That only gets them into the "not terrible" category.

Both can be had with NA V6s which is what I'd favor. The Ford can be optioned with a lower final gear ratio too, don't know about the Ram.

I'd give GM the nod for something you want to take on challenging terrain. Suspension upgrades are easier. The other two are very much designed for pavement use. If you want a GM, then just get one and put a high roof on it. They can be bought... or DIY if you are slightly handy.