Ford Transit Custom

Ford Transit Custom Double Cab

Ford vans are renowned for their reliability, and the Ford Transit Custom Double Cab and Panel Van are no exceptions. They’ve been the choice of businesses and families for many years, and here at Swiss Vans in South Wales, we’re Ford experts. We even offer some fantastic modified Ford Transit Customs. We’d love to tell you a bit more about these amazing vehicles: modified or not! Most of our vans are modified in some way.

Parkers’s 2022 Van of the Year, the Ford Transit Custom is a versatile workhorse in the medium-van category. It offers one of the highest payload ratings in its class and is consistently the best-selling van in the UK. The Transit Custom has its rivals in the VW Transporter, Mercedes Vito, and the Vauxhall Vivaro along with vans from Renault and Citroen, but Ford’s long history of superb quality makes the Transit Custom a hard van to beat.

Panel Van, Double Cab, or Tourneo?

Most of what we sell is a modified ford transit custom. Depending on your specific needs, you could opt for the Ford Transit Custom panel van, the Ford Transit Custom Double Cab / DCiV, or even the Ford Tourneo Custom. And if you’re confused as to what the difference is between the three, fear not: I’ll explain briefly here.

If you need to carry a maximum of three people and a lot of cargo, you’ll be after the panel van. The Transit Custom panel van (called the Transit Custom Van by Ford) has three seats in the front with a solid bulkhead behind them and a (very) generous cargo area behind that. It also has — and this is a very nifty little feature — a load-through hatch from the cargo area through the bulkhead and into the cab at floor level on the passenger side. The hatch’s diameter means that it’s only of use for things like pipes and planks, but if you’re struggling to fit these long items into your van, the hatch might be revolutionary for you.

If you need to be able to fit a few more people into your vehicle, you’ll be wanting to look at the Transit Custom DCiV, Ford’s Crew Cab version. Also known as the Transit Custom Double Cab, the DCiV (short for Double Can-in-Van) is a great compromise between passenger space and cargo-carrying capacity. It has a second row of three seats behind the first (hence the Double Cab) and then a full-height bulkhead behind those. While its cargo area is reduced from that of the panel van, it’s still a very useful size.

Then there’s the Transit Custom Kombi M1. It offers seating for up to nine people including the driver, but the rear seats can be easily folded or removed to provide some cargo space and turn the van into more of a double cab. It’s the most flexible option for the Transit Custom and one that would be great for anyone who needs a work and family vehicle.

Finally, you might want to carry all passengers and not be worried about cargo at all. In that case, we’d recommend that you look at the Ford Tourneo Custom, Ford’s 8- or 9-seat passenger equivalent to the Transit Custom. I’m going to focus mainly on the Transit Custom on this page, but you can find full details of the Tourneo Custom here.

Transit Custom Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Systems

Ford provides great engine choices on the Transit Custom with their Euro 6.2, 2.0-litre TDCi EcoBlue turbodiesel available in 105hp, 130hp, 170hp, and 185hp. There’s also an EcoBlue hybrid and a plug-in model with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine to help on longer journeys, so please do ask us about these if the environment is one of your priorities. All diesel engines are fitted with an AdBlue tank to reduce toxic nitrogen oxide particulate emissions, but this is easy to refill yourself. Which you shouldn’t need to do very often!

Depending on which model and configuration you choose, you can have either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. (The Hybrid has a 1-speed automatic.) In terms of drive systems, the Transit Custom is available in FWD (front-wheel drive).

Transit Custom Lengths and Dimensions

Of course, whatever you’re carrying, you’ll need some real numbers to know how big the van actually is. The Transit Custom Van, Transit Custom Double Cab / DCiV, and Transit Custom Kombi come in SWB and LWB models: that’s short wheelbase and long wheelbase, in case you were wondering. Ford calls these L1 and L2. As you might expect, Ford refers to the two heights in which the Transit Custom is available as H1 and H2. These letters and numbers are combined to make the model-sizes, so you can have an L1H2 or an L2H1, etc.

The Van and the Kombi are available in all four combinations, but the DCiV is available only in L1H1 and L2H1 (so no high roof on the DCiV).

Panel Van and DCiV (DCiV in parentheses where different / appropriate)

L1H1

Overall length: 4973mm
Overall height: 1925-2000mm
Wheelbase: 2933

Loadspace length: 2554mm (to bulkhead)
Loadspace length including load-through hatch: 3037mm
(DCiV: 1577mm)
Loadspace height: 1406mm
Load volume with bulkhead: 5.4m³
(DCiV: 3.2m³)

L1H2

Overall length: 4973mm
Overall height: 2286-2366mm
Wheelbase: 2933

Loadspace length: 2554mm (to bulkhead)
Loadspace length including load-through hatch: 3037mm
Loadspace height: 1778mm
Load volume with bulkhead: 6.6m³

L2H1

Overall length: 5340mm
Overall height: 1922-1979mm
Wheelbase: 3300

Loadspace length: 2921mm (to bulkhead)
Loadspace length including load-through hatch: 3404mm
(DCiV: 1944mm)
Loadspace height: 1406mm
Load volume with bulkhead: 6.2m³
(DCiV: 4.0m³)

L2H2

Overall length: 5340mm
Overall height: 2285-2343mm
Wheelbase: 3300

Loadspace length: 2921mm (to bulkhead)
Loadspace length including load-through hatch: 3404mm
Loadspace height: 1778mm
Load volume with bulkhead: 7.7m³

Separate Measurements for the Kombi

L1H1

Overall length: 4973mm
Overall height: 1922-2020mm
Wheelbase: 2933

Loadspace length behind second-row seats: 1545mm
Loadspace length behind third-row seats: 687mm
Loadspace height: 1382mm
Load volume for 6 / 9 seats*: 3.1 / 1.3m³

L1H2

Overall length: 4973mm
Overall height: 2280-2389mm
Wheelbase: 2933

Loadspace length behind second-row seats: 1545mm
Loadspace length behind third-row seats: 687mm
Loadspace height: 1754mm
Load volume for 6 / 9 seats*: 3.8 / 1.6m³

L2H1

Overall length: 5340mm
Overall height: 1923-2017mm
Wheelbase: 3300

Loadspace length behind second-row seats: 1912mm
Loadspace length behind third-row seats: 1054mm
Loadspace height: 1382mm
Load volume for 6 / 9 seats*: 3.8 / 2.0m³

L2H2

Overall length: 5340mm
Overall height: 2284-2381mm
Wheelbase: 3300

Loadspace length behind second-row seats: 1912mm
Loadspace length behind third-row seats: 1054mm
Loadspace height: 1754mm
Load volume for 6 / 9 seats*: 4.7 / 2.5m³

*Load volumes for the Kombi only are measured in SAE. All other volumes measurements are given in VDA.

Overall Widths

Overall width of all models: 2272mm
Overall width with mirrors folded back: 2080mm
Loadspace width: 1775mm
Loadspace width between the wheel arches: 1351mm

GVWs and Payload

Along with knowing how much you can fit into the vans, you might want to know how much they can carry weight-wise. Each vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) and a payload. Whereas the payload is how much cargo the van can carry, the GVW refers to the entire legal weight of the vehicle including the cargo, driver/passengers, and the actual van itself. Ford refers to the GVW as the GVM (gross vehicle mass), but it’s the same thing. The Transit Custom is available in GVWs from 2600kg or 2.6 tonnes to 3400kg or 3.4 tonnes.

Payloads on the Ford Transit Custom are excellent and range from just under 700kg to nearly 1500kg: even more than some vans in the “large” class can carry.

Ford Transit Custom Trims and Specifications

Once you’ve got your exterior and your mechanics sorted, you’ll need to think what sort of interior experience you want. The Transit Custom is available in six (yes, six) different trim levels depending on the engine configuration: Leader, Trend, Limited, Trail, Active, and the enviably trendy Ford Transit Custom Sport. You can find the details for the Transit Custom Sport on its very own page here, but I’ll go through the main features of the other five trims. It’s worth nothing the the Ford Transit Custom Kombi is available only on the Leader and Trend trim levels.

Leader includes:

• DAB/FM/AM audio with 4.2” TFT screen, Bluetooth, 2x USB ports
• Electric front windows
• Steering column adjustable for height and reach
• Driver’s seat with armrest and 8-way adjustment
• A4 file storage in the glovebox
• Full-height metal bulkhead with load-through feature (Van only)
• Trip computer
• 2x 12v sockets
• Dual front passengers’ seat
• Halogen headlights with courtesy delay
• Daytime running lights
• Door mirrors with indicators and blind-spot eliminator
• Sliding load door (passenger side)

The “Visibility Pack – Low” Option pack also includes a Quickclear heated windscreen, and washer-fluid low-level sensor, and electric / heated door mirrors.

Trend features (in addition to Leader):

• DAB/FM/AM audio with 8” touchscreen, Bluetooth, 2x USB ports, Emergency Assistance, Ford Pass Connect
• Cruise control with Adjustable Speed Limiter
• The addition of lumbar adjustment to the driver’s eat
• Quickclear heated windscreen
• Steering wheel with leather trim
• A fold-out table for the dual front passengers’ seat
• Low-level sensor for the washer fluid
• Easy to Clean Load Floor (Van only)
• Front fog lights
• Rain-sensing front wipers
• Automatic headlights
• Parking distance sensors (front and rear)
• Halogen headlights (projector-style) with LED daytime running lights and static cornering lights
• Front bumper, rear-bumper end caps, and door mirror housings in the body colour
• Power folding for the door mirrors

The “Visibility Pack – Premium” Option pack also includes a rear-view camera with Trailer Hitch Assist, Lane-Keeping Aid with Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam.

Limited includes (in addition to Trend):

• Air-conditioning
• 16” alloy wheels with locking nuts
• Heated front seats
• Gearshift knob with leather trim
• Airbag (with deactivation) for the front passenger
• Rear bumper, door handles, and bodyside mouldings in body colour
• Front grille surround in chrome
• Protection kit for the load area

The “Visibility Pack – Premium” Option pack also includes a rear-view camera with Trailer Hitch Assist, Lane-Keeping Aid with Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam.

Now we get into the more styled versions of the Ford Transit Custom. The Trail includes (in addition to Trend):

• Air-conditioning (manual)
• 16” 10-spoke Ebony alloy wheels with locking nuts
• Leather seat trim
• Washer-fluid low-level sensor
• Trail front grille with FORD lettering
• Bumpers in Crystalline Black
• Trail decals in Crystalline Black
• Heated, power-folding door mirrors with body-colour housings

The “Visibility Pack 3” Option pack also includes a rear-view camera with Trailer Hitch Assist, Lane-Keeping Aid with Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam, and a High-series instrument cluster.

Active takes a slightly different style, and that includes (in addition to Limited):

• 17” 5-spoke machined alloy wheels with locking nuts
• 10-way power adjustable, heated driver’s seat with armrest and lumbar adjustment
• Partial leather seat trim
• Front grille (colour keyed) with Satin Nickel Insert
• Body-colour bumper
• Silver roof rack
• Magnetic Grey accents
• Decals in Magnetic Gloss

The “Visibility Pack 3” Option pack also includes a rear-view camera with Trailer Hitch Assist, Lane-Keeping Aid with Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam, and a High-series instrument cluster.

Finally, there’s the Transit Custom Sport. As mentioned above, you can see the full details on its own dedicated page, but I’ll just whet your appetite here with a brief mention of great alloys, a Sport styling kit, and some exciting stripes!

Transit Custom Safety Features

Ford has equipped the Transit Custom with a range of features to improve safety and assist the driver. While there are also optional extras, the basic selection includes (brace yourself for a lot of abbreviations):

• Auto Start-Stop
• ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Roll Stability Control (RSC)
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Load Adaptive Control (LAC)
• Traction Control
• Side-Wind Stabilisation
• Immobiliser
• Driver Airbag (optional passenger’s, side, and curtain airbags)

Options and Upgrades

With the six different trim levels, you’ve already got quite a lot of choice. But if you need some additional features to improve your everyday driving experience, both Ford and Swiss Vans can help. Ford offers lots of options, from driving and comfort features to things to make your working life easier: roof bars, a tow bar, protection grilles for the rear windows, a ladder, etc.

And at Swiss Vans, we can help you to make your van really stand out as your own. We’re proud to offer our famous WASP, Hornet, WASP ICE, and Super Hornet upgrades and styling packs along with a wide range of other possibilities for your modified Ford Transit Custom. With a choice of enviably stylish alloys, splitters, spoilers, sidebars, custom leather, carpeting, and more, you’ll have the chance to build your perfect van.

Get Your New Ford Transit Custom Today

If the Transit Custom sounds like the van for you, give us a call at Swiss. We’re always happy to talk about our great vans and help customers (and potential customers) make the best choice for them. If the Transit Custom is a little small for you, you could always check out its bigger sibling, the Ford Transit van. And if you actually need something smaller, we’d be happy to chat about the Ford Transit Courier and the Ford Transit Connect!

Get in touch today; we offer outstanding and affordable finance, so we can almost always make things work whatever your situation. We’ll help get you on the road and smiling behind the wheel as soon as we can.