Is It Worth It?

[95MarkIII]

I have a 1995 E150 with the 351W that needs some new ball joints and tie rod ends. Now I just went over the 232,000 mile mark on the odometer, and the van still runs like the day I bought her (no smoke, perfect guages, needs a quart of oit about every 1800-2000 miles). I recently put on new tires, and had to replace a thermostat and rear A/C fan so I've spent some money on the van lately. I plan on driving it until it dies so I was wondering if it would run long enough for me to justify spending the money on the front end. By the way, I take obsessive care of this van mechanically. I appreciate any insight i can get.

[95MarkIII]

So nobody has any knowledge or prior experience with a similar situation?

[85e150six4mtod]

Only you can decide.

Our company runs them till they fall apart and can't be welded.

At your mileage, you are "due" an engine or trans issue at any time.

Take your vehicle and $5000 and what can you get?

The ball joint/etc isn't the $5000 an engine could be, so it would seem to be a "go" based on what you want to do.

A new front end will make it drive better as well.

Good luck.

[kynnhoj]

Put a couple hundred more in good greasable ball joints/ tie rod ends, I have 350k on a

'92 with a 5.8l.

You have a ways to go!

No major engine or tranny problems here, knock on wood!

John

[w4gy]

232k, your just getting it broke in good. My son in law 715k on a 2000 and a cousin with an 02 e350 powerstroke with over a million on it. They drive 4 and 5 hundred miles per day six days a week. My 97 e250 only has 275k but it only runs 400 miles one day per week. Take care of it and it wiil take care of you.

[Adventure]

Rust is the killer of all vehicles. So, unless it's starting to rust out, fix it. It is always cheapier to repair your vehicle then to buy a new one.

[95MarkIII]

Well, this is the type of feedback I was looking for. Looks like I'm about to be out some money, but my van will once again ride like a dream. Thanks to everybody.