New Transit

[skyrover]

LouD86 said:

The Transit Custom replaces the SWB Transit of before. "Transit" now is the larger vans only, Custom is your SWB (with a LWB option), Connect is two sizes, and then you have Courier and Fiesta. its a van for every need

Thanks for that

[R1 Indy]

skyrover said:

What's the point of the transit custom?

Ideal for tradesmen etc who need bigger than a connect, but not full transit sized....

[Dr Interceptor]

skyrover said:

Last time I checked, that's exactly what the standard transit did... why buy a "custom"?

Vans come in lots of sizes...

Connect/Combo - we have a Combo van
Vivaro/SWB Transit (now the Custom) - we have the Transit Custom

Then you have the full size vans like the Sprinter and Transit and Crafter - we have no use for a large van.

[boroandy87]

Full range by size...

Fiestavan
Courier
Connect L1 & L2
Ranger
Custom L1 & L2
Transit L2/L3/L4

L1 - L4 determines length

Generally...

L1 SWB
L2 MWB
L3 LWB
L4 ELWB

You also have different heights..

H1 Low Roof
H2 MEdium Roof
H3 High Roof

Many different variants between that as well depending on your payload requirements. Variables... Wheelbase & Engine output.

If anyone has a query I can try and help

[ArsE92]

P1keyheads - Transits Matter

[4941cc]

boroandy87 said:

Many different variants between that as well depending on your payload requirements. Variables... Wheelbase & Engine output.

As well as drive axles, All bar the Transit are FWD, Transit is available in FWD (which has a lower chassis and therefore internal floor, so greater internal height for a given body height - H2/H3, no step up when you open the side door), RWD or AWD and single or double rear axles are available.

Transit is the basis also for any coach built versions, either through Ford's One Stop shop (1-way and 3-way Tipper, Dropside, Luton Van, Curtainside) or just supplied as a single or double chassis cab to do with as you please.

The "pignose" as it has affectionately become known isn't a great looker admittedly, but it's as versatile as a Transit ever has been and from people I've sold them to, coming from VWs and Mercs, of a noticeably better quality of build than their old Transits and other makes and present competitors, country of build notwithstanding.

Having spent a fair bit of time now in the old Transit and new ones and Customs, they're all the better for no longer being British built, if anything.

[LouD86]

boroandy87 said:

Full range by size...

size info....

If anyone has a query I can try and help

Another Ford Commercial Chap then!

[V8 Animal]

Having a history of failed driveshafts on FWD I now am in favour of RWD the 2 VWs that I'm replacing are.
Am I wrong in still thinking RWD is best for longtivity.

[Fast Bug]

4941cc said:

Having spent a fair bit of time now in the old Transit and new ones and Customs, they're all the better for no longer being British built, if anything.

That's more to do with the cramped cab area than where its built. The old Transit was rubbish in that area!

[Dr Interceptor]

Fast Bug said:

4941cc said:

Having spent a fair bit of time now in the old Transit and new ones and Customs, they're all the better for no longer being British built, if anything.

That's more to do with the cramped cab area than where its built. The old Transit was rubbish in that area!

I'm 6ft5 and never had a problem for space in the old Transits... both the third generation, and face-lifted fourth generation.

I agree though, the quality of the new one is in a completely different league.

[Triumph Man]

Dr Interceptor said:

skyrover said:

Last time I checked, that's exactly what the standard transit did... why buy a "custom"?

Vans come in lots of sizes...

Connect/Combo - we have a Combo van
Vivaro/SWB Transit (now the Custom) - we have the Transit Custom

Then you have the full size vans like the Sprinter and Transit and Crafter - we have no use for a large van.

Nah you want a Mercedes Vario, the ultimate in vanning

[bobbo89]

skyrover said:

Last time I checked, that's exactly what the standard transit did... why buy a "custom"?

To compete with the Transporter.

More and more people are buying vans as 'lifestyle' vehicles as they're now a lot more refined and easier to live with. Wont be too long until a camper variant of the custom is brought out.

[skyrover]

Does the custom offer any advantages over the SWB transit?

I'm not particularly clued up on van's

[Fast Bug]

Dr Interceptor said:

Fast Bug said:

4941cc said:

Having spent a fair bit of time now in the old Transit and new ones and Customs, they're all the better for no longer being British built, if anything.

That's more to do with the cramped cab area than where its built. The old Transit was rubbish in that area!

I'm 6ft5 and never had a problem for space in the old Transits... both the third generation, and face-lifted fourth generation.

I agree though, the quality of the new one is in a completely different league.

Compare the space inside to most of the other vans of the same size on the road. I'm not knocking the Transit, they sell enough of them in this country to show they're not all bad

[harrisp]

Dr Interceptor said:

I'm 6ft5 and never had a problem for space in the old Transits... both the third generation, and face-lifted fourth generation.

I agree though, the quality of the new one is in a completely different league.

I'm 6ft3 and I was ok driving my old transit (2010 fwd) but couldn't sit as a passenger.
My new transit is much bigger in the cab and much better to drive, a lot quieter and better specced.
I've also drove a brand new Citroen van and the transit is much nicer to drive.

[Fast Bug]

The pedals are offset from the steering wheel on the Ducato/Relay/Boxer, they're ok for short disctances but killer on longer trips

[Rich1973]

Has selling Southampton down the river made them cheaper?

[4941cc]

skyrover said:

Does the custom offer any advantages over the SWB transit?

The Custom IS the SWB Transit.

Custom: SWB (L1) and MWB (L2), each with either low roof (H1) or medium roof (H2).

Transit takes over where Custom ends, so it starts at MWB (L2) and adds LWB (L3) and ELWB (L4) options, as well as high roof (H3).

The smallest Transit and largest Custom are pretty similar. L4 H3, the "Jumbo" is mahoosive.

[stu67]

Ahh Transits. I own a 2001 mk 6 rwd for putting my bikes in. It is without doubt the most reliable form of transport I've ever owned. In the 8 years I've had it I've done nothing more than service and put new tyres on it.
However I've purchased various vans on behalf of my firm which have turned to to be right PITA. Renault trafic, Vauxhall and a VW transporter all have had issues and don't seem to last. I think the mk 6 transit was the last "uncomplicated" type. I'm sure the new ones are lovely to drive and you dont need an annual membership with your local chiropractor but I'm not sure they will last the distance.

[LouD86]

V8 Animal said:

Having a history of failed driveshafts on FWD I now am in favour of RWD the 2 VWs that I'm replacing are.
Am I wrong in still thinking RWD is best for longtivity.

To answer your question OP, its rare, but I have seen a few FWD with failed driveshafts, yet only one RWD with a damaged diff.

The RWD isn't know just for longtivity as the main course, it gives you better axle weights when loaded, and also better stability at speed. You tend to get a bit of a shorter final drive, and slightly less MPG as the downsides though.

If your looking at a Transit Van, the RWD will increase loading height by about 5", so be careful if its bulky object your trying to get up.

Feel free to e-mail me through PM, tell me what you require from your van, and ill point you what I think would be best for you direction wise.