hi guys, im new to the van world. my brother works for Ford and he pointed me to Econoline.. but I dont know which one. I tow a small motorcycle trailer 6 by 10 enclosed. I read that E250 have beefier brakes and suspension compared to E150, but i have not seen any conversion vans E250... Im looking to buy 92 to 96 my budget is under 4000. Are the brakes on E150 good enough or do anyone convert to the set up found on E250? Ive checked the part numbers from autozone and they are different, E250 costing alot more. I assume larger rotors? Having a nice interior isnt a nessecity but its a plus. So if the E250 only comes in cargo vans then ill just get that. Motor wise I've read other posts and I will probably go with I6 with 4 speed "C6?" what kind of milage can i expect from a I6? is the V8 302 any better? I dont expect it to be much better since the motors are about the same displacement. Well i guess I just need to pick 250 or 150, thanks for any advice or opinoins! Yohei

 

A E-150 should do you pretty good. The difference in gas mileage is very little between the 302 and 351, the 300 will get slightly better. If you get an auto, if it is an E40D (4 spd auto w/OD), make sure it has a manufacture date after May of '95, thats when they had the internal improvements added.

 

There are some E250 and even E350 conversions out there.
E250 is gonna have the 8 lug rims with beefier brakes and a Dana rear. 92 to 96 had an optional heavier payload package for the 250 also a heavy duty service package ( brake cooler, bigger altenator, front swaybar ). also you could up the tire size from 235/70/16 to 245/70/16 like the 350. You could still upgrade the tire size anyway on any 250 you find with no clearence problems.
IMO any motor is fine, my experience is with the I6 and C6 (not an overdrive transmission).
Gas mileage? 12.5 fully loaded or unloaded.

 

hmm thanks for the info. do u have any idea how much more the E250 was compared to E150 when it was new? Having all that bigger upgrades must be nice and end up a better vehicle, once its used for over 130k the prices are about the same any ways.. Well that is if i can find a E250 conversion and not a cargo van. I thought a C6 was a 4 speed transmission, am i wrong? The milage seems to increase by 2 to 3MPG for a 4 Speed Van. I found this info at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ they claim a E150 I6 can get 18HW MPG.. but i guess thats a long shot huh? thanks for the info! I'll keep on searching, wether I use all the capabilities of E250 or not, it will always be nicer to have those upgrades! yohei

 

If Im gonna look for manufacture date past May 95 to 96.. thats a small number of vehicles in my budget.... any thing older than 6-95 had what kind of problems with the OD tranny? For me, having that 4th gear is a must for milage.. Ive seen many E150 with a claimed new/rebuild tranny, so this must be why. Was it an oil flow issue? Mechanical issue? Simple fix? or does it need a complete rebuild? thanks yohei

 

It's just a bad design. It was fixed in mid '95.... I have a 1992 E150 351/E4OD, and love it... I get 15 to 16mpg on the road, my dad's 1988 clubwagon with a 302/AOD gets the same mileage with a lower tow rating.

 

I've got a 91 Club Wagon XLT w/302 AOD and get ~12mpg, but I've only had it this winter so far, so I'm guessing it'll get better mileage when it's warm. (ALL my driving is stop and go city driving right now.) It's my winter car/summer tow vehicle for my 94Z28 that gets 8mpg tops on super premium gas.

 

I'd check you're O2 sensor, also if you've removed the catalytic converters it can cause a negative effect on fuel mileage.

 

My catalytic convertor is still in my van. I'll check the O2 sensor when it warms up a bit.
Thanks for the info.

 

I would go with the E250 for towing. The E150 brakes are on the marginal side and in conversion van trim they are a little heavy for their springs and swaybars and tend to wallow a little.

Since you are towing I would definently go with a V8. The I6 is OK for around town but runs out of breath pretty quick on the interstate. The I6 just isn't as stong as the 5 liter. I tow a pretty big trailer with my 5 liter E150 Clubwagon and it does just fine. Highway mileage is about 15-16 mpg empty, towing I get about 12 mpg (highway).

If you go with the 250 you get the E4OD tranny, bigger brakes, upgraded springs and bars and load range E tires. Instead of looking for a conversion van look for a Clubwagon. They are much more common as E250s than E250 conversion vans. Interior quality is better too.

Steve

 

If your I6 is running out of breath on the highway it's time to put her down. That engine is unstopable for towing. Ford even put it in some school busses. The baggage carriers at the airports use the 300I6.. No it's not the fastest engine on the planet, but it tows better than most V8s.

 

12 mpg is about normal for all city driving. my 2002 E-350 gets just that but i do get 15 to 16 hwy

 

so ive searched the web about E4OD problems, is the only problem they got the solenoid? I saw some for sale on ebay, some kind of upgrades for 92 to 95. well, anyone know if this is the only improvement they made? or more internam mechanism changed.