Being a chemist by trade and an all-around obsessive “details” guy, I couldn’t resist adding some structure to our camper conversion plan. Power for 2 laptops, phones, and accessories that could last a few days between charges, Seating space for two when the back hatch is open, Enough extra storage to fit a guitar and extra seasonal clothing, Accessories and items to sleep comfortably in relatively temperate weather (32-75 degrees F). Jaclyn is a photographer that travels to many events in her DIY Ford Transit Connect. If you have one of the SYNC Connect-enabled vehicles that allow you to take advantage of FordPass Connect services, then your vehicle is capable of becoming a Wi-Fi hotspot. Happy micro-camping! We like this view because it gives you a good idea of what the space looks like all closed up for the night! She uses multiple small boxes for storage that can be easily re-arranged and removed as needed. Find out more. If you have any other questions as you put it together let me know. This design by Jeff from HillTopVan in Northern California has one of the coolest modular bed designs we’ve seen. Wear and Tear not included and may incur additional charges. The bench slides out into a larger bed, and the folding tables on the rear door are held in place by hinges and suspension cables. We talked through how each part of the design would be accessed and used, making small tweaks along the way. Have fun with it! Battery – not sure about Ford offering a second battery, I use a secondary battery from GoalZero to power laptops, fans etc. We got one and I stored a ton of gear in there and it was great to have. My van is a mess at the moment and in storage for a bit so I don’t have a handy picture of the bench up to show you. Hi Matt, sure thing. How you install it, how you power it, I think your choices are limited. Lots of options and best of luck with your build! Check media.ford.com for updates. Hi Keelan, unfortunately, I no longer have the sketchup files from this project or I would definitely share it! Is the mattress short so you can move it to put the headboard down? ABOUT US Then we built the entire front base section, deviating slightly from our drawings to make the cuts a little simpler. We added a Rhino 550L Cargo Box up top which was perfect for storing a guitar and additional items, like seasonal clothing. Model shown is a Transit Connect Active. The Ford Transit Connect was a perfect choice for us in terms of price point, gas mileage, and space. Véhicules. We rented a campervan based on a Transit Connect a couple years ago, and we’ve been planning to build our own ever since. Transit Connect Van L1 . I am selling my condo & hitting the road. Also, some dealers may choose not to participate in A/Z Plan pricing. That adds plenty of space to such a small camper! My plan calls for a three piece bed that converts to a bench. We built the bed area by setting up vertical slats braced by 2x4s for added support, as shown below. This was an extremely valuable step (I got the idea for it, Let us know what you think! Let me know if there is a particular aspect you want to know more about. Share some pics or a post when you get things set up. Are you planning to travel for weekend/short trips with minimal supplies/luggage? You will basically need to use a 5,000 BTU window unit. But the issue would then be where do two passengers sit while travelling. 1 Connect a vehicle to existing Mobile Share Value or Mobile Share Advantage Plan: Eligible vehicles and eligible consumer and individual responsibility users only. We’ve been making some improvements on the way after some time on the road and we’re always trying to adjust our setup. With final design in-hand, we drove our Ford Transit Connect from Austin to Indiana to complete the conversion there. We spent over two years living in a DIY camper van and visiting 48 US states. Also, can you simultaneously fold up the bench and fold down the head board without the mattress interfering? Do you think they would hold that weight when out, or would it be beneficial to incorporate a kind of kickstand type piece that could go down to the ground and add extra support? We like that this build has a fan for ventilation, large counter space for cooking, and plenty of food storage underneath. Hi Zachary, thanks for the comments. If you’re looking for a compact camper van to convert that won’t cost an arm and a leg, the Ford Transit Connect is an excellent choice! Hi. Could you please send me some pics and the build design? See Van Dimensions.. LB (Long Body Van) conversion length is 154″. … Or do you have any pictures of the bench folded up? Slide-out beds are common in Transit Connects, but this one sits on a steel frame and has brackets that bolt seat belts to the floor below. I had considered it during an early version of my design. Automobile. Along the way, we've met with other van lifers, checked out their rigs, and learned a lot about adventure travel. Mattress – The mattress I had custom made to fit the entire area, so we lift the mattress up and fold the headboard below it for storage. One of our favorite things to do now while camping is to walk around and see everyone’s rigs. We had only evenings and weekends over a timespan of two weeks to finish it, so we ended up allotting about 25-30 hours of total labor. they’re easy to install, and they’ll help cool you down. We also love the mountain design on the backsplash of the countertops! If you do, send me an email… I’d love to see it so I can fully understand your concept. I think I have that file in my archive and I’ll put together an email to you in the next day or two with some details. We received a wireless hotspot upon signup that worked well for the times when we didn’t want to drain our phone batteries. And post any questions about the Ford Transit Connect conversion below and I’d be happy to answer them. During our campground stays, we’ve observed quite a few RVers having trouble pulling into spots because their vehicles were too large for the site or, in some cases, just too tough to maneuver. There seems to be some comments about this in this thread that refer to the rear bench, but it’s not clear how this would play out. FUEL CONSUMPTION . If anyone has recommendations, Revit models, furniture ideas, etc., please reply! But I’m not the smartest guy on the block, so let me say, “Good Luck”. ... Nous vous devoilons les premiers croquis de notre aménagement . Our plan would be to put a roof top tent on the top for two to sleep up there and then two can sleep inside the van. Many new Ford cars, trucks and SUVs come with Ford SYNC® Connect powered by FordPass™. She has traveled through 48 US states and writes about van life, camping and RV living. Models are ready for render. This compact car is a fleet vehicle so it gets great gas mileage and spare parts are easy to find. Do you have the material list & dimensions for the lumber? We had our eye out on used car lots and found a 2015 passenger LWB wagon in a tan color that was discounted since it was missing the last row of seats. Hi Brian, a rooftop tent will be a great addition for this size van. It’s an exciting time to embark on the van life, considering there are so many great vehicle options out there. So you do have to get the mattress a bit out of the way to raise the bench. Where did you get the custom futon pad to fit the width? For our needs, a micro-camper setup was ideal– it gives us adequate sleeping/storage space while still granting us the flexibility to park in any standard spaces. The Ford Transit Connect is what i’m interested in. I’m a traveling musician, thinking of getting a camper van to save on motel rooms, but I need to be able to slide my guitar amp and PA speakers in under the bed. Ford Transit Connect à partir de l’année de construction 2014 LE DISPOSITIF OPTIMAL POUR VOTRE VEHICULE UTILITAIRE DE FORD Nous configurons l’aménagement du véhicule de votre transporteur Volkswagen en fonction de vos besoins ou vous proposons des modules standard attrayants, spécialement adaptés aux exigences de votre syndicat. The van interior widths are the same 69″. The build looks simple at first glance, but there are a lot of little details that could be easily missed. I recently retired and have the time to explore If you are sharing your sketch up file, I would love to see that. Victoria designed this Transit Connect camper to travel around the UK. ISO-KIT insulation CONNECT L1 without side door: NO KIT FOR FORD CONNECT L1 WITH SIDE DOOR: EKI0110: ISO-KIT insulation CONNECT L2 with side door: EKI0111: ISO-KIT insulation CONNECT L2 without side door So it’s not built for too rugged of travel but great otherwise. – We used the existing van ceiling, flooring, and windows with no further modifications. I am thinking about using this design with a top on the drawers so they could be used to set a camping cook top and table. It’s small, boxy, and perfect for a tiny conversion. From there we built the two drawers for the back storage area. We like that it was built with adventure in mind. What does this setup look like when you flip up two seats in the back? Perfect for us since we were taking ’em out anyway! This is a fantastic design. It’s an exciting time to embark on the van life, considering there are so many great vehicle options out there. The Transit Connects come in two separate models: 1) passenger (wagon) version with two rows of removable seating and standard car interior finish and 2) a commercial (van) version which has minimal cabin hardware, no seats, and typically comes in white. It’s also known for being very driveable, easy to maneuver, and repairs are inexpensive. Joshua Thiede, a woodworker, graphic designer, and good friend of mine, created a design concept illustration in Google Sketch-Up using the published van storage dimensions from Ford. – Our passenger van did not come with the Ford factory-installed roof rack and it can’t easily be added after. Vehicles Shop Finance Owner Ask Ford Locate a Dealer. Ask Ford. We love the versatility and coziness of this build. We love the style of this Transit Connect design. The FordPass™ smartphone app makes it easy to connect with your vehicle at all times. We had considered driving one of our cars but the whole fantasy of #vanlife was on our mind. The Sprinter Standard RB plans below are also available for the EB Transit. A DIY Ford Transit camper van conversion requires space and time. I. t’s amazing how far we’ve come and before we ever left town on our digital nomad we had one first, simple goal: we needed to get a van. With one long sliding drawer on the right, and a drawer-style refrigerator on the left you can travel with cold food without sacrificing space. FordPass™ A Smarter Way to Move is an all-in-one mobility app. MSV Overage Charges: 300MB at $20 per 300MB on a 300MB plan, or 1GB at $15 per GB. 3D models of Ford Transit are available for download in FBX, OBJ, 3DS, C4D and other file formats for 23 software. One of the prettiest DIY Ford Transit Connect conversions we’ve seen is this design by a couple from Canada. Hi Cole, all I did was simply remove the two rows of seats and build the structure on top of it. – We planned to use a futon mattress for sleeping cut to fit the space and have a headboard that included storage and electrical hookups. I plan to use some of your design ideas. Hi Tom. – We planned to install a curtain to separate the main cab from the front cab, get a visor for the front windshield, and cut Reflectix window inserts for all of the back windows. *Ford Protect Service Plan for two years with 1 service / 1 inspection. The drawers are about two feet deep and are pretty sturdy when pulled out but I have had some issues with the drawer brackets due to the items inside being quite heavy. We did varnish the wood to seal it and then added our futon. I am curious though, how long are your drawers? Some items shown may be additional cost options — such as awnings, running boards, microwaves, and larger refrigerators. The build looks simple at first glance, but there is a built-in sink, plenty of drawer space, and the back doors have shelving units that fold down to maximize space. I’m just curious as to how the base is secured to the van. There’s only 1″ difference in the vans floor length. Once we settled on the make and model, it was time to choose between the pre-2013 model (extra height of about 6-8″) or the 2014+ version (shorter but with an option for a long wheelbase LWB). My husband and I are buying this same model this weekend, found a sweet deal on a used 2014 one. All of the cushions and curtains are handmade. Hi. We wanted it all– our version of a “home base” during travel but something light enough to take (and park) almost anywhere. This is awesome. Conversions for Sprinters can usually be adapted to the Transit and ProMaster vans. You could definitely set a cooktop and small table on there and I think it would hold just fine. We kicked it all off by framing the base of the front section under the headboard using short 4×4 posts. ... Connect Kombi L2 7 Seater Overall length 4418 4818 4418 4818 4418 4818 4818 Can add to existing plan for additional $10 per month access charge. Our Ford Transit Connect conversion cost us less than $2500, about 30 hours of labor, and a whole lot of planning to get us there. FORD TRANSIT CONNECT – PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS . Ford offers two dental plan options to choose from: Dental HMO coverage through DeltaCare ® USA , which is an HMO-type nationwide dental plan option. – There are really only two major layouts possible in this small space: 1) a lay flat bed design with storage underneath or 2) a design with a bed on one side and small kitchen setup on the other. Good luck with your build and let me know how it turns out! A professional Ford Transit van conversion can be beautiful but can cost 10s of thousands of dollars for a custom build. Best of luck with your conversion and that all sounds amazing! Camping. Followed by installing a single large wood board to make the top. We’ve seen some amazing Ford Transit camper van conversions, but what about a smaller version? It looks like you ripped up some of the flooring for access points where the second row seats would be. Or maybe you are willing to share the sketchup model itself? Mine is bare bones right now but I love how maneuverable it is in the city and great on gas! I’m the proud new owner of a Ford Transit Connect XLT that I plan to live in. Easy, simple, if somewhat inelegant. Hi Mike… others here have asked if you would be willing to share your sketchup files; may I also have a copy? Thank you! A Ford Transit Connect comes with either a short-wheelbase (104.8 inches) or the long-wheelbase (120.6 inches) version. It’s important to consider all these factors when deciding which way to go. We are Kate, Ian and Harper. I am planning to build mine this winter, to be Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00am-8:00pm EST Phone: +1-800-392-3673 For the hearing-or speech-impaired: Please contact the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711. The features, formerly available by paid subscription, give … We are looking at buying at connect to do something close to this. But we are a family of four. How did you know where reliable secure points would be beneath the flooring? The mattress does have to be folded back in half toward the front cab when raising the rear bench and it can be done while the headboard is up or folded down. Find it fast. We finished our Ford Transit Connect conversion on time and within our budget. And we were done! Thanks for the help! I did have to do some changes to the original measurements from the sketchup design when I did the actual build. Enjoy your build! We have been researching a quite similar project including a full size bed. – We wanted storage underneath the bed with access from the two sliding side doors, back of the van, bed area, and the front. With heavy-duty drawer slides, and collapsable L-brackets holding the backdoor countertops, every inch of space is useable. Hi Dave, I no longer have the list unfortunately as the friend that helped me design it lost his original files. I’m really excited to see this. Looks like a standard futon is 54” while the width of the transit is only ~48”. For our needs, a micro-camper setup was ideal– it gives us adequate sleeping/storage space while still granting us the flexibility to park in any standard spaces. Wherever your work takes you FORD TRANSIT CONNECT ACTIVE. I’m always looking for tweaks and new ideas and they can be hard to find. Première partie de l'aménagement du FORD TRANSIT Custom. One question, how much leeway do you have on the height of the bed? I’m very curious about this aspect. Hi Jens, I do have a couple pictures of the schematic that shows the bench. Sprinters that look amazing on the inside but were later circling busy streets in cities and towns looking for a suitable place to park. I did research some in my early designs and they look amazing. We’ve pulled together a wide range of clever DIY builds and professional up-fitters to give you a variety of layout and design ideas to design your own Ford Transit Connect. Is it possible you have another picture of the google sketchup which shows the measurements for the base? Ford tuning specialist MS-RT has added some flair to the Transit Connect yet again, with this special R120 conversion. I’ll hopefully be getting my van this week (same one). Required fields are marked *. – Keeping the standard passenger van insulation was fine for our needs since we planned to follow temperate weather at all times. Ignoring that for a moment. I had a lot of great help from Shari King who led this construction–couldn’t have done it without her. Working on a budget. That sounds awesome. It all depends on your power source. The Ford Transit Connect was a perfect choice for us in terms of price point, gas mileage, and space. … Monitor and control your vehicle - start and stop it, unlock from anywhere, see the nearest gas station, check fluid and fuel levels, find a parking spot in select cities and so much more. These were the major phases of the project: There was other stuff to consider like kitchen space inside, solar, plumbing/sink, etc., but we decided to focus on cooking on fires or an electric griddle outside the van or use the kitchen facilities where we were staying. The need for a car that can be used as a people carrier and a utility vehicle was proven over the time and, in 2018, Ford launched the Transit Connect with 7 seats at the Chicago Auto Show. So, when we say older Ford, what we mean is 2010-2017 Ford vehicles that didn't come factory-equipped with a modem. Hope you have great success getting your build put together! You choose from primary care dentists who are part of the DeltaCare USA DHMO network and pay pre-set copayments for services; there are no annual maximums or deductibles. Locate a Dealer. Mike, I am trying to figure out how the rear bench folds up – do you have a photo of the bench? Or would that make it impossible to sit up in bed? Let us know what you think! Also, some dealers may choose not to participate in A/Z Plan pricing. ... Plan Maison. Your completed plan looks great. Our Ford Transit Connect conversion cost us less than $2500, about 30 hours of labor, and a whole lot of planning to get us there. ago. Im considering this route for cheap travel. Enjoy a 6-month prepaid subscription to SiriusXM All Access when you take delivery of your new Ford and see everything SiriusXM has to offer. I see that the vertical supports you used were 11″ but I need a little taller storage space under the bed. This van build is minimalistic and perfect for a camping trip! One idea that you might want to consider is to leave the first row of passenger seats inside and build the bed structure as two parts so that you could fold the seats down when parked and lay a bed on top when you want to sleep. I love this. On the opposite side of the Connect is a storage space that houses an electric system powered by a Yeti solar generator. Ready to start making some cuts! We went back and forth on the Wagon vs. the Cargo, and after we saw this post, we decided the wagon was totally doable and easier than building out the whole interior. Once it’s up it’s quite sturdy. Living on the road has been a huge challenge and an amazing experience all the same. Copyright © ParkedInParadise.com | Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Hi Matt, I was able to request a custom size from a futon company and they took a few inches off it for me. For the van’s interior, we chose ½” Birch plywood for a good balance of price/durability and used basic 1-1½” wood screws and hardware. Check for and install vehicle software updates. This was an extremely valuable step (I got the idea for it here) as having the cardboard inside to see how it would feel in-person led to numerous tweaks and a much stronger final design. I’ll send them over to you now. That sounds awesome. Its suspension is not the greatest and the brakes can be squeaky on this model. We also love the spice rack and additional storage hooks on top. The new 2020 Ford Escape is a change-up . 22 mai 2017 - Ford Transit Connect campervan. We hope this site can help you plan your next road trip. Do you know if ford offers a second battery for the transit ? Have you been able to come up with something workable with the other seats in place? Works great now. I just bought a 2013 connect as well and very interested in more details with your design plan if you’d be so willing. Ford Transit Connect Camper. Hi Mike, here’s a few answers to your questions… Reliability – The Transit Connect gets great gas mileage and does well on roads and highways. The Ford Transit Connect … Hi Jess, I haven’t seen one like that yet with the middle row of seats intact but I do think that could work well. If you have the sketch design I would love if you could email it over,..please. over two years living in a DIY camper van. Easy to maneuver, good gas mileage, and easy to find parts for repair all make it a nice adventure vehicle for the solo traveler or couple. I’m curious if i can use that as design inspo for folding the platform/bed in half for times when we want to have the middle row of seats up…. I am gearing up to get my own build going soon. Those are perfect for weekend camping trips! Then at a later date you find you still have to have AC, tackle the issue. These also consume a lot of gas and are just too big for our driving skills. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This photo above is showing the front section to the left with the main bed area detached to the right. You must have an active data plan that provides coverage to your Ford vehicle. It’s super comfortable for sitting when we are parked somewhere but not useful while driving, so we can only fit two passengers total.