Wives new Ford

[martin]

For you guys that have not seen these, they are quite small, think 'Focus size'. Pity we won't get the diesel here.

 

[Jay FX4]

Where I'm from, I naturally see them all the time. I actually like it somewhat, although I believe this vehicle shares part of the blame for the death of the Ranger.

It's been around for years, just not in America until last year. It was the truck of the year at the auto show last year. It is relatively small, but has quite a bit of cargo volume - more than a Ranger with a cap would, if I'm not mistaken.

Ugly it may be, but there sure is lots of room for... activities.

Read into that what you will.

+1 It may not be useful for picking up chicks, but if you already have one, then yes, "things" can be done back there.

 

[shane96ranger]

Here's some pics of the inside on Ford's website. It looks like it's made with the 7 footer in mind. This thing has some major head room.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitconnect/features/#page=FeatureCategory3

 

[Blackdog]

The Transit Connect (TC) is made in Turkey, the engine is made in Spain. The TC has been in use since 2002 overseas. They are all diesel equipped there and more than 1 million have been sold. 2010 was the first year the TC was avalible in the US.

Fully loaded this one cost $21,000. It has reverse sensing, TPMS, air, tilt, ABS, RCS (roll control) hands free blue tooth, rear removable seat and more.

It can haul a motorcycle and the wife can stand up in it. So far its a keeper!

 

[shane96ranger]

So how does it do as far as power is concerned? Ford says it has "136 horsepower and 128 lb.-ft. of torque". My Escape with the 2.3 Duratec does 157 hp and 148 ft lb. of torque. It does very well for what it is.

 

[Ranger44]

We always call those the "Mini Sprinter" when they come in.

 

[88_Eddie]

So wait, you are a polygamist?

that or he failed ALL of his high school english classes

 

[TheTopher]

There's a few bug companies around here that have switched to them.


To be perfectly honest, as far as work related stuff I can't think of a single thing a Ranger can do that this thing can't do better, except for trailers and whatnot.



It's great on gas, you can fit more stuff in the cargo bay. You can probably even put a workshop back there if you wanted. It really is the best lighty duty work truck I've seen.


Is it responsible for the death of the Ranger? It most definitely played a major part.


But on the flip side, pretty much every commercial application of the Ranger can be done better by this vehicle.

 

[Blackdog]

General comments about "wife's new Ford TransConn"

So how does it do as far as power is concerned? Ford says it has "136 horsepower and 128 lb.-ft. of torque". My Escape with the 2.3 Duratec does 157 hp and 148 ft lb. of torque. It does very well for what it is.

From Mrs. Blackdog:
For whomever was concerned about TransConn replacing the Ranger, our opinions are the purposes between small pickup and small utility van/wagon are not completely interchangeable. There will always be a need for small pick-ups (again, an opinion).

Regarding power: drove it over an easy grade ridge (3100 ft summit) with a passing lane (think I was doing 55 - 60 mph) and (for me), it was fine. I'm no spring chicken so lots of power is not critical for me. I tend to be rather timid passing on two lane roads so haven't done much of that to date.
I got the TransConn for practicality -- no carpet for dogs' muddy feet, I can get my mom's walker and grocery cart in back (and fitting walkers into vehicles can be a real hassle), room for stuff (which I always have LOTS of).
We upgraded tires and wheels in the past couple of weeks (blackdog posted photos) -- quieter ride, no question. We purchased Michelin All Season, wider tire than factory -- better ride.

Will be in the market for seat covers and a dog fence. Looked at the Cover King seat covers website that someone in another post commented on. The ballistic cloth appealed to me because of the durability -- anyone ever had the ballistic cloth seat covers?
The dog fence has yet to be determined because the ones we have seen are not tall or strong enough for a dog determined to get in front seat. We tried one from Cabela's, and it definitely was inadequate. If someone reads this and has any leads on TransConn "dog fence," it would be appreciated.

I am delighted with the TransConn after 3 months of ownership -- the sliding doors on both sides, wide opening rear doors, back-up sensor, lots of storage room, NO CARPETS, daytime running lights, fold-up middle row seats, short wheelbase to be able to drive in metropolitan traffic (if and when I go). Again, the primary driver of this vehicle is an older female. But it seems to me soccer moms could take advantage of its usability very easily.
P.S. The 3rd Ranger is a 1998 manual 2-wheel drive.

 

[zukirider21]

i like these things. they fill a void in the market- small utility vans. think about it- not all businesses need a full size e series van (or POS sprinter), and a small pickup with a cap wont always be good enough. this things small (maneuverable in the city), good on gas, and affordable. i think ford's gonna sell ALOT of these things...

 

[shane96ranger]

From Mrs. Blackdog:
For whomever was concerned about TransConn replacing the Ranger, our opinions are the purposes between small pickup and small utility van/wagon are not completely interchangeable. There will always be a need for small pick-ups (again, an opinion).

Regarding power: drove it over an easy grade ridge (3100 ft summit) with a passing lane (think I was doing 55 - 60 mph) and (for me), it was fine. I'm no spring chicken so lots of power is not critical for me. I tend to be rather timid passing on two lane roads so haven't done much of that to date.
I got the TransConn for practicality -- no carpet for dogs' muddy feet, I can get my mom's walker and grocery cart in back (and fitting walkers into vehicles can be a real hassle), room for stuff (which I always have LOTS of).
We upgraded tires and wheels in the past couple of weeks (blackdog posted photos) -- quieter ride, no question. We purchased Michelin All Season, wider tire than factory -- better ride.

Will be in the market for seat covers and a dog fence. Looked at the Cover King seat covers website that someone in another post commented on. The ballistic cloth appealed to me because of the durability -- anyone ever had the ballistic cloth seat covers?
The dog fence has yet to be determined because the ones we have seen are not tall or strong enough for a dog determined to get in front seat. We tried one from Cabela's, and it definitely was inadequate. If someone reads this and has any leads on TransConn "dog fence," it would be appreciated.

I am delighted with the TransConn after 3 months of ownership -- the sliding doors on both sides, wide opening rear doors, back-up sensor, lots of storage room, NO CARPETS, daytime running lights, fold-up middle row seats, short wheelbase to be able to drive in metropolitan traffic (if and when I go). Again, the primary driver of this vehicle is an older female. But it seems to me soccer moms could take advantage of its usability very easily.
P.S. The 3rd Ranger is a 1998 manual 2-wheel drive.

Very nice, thank you for your perspective. We have an Escape and with kid number 3 on the way, the Escape won't be suitable for much longer for our family. Gas mileage is HUGE for me, which is what brought us to the Escape. It looks like the 3 seats in the rear are full size seats.

 

[TheTopher]

Will be in the market for seat covers and a dog fence. Looked at the Cover King seat covers website that someone in another post commented on. The ballistic cloth appealed to me because of the durability -- anyone ever had the ballistic cloth seat covers?

I have not used ballistic cloth but I have some neoprene seat covers in my Ranger that have held up extremely well.

For point of reference, I carry one of these in my back pocket at all times

The somewhat pointed pomel ends up sticking out and put a nice hole in the seats on my Company vehicle but the neoprene covers on my ranger do not even have a wear mark on them.

 

[adsm08]

My favorite part about the TC is the way you open the hood.

 

[Blackdog]

To Shane96Ranger w Baby #3 on way

Very nice, thank you for your perspective. We have an Escape and with kid number 3 on the way, the Escape won't be suitable for much longer for our family. Gas mileage is HUGE for me, which is what brought us to the Escape. It looks like the 3 seats in the rear are full size seats.

We live semi-rurally so I'm guessing 80% of our driving overall is highway (2-4 lane) and interstate, and that includes getting into Yakima, WA, the closest city for shopping, Costco, etc.
It's time I do some fuel consumption calculations; here are some examples:
22.85; 23.01; 26.48; 23.5.

If you listen to Click & Clack on NPR, this gas tank fits their description: once the gauge hits half, the volume drops real quickly.

There is a blindspot in the rear cargo doors, so one has to train oneself to use those sideview mirrors. Little cars that like to almost tailgate are potentially worrisome.

Mr. Blackdog is a motorcycle rider, and supposedly there's room for a motorcycle in rear section. Have not tried -- that's why he has a Ranger and a flatbed trailer.

My opinion is that the TransConn is worth considering for your expanding family. It has RSC - rollover stablization control, and the light has come on a couple of times when it has been icy. This is front-wheel drive, not all-wheel or 4-wheel as your Escape may be, so depending on your driving conditions how important that feature is.

No regrets here except to make sure the garage door is all the way UP before backing out!

 

[naford]

How tall is it? Can it fit in a parking garage? I was under the impression this was for local driving and less for longer distances. ie More stop and go les highway.