The latest news...
-Van #1 final assembly is going well. If it weren't for a last minute changes to the EVAP canister relocation bracket and the T-case shifter cable/cable brackets, the van would be down on it's own 4 wheels again and ready for the road. Given that it's a holiday week though, I probably won't see the parts from the laser shop until next week.
-Overall the conversion is probably easier than an E-series conversion. However, the order of assembly is key and taking a while to document. Some parts are nearly inaccessible or at least very, very inconvenient if other parts are installed before them so it matters a lot how you go through the assembly process.
-Serviceability is no more difficult than a stock van for things like oil changes, brakes, struts, ect... I'd argue that some things will be easier because of how I designed things up front.
-I'm not gonna lie...the exhaust re-routing is a pain with the stock CAT. I've been looking for a suitable replacement and a way to make a bolt-in driver side exhaust pipe (rather than welding in a re-routed section) but it's a low priority until I'm done with all of the test miles. There is a narrow space to snake the exhaust through and you can't access it easily with the subframe in place.
-For those who haven't seen our instagram post from a couple weeks ago (@expovansoregon), here is a pic of van #1 just before it came apart to powdercoat the conversion parts.
-Tires are Cooper ST/MAXX 255/80-17 on Method wheels
-Other things of note... this is a 2019 130wb low roof Ecoboost with barn doors, 4.10 gears, ARB locker in the back, Raptor front diff. Bilstein B6 struts up front and Falcon shocks/VanCompass spring pack in the back. Total lift from the subframe/knuckle is 2.75 plus a little extra from the Bilstein and coil up front. Upgraded the headlights to the factory HIDs, Scheel-Mann Vario XXL seats on Scopema swivels inside. It is a really sweet van! I wish I didn't have to give it back to the owner.
I still have a little work to do to finalize the parts list and update all of the pricing of each and every bolt (prices have changed some since I started this journey unfortunately) but it's all coming together nicely for the '15-'19 models.
The 2020+ Transits are a bit more complicated. They switched to electronic power steering in 2020 and there are now a great deal more electronic nannies involved. I have some ideas and I've been acquiring some parts here and there to start making things come to life but it could be well into next year before I have some progress updates on the '20+ conversions.
