I am looking at a '96 F350 club wagon. It has the vin 1FBJS31H8THA#####.
Axle code is 33, trans code is E.

This van is in mint condition. Was purchased by the church in '99 with 109K miles, it's being sold today with 112K miles! Chassis has light surface rust on it, not the thick 'scale rust' that I've seen on other vans. Even better, the rear arches look like new, no rust - not even any swelling where the arch flange is. Engine and trans look tight - no leaks or weepage.

All rows of seats are in there, and look like they've never been sat in.
Full AC, cruise - only thing it doesn't have is central locking, elec windows or a keyfob (is this normal)???


No tow hitch fitted (I will be fitting one to very occasionally pull a 3000lb gross camping trailer), but see it as a bonus that it's never towed).
I'm ready to snap the guys hand off on his asking price, but just want to verify a few things:

It has the Overdrive button on the end of the shifter. Googling tells me this and the H in the vin, and the E on the trans code is telling me that it is a 5.8 with the E40D trans - is this correct?

Finally, the axle code is confusing me - google tells me this is a a 3.54 or a 4.30 - a big difference! Can anyone confirm for me?


So, the seller is asking 5K - but I'm sure I can get it for $4.5K. It really is the cleanest, most intact E-series I've yet seen - it looks more like it should have only 30K miles on the clock.
I'm starting to doubt myself though - am I trying too hard to convince myself it is a deal, when I've seen 'newer' models for similar prices (but in rougher shape). I really was after a newer van, but this one is just physically superior in appearance to others I've seen...

Final question - will it get at least 15 to the gallon at 65mph? I'm scared of the single-digit numbers I've read on here!!!

Thanks!

 

I'm going to bet that you have a 4 speed transmission (not sure if its a E4OD or a 4R100) and a 3.54 rear gear. The only other common ratio for these vans is either a 3.73 or a 4.10.

As for whether or not you can hit 15 mpg is up for debate. I know that I can pull a solid 14 with the V10, conservative driving, and 3.73 gears. If you have the 3.54s you should do a bit better than I can on the highway, but you might suffer in town. You should also be able to handle a 3,000 lb camper easily with your set up - just remember to switch out of OD to help keep the trans temps under control. When towing my 6,000 LB camper I can manage between 8-10 mpg depending on the terrain.

 

Engine size will determine mileage, be it 302, 351, or 460.

 

5.8 = 351

So you shouldn't be that much worse than the 302, but better than a 460.

 

Sounds like a solid deal, but my guess is 13 mpg at best on the freeway. In an E350, a 302 (if they even offered one) would not get better mileage. The 300 inch six might get 1 mpg more. It is huge and heavy.

Still, it sounds like a remarkably solid body. If you have a real need for a big van, go for it.

George

 

A friend got 20's from his 96 E-150 300 I-6 with the non OD trans, I do know the 302 will beat the 351 on gas mileage, I relate it the same as the 4.6 and 5.4, ones a great car engine for mileage, the others a truck engine with power.
Look for the tag on the rear axle cover plate, it's on one of the retaining bolts, that's the best place to get a correct ID on gears.

 

I believe your final drive ratio is 3:55. Mileage may range from 13 to 15 MPG depending
on conditions.
I have a 96 E-150 Club Wagon and I really have enjoyed it. Mine has the 351 W or 5.8L engine with a six quart pan.

 

I bought my 96 E150 conversion van a few months back with 96K miles on it, same engine and trans (351/E4OD) Interior was like new, even smelled new, everything worked, for $3980. I would talk him down off that price, it's a buyer's market for these vans. The dealer that I bought mine from listed it on ebay in the $6000 range, it sat there for two months, thru at least two 20-something day auctions, and he came off that price twice. As for the newer models, they have had problems with the mod motors, far more than the ultra reliable and easily rebuilt 351. 112K is nothing really in miles on it. It'll easily go to 200K or more before it needs engine work.