2019 Ford Transit 150 XLT passenger van
Low-mileage medium roof passenger van with a modular and not-over-engineered build. Excellent mechanical shape, ready for its next adventure. Read on!
The van
- 3.7L V6, RWD with limited slip axle.
- 43,xxx miles
- Canadian build but don’t worry – Carfax report shows US import and clearance, we had zero issue titling/registering/inspecting. The cruise control displays in km/h (fun!) but otherwise there’s no way to identify it as Canadian.
- Air bags all around. Functioning airbags were important to us (family with small kids) and factored into the design and build. I did not tamper with any side curtain airbags. The headliner and panels were removed for insulation, everything was replaced and then diagnosed OK by a dealer.
- No mechanical issues. Oil always changed on schedule, and the only real repairs during our ownership was adjusting the sliding door and a rear brake job in March ’23 (rotors, pads, one caliper that needed replacement).
Assorted features:
- Engine block heater (again – Canadian build)
- Remote start (fire it up from your sleeping bag!)
- Sync3 with Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, nav
- Heavy-duty alternator
- Fancy aluminum wheels (apparently)
- Privacy glass
- Reverse camera and sensors
- Back-up alarm (but currently disabled, really annoying)
- Tow hitch
- Keyless entry pad (currently not working – battery?)
- Power/folding/heated side mirrors
- Rear window defroster (not a standard feature, apparently)
- Running boards (passenger side clipped a boulder once, but you have to squint to see the damage)
Included additions/extras:
- Yokohama Geolander A/T tires – 24K miles on them, plenty of tread remaining
- WeatherTech Mud flaps
- Wet Okole neoprene seat covers (fronts only)
- New windshield in May ’22 (replaced after a ding became a crack)
- Window shades (complete set of Heatshield shades)
- VanEssential bug screens for front windows
- Bluetti power station that fits on the shelf behind the fridge cabinet – powers the fridge, charges from the 12V DC port right behind it.
- GoSun Chill 40L 12V DC fridge/cooler – fits the pull-out drawer/tray in the passenger-side middle cabinet. Cooler isn’t in the pictures, but is included!
- Fog lights (We’re talking cheap amazon-purchased lights, but they’re remarkably bright and add significant additional light. They are wired to a lighted switch in dash [next to sideview mirror knob in pics] and direct to battery. If you leave these on long enough they will drain your battery; trust me on this.)
- Fire extinguisher (Looks cool on the back of that cabinet, right? But also super functional – Smokey Bear approves.)
- A set of hand tools in a tool roll, just in case. Nothing fancy – think Harbor Freight.
- SCC Super Z6 cables (Sized correctly for tires; they’ve been used twice, got us unstuck both times. Thoughtful driving, good tires, these cables plus the limited-slip diff were all we needed to stay unstuck.)
- Long and extendable scraper/brush
The build
The idea on this build was modular and adaptable, with no unnecessarily complex or permanent auxiliary systems (i.e. water, electric) and a design that let us be mostly outside the van where we wanted to be. I went down all the van build rabbit holes out there and basically concluded that most people way over-engineer their builds. No offense intended (I took lots of inspiration from others’ builds) it’s just not the approach we took. Read on!
It’s a passenger van with built-in separate rear heat and A/C systems, so when we needed climate control we just ran the van for a bit. We cooked inside a few times on top of the fridge cabinet and that worked great, otherwise we cooked outside like you’re supposed to when you’re camping. We rarely boondocked longer than a few days so a big aquatainer handled water and a self-contained power station was sufficient for power, then we’d charge it while driving (reference that heavy duty alternator she’s got).
The build includes:
- Thinsulate insulation throughout (including under the factory floor; that was a pain)
- swivel base on passenger seat
- bungee net storage above bed and over front storage (mounted to plusnuts in frame)
- under-bed tap lights (AAA batteries; again – keep it simple)
- lots of hook storage throughout
The factory seat brackets and floor are all in place. If you removed the cabinets (see below) you could return this to 10-passenger service just by putting seats back into it.
The red cabinetry is four parts, each independently removable for various setup permutations, attached to the van with plusnuts in body or to factory-installed seat brackets in the floor. With a set of sockets and about 15 minutes (10 with a buddy) you can return the interior of this van to stock-looking.
- Two rear cabinets w/ cubbies support the main bed panel
- Driver side has open front/back and no divider on middle level to accommodate skis, poles, fishing rods, etc.
- Driver side middle cabinet is tall to accommodate a dog crate or gear and has a drawer with locking slides. The hinged top unfolds to form the complete bed or can stow for access to rear or a standing area between this cabinet and the one opposite.
- Passenger side middle cabinet has open bottom drawer for a top-load fridge/cooler (or just storage) and a second drawer above, locking slides on both. It’s perforated for airflow from a fridge’s electronics, and to run the cord back to the battery shelf behind it.
- Bed platform is removable independent of the cabinets, and installed is 33″ from the floor.
The bed is a five-piece mattress that can be configured several different ways depending on your desires, which cabinets are in the van, and the size and number of people you want to sleep with. It’s made with 5” foam cut to fit nicely in windows and between pillars/panels, covered in soft-faced nylon fabric with zippers for removal/cleaning. Bed is 78″ window-to-window, 73″ front-to-back, and 61″ wide at rear door opening; I’d describe it as ‘Queen plus’ size. I’m 6’1″ and have slept comfortably on this bed in all imaginable orientations.
The bad news
- Sticker collection not included! Me and the kids are going to peel them off and make a collage to remember our good times with the van. I’ll clean up any residue.
- There are no holes in the van. I planned to do a roof vent/fan but never got around to it or built up the courage. I have a MaxxAir fan and DIYvan mounting ring that I could be convinced to include if you’re interested.
- The sliding door has a few small dents along the top seam below the window. I’m serious about small – you kind of have to look for them. The van came to us this way; best I can tell a previous owner had a habit of slamming the door forward and in simultaneously for some reason. The door closes just fine without much effort.
- The second row seat is honestly pretty filthy. It’s had car seats on it for as long as we owned the van and could use a deep clean (or matching seat cover!). You parents out there will understand.
Whew, that’s a lot to process. I’m excited to find this van a new home and a next adventure, holler with questions!
