Transit SWB in auto trans

[jonnyone]

Hi,

I am a disabled driver and I am thinking of buying a Transit SWB panel van. I am just inquiring if the new Transit van is available in automatic transmission, if so at which engine size and at what price? Also as I sometimes use a power wheelchair, I am thinking with the single passenger seat option, I would be able to drive the wheelchair up to the back of the front seats and hop on to the driver seat. As I haven’t been in a Transit for a few years, I am just wondering is there’s much of a drop from the front seats (cab) to the rear of the van, if you know what I mean? (I suppose back of the van would be higher in the rear wheel drive than the front wheel drive)?

I am not sure if I'm in the right place, but I be very grateful any info regarding the above. Thank you for you time.

Jon Cole.

[AndyG]

Hello jonnyone
Unfortunately, we haven't had an automatic transmission since 2000

There was a an auto shifting manual from about 2002 to 2005 on the rear wheel drive (higher loading height model) with either a 90PS or 125 PS tddi engine, but it NEVER worked like an autobox and any problems would cost an absolute fortune to put right But in all honesty, I think that was more due to the lack of experience/interest by the service dealer

I'm almost certain that the next generation of Transit will have a proper auto option
So it might be worth waiting a bit

[shortcut]

Hi, what you need is a set up like my van , the rear doors are opened by motors by pressing a button on a remote control, the ricon tail lift drops to the floor and you move onto the lift, by pressing another button on the remote the lift rises up and you are magically at floor level, the drivers seat is a ricon six way powered swivel seat. you would then transfer yourself into the drivers seat and press the last button on the remote to fold the wheelchair lift away and close the doors. then by operating one of the toggle switches on the seat base the seat turns to face forward and away to go ! The drivers seat is also powered up and downwards as well as front to back. It was also fitted with hand controls obviously as the the previous owner was in a similar situation to yourself.

Have a look on e bay by typing transit auto in as i've seen quite a few going with similar conversions and one or two identical to mine which is a swb 80 but around the 95 year of registration.
neil

Where in the country are you ? if its any help to see the set up i have you would be more than welcome to look at it for ideas

[jonnyone]

Hi Neil,

That exactly what I need. But as I am from Ireland it is very hard to get a good Transit auto here. I was just checking their availability the UK. If I could pickup a good second-hand maybe I could hold on my car. But to order a new Transit and then modify it would cost a fair bit here. May I ask how do you auto Transit run? I heard some have problems with the auto transmission. Also is your van much heavier on fuel than the manual? Thank for the info, it sounds like you have a nice there……..

Jon.

[shortcut]

Hi jon,

My van is a mk 5 that was converted from new by the first of its two previous owners. I'm lucky enough to not need any modifications for me to drive as i'm fully able but use the functions of the van for other purposes.

Okay, to give you some idea of costs to convert a van and this may make you wince, i dug out the receipts that came to me with the van.
The original conversion as far as i can make out from the receipts cost the best part of £ 11,000 ! HOWEVER this was a conversion for someone who had no use of their legs at all and very limited use of their arms. The conversion had everything from an electric handbrake and all controls mounted on the steering wheel, to inverters to charge the wheelchair batteries whilst travelling and the list really is endless. It obviously included the ricon wheelchair lift, the auto opening rear doors tied in sequence to the lift, the ricon six way powered seat, unwin tracking set into the ply and vinyl lined floor at various positions to lash the chair to when travelling and a full split charge system to run all the extra's etc etc

The second owner was in slightly better physical shape and had some of these things reverted back to standard such as the stalks on the column for the lights etc, the handbrake, and some other bits and bobs and this is how i bought the van.

I bought this van because it was slightly older and a mk 5 so the design has been tried and tested and the engines are fairly bulletproof , although for me having an auto was a first.
I figured that as the vehicle was owned and driven by someone who was less able might mean it haadn't been abused and had hopefully been regularly serviced on the basis that they couldn't push it if it broke !
The van had 80,000 on the clock and reams of service history.

The biggest problems with these vans will be the condition of the metal work underneath and the cosmetic conditon of the paint etc.

To give you some idea, i bought mine for £1800 which was about £400 - £500 to much given the condition of the metalwork but at the time i was in a rush and wasn't thinking clearly.
I have seen vans of similar age and condition and some in much better condition than mine started for about the same price with all the adaptions installed and in working order.
It would potentially work out a lot cheaper for you to find something similar and budget for paying someone to sort out the welding that it will need and a respray than buying a van and having the extra's fitted.

The auto is lovely to drive, really smooth and relaxed , as for fuel consumption it varies on the type of roads i travel. Around town it is noticeably heavier on fuel compared to a clean run on the motorway or a roads. I was putting in £20 of fuel and getting at least 120 miles to tank with a mixed combination of road types and speeds, now i'm spending more time commuting accross town and i was getting 85- 90 miles to the same ammount of fuel, however i have just carried out some work on the auto box and as yet haven't had chance to try it to see if this has improved.

Keep an eye out on evilbay and type in transit automatic or ricon and you will start to get a feel for what is already out there converted for your needs.
neil

[jonnyone]

Hi Niell.

That's great. Thanks for all the info, that really helps to know what I am looking for. I keep on looking, hopefully something good will turn up. Thanks again.

Jon