Ford Transit Connect FAQ's

How tall is the Ford Transit Connect after conversion?

A completed Transit Connect Camper is 79" tall (6 feet 7 inches) Due to the design of the top, if rack mounts are added it will not change the total height. While rack mounts do not imact the total height, adding the rack and towers will add another 6" or more depending on components

The stock Ford Transit Connect is 72" tall, our camper adds about 7 inches

If the height of the camper is close to the maximum height of a garage, use caution as loading may impact height (fuel, passengers, cargo)

Can a Transit Connect with the "Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista Roof" option or an aftermarket sunroof or moonroof be converted?

No, we are unable to convert wagons with the Ford OEM vista roof (moonroof). This large glass is part of the body structure due to the bonding and different sheetmetal surrounding it.  Most aftermarket sunroofs or moonroofs will have also required cutting/modifiying the roof, and while the camper would cover a smaller sunroof, it might also require replacing the OEM headliner, adding significant additional costs to the conversion.  If a smaller sunroof or vent were installed at the rear of the camper where the access way is cut, then the conversion would be feasible. If a van is modified like this, Ursa Minor would need to review photos or the van before approving for conversion.

Does Ursa Minor offer swivel front seats as sometimes seen in Sprinters or old VW vans?

No, we are not able to provide this type of modification. The challenges to building a swivel seat are:

  • The front compartment is tight, with a console between the seats blocking the rotation
  • The seats have air bags, and the cables and connectors can not be modified to allow for rotation of the base
  • The rotating base would have to meet crash protection standards, typically requiring a vendor that makes swivel components for other vehicles/seats (not Ursa Minor fabricating something up in the shop)

Is the Ford Transit Connect available in Four Wheel Driver or All Wheel Drive?

No, the Ford Transit Connect is only avalible in Front Wheel Drive.  The new 2020 Transit (the "big" Ford van) will offer an AWD option. We do not currently have a pop-top that fits the Transit. The Transit Connect is based on a smaller unibody platform. Ford's thinking behind this design choice was to keep the load floor flat to maximize cargo loading for in-city courier and freight use.  This low and flat floor makes it harder to add a drive shaft to the rear wheels.  (Although Ford did offer the Focus RS in AWD and this vehicle shares some components with the Transit Connect...we've never seen a AWD Transit Connect) The ground clearance of the Transit Connect is low, and we are not aware of any lift kits

How big is the loft bed in the pop top?

The loft bed has a fixed area 54" long by 43" wide when the access way panels are removed.

With both access way panels in place, the loft bed is 84" long by 44" wide.

In use, the loft bed can be used by children with the hatch panels out, adults will need the panels in place.

There at 2 panels, allowing a person to exit while leaving the other in place for another sleeping person

How big is the standing room area at the rear when the top is popped open?

The area at the rear is 40.75 inches wide  x 26 inches long when both hatch panels are removed.  The standing room varies due to the taper of the top, but ranges from 6 to 7 feet.

Is the pop top available as a kit?

We evaluated offering the Transit Connect Pop Top as a kit for Do-It-Yourself or for other shops to install some time ago, but decided it was not feasible.

Here’s what our thinking was:

  • We have a crew of guys building them every week of the year (except Christmas) and we are pretty efficient.
  • We have specialized jigs, custom tools and a hoist for conversions, and while not complex they are essential to do a quality installation in a reasonable time frame.
  • To prepare everything but the final install is probably 70% of the work, so in terms of a cost savings by using your skills/time vs. our team. There isn't a huge savings potential.
  • There is a significant cost that would be added due to the time to pack everything up and build a crate.
    The crate would need a forklift to be unloaded due to the size
  • We have procedures for the install, but they are specific to our facility and equipment for trained employees, they are not intended as step by step instructions
  • We are too small to have 24/7 availability for technical support about installation questions or issues.
  • Our Ford campers have been reviewed by the Ford QVM program, and must be installed in a QVM audited facility.

Our conclusion was it’s easier to maintain our focus on offering conversions only in our facility (which is pretty standard for the conversion/RV industry.) We understand that this decision may impact interested customers that are a long way from our shop or located outside of North America.

We hope you'll consider a vacation to Portland, Oregon as a bonus part of the process

Where can a Transit Connect be converted?

We install our Transit Connect tops in our Portland Oregon facility.

  • From 2018 to 2022, we offered conversions in both locations.
  • In late 2022, Ford announced that they would discontinue the Transit Connect
  • In 2023, we consolidated our Transit Connect conversions in our Oregon location.