Bought a 2006 E -250 with the 5.4 and 161,000 miles on it. Clean van, just needs some TLC and PM.
3.73 Rear End

Van, runs and drives pretty nice, a little sway, but thinking some is in the tires and perhaps needs some Tie Rods etc.

Questions:
Can I switch the 225 75 16 Tires, to 245 75 16?
Have the 245's from my 1 ton

I heard an ever so faint knock when idling, and it disappeared as soon as any throttle was given, seemed to dissipate after I ran it. Thinking and oil change is first. I know there is the normal triton sounds.

I WILL Be picking the van up on Friday, So I know I have some looking and thinking time! I have a pretty complete list of the service history coming with it as well, so I can see what was done, and what needs addressed.

list, Prioritized

Lube, oil and Filter
Check Front End
Spark Plug last changed, or changed (fingers crossed here)

 

Your new van seems a quite like one I bought in 2012---it's an '03 extended body E250, had 165K miles at the time. PO was a trucking company with in-house mechanic who kept decent records since it was new to them.

245's should fit without too much problem---I'm running them on another E250 I have. If front springs are a bit weak on hard bumps the fenders might bump against the tires but nothing severe. Turning won't be an issue either.

The slight knock at idle needs to be monitored at best----at this point if its a deep in the engine problem not a lot to be done apart from rebuilding it. I doubt that's necessary so don't worry too much about that.

When changing oil make sure to use the same viscosity as the PO has used during their ownership. Heed the viscosity because that motor absolutely demands adherence to the factory recommendations.

Plugs can be a challenge but they're not horrible to change, NEVER let them go much past 50-60K miles though; despite claims they're good for 100K miles they're really not. Easily changed, not that expensive makes this one of the least complex maintenance steps on our vans.

Your sway issues could be any number of things but once you have the front suspension inspected let us know what's what there. Vans in general might seem to sway or move around while in motion more so than other vehicles, that can take a short while to acclimate to their unique handling characteristics.

Hope to see some photos of the newbie!

 

Here are the PLUS Sides
I own a garage, so putting on the lift shouldn't be as challenging. I am very picky with my own vehicles, just like with customers. My dad and myself bought a 1995 E 350 back in 2001 and I am just having to retire her now! The 5.8 RUNS GREAT still, but the body to say the least is gone. I worked that truck over and over, filled her full of firewood stacked and wet, and drove where ever.

This van will be a service van, and I will put some miles on it. Good thing is I have all the service records coming with it, so I will get a chance to really examine what was done.

I will get some photos up this coming weekend, I expect a little TLC, but when I paid under 4K for it, I really cant complain much