I need a new toolbox, advice please?

[23]

Hello,

I’m Ian from Brighton, so lets be clear about the type of Tranny I’m after.

My existing toolbox Merc 307D (Rusty the Death Can) has irritated me for the last time. It needs welding, tyres, alternator belt, it looses water and it is slow – which is handy because the brakes have packed in. Apart from that it’s a great van - £200 sold as seen – includes free tank of diesel (not really, fuel gauge is shagged).

Anyway I’m after a Transit and would appreciate some advice. I’m looking at max £2000. I carry my tools and sometimes motocross bike – so nowt to lumpy or big. I guess about 400 KG average. I don’t do any long distances, just about 1000 - 2000 miles / year.

Firstly the numbers – I’m guessing 80, 100, 120 etc. refers to the load limit? 800KG/1000KG/1200KG??

Second, poncing about at 55 MPH in Rusty gives me the hump, so I want to cruise at 70 (I really want to cruise at 120 – but that would be illegal). I know you are going to tell me about diffs – but I’ve read the diff thread and I actually know less now than when I started.

Is there any correlation between models and what diff they have? i.e. is the 80 higher geared than the 120??

I’m guessing I want a SWB 80 with the most powerful engine I can get?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Ian.

P.S. Cool Forum.

[MrMPuk]

You were right at the start all the 80, 100 and 120 are is the load limits and have now sugnificance on the diff.

[rover]

Hi 23.

There doesnt seem to be any corrolation between model and diff, I have no idea how Ford decided what diff to put in what van, maybe someone else does? If you are going to carry 400Kg then I would suggest a 100 purely cos you never want to go to the minimum, yes the 80 will carry 800kg but you may as well have room for higher weights, even a 120 ex BT wagon is available in SWB, its only on the 150's (ex RAC) that you can say pretty much for sure that its going to have a 'screamer' diff!

With two grand you should be able to get a pretty nice SWB

Rover.

[23]

Cheers guys. Does this mean I have to get under the vans I look at and read the numbers on the diff? Exactly what I didn't want

Do you know where BT get rid of their vans?

[23]

Does a 100 or 120 weigh more than say an 80 then? what do they change for more weight carrying abillity?

[MrMPuk]

You can tell what diff it had from the factory from the VIN plate.

[23]

You can tell what diff it had from the factory from the VIN plate.

Ah, good man.

Does it actually say what ratio or is it in code??

[MrMPuk]

It's a code

[23]

Where can I get information on these codes? (I feel like I should come round your house and shine a lamp in your face while asking that)

zee codez tommy, tell me about zee codez.

[MarkM]

Anyway I’m after a Transit and would appreciate some advice. I’m looking at max £2000. I carry my tools and sometimes motocross bike – so nowt to lumpy or big. I guess about 400 KG average. I don’t do any long distances, just about 1000 - 2000 miles / year.

Firstly the numbers – I’m guessing 80, 100, 120 etc. refers to the load limit? 800KG/1000KG/1200KG??

Yes that is how the numbers work.

Second, poncing about at 55 MPH in Rusty gives me the hump, so I want to cruise at 70 (I really want to cruise at 120 – but that would be illegal). I know you are going to tell me about diffs – but I’ve read the diff thread and I actually know less now than when I started.

Get used to it, 55 is an easy cruise speed for a Transit, sure they go faster but unless lots of Mods are done you will find 55-60 the best place to be, especially for fuel economy

Is there any correlation between models and what diff they have? i.e. is the 80 higher geared than the 120??

No, it will totally depend on what the original customer asked for when they ordered the Transit. Gearboxes are gearboxes, of course the axle ratios vary greatly.

I’m guessing I want a SWB 80 with the most powerful engine I can get?

I would go for a heavier weight handling as you never know when it could be useful. For your budget you aren't looking at perfect but spec wise an ex RAC would be perfect however they do have originally fitted a rather non-motorway or hill friendly diff. Avoid the Epic (Turbo model) it will be quick but possible problems are expensive. Others will disagree but the choice is yours. Petrol will be quicker than the diesel but again a trade off in reliabilty as petrol vans tend to get there nuts thrashed especially lower weight handling ones that have been loaded up and the driver tries to compensate.

[Guy88]

We got our 120 SWB ex bt from stanton commercials, Coventry.

It had diff code L which is 4.56:1. Its only 70ps thou

Even thou the vin plate says this the diff could have been changed. I think ours has been changed to a 5.13 because it struggles to get 80

[MrMPuk]

80s bloody good mate!

[Guy88]

As soon as it sees a hill its back down to 4th doing about 50

[23]

Thanks for your help guys.

I'd love to know where the RAC and BT get rid of their vans - must be an auction somewhere.

[MrMPuk]

Sounds very much like mine!