RSM Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 FWIW, here's a picture of the "09" E series front suspension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 FWIW, here's a picture of the "09" E series front suspension What a shocker....still Twin I Beams after all these years......things that make you go "hmmmmm". Must be all that pablum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 FWIW, here's a picture of the "09" E series front suspension Is that an E-150 or an E-450? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordFanForEver Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Will the connect even be a sucess in the US? I doubt the itty bitty 2.0 4cyl will impress any commercial companies who overload there Econolines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Will the connect even be a sucess in the US? I doubt the itty bitty 2.0 4cyl will impress any commercial companies who overload there Econolines. the transit connect is not a full sized van and cannot replace the e-series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray101988 Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 the transit connect is not a full sized van and cannot replace the e-series What he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 the transit connect is not a full sized van and cannot replace the e-series I don't believe that anyone here thinks that Transit Connect is slated to replace Econoline....but a commonly developed replacement for Euro full size Transit and Econoline, sharing chassis, body panels, and suspension pieces is a distinct reality due to Fords' insistence of common chassis development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordFanForEver Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 the transit connect is not a full sized van and cannot replace the e-series its not like anyone would still need a tranny when the get more with a eco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 For those that care, the order guide is posted in the Transit forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackintire Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) The transit connect is being tested in the US and imported for the time being from Turkey. If the transit connect becomes a hit in the US a different engine and transmission will be used. Keep in mind that thte transit connect supports FWD, RWD or AWD configurations. The most likely scenerio is the 2.0 turbo DI engine with a US built 6 speed. This configuration would provide near 200HP and 200lbs of torque at a break even selling cost when compared to importing the truck from Turkey. Finally, if this happens it will not happen till 2014... at the earliest. Edited January 24, 2009 by Mackintire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) I saw the Transit at the show, but I know there is a Federalized version yet to be unveiled in Chicago. It's definitely not a civilian vehicle, but I'm absolutely certain there is a market for it considering the volume of the E-Series. There is clearly an opportunity here for Ford and I'm surprised to see them going to this length to test the waters. Clearly you can't make much profit on a vehicle imported from Turkey. Actually, this is very unusual for Ford, importing fully assembled vehicles from outside the continent, it hasn't been done since the Ford Aspire and Mercury Capri. Edited January 24, 2009 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 Maybe with the price of diesel dropping here in the US (even as gasoline stay level or goes up a bit) Ford will rethink their whole "no diesel in anything smaller than an F150" strategy. After all the Transit Connect IS a truck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I don't believe that anyone here thinks that Transit Connect is slated to replace Econoline....but a commonly developed replacement for Euro full size Transit and Econoline, sharing chassis, body panels, and suspension pieces is a distinct reality due to Fords' insistence of common chassis development. To me, the Transit Connect is very close to the original Dodge Caravan from the 80's. It was small, boxy and came with a 4 cylinder. The Caravan has an engine that was 20% larger, but with modern technology, I would not be surprised if the Caravan only had a 3 speed and the Transit C. had more power. Since then, the Dodge has become longer and more powerful to serve the the consumer, luxury market. This leaves the origial small commercial van market open for the Transit C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 The transit connect is being tested in the US and imported for the time being from Turkey. If the transit connect becomes a hit in the US a different engine and transmission will be used. Keep in mind that thte transit connect supports FWD, RWD or AWD configurations. The most likely scenerio is the 2.0 turbo DI engine with a US built 6 speed. This configuration would provide near 200HP and 200lbs of torque at a break even selling cost when compared to importing the truck from Turkey. Finally, if this happens it will not happen till 2014... at the earliest. I thinks Ford already has an idea how the Transit C. will sell. It will make a profit, filling a small part of the Commercial market. It will not be a barn burner. I can see the Transit-C eventually getting EcoBoost, maybe 1.6L. I can see productution staying in Turkey using European 6 speed DCT. Note the current European transmission can handle more torque than the first US DCT. It will be redesigned to the C2 platform, just as part of regular upgrades. This will give it better styling, maybe a little bigger, better fuel efficiency and more appeal to the US consumer and US commercial market. The plans would have been in the works for a long time, not because of a surprise success, so I would expect the new one to be a little sooner than 2014. I could be wrong. I really think the Transit-C could be a real cool consumer van by 2013-2014. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Still waiting on Wiz to produce a picture of his SLA suspension setup on his Econoline....I have been looking at Econolines....every last one of 'em has twin I beams.....except the 4X4 conversions that is.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F250 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 (edited) The transit connect is being tested in the US and imported for the time being from Turkey. If the transit connect becomes a hit in the US a different engine and transmission will be used. So Ford knows the Transit Connect's powertrain is inadequate for the American market, as they are planing to make the investment to upgrade it "if it becomes a hit in the US." Question is how do they expect it to become a "hit" when even they admit it needs a powertrain upgrade. A little American truck market history. The Ford Courier was a re-badged Mazda compact truck Ford imported from Japan from 1972-1982. It wasn't very successful even though it was introduced during the first oil crisis and had percieved "Japanese quality." Before the first Ford Ranger the only compact pickups on the US market were foreign designed and built, Toyota and Nissan owned the market. Shortly after the Ranger was introduced it took the sales lead from the established Japanese and kept it for many years. Mazda now rebadges ans sells the Ranger as their B-Series. It seems when Ford makes a real commitment to design and build an American truck for the US market they set sales records...when they try to import a foreign truck or a quick cheap rebadge the results are hardly worth the effort. Edited February 4, 2009 by F250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 So Ford knows the Transit Connect's powertrain is inadequate for the American market, as they are planing to make the investment to upgrade it "if it becomes a hit in the US." Question is how do they expect it to become a "hit" when even they admit it needs a powertrain upgrade. A little American truck market history. The Ford Courier was a re-badged Mazda compact truck Ford imported from Japan from 1972-1982. It wasn't very successful even though it was introduced during the first oil crisis and had percieved "Japanese quality." Before the first Ford Ranger the only compact pickups on the US market were foreign designed and built, Toyota and Nissan owned the market. Shortly after the Ranger was introduced it took the sales lead from the established Japanese and kept it for many years. Mazda now rebadges ans sells the Ranger as their B-Series. It seems when Ford makes a real commitment to design and build an American truck for the US market they set sales records...when they try to import a foreign truck or a quick cheap rebadge the results are hardly worth the effort. The Ranger and The TC are NOT the Same. the markets are NOT the Same, Today is NOT the same as 30 years ago. Ford has been testing the the TC for many yaers for the US market. IT is An integral part of Ford's North American Truck strategy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 (edited) Still waiting on Wiz to produce a picture of his SLA suspension setup on his Econoline....I have been looking at Econolines....every last one of 'em has twin I beams.....except the 4X4 conversions that is.... Keep waiting. It is -3F this morning ! BTW, I did say "E150" and all of the pictures shown have been from the Super Duty E Series ! Edited February 5, 2009 by theoldwizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-150 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 but I'm absolutely certain there is a market for it considering the volume of the E-Series. There is clearly an opportunity here for Ford and I'm surprised to see them going to this length to test the waters. the obvious market is that left vacant by GM getting out of the Astro/Safari panel van business. One only needs to look in the downtown core of major cities to look at the variety of small vehicles being used for commerical purposes (Vibe, minivans, Rangers with caps, Focus wagons etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 One only needs to look in the downtown core of major cities to look at the variety of small vehicles being used for commerical purposes (Vibe, minivans, Rangers with caps, Focus wagons etc). Scion has actually carved out a pretty substantial niche for itself in the courier market as well. I've seen a ton of xB's and xD's converted to delivery/service vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Scion has actually carved out a pretty substantial niche for itself in the courier market as well. I've seen a ton of xB's and xD's converted to delivery/service vehicles. I already have interest and orders from a company that has been utilizing PT Cruisers ( apparently they are AWFUL for this purpose ) and HHR's. Scions were thrown around but their capacity is substandard, and their Chevy Astros ( they have approx 20 ) are 200k plus miles and costing an arm and a leg to maintain.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-150 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Scion has actually carved out a pretty substantial niche for itself in the courier market as well. I've seen a ton of xB's and xD's converted to delivery/service vehicles. I personal;ly haven't seen any Scions, but I believe it. A big ole' Econoline is a gas hog. The Sprinter is too tall to fit into underground parking. So, yeah. Anything that can act as a hauler, sip fuel, manuever in traffic and fit in garages will sell for downtown tradespeople and deliveries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) Keep waiting. It is -3F this morning ! BTW, I did say "E150" and all of the pictures shown have been from the Super Duty E Series ! Oh...I'm sorry....you must've missed the part where I said every Econoline has twin I beams....every one of 'em!!! And just to be sure, I was at my local Ford dealer getting my Fusion looked at and whaddaya know....2009 E150....surprise....twin I beams!!!! http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/eseries/gallery/index.asp If you notice...when it is describing the E-Series, it refers to the suspension system of E-Series, the front suspension is twin I beams for E150, E250, E-350....etc etc etc....just admit it Wiz....you are not correct. E-Series has twin I beams, not SLA....it does however, have ball joints....attached to the top and bottom of the I beam..... And I suppose I will continue to wait...I don't care if it is 80 degrees and sunny....you will never be able to take that picture since it has twin I beams.... Edited February 6, 2009 by twintornados Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 yeah.....just what I thought...silence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 http://apps.dealerconnection.com/dealers/l...lerPACode=08559 Here is a cut -n- paste of the above link to an actual 2008 E150 Econoline van.....I highlighted the appropriate section below. Enjoy your pablum Wiz!!! ******************************************************************************** ****************************************** Disclaimer: This window sticker is only representative of the information contained on an actual window sticker, and may or may not match the actual Window Sticker on the vehicle itself. Please see your retailer for further information. Vehicle Description VIN 1FTNE14L98DA11584 ECONOLINE 2008 E150 CARGO VAN 5.4L EFI V8 ENGINE ELECT. 4-SPD AUTO O/D TRANS Exterior OXFORD WHITE CLEARCOAT Interior MEDIUM FLINT Standard Equipment INCLUDED AT NO EXTRA CHARGE EXTERIOR . INTERVAL WIPERS . SOLAR TINTED GLASS . HINGED SIDE CARGO DOOR . SEALED HALOGEN HEADLAMPS . LT225/75R16E BSW TIRES . MANUAL TELESCOPIC TT MIRRORS . SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL . BLK NOSTRIL BAR GRILLE . BUMPERS, BLACK INTERIOR . AM/FM STEREO W/CLOCK . TILT STEERING WHEEL . TACHOMETER . VINYL FRONT HEADLINER . DUAL VINYL BUCKET SEATS . CENTER & REAR CARGO LIGHT . FRONT VINYL FLOOR COVERING . AIR COND, MANUAL FRONT FUNCTIONAL . TWIN I-BEAM INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION . ELEC THROTTLE CTRL . POWER STEERING . HANDLING PACKAGE . AUX TRANSMISSION COOLER . POWERPOINT, FRONT . 35 GALLON FUEL TANK SAFETY/SECURITY . 4-WHEEL ANTI-LOCK DISC BRAKING SYSTEM . DRIVER/PASSENGER AIR BAGS . PRETENSIONING FRT SEATBLTS . SIDE IMPACT DOOR BEAMS . HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP WARRANTY . 3YR/36000 BUMPER TO BUMPER . 5YR/60,000 POWERTRAIN . 5YR/60,000 ROADSIDE ASSIST Price Information MSRP STANDARD VEHICLE PRICE $23,725 Optional Equipment 138 INCH WHEELBASE 2008 MODEL YEAR OXFORD WHITE CLEARCOAT MEDIUM FLINT VINYL PREFERRED EQUIPMENT PKG.740A .STANDARD TRIM .AIR COND FRT ONLY-CFC FREE .ELEC AM/FM STEREO W/CLOCK .16" SPORT WHEEL COVER .16" STEEL WHEEL - SRW 5.4L EFI V8 ENGINE $975 ELECT. 4-SPD AUTO O/D TRANS .LT225/75RX16E BSW ALL-SEASON 3.55 RATIO REGULAR AXLE X29 COMMERCIAL CARGO VAN PACKAGE $1,125 .SPEED CONTROL .MIRRORS, PWR RH & LH EXTERIOR .BLACK REAR STEP BUMPER .POWER GROUP .REMOTE KEYLESS ENT/PANIC ALAR COMMERCIAL VAN PACKAGE DISC. $-1,125 FRONT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET VINYL FLR CVRG, FRONT & REAR $65 SWNGOUT SD/FIX RRCARGO SIDEFLP $185 8600# GVWR PACKAGE DULUXE ENG CVR CONSOLE C/K $40 TRAILER TOWING PKG CLASS I DOOR, SLIDING SIDE CARGO $100 INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR QUIET FLEX COMPOSITE RAX&BINS TOTAL VEHICLE & OPTIONS $25,090 DESTINATION & DELIVERY $870 TOTAL MSRP $25,960 Disclaimer: Option pricing will be blank for any item that is priced as 0 or "No Charge". Estimated Annual Fuel Cost: $ CITY MPG HIGHWAY MPG Vehicle Engine Information NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS UNIT Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition. Results reported to EPA indicate that the majority of vehicles with these estimates will achieve between and mpg in the city and between and mpg on the highway. For Comparison Shopping all vehicles classified as have been issued mileage ratings from to mpg city and to mpg highway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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