The demands you put on your cargo van can vary greatly based on what type of business you run or even what day of the week it is. Therefore, it makes no sense to settle for a one-size-fits-all van. Ford agrees, which is why the popular Ford Transit is so customizable. With so many upfit options for the Transit Cargo Van, it’s easy to transform it into the right vehicle for your evolving needs.
At Premier Ford of Bay Ridge, we have a Ford Transit for sale that will do exactly what you require of it, whether that’s bringing supplies to a job site or serving as your mobile office. If you don't see precisely what you want on our lot, we'll help you custom order and upfit a van to meet your needs. Whether you’re just starting your search for a new cargo van or trying to figure out exactly what Ford Transit configuration you want, this overview will give you an idea of the many possibilities.
Ford Transit Body Sizes and Styles
Whatever freight you’re carrying—lumber, construction equipment, electronics, luggage, or all the above—the Ford Transit Cargo Van has a perfect configuration. Multiple roof heights and wheelbases let you select a van that’s exactly the right size.
Let’s start with the roof. Ford offers not one, not two, but three Transit roof height options. The Ford Transit Low Roof has a floor-to-roof height of 56.9 inches, which is fine for cargo-only transport. If you will be hauling large equipment or need to move around inside, get the Ford Transit Medium Roof. With a 72-inch floor-to-roof height, it has more than enough head space for most people, even when standing. Do you need a super-tall van for stacking boxes and cabinets? The Ford Transit High Roof has a floor-to-roof height of 81.5 inches to fit almost anything.
There are also three different wheelbase options to expand your cargo-carrying abilities further. You can pick the regular wheelbase with a cargo floor length of 126 inches, the long wheelbase with a cargo length of 143.7 inches, or the extended-length long wheelbase that has a whopping 172.2-inch floor length. All told, you can enjoy a maximum cargo volume of up to 536.4.2 cu.ft.—the equivalent of driving a small room around.
Power, Payload, and Towing Options
Of course, you’ll need enough power and pull to haul everything. That’s why Ford also offers two engine options for the Transit Cargo Van so you can get your freight where it’s going. The standard 3.5L naturally-aspirated V6 engine produces 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and is known for its reliability. Depending on the configuration, you can enjoy a payload capacity of up to 4,846 lbs with a max trailering rating of 6,400 lbs.
Alternatively, you can order your Ford Transit van with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 twin-turbo. This engine option delivers 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque to help get you over steep hills while improving overall fuel efficiency. That extra power increases the maximum payload capacity to 4,887 lbs and unlocks a max tow rating of 6,900 lbs. If you will be primarily using your Transit Cargo Van for towing and hauling, add the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package to get a frame-mounted receiver, a backup/running lights relay, and other essentials.
Do You Want RWD or AWD?
All Ford Transit Cargo Vans come standard with rear-wheel drive with the option to upgrade to all-wheel drive. Which one should you order? It depends on where and how you’ll be driving. Regular rear-wheel drive should be fine if you’ll almost exclusively drive your Transit van on city and highway roads in decent weather––especially if you plan to switch between summer and winter tires rather than use the standard factory all-season tires year-round.
But what if you live and work in areas with a lot of mud, snow, backroads, steep hills, and sharp curves? Then, all-wheel drive is the way to go. It evenly distributes the driving force to each wheel, greatly improving traction. When you’re constantly on low-grip surfaces, whether that means snow-covered streets or hairpin turns, you’ll be glad you had the extra bite of all-wheel drive.
Factory Upfitting Packages
Did you think that was the end of the ways you can customize a Ford Transit Cargo Van? Think again. In addition to the heavy-duty trailering kit, there are nearly a dozen other Transit Van upgrade packages that you can choose from. Let’s look at some more ways to personalize the Ford Transit.
Exterior Upgrades
With the main Exterior Upgrade Package, you’ll have better visibility while making a stylish impression. This kit includes wiper-activated headlamps, front fog lamps, a chrome-outlined honeycomb grille, and 16-inch steel wheels with optional silver wheel covers. Speaking of the wheels, you can order forged aluminum alloy wheels that are stronger and lighter than steel, improving your torque and acceleration.
If you’re going to be towing a camper—or turning the Transit into a camper van—the RV Prep Package is right up your alley. This pairs the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package with a modified wiring system, high-resolution rearview camera, fog lamps, blind spot assist, and more. You even get built-in navigation to find your way to your favorite campground and SiriusXM satellite radio to enjoy the ride.
Interior and Engine Upgrades
The Ford Transit Interior Upgrade Package makes the inside of your van even more functional and comfortable. This kit includes vinyl front and rear floor coverings, power-adjusting side mirrors, protective polypropylene cargo area panels, matching driver and passenger vinyl sun visors with vanity mirrors, and Dark Palazzo Gray cloth seat upholstery. If you don't need the whole package, you can get just the vinyl floor coverings and protective panels as part of the Load Area Protection Package to lower the risk of your cargo or your vehicle getting damaged.
Are you getting the Transit for use as a delivery van? Check out the Parcel Delivery Package. It adds a smaller center console with a shifter mounted on the right side, cargo area lighting, and two-way manually adjustable seats without armrests so you can fit all your parcels and easily access them from the cab. The Ambulance Prep Package will turn your Transit Cargo Van into an emergency vehicle with fixed door glass for the cargo area, twin alternators and batteries to power auxiliary lights, a limited-slip axle for grip at high speeds, and a dual-note horn to help clear the way.
Finally, you have the Ford Transit Upfitter Package. It upgrades the center console with a more capable fuse panel and four upfitter switches so you can seamlessly connect a variety of electronics. It also includes a modified vehicle wiring system and dual AGM batteries to support higher electrical loads. This is the choice for any Transit owner who needs to make special modifications or run accessories.
Upfit Your Ford Transit Cargo Van Today
We’ve just scratched the surface of the many possibilities when ordering a Ford Transit van. Many of the individual features we mentioned in the various upgrade packages can be ordered separately, along with add-ons like 10-way power-adjustable seats, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, backup alarms, heavy-duty cargo flooring, and engine block heaters. And we haven’t even gotten to the many paint options. Contact Premier Ford of Bay Ridge to start customizing a Ford Transit Cargo Van today. We can walk you through all the options to make sure your new van has the features you need.