2022 Ford Transit #VanLife – Step One

This is for you if the 2022 Transit van might play into your nomadic adventures. You probably know the Ford Transit is a fine hunk of metallic allure. Get ready for even better.

Here is up-to-the-minute straight-shooting on where the 2022 Transit stands in terms of ordering, and how you might configure it to take advantage of the latest options. My research confirms that the Transit and the Sprinter are the real US options for conversion. I have no obligations to either company. I am leaning strong and ready to place an order for the Transit, after fully reviewing configuration options. The Sprinter proves itself year-over-year and has a fine legacy. But the Transit gives a distinct impression of more-for-less.

I was surprised when my research and decision came down to a three-day flurry:

Of course, there’s the pandemic aftermath and supply chains are still limping. On Wednesday my helpful Mercedes man was readily able to identify two 144-inch 4WD Sprinters able to modified per my needs and built in October.  He was kind and knowledgeable to talk about vans (the luxurious cars on the lot are fetching $25-35K over list price).

Then on Thursday I had breakthrough discussion with a different local Ford dealer. I was driving by and saw a loaded Transit 350 parked prominently out front – ordered (sold) and ready for delivery. That van and the guys who sold it taught me a lot. A previous Ford rep had told me Transits were totally off the table, that she wasn’t even able to get one for herself. It’s bad but not that bad. The difference between sales people is amazing.

So, on Friday (today, July 16 2021), after pulling all my new research together, I got the confidence to go back, resolve some questions, and place my order.

My Transit Adventure Start Up

If this saga interests you, I’ll be updating and expanding on it all the way through, so you might want to subscribe. It will come to building it and traveling, but it starts with getting the right base van. I am lucky to be shopping for a new van, but I’ll provide information that can help anybody. I could not find this nut-and-bolt info anywhere else. 

2021 was a breakout year for the Transit, and 2022 will put some icing on this piece of Ford cake. They are coming around in support of today’s conversion van movement. This write-up is all about a long, high roof van, to be set up for camping etcetera. 

2022 Ford Transit Configuration Details

Configuration is automotive-speak for the features and options built into a specific van. The configuration you specify has an associated price and this is what you order, which then gets delivered. When you sit with a salesperson and configure your van, the system makes sure your features and options are compatible; it has to be a buildable combination. It’s not all that complicated, but it takes some focus and decisions.

This configuration information is based on the 2022 Transit configuration guide, as issued 6/15/21. It was shared with me by the Ford salesman after he concluded I am a serious buyer. It starts with 2022 major product features (adds, changes, deletes). Then as well, standard equipment, optional equipment, axle set ups, and packaged options. It’s fifty or so pages of detail, specifying what can and can’t be combined all along the way. 

Biggest Ford news for 2022 is an e-Transit, as well as other electronic upgrades, including the upgrade to SYNC 4 radio combinations, with a 12″ monitor option.

Back Door Problem Solved – Skip the Windows

I’ve been dreading the hassle over back door windows I’ve seen so many van enthusiasts go through. With the typical rear bed set up, the rear windows present a heating/cooling challenge. Factory windows do not provide air circulation. They do provide something of a security concern. And with the van built up or full, you often cannot see out of them anyway. So, enter the digital rearview mirror!

This digital rearview mirror (feature #90C) made my day. I haven’t physically seen it, and it as listed as “late availability”, meaning they are working on it and aren’t exactly sure when it’s coming. For me this feature is a huge safety and convenience item. Having it makes a lot of things better, from planning to going down the road. This original equipment manufacturer (OEM) option is preferrable to rearranging backup cameras or aftermarket set ups that get discussed. Even if I have to wait a little more. As an OEM offering it meets safety standards and won’t void warranty.

The cargo van (basically an empty box) is typically the preferred model to convert. Rear windows aren’t standard on the cargo van. When you don’t have rear windows in your van, there is no rearview mirror on the inside of the front windshield. When you order the digital rearview mirror, it occupies the same place as a regular rear view mirror – a special little monitor. All the OEMs will probably adopt a digital rear view mirror in time; Ford might be first to market.

The Adventure Prep Package

The dealer configuration guide contains a variety of packaged options. These include preparation – “prep” – packages. The one of interest for a van conversion is aptly named the adventure prep package. It’s a combination of things that come together to ready your van for conversion. It’s convenient to order this way, for both Ford and the buyer. Maybe the adventure prep package (#47N) comes to a lesser total price than the individual items.

The 2021 van on the lot includes the adventure prep package. Every item in the package is good and meaningful – except one. The package includes rear windows, the exact feature I seek to eliminate. This feature cannot be eliminated from the package, per Ford. So, I will have to have all the single items of the adventure prep package individually entered – except the windows. My opinion: Ford should catch the package up so van life enthusiasts are able to take advantage of the new digital rear view mirror. Make it more convenient for the buyer.

The van on the lot is apparently going to an outfitter, so I looked at it as a good learning opportunity. It became obvious why they included the adventure package.

Now, About the 2022 Transit Van Ordering Process

Both at Mercedes and Ford, I encountered a bit of friendly mutually learning. It’s a complicated vehicle. So, folks aren’t necessarily up to speed on every feature, especially the new ones. Candidly, the dealers are more attuned to the needs of the fleet operators.

The dealership did not yet have the 2022 sales brochure. We confirmed that the 2022 color options have not changed from 2021.

Turns out that the van on the lot was ordered in November of 2020 and showed up on the lot the day I saw it in July. That’s roughly eight months, about double what you could expect if ordering non-pandemic. That is a long hard wait.

Can they beat that timing, as they first suggested? As we talked, I concluded eight months is the worst case. Ford reportedly gives top priority to people who place orders in their system; this gave me some comfort. For example, rare computer chips go first to ordered vehicles as opposed to random ones. The jist of this is hope and a challenge to Ford: please get me my van in something closer to normal timing.

After all the learning I am ready to take a leap of faith. But wait. The order entry system is not yet enabled. The salesperson and I learn this together. When will it be turned on: soon, probably August?

Summarizing My 2022 Ford Transit Adventure So Far

So, I am left waiting for my waiting to start. I wanted my four or eight month wait on delivery to start right now. This is a tad disappointing, but I am still confident in my research; Ford is the best van for my needs, especially on a value basis, assuming it’s truly available with the new features.

Next Transit van life update: follow up from September 1st.

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I have about thirty years of consulting experience in automotive, including the Big 3. From time-to-time I have been around vans; my first one being a red and white Corvair in the late sixties. My dad had a green 1-ton Ford Econoline, and I plan to have today’s version.