This could be a game changer for some, Ford Transit Trail coming to the US

[TheDesertRat]

Just saw this news, despite it being out for a while I guess, and certainly in Europe. Ford Transit Trail model now coming to the US. Stock with two additional inches of lift with a few other more off road goodies thrown in. Two inches, plus probably two more from aftermarket companies could make the Transit a bit more off road worthy.

Verified! The 2023 Ford Transit Trail Is Coming to the United States

It's confirmed. The United States is getting the 2023 Ford Transit Trail is on its way, with more information coming in November.

www.motortrend.com

 

[TheDesertRat]

Maybe the Trail version will be offered across the Transit line....

 

[AbleGuy]

⬆️
“Maybe the Trail version will be offered across the Transit line....”
“When they do this to theTransit Connect. I'll be a buyer.”

Don’t hold your breath. Ford has already announced they’re canceling sales of the smaller Transits in the US soon.

https://fordauthority.com/2022/08/next-gen-ford-transit-connect-canceled-will-exit-u-s-market-by-2024/

 

[TheDesertRat]

Looks like the full-size Transit is doing quite well so I guess it makes sense to weed out the non-sellers...

 

[calicamper]

⬆
“Maybe the Trail version will be offered across the Transit line....”
“When they do this to theTransit Connect. I'll be a buyer.”

Don’t hold your breath. Ford has already announced they’re canceling sales of the smaller Transits in the US soon.

https://fordauthority.com/2022/08/next-gen-ford-transit-connect-canceled-will-exit-u-s-market-by-2024/

Allot of Fords model announcements are being driven by parts availability and future plans to move away from the dealer model which is critical to the future of the company.

Buyers who can afford expensive new vehicles will not be buying vehicles from Dealers. Many of my neighbors are driving direct sales brand vehicles simply because they could skip the Dealer. I won’t be buying any new vehicles for at least 3 yrs at which point we will not be buying from any dealer doing the markup over msrp BS. And seriously looking at direct sale vehicles. It will also be a full EV.

 

[TheDesertRat]

We are fortunate to be on the X plan and a friend of mine is a fleet sales manager. But I agree that I won't be paying any type of markup anywhere. If I have to wait until the chip situation resolves itself, so be it. I won't be in the market for a new Ford for at least two years anyway.

 

[coguzzi]

taken from actual window sticker of 1 of 3 early prototypes of the "trail package". nothing about it screams "overland", let alone game changer. its just a trim package of popular ordered options already available. no lift, no upgrade suspension, no bigger tires, nothing other than some amber lights in the grill. game changer would be factory lift, hi end struts/shocks, high angle CV joints, and bigger wheel wells and better approach/departure angles

what package includes from my deciphering:
fixed rear and passenger door glass
passive entry/start
reverse sensing system
keyless entry pad
front fog lamps
blind spot assist 1.0
front overhead shelf
illuminated sunvisors
power point (12v)
power outlet (110v/400A)
black HID headlights
privacy glass
side sensing system

illuminated sunvisors so you can put on your make up before going overlanding!

 

[Joey G]

taken from actual window sticker of 1 of 3 early prototypes of the "trail package". nothing about it screams "overland", let alone game changer.

I wouldn't assign any credibility to the window sticker of an early prototype. Teaser footage includes upgraded wheels and tires at the very least, and they don't appear on the window sticker. Why would a prototype have a window sticker anyway? It's probably left over from the donor vehicle.

 

[coguzzi]

I wouldn't assign any credibility to the window sticker of an early prototype. Teaser footage includes upgraded wheels and tires at the very least, and they don't appear on the window sticker. Why would a prototype have a window sticker anyway? It's probably left over from the donor vehicle.

because they are going out to "show", so window sticker is accurate. wheels in the teaser are "matte black sparkle" alloys which are already an option for 2023. but the really weird thing is the order bank for 2023 COVP customers has been closed for weeks already. dealers can still order stock units which may never be built since they already sold more than they can build for 23. and stock units are usually stripped down white vans. so its really confusing why this is being teased when they cant actually sell it. I've have a transit on order for over 20 months and 3 model years already (21,22 and now 23), and my hope of seeing it in 2023 is maybe 5%

 

[Regcabguy]

Just saw this news, despite it being out for a while I guess, and certainly in Europe. Ford Transit Trail model now coming to the US. Stock with two additional inches of lift with a few other more off road goodies thrown in. Two inches, plus probably two more from aftermarket companies could make the Transit a bit more off road worthy.

Verified! The 2023 Ford Transit Trail Is Coming to the United States

It's confirmed. The United States is getting the 2023 Ford Transit Trail is on its way, with more information coming in November.

www.motortrend.com

They need to elevate the rear lower shock mounts. They hang down mucho.

 

[TheDesertRat]

Many of the articles I read stated that a two inch lift would be standard for the trail package. If this turns out to be true, it would be significant. I would presume that the existing aftermarket lifts would be modified to add two more inches for a total of four inches. That would provide the room for much larger tires and much better ground clearance. To me, this is the most important potential change. Everything else is easy to upgrade as said. Currently, none of the aftermarket companies do anything but two inches of lift on the all wheel drive models. Give me four inches of lift with the potential for 33" or 35" tires and I am interested.

But if the Trail version offers nothing more than a few conveniences absent any additional ground clearance, then the package may not be worth the money. I really hope that both Ford and the aftermarket contingents expand the suspension offerings. I regret not pulling the pin years ago on a new Econoline and sending it to U-Joint Offroad to be outfitted. Now the Econoline is a bit long in the tooth.

 

[Joey G]

window sticker is accurate. wheels in the teaser are "matte black sparkle" alloys which are already an option for 2023.

What does the window sticker say about the tires? The tires in the video don't look like anything already available to me.

 

[coguzzi]

What does the window sticker say about the tires? The tires in the video don't look like anything already available to me.

sticker doesnt say anything, see attached of 1 of the 3 (all pretty similar). i did remember this thread from way back in august that listed each option its the "exterior appearance level 3" that is still the question. but it appears to be just a grill. maybe ill be surprised.

Transit Trail Package (47N)

Here are the options showing for this package
Privacy Glass (92E)
Dual AGM Batteries (63E)
CELLPHONE INTERFACE SYSTEM 5
Front Fog Lamps (55D)
EXTERIOR APPEARANCE LEVEL 3
Black HID Headlamps (91C)
Front Overhead Shelf (66D)
Adaptive Cruise Control (60D)
High Resolution Camera (61E)
Modified Vehicle Wiring System (53K)
Keypad Entry (52C)
Auxiliary Fuse Panel (87E)
SYNC4 H/D Bluetooth (58C)
Fixed Rear & Side Door Glass (17B)
Short Arm Power Heated/Folding Mirrors with Turn Signals (DPM)
Illuminated Sun Visors (85C)
Power Outlet (110V/400W) (90D)
PowerPoint 12V Rear (87A)
Blind Spot Assist 1.0 (65A)
Side Sensing System (94A)
Inside Rear View Mirror (90B)
Intelligent Access/PEPS (41J)
Front Sensing System (59B)
Reverse Sensing System 43R)

 

[coguzzi]

as for lifts, 2" is kind of the max with how short the passenger side CV is. Quigley Q-lift achieves a 2" lift by dropping the sub frame (leaving cv axle less effected). Van Compass achieves it with a spacer and longer spring. WeldTec makes new lower control arm but details have been spotty at best. what i dont know is if you could combine a kit that drops subframe some and then add spacers/longer springs to get more than 2". seems possible but havent seen anyone try, but i think this is a approach U-joint was taking before abandoning the project. of course sub frame drop dont give you any more ground clearance past what you gain form the larger tire, so its kind of an "appearance package" again

 

[ujoint]

Currently, none of the aftermarket companies do anything but two inches of lift on the all wheel drive models. Give me four inches of lift with the potential for 33" or 35" tires and I am interested.

Unless you add a bunch of width to get that pass side axle shaft MUCH longer you'll never see anything more than ~2 of lift. The F diff is bolted to the engine block (with a 10" long front driveshaft) and that pass side axle shaft is at the limit with almost any amount of lift. I tried to get RCV to make a new axle shaft and even pre ordered 10k in shafts but it went nowhere. Just the shaft was going to be damn near 1k for each van! Didn't make sense to move forward, especially once VC launched their kit for the price of what the shaft would cost with ours and only .5" higher lift. I really hoped we could make something work with the AWD transit!