I have seen a few recommendations here and there on where to get parts, but i wonder if there is a sticky or anything that lists suppliers..
or favorite sources for E series in particular.

...OR any tips on searching for parts. I have started using Google advanced search to try to weed out the irrelevant ones, but that's as far as i've gotten, and it doesn't seem to be very effective!

 

Depends on what kind of parts your looking for...........

 

I search google , rockauto.com , ebay and amazon and then narrow the search from there

 

I find all my parts at my local autoparts store, Eseries are pretty common up here. did front wheel bearings, both front rotors, Rfront caliper and rear pads on my E350 clubwagon and my local store had everything in stock. they even had economy and premium versions in stock on everything but the front rotors.
its just a parts store in rural Ontario town of aprox 7,000 people.
25%+ of the population drives horse and buggy even.

 

Thanks for the input!
I'd heard RockAuto mentioned, and used ebay, too.
As far as search tips, i forgot to say that, although i know some parts are common across the E & F series, but i am a noob and have not figured out what those are, except by an occasional picture where i recognize something from a truck that looks the same..
I guess much of the engines..i know some of the brakes, and i just started taking notes! The same is true for model year, and i guess it just depends on the part what year range something will fit. Part of this knowledge is for making trips to local junkyards, too.
Nothing beats experence

 

I'd love to have a cross reference source.

 

RockAuto Parts Catalog
Is hard to beat.......If you have a Diesel like me use these guys ....Ford OEM Motorcraft filters diesel auto parts license plates
.....they also have filters and other chit and emblems OEM not China crap....

 

I use rockauto for reference. I usually can beat their prices unless the have an overstock/closeout deal.

 

I'll chime in here just this once...........

Someone who is a newbie to E-Series would be best advise sticking with their year, make and model of vehicle when trying to locate parts, new or used. While its true some interchange between the F-Series and E-Series compiling a list isn't that good an idea.

Too often some form or degree of adaptation is necessary which just as often requires a deeper knowledge of how a part works and interfaces with the vehicle in order to make this successful.

Hopefully it doesn't need to be said just because something fits physically it will function as needed. I learned this regarding instrument clusters, that only within a very few years and fuel types are they really compatible.

Just a bit of sharing is all..................

 

I'd like to have the info that salvage yards have anyway. Cross over info is good. I'd want it for more than Ford Vans. I have other vehicles to service too.

 

Easy.......on Rockauto, just click on the part number(in blue), and a box pops up telling you what part will fit other models, makes and years, I use that as a cross reference.

 

Good one!!!
I wish i had known that before.

I'm off to play on rockauto!!