What model to use ?

[flex123]

Hi
I'm new to the forum so pls forgive me if im posting this in the wrong place?!

I'm looking to acuire a van in the near future to convert into a covert camper/surf van/just getting away from the rat race
at weekends van. After considering what to go for sise wise e.t.c im thinking a Transit may just be perfect for the job.

The question is what model/engine sise should i go for? I dont realy like the look of high roof models, plus im thinking of
fitting a roof rack so i want to be able to reach it easily. A short wheel base will be more than enough room for what i need
space wise.
I'm going to be doing motorway driving mainly, with a pretty much empty van. What models get best econemy? I have been
reading some comments about diff ratios making a big difference!???
There seems to be so many different models for sale on autotraider e.t.c, i need to narrow down what i'm actualy looking
for. I don't want to spend a fortune eather. I would say £3500 max!
Any advise from you guys who use transits for this type of thing, on whats good/ what to avoid when selecting a van, would
be very welcome.
Thank you

P.S... I'm enjoying the forum and learning a lot from it already.flex123

[Scotty86]

Welcome,

For £3500 you could get a decent mk6 van. To use as a camper conversion a mwb or lwb medium to high roof would be best. FWD mk6 engines are 2.0 litre and RWD vans have 2.4 litre engines at various outputs 75ps/100ps/125ps etc etc.

I myself have a new mwb/mr mk7 transit that's currently being converted into a campervan.

something like this would make a cracking camper/day van
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-TRANSIT-CREW ... 3cae72a18d

[doughythevanman]

Welcome!!
I would go for the rwd mk6, 2.4 td so has good power yet is great on MPG. Have a look at this, may need a little tidying round but for the price it is pretty good!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-TRANSIT-WIND ... 1029468620

[MrMPuk]

Welcome!!
I would go for the rwd mk6, 2.4 td so has good power yet is great on MPG. Have a look at this, may need a little tidying round but for the price it is pretty good!

2 litre FWD everytime, quieter and drivers like a car plus you get another 4 or 5 inches of head room in the back.

[MinorMatt]

what MrMPuk says!

You can put a rack on the top of a midroof an you could just about reach it from the ground (height dependant of course! )

[MrMPuk]

what MrMPuk says!

You can put a rack on the top of a midroof an you could just about reach it from the ground (height dependant of course! )

There's not a lot in the roof height between the semi high FWD and RWD, it's the height of the floor that's the main difference.

[flex123]

Big thanks for the input guys. Still raising funds for the van at present. Just sorted out a new place to live with secure
off street parking, so just have to sell a couple of other motors and the hunt for a decent transit can start.