Ford Transit
The most options of any platform we build on. High roof, pop-top, AWD, multiple lengths.
Why This Platform
The Ford Transit is the most popular full-size van platform for conversion in the US, and the reason is flexibility. No other van gives you this many starting points. Low roof, mid roof, high roof. Regular wheelbase, long, extended long. Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. You can configure a Transit for weekend camping or full-time living, and the aftermarket support (parts, accessories, dealer network) is deeper than any other platform.
That range of configurations is the Transit's biggest advantage, and also the reason people get stuck trying to choose one. The decision that matters most is roof height, because it determines the whole character of the build.
High Roof
Gives you standing height inside without a pop-top. You can build a full kitchen, walk around the interior, and live in the van without ever raising anything. The tradeoff is size. A high-roof Transit is tall, and it won't fit in a standard garage. You're committing to a dedicated vehicle.
Low Roof with a Pop-Top
Gives you a garageable full-size van. The pop-top raises for standing height and sleeping space when you're camped, and folds flat for driving and parking. It's a different kind of compromise: less permanent headroom, more everyday practicality. (We wrote a whole post on this decision:High Roof vs. Pop Top: How to Decide.)
AWD is available on the Transit and worth considering if you plan to spend time on unpaved roads or in winter conditions. It adds cost to the purchase price, so the question is whether your travel patterns actually call for it. Most people who stick to paved roads and established campgrounds don't need it.
The Transit is not a daily driver for most people. It's a larger vehicle than the Sienna or ProMaster City, and it drives like one. If you're looking for something you'll also use for school drop-off and grocery runs, those smaller platforms might be a better fit. But if you want a full-size van with the widest range of build options, the Transit is where most people end up. (For a broader platform comparison, Which Camper Van Is Right for You? covers all four.)
What We Build on It
The Transit is where GTRV offers the broadest range of conversions. We work on all wheelbases and roof heights.
Pop-top only
This is one of our most popular Transit builds. You get a full-size van that fits in your garage, with standing height and sleeping space when the top is raised. Many customers bring their own Transit for a pop-top installation, then decide on interior work from there.
Weekender
Build
Pop-top with a basic interior package: sleeping platform, storage, and seating. A good fit for people who want more than just the pop-top but don't need a full kitchen and electrical system.
Full Westy
Conversion
The classic layout: pop-top, rear bed, kitchen, storage, and electrical system. Designed around how you travel, not a fixed package.
Custom
Builds
If you have specific requirements (a particular electrical setup, a layout built around a dog, a work-from-the-road office configuration), the custom approach starts with a conversation about what you need and designs the interior from there. The Transit's range of configurations gives us more layout options than any other platform.
Specs That Matter
Spec
Detail
Approximately 83 inches (6 feet 11 inches)
Exterior height (low roof, stock)
Approximately 110 inches (9 feet 2 inches)
Exterior height (high roof, stock)
Adds approximately 4 inches to the stock roof height
Pop-top addition
Approximately 87 inches. Fits under an 8-foot garage door but not a standard 7-foot one.
Low roof with pop-top closed
130-inch and 148-inch are both common. The 148 offers more interior length. An extended 148 is also available but less common.
Wheelbase options
RWD standard, AWD available
Drivetrain
The EcoBoost engine is highly recommended. It provides significantly better performance at higher elevations, which matters for most camping and travel. If you have the option, get the EcoBoost.
Engine
Ready to talk about a Transit build?
The Transit has more configuration options than any other platform, which means there's more to sort through. Joseph can help you figure out which combination of roof height, wheelbase, and build scope makes sense for how you plan to travel.
Call us at (888) 332-9602 or send us a message.
Not sure where to start? Our Start Here guide takes about three minutes and helps us understand what you're looking for.
Get in Touch | (888) 332-9602
FAQs
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It depends on what matters more to you: garageability or permanent standing height. A low-roof Transit with a pop-top fits in a standard garage, gives you standing height when the top is raised, and drives more like a normal vehicle.
A high-roof Transit gives you standing height all the time without raising anything, but it's taller, won't fit in most garages, and commits you to a larger vehicle. Most people who want a daily-drivable van choose low roof with a pop-top. Most people building a dedicated camper choose high roof. We wrote a full post on this decision.
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AWD adds capability on unpaved roads and in winter conditions, but it also adds cost to the purchase price and slightly reduces fuel economy. If your travel takes you off pavement regularly or you camp in areas with snow, it's worth the investment. If you mostly stick to paved roads and established campgrounds, RWD handles the job. We can talk through your travel patterns and help you decide.
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The Transit comes in a 130-inch and a 148-inch wheelbase, plus an extended 148 that's less common. Both the 130 and 148 are equally popular for conversions. The 148 gives you more interior length, which means more room for the bed, kitchen, and storage layout. If you have the choice, the 148 is the better starting point for most builds. The extended 148 adds more space but also more vehicle, and it's harder to find.