[sham33]

Hi, has any one on here used a ford transit for window cleaning? I'm thinking of getting a decent 2nd hand one for about 5k. Some people say they are rust buckets which has put me off. Its got to last me a few years so I'll be taking care of it if I get one. Also I'll probably be getting a bigger tank about 800 liters, also I want to expand into gutter cleaning with a gutter vac hoover and generator to power it in the back of the van not sure what payload i would need for all of that?

If any one has had one I would appreciate any feed back, thanks.

[Richie wake]

Hi sham ive never used a transit for window cleaning as im just about to start up a round but i have used 1 for many years as a builder and ive never really had a problem with them as for being rust buckets any vehicle thats not maintained will go to pot in time.
ive always found them to be good solid work horses ive got an 06 plate at the minute which i intend to use for window cleaning just be careful when buying second hand im told by my mechanic the clutch and fly wheel in the newer models are very expensive to replace ranging from £350 at the breakers to £1000 from some mechanics.

[landy2]

hello  i have a transit great work horses and not slugish under strain , i have had mine a few years and would buy another ,  parts are easy to to get , the only bad point is they tend to rust like any ford but they have the same engine as a black cab so they last ages.

for the money you have for buying you will get a decent age one just shop around and try and find what it used to be used for ,  good hunting   

[Spruce]

Hi, has any one on here used a ford transit for window cleaning? I'm thinking of getting a decent 2nd hand one for about 5k. Some people say they are rust buckets which has put me off. Its got to last me a few years so I'll be taking care of it if I get one. Also I'll probably be getting a bigger tank about 800 liters, also I want to expand into gutter cleaning with a gutter vac hoover and generator to power it in the back of the van not sure what payload i would need for all of that?

If any one has had one I would appreciate any feed back, thanks.

Carrying that lot you will probably need a T330 or T350 in MWB or LWB. A SWB  in anything will be too small.

[EandM]

Rust is still an issue with them for some strange reason with older versions seemingly incredibly resistant to normal rust proofing measures as well. Can show signs of rusting from three years on. I know two people with a '54 and a '56 that have both had problems with the ecu. The '54 is currently on it's third, first two replaced under warranty but third was £1,200. Flywheels are dual mass from around 2000 on, you can pay up to £900 for a replacement from Ford (cheaper places are available) and I know of one Tansit that's had three in 100,000 miles.

Aside from that they wouldn't be the best selling light commercial in Europe for 40 years if they weren't any good and probably all modern vehicles cost loads to fix anyway.

Find a good one, look after it and you won't go far wrong.

[Spruce]

Rust is still an issue with them for some strange reason with older versions seemingly incredibly resistant to normal rust proofing measures as well. Can show signs of rusting from three years on. I know two people with a '54 and a '56 that have both had problems with the ecu. The '54 is currently on it's third, first two replaced under warranty but third was £1,200. Flywheels are dual mass from around 2000 on, you can pay up to £900 for a replacement from Ford (cheaper places are available) and I know of one Tansit that's had three in 100,000 miles.

Aside from that they wouldn't be the best selling light commercial in Europe for 40 years if they weren't any good and probably all modern vehicles cost loads to fix anyway.

Find a good one, look after it and you won't go far wrong.

and if the dual mass flywheel does need replacing, replace it with a standard flywheel and clutch assembly kit. Yes the dual mass flywheel makes for a quieter, smoother ride, but the old ones were more reliable.

[EandM]

and if the dual mass flywheel does need replacing, replace it with a standard flywheel and clutch assembly kit. Yes the dual mass flywheel makes for a quieter, smoother ride, but the old ones were more reliable.
[/quote]



Yep, old flywheels are much less hassle. My Ranger 2 has a 'normal' flywheel which gives no problems and lasts forever but 2006 onward even they are DMF and cost about a million pounds to replace.

I'm a big fan of solid replacements but you need to ascertain if the crankshaft can cope with one. I know that many of the solid replacements aren't guaranteed to be safe by either the vehicle manufacturer or the supplier. Apparently one feature of a DMF is that you can skimp on crank quality and use the DMF to mask it. I'm sure if you drive sensibly all would be well but more than one 2.0 Hdi Peugeot 406 with a solid flywheel replacement has suffered a broken crankshaft as a consequence.

[Spruce]

and if the dual mass flywheel does need replacing, replace it with a standard flywheel and clutch assembly kit. Yes the dual mass flywheel makes for a quieter, smoother ride, but the old ones were more reliable.

Yep, old flywheels are much less hassle. My Ranger 2 has a 'normal' flywheel which gives no problems and lasts forever but 2006 onward even they are DMF and cost about a million pounds to replace.

I'm a big fan of solid replacements but you need to ascertain if the crankshaft can cope with one. I know that many of the solid replacements aren't guaranteed to be safe by either the vehicle manufacturer or the supplier. Apparently one feature of a DMF is that you can skimp on crank quality and use the DMF to mask it. I'm sure if you drive sensibly all would be well but more than one 2.0 Hdi Peugeot 406 with a solid flywheel replacement has suffered a broken crankshaft as a consequence.
[/quote]


Interesting as I would have thought that the tension springs within the clutch plate would also have had a damping effect.

How would you know if a crankshaft would cope?

I've heard of a couple of 130hp TDCI Mondeo clutches being replaced with a normal flywheel kit and haven't heard of any comebacks. My Relay van (90 hp) has a DMF and at 43k there is a clutch shudder. I would have replaced it with a standard unit without hestitation until now.

[EandM]

and if the dual mass flywheel does need replacing, replace it with a standard flywheel and clutch assembly kit. Yes the dual mass flywheel makes for a quieter, smoother ride, but the old ones were more reliable.

Yep, old flywheels are much less hassle. My Ranger 2 has a 'normal' flywheel which gives no problems and lasts forever but 2006 onward even they are DMF and cost about a million pounds to replace.

I'm a big fan of solid replacements but you need to ascertain if the crankshaft can cope with one. I know that many of the solid replacements aren't guaranteed to be safe by either the vehicle manufacturer or the supplier. Apparently one feature of a DMF is that you can skimp on crank quality and use the DMF to mask it. I'm sure if you drive sensibly all would be well but more than one 2.0 Hdi Peugeot 406 with a solid flywheel replacement has suffered a broken crankshaft as a consequence.

[/color]


Interesting as I would have thought that the tension springs within the clutch plate would also have had a damping effect.

How would you know if a crankshaft would cope?

I've heard of a couple of 130hp TDCI Mondeo clutches being replaced with a normal flywheel kit and haven't heard of any comebacks. My Relay van (90 hp) has a DMF and at 43k there is a clutch shudder. I would have replaced it with a standard unit without hestitation until now.
[/quote]


I'd go down the same route as you and wouldn't replace it with another dmf. Just speaking with my tame mechanic and mot tester and being aware that you might break a crankshaft after a solid flywheel replacement IF you drive aggressively. I don't drive like that and would have no concerns. Suppose it depends on the value of the vehicle too. If it's old it's not much of a risk. I didn't want to worry anyone just make them aware that it MAY be an issue.