Step 1: Buy A Van

To be honest, this wasn’t step one. There was a lot of research, planning, test driving and discussing that happened first. You can check out all that detail here if you’re interested in that.

Back to the main point.

WE BOUGHT A VAN!

To be more precise, a 2018 Ford Transit High Roof 148″ Wheel Base. To find out why we picked this van read this. This is obviously the first major step and actual commitment to the vanlife and we’re super stoked about it.

The Order

[table width =”100%” style =”table-striped” responsive =”true”][table_head]
[th_column]Feature[/th_column]
[th_column]Build Code[/th_column]
[/table_head]
[table_body]
[table_row]
[row_column]Base Van Long High Roof 9,000 GVWR[/row_column]
[row_column]R2X[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Ingot Silver Paint[/row_column]
[row_column]UX[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]3.5L EcoBoost V6[/row_column]
[row_column]99G[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]3.31 Limited Slip[/row_column]
[row_column]X3L[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package[/row_column]
[row_column]53B[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Heavy Duty Dual Battery[/row_column]
[row_column]63E[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Premium Van Package[/row_column]
[row_column]96J[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Side & Rear Window[/row_column]
[row_column]17B[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Heavy Duty Alternator[/row_column]
[row_column]63C[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Wheel Well Liners[/row_column]
[row_column]15C[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Short Arm Power Mirrors w/Turn Signal[/row_column]
[row_column]542[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Upfitter Switches[/row_column]
[row_column]67C[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Power Inverter[/row_column]
[row_column]90C[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Trailer Brake[/row_column]
[row_column]67D[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Privacy Glass w/Rear Defroster[/row_column]
[row_column]92E[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Auxiliary Fuse Box[/row_column]
[row_column]87E[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Modified Vehicle Wiring System[/row_column]
[row_column]53K[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Two Additional Keys[/row_column]
[row_column]86F[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Side Running Board[/row_column]
[row_column]68H[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]SecuriLock (PATS)[/row_column]
[row_column]66P[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]MyKey[/row_column]
[row_column]62B[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[/table_body]
[/table]

If you’re interested in building and ordering your own van then check out the Official Order Guide and also do some lurking on the Ford Transit USA Forum to get a feel for what you want. There are similar owner forums for other vans as well like Sprinters, Promasters or Nissan NV if you want to check out them as well.

The Process

We placed our order on August 28, 2017 with Matt Ford in Kansas City, MO. We don’t live in Kansas City but the Transit Van assembly plant does. What this means is the extra delay in getting our completed van shipped to our local Ford dealer gets shaved off. Due to the height and size of the van they require special shipping containers to be transported which can add severals weeks to custom orders. Matt Ford has the benefit of bypassing the usage of these shipping containers and train rides. Plus, we like BBQ and haven’t been to Kansas City before. What’s better then a 9 hour road trip in a new van?

Our experience with the dealer was positive for the most part. Almost all of the communications and negotiations took place via email or text. When we arrived in Kansas City (on December 15, 2017) we were picked up by one of the employees at the airport and shuttled the 40 minutes to the dealership at no charge. We briefly met the sales manager and were given the keys. I performed my own pre-delivery inspection and took the van for a test drive. We were handed off to another sales associate to “walk us through the van features” but they were not very knowledgeable. They referenced auto headlights and fog lights at one point even though neither are factory options on a transit van.

It took us only a few minutes to finalize the paperwork and we were done. It was the easiest and fastest transaction we’ve ever had buying a car. No mention of add-ons, warranties or the typical dealership runaround. It left us with a feeling that we forgot something but I don’t think we did. Fellow Transit Van owners have had many positive things to say about this small town dealership. In general, I’d say it’s worth your time to contact them and determine for yourself if it’s worth the drive home. [ebs_table style =”table-striped” responsive =”true”]
[ebs_table_head]
[ebs_th_column]Step[/ebs_th_column]
[ebs_th_column]Date[/ebs_th_column]
[/ebs_table_head]
[ebs_table_body]
[ebs_table_row]
[ebs_row_column]Ordered[/ebs_row_column]
[ebs_row_column]8/28/2017[/ebs_row_column]
[/ebs_table_row]
[ebs_table_row]
[ebs_row_column]VIN Assigned[/ebs_row_column]
[ebs_row_column]9/15/2017[/ebs_row_column]
[/ebs_table_row]
[ebs_table_row]
[ebs_row_column]Build Date Assigned[/ebs_row_column]
[ebs_row_column]11/1/2017[/ebs_row_column]
[/ebs_table_row]
[ebs_table_row]
[ebs_row_column]Build Date[/ebs_row_column]
[ebs_row_column]11/10/2017[/ebs_row_column]
[/ebs_table_row]
[ebs_table_row]
[ebs_row_column]Delivery Date[/ebs_row_column]
[ebs_row_column]12/16/2017[/ebs_row_column]
[/ebs_table_row]
[/ebs_table_body]
[/ebs_table]