Ford Transit Cargo Van – Easy to Drive, Load and Maintain

Ford Transit History

How many vehicles do you know produced from 1965 till nowadays under the same name? Impala, Mustang, maybe Ford GT but there are no cargo vans or commercial vehicles here, right?

Wrong.

Ford Transit is the only commercial cargo van that exits factory lines since 1965 without a pause. Since then Ford produced 4 generations (and four facelifts) of this vehicle in factories in England, USA, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, Australia, and China. Over the years Ford sold more than 8 millions of units in all continents.

This van is one of the most selling and most popular commercial vehicles on the planet. It’s used by fleet companies, police, fire departments, tradespeople, even burglars, and thieves. It has been featured in movies like Fourth Protocol with Michael Caine and music videos of Robin Williams.

Along with RAM ProMaster, Nissan NV, Chevy Express and GMC Savana, Transit is considered as the best cargo van.

The first generation of Ford Transit was introduced in 1965 in the UK. The code name of the van was Transit Mark I (MK1). Ford replaced model Thames 400E with it.

The second generation, codename VE6, started in 1986 and successfully transported goods and people around the Europe till 1999.

The third generation came from manufacturing lines in 2000. This model was produced until 2013.

The last, fourth generation, started its production in 2013, designed by Paul Campbell. It’s has been made in Turkey, and Russia for the European market. USA and Canadian market was supplied from Claycomo, Missouri. In the US Transit successfully replaced model Ford E-Series in 2015.

Lines below closely describe Transit for the US market. This vehicle hit the shores of America in 2015 and momentarily became a favorite fleet van for many small businesses and tradesmen in our country.

Ford Transit Cargo Van Dimensions

Ford Transit is a full-size van. It is available in four body styles: cargo van, passenger van, chassis can and cutaway van.

There are three trim levels, Base, XL, and XLT.

Transit cargo van for US market (2015-present) is offered in several configurations; 2 wheelbases, 3 roof heights, 3 body lengths, and 3 engines.

Wheelbases and Body Lengths

There are 2 wheelbase options to choose from:

• 129.9 in. wheelbase

• 147.6 in. wheelbase



Available are 3 body lengths:

• Regular 219.8 inches

• Long 237.5 inches

• Extended 263.9 inches



Roof Options

Wheelbase and body lengths are followed by 3 roof height:

• Low roof (55.8 inches of interior cargo height)

• Medium roof (72 inches of interior cargo height)

• High roof (81.5 inches of interior cargo height)



Combine all these options and you’ll get 65 variations of Transit. There must be one that fits your business needs and personal style.

Ford Transit Engine Options

There are three engines available. Two gas and one diesel with a turbocharger.

Smallest is 3.2L Power Stroke diesel, 5 cylinders. Small displacement thought doesn’t mean low payload capacity. This is a very potent, capable and economical engine capable of delivering 195HP and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at fantastic 1500 rpm. You definitely don’t need to rev it up to get the power from this engine. The motor is paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Bigger 3.5L EcoBoost V6 has dual turbochargers and direct injection. This engine gives 310 HP and 400 lb.-ft. of torque at 2500 rpm. This is the same engine you get in Ford F-150 pickup truck.

The third engine is 3.7L, V6. It doesn’t have a turbocharger but can deliver 275HP and 260 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. Both petrol engines use the same 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Ford Transit Interior

As soon as you get behind the steering wheel of Ford Transit, you’ll notice car-like or SUV dashboard and interior. It looks very modern, materials used have decent quality for commercial vehicle, gaps are small and overall build quality is at the highest level.

The whole interior looks attractive and similar to other Ford vehicles, like Mondeo or small Fiesta. Everything is easy to reach and easy to read.

Agronomic is also fantastic. The gear lever is at the fingertip. The driving position is more relaxed than in Ram ProMaster with the ability to adjust driver sear in eight positions. Mirrors are huge, and you can easily see what’s going on behind the van since it has a rear back-up camera (as standard).

Talking about standard equipment, there are FM radio, front A/C, airbags, Bluetooth connection, lots of storage compartments (one is lockable), 6 cup holders, interior (and cargo space) lighting, 12V power point and extraordinary large sun visors that cover more than half a windshield.

Ford Transit on the Road

Like any commercial vehicle, Ford Transit cargo handles better fully loaded. Ford engineers did a great job with steering. Steering is responsive and handling corners is predictable no matter if you haul heavy loads or cargo area of the van is entirely empty. Body roll is well controlled with rear wheel drive. Extended units have dual wheels on a rear axle.

Acceleration is excellent for this type of vehicle. With EcoBoost engine, Fort Transit can go 0 to 60 in just 7 seconds. Power delivery is smooth with standard 6-speed transmission regardless of the engine under the bonnet.

The van is very quiet; there is no rattling or wind noise at freeway speed. Compared to its predecessor, Ford E Series, it’s much faster, comfortable, and handling is a lot lighter. Turning radius is significantly better compared to older cargo vans.

Safety features

Disk brakes with ABS on all wheels are responsible for efficient braking. Optional is a hill-assist system that helps a lot during a start in steep road sections. Van is equipped with other safety features like roll stability control, traction control, and trailer stability control. Because of all safety features, NHTSA gave four stars frontal-crash and five stars side-crash rating.

Cargo Space

Transit utilizes rear swing doors. They swing out to 180 degrees. To load larger items press the small switch and unlock doors and open them to even 270 degrees. Use the same switch to lock them into place. Another cool features are bumpers on the side that prevent doors from hitting the side of the van and damaging the exterior.
Exterior Dimensions - Van
Wheelbase (Regular, Long, Long Extended)RegularRegularLongLongLongLong Extended
Wagon / VanTransit VanTransit VanTransit VanTransit VanTransit VanTransit Van
Roof (Low, Medium, High)LowMediumLowMediumHighHigh
Passenger Capacity (8, 10, 12, 15)222222
Rows of Seating1
[in.]
1
[in.]
1
[in.]
1
[in.]
1
[in.]
1
[in.]
Wheelbase129.9129.9147.6147.6147.6147.6
Length219.8217.8237.5235.5235.5263.9
Height83.5100.883.2100.7110.109.4
Width - Excluding Mirrors (SRW/DRW)81.381.381.381.381.383.7
Width - Including Mirrors97.497.497.497.497.497.4
Width - Mirrors Folded83.283.283.283.283.283.2
Front Track (SRW/DRW)68.1868.168.168.168.168.5
Rear Track (SRW/DRW)68.668.668.668.668.665.7
Front Overhang40.340.340.340.340.340.3
Rear Overhang49.749.649.749.649.676.0
Load Height (Curb)28.828.828.728.728.728
Side Cargo Door Opening Height49.66349.6636363
Side Cargo Door Opening Width - Hinged51.2-51.2---
Side Cargo Door Opening Width - Sliding51.251.251.251.251.251.2
Rear Cargo Door Opening Height49.564.849.564.874.274.2
Rear Cargo Door Opening Width61.761.761.761.761.761.7
Maximum Towing Capabilities - Conventional Towing
Maximum Payloads
Wheelbase [in.]GVWR [lbs.]EngineRatioGCWR [lbs.]Max. Conv. Hitch Trailer Tow Cap. [lbs.]Payload [lbs.]
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof Van129.986003.7L3.731080054003680
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof Van129.986003.7L4.11200066003680
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof Van129.986003.5L3.311120057003600
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof Van129.986003.5L3.731260071003600
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof Van129.986003.2L3,311060048003280
Transit 250, RWB, Low Roof Van129.990003.7L3.731080054004080
Transit 250, RWB, Low Roof Van129.990003.7L4.11200066004080
Transit 250, RWB, Low Roof Van129.990003.5L3.311120057004000
Transit 250, RWB, Low Roof Van129.990003.5L3.731260071004000
Transit 250, RWB, Low Roof Van129.990003.2L3.311060048003680
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.986003.7L3.731080052003550
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.986003.7L4.11200064003550
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.986003.5L3.311120055003450
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.986003.5L3.731260069003450
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.986003.2L3.311060046003140
Transit 250, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.990003.7L3.731080052003950
Transit 250, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.990003.7L4.11200064003950
Transit 250, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.990003.5L3.311120055003850
Transit 250, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.990003.5L3.731260069003850
Transit 250, RWB, Medium Roof Van129.990003.2L3.311060046003460
Transit 150, LWB, Low Roof Van147.686003.7L3.731080052003550
Transit 150, LWB, Low Roof Van147.686003.7L4.11200064003550
Transit 150, LWB, Low Roof Van147.686003.5L3.311120056003480
Transit 150, LWB, Low Roof Van147.686003.5L3.731260070003480
Transit 150, LWB, Low Roof Van147.686003.2L3.311060046003150
Transit 150, LWB, Low Roof Van147.686003.2L3.731350075003150
Transit 250, LWB, Low Roof Van147.690003.7L3.731080052003950
Transit 250, LWB, Low Roof Van147.690003.7L4.11200064003950
Transit 250, LWB, Low Roof Van147.690003.5L3.311120056003880
Transit 250, LWB, Low Roof Van147.690003.5L3.731260070003880
Transit 250, LWB, Low Roof Van147.690003.2L3.311060046003550
Transit 250, LWB, Low Roof Van147.690003.2L3.731350075003550
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Van147.695003.7L3.731080052004450
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Van147.695003.7L4.11200064004450
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Van147.695003.5L3.311120056004380
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Van147.695003.5L3.731260070004380
Transit 150, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.686003.7L3.731080051003400
Transit 150, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.686003.7L4.11200063003400
Transit 150, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.686003.5L3.311120054003330
Transit 150, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.686003.5L3.731260068003330
Transit 150, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.686003.2L3.311060046003060
Transit 150, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.686003.2L3.731350075003060
Transit 250, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.690003.7L3.731080051003800
Transit 250, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.690003.7L4.11200063003800
Transit 250, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.690003.5L3.311120054003730
Transit 250, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.690003.5L3.731260068003730
Transit 250, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.690003.2L3.311060046003460
Transit 250, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.690003.2L3.731350075003460
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.695003.7L3.731080051004300
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.695003.7L4.11200063004300
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.695003.5L3.311120054004230
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Van147.695003.5L3.731260068004230
Transit 250, LWB, High Roof Van147.690003.7L4.11200062003720
Transit 250, LWB, High Roof Van147.690003.5L3.311120053003620
Transit 250, LWB, High Roof Van147.690003.5L3.731260067003620
Transit 250, LWB, High Roof Van147.690003.2L3.311060044003330
Transit 250, LWB, High Roof Van147.690003.2L3.731350073003330
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Van147.695003.7L4.11200062004220
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Van147.695003.5L3.311120053004120
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Van147.695003.5L3.731260067004120
Transit 250, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.690003.2L3.311060042003140
Transit 250, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.690003.2L3.731350071003140
Transit 250, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.690003.5L3.311120051003430
Transit 250, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.690003.5L3.731260065003430
Transit 250, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.690003.7L4.11200060003510
Transit 350, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.695003.7L4.11200060004010
Transit 350, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.695003.5L3.311120051003930
Transit 350, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.695003.5L3.731260065003930
Transit 350, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.695003.2L3.311060042003640
Transit 350, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.695003.2L3.731350071003640
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.699503.5L3.311120049004150
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.6103603.5L3.311120049004560
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.699503.5L3.731300067004150
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.6103603.5L3.731300067004560
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.699503.2L3.311060040003890
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.6103603.2L3.311060040004300
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.699503.2L3.731350069003890
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Van147.6103603.2L3.731350069004300
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof, Wagon (10 pass.)129.985503.7L3.731080047002900
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof Wagon (8 pass.)129.985503.5L3.311120051002930
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof Wagon (10 pass.)129.985503.7L3.731080046002780
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof Wagon (8 pass.)129.985503.5L3.311120050002740
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof Wagon (8 pass.)129.985503.7L3.731080046003000
Transit 150, RWB, Low Roof Wagon (10 pass.)129.985503.5L3.311120050002820
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof, Wagon (8 pass.)129.985503.7L3.731080045002890
Transit 150, RWB, Medium Roof, Wagon (10 pass.)129.985503.5L3.311120048002630
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon (15 pass.)147.690003.7L3.731080042002730
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon (15 pass.)147.690003.7L4.11120046002730
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon (15 pass.)147.690003.5L3.311120046002690
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon147.692503.2L3.311060037002660
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon147.692503.2L3.731120043002660
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.690003.7L3.731080041002800
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.690003.7L4.11120045002800
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.690003.5L3.311120045002760
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.692503.2L3.311060036002730
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.692503.2L3.731120042002730
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Wagon147.690003.7L4.11120044002710
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Wagon147.690003.5L3.311120044002670
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Wagon147.692503.2L3.311060035002640
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Wagon147.692503.2L3.731120041002640
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon (12 pass.)147.690003.7L3.731080040002900
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon (12 pass.)147.690003.7L4.11120044002900
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon (12 pass.)147.690003.5L3.311120044002860
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon147.692503.2L3.311060035002830
Transit 350, LWB, Low Roof Wagon147.692503.2L3.731120041002830
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.691503.7L3.731080039002780
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.691503.7L4.11120043002780
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.691503.5L3.311120043002730
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.694003.2L3.311060034002700
Transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon147.694003.2L3.731120040002700
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Wagon147.691503.7L4.11120042002690
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Wagon147.691503.5L3.311120042002640
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Wagon147.694003.2L3.311060033002610
Transit 350, LWB, High Roof Wagon147.694003.2L3.731120039002610
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Wagon (15 pass.)147.6103603.5L3.731120038003480
Transit 350HD, LWB-E, High Roof Wagon (15 pass.)147.6103603.2L3.731120035003160
Some units have side sliding doors with windows. Side doors have low step-in height for easy in and out, but not low as in Ram ProMaster. If you want the rubberized floor, you’ll need to pay extra since it doesn’t come as standard.