SWEET!
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Rockport, IN
SWEET!
Well, it looks like we are going to get another van. I was looking around on Craigslist and found a 1990 high top conversion with a 5.8 and tow package. The van has 118,000 miles on it and we can get it for $1500. I think this would work much better for pulling a camper than what we have now. I will post some pics as soon as I can. We are supposed to go get it tomorrow. SWEET!!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
That seems to be a great price---mileage is right too! Of course you don't say what you're pulling or what its being pulled by so we can only assume this is an upgrade.
Is it a E150 or what? Hope to see the photos when the new arrival is home.
Is it a E150 or what? Hope to see the photos when the new arrival is home.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 627
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From: NY, NY
E4OD. 1990 is an early year for this transm. I think the first year used on vans was 1989 and the last year was 1996. Due to reliability issues, Ford improved this transm every year, in fact some times mid-year.
Unless it has been overhauled / beefed up, be very careful, especially when towing. I would add a heavy-duty aux cooler ($ 100), with an inline Magnafine filter ($ 20), and a pan drain ($ 15). I would drain the fluid from the pan every time I do an oil change (5k miles). I would change the Magnafine filter every 10-15k miles and the in-transm filter every 25-30k miles.
E4OD keeps many transmission shops in business. They are kinda clockwork -- dead at about 200k miles. And it costs about $ 2k to overhaul them.
It takes about 4 hours to overhaul them -- technicians can do them with their eyes closed -- because they do so many of them. Although an exaggeration, this is not too far from what happens in reality. I have first-hand experience on them. I actually seen them do it.
There is a member here called ClubWagon (different from Club Wagon) who owns a transmission shop and you can also ping him for his opinion.
Is the OD light at the end of the shifter flashing?
Unless it has been overhauled / beefed up, be very careful, especially when towing. I would add a heavy-duty aux cooler ($ 100), with an inline Magnafine filter ($ 20), and a pan drain ($ 15). I would drain the fluid from the pan every time I do an oil change (5k miles). I would change the Magnafine filter every 10-15k miles and the in-transm filter every 25-30k miles.
E4OD keeps many transmission shops in business. They are kinda clockwork -- dead at about 200k miles. And it costs about $ 2k to overhaul them.
It takes about 4 hours to overhaul them -- technicians can do them with their eyes closed -- because they do so many of them. Although an exaggeration, this is not too far from what happens in reality. I have first-hand experience on them. I actually seen them do it.
There is a member here called ClubWagon (different from Club Wagon) who owns a transmission shop and you can also ping him for his opinion.
Is the OD light at the end of the shifter flashing?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
E4OD. 1990 is an early year for this transm. I think the first year used on vans was 1989 and the last year was 1996. Due to reliability issues, Ford improved this transm every year, in fact some times mid-year.
Unless it has been overhauled / beefed up, be very careful, especially when towing. I would add a heavy-duty aux cooler ($ 100), with an inline Magnafine filter ($ 20), and a pan drain ($ 15). I would drain the fluid from the pan every time I do an oil change (5k miles). I would change the Magnafine filter every 10-15k miles and the in-transm filter every 25-30k miles.
E4OD keeps many transmission shops in business. They are kinda clockwork -- dead at about 200k miles. And it costs about $ 2k to overhaul them.
It takes about 4 hours to overhaul them -- technicians can do them with their eyes closed -- because they do so many of them. Although an exaggeration, this is not too far from what happens in reality. I have first-hand experience on them. I actually seen them do it.
There is a member here called ClubWagon (different from Club Wagon) who owns a transmission shop and you can also ping him for his opinion.
Is the OD light at the end of the shifter flashing?
Unless it has been overhauled / beefed up, be very careful, especially when towing. I would add a heavy-duty aux cooler ($ 100), with an inline Magnafine filter ($ 20), and a pan drain ($ 15). I would drain the fluid from the pan every time I do an oil change (5k miles). I would change the Magnafine filter every 10-15k miles and the in-transm filter every 25-30k miles.
E4OD keeps many transmission shops in business. They are kinda clockwork -- dead at about 200k miles. And it costs about $ 2k to overhaul them.
It takes about 4 hours to overhaul them -- technicians can do them with their eyes closed -- because they do so many of them. Although an exaggeration, this is not too far from what happens in reality. I have first-hand experience on them. I actually seen them do it.
There is a member here called ClubWagon (different from Club Wagon) who owns a transmission shop and you can also ping him for his opinion.
Is the OD light at the end of the shifter flashing?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 627
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From: NY, NY
I am not sure what fuel economy you get with the 89 300/6, but a well-operating 351w/E4OD high-top will get you 11 city / 14-15 highway, 12-13 combined (figures without towing). You can have a 3.55, 3.73 or 4.10 rear end on the 351W/E4OD, depending on what loads you are running (minimal or no towing / medium duty / heavy duty).
If you don't insist on pre-92 body style, and if you like high-tops, I would go for 94 or better yet 95. 96s are inflated somewhat in price because they are OBD2 and can be inspected anywhere. At least, that is my experience in the North-East. You get a bigger selection with 5.8 / E4OD, 94 and 95 at that price range. If you find a 96 at that range might be at the last breath of its life.
Sometimes I see 5.0L, but rarely I see 4.9L on a high-top. The majority are 5.8L. These are relatively large vans, about 6000 lbs empty. So, a smaller engine will not give you any mpg gains.
I personally like the modular engines better than 351/302. Both are truck engines, but I found modulars to be smoother and better suited to passenger vans. However, if you are an advanced DIYer and can take on a re-build, modulars are much harder, if not impossible for the shade-tree guy, due to might tighter tolerances, and specialized tooling. I am telling you this because sometimes I do see 97 or 98 with engine problems fall into that budget.
Good luck.
If you don't insist on pre-92 body style, and if you like high-tops, I would go for 94 or better yet 95. 96s are inflated somewhat in price because they are OBD2 and can be inspected anywhere. At least, that is my experience in the North-East. You get a bigger selection with 5.8 / E4OD, 94 and 95 at that price range. If you find a 96 at that range might be at the last breath of its life.
Sometimes I see 5.0L, but rarely I see 4.9L on a high-top. The majority are 5.8L. These are relatively large vans, about 6000 lbs empty. So, a smaller engine will not give you any mpg gains.
I personally like the modular engines better than 351/302. Both are truck engines, but I found modulars to be smoother and better suited to passenger vans. However, if you are an advanced DIYer and can take on a re-build, modulars are much harder, if not impossible for the shade-tree guy, due to might tighter tolerances, and specialized tooling. I am telling you this because sometimes I do see 97 or 98 with engine problems fall into that budget.
Good luck.
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Elder User
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From: Rockport, IN
I am not sure what fuel economy you get with the 89 300/6, but a well-operating 351w/E4OD high-top will get you 11 city / 14-15 highway, 12-13 combined (figures without towing). You can have a 3.55, 3.73 or 4.10 rear end on the 351W/E4OD, depending on what loads you are running (minimal or no towing / medium duty / heavy duty).
If you don't insist on pre-92 body style, and if you like high-tops, I would go for 94 or better yet 95. 96s are inflated somewhat in price because they are OBD2 and can be inspected anywhere. At least, that is my experience in the North-East. You get a bigger selection with 5.8 / E4OD, 94 and 95 at that price range. If you find a 96 at that range might be at the last breath of its life.
Sometimes I see 5.0L, but rarely I see 4.9L on a high-top. The majority are 5.8L. These are relatively large vans, about 6000 lbs empty. So, a smaller engine will not give you any mpg gains.
I personally like the modular engines better than 351/302. Both are truck engines, but I found modulars to be smoother and better suited to passenger vans. However, if you are an advanced DIYer and can take on a re-build, modulars are much harder, if not impossible for the shade-tree guy, due to might tighter tolerances, and specialized tooling. I am telling you this because sometimes I do see 97 or 98 with engine problems fall into that budget.
Good luck.
If you don't insist on pre-92 body style, and if you like high-tops, I would go for 94 or better yet 95. 96s are inflated somewhat in price because they are OBD2 and can be inspected anywhere. At least, that is my experience in the North-East. You get a bigger selection with 5.8 / E4OD, 94 and 95 at that price range. If you find a 96 at that range might be at the last breath of its life.
Sometimes I see 5.0L, but rarely I see 4.9L on a high-top. The majority are 5.8L. These are relatively large vans, about 6000 lbs empty. So, a smaller engine will not give you any mpg gains.
I personally like the modular engines better than 351/302. Both are truck engines, but I found modulars to be smoother and better suited to passenger vans. However, if you are an advanced DIYer and can take on a re-build, modulars are much harder, if not impossible for the shade-tree guy, due to might tighter tolerances, and specialized tooling. I am telling you this because sometimes I do see 97 or 98 with engine problems fall into that budget.
Good luck.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NY, NY
Jan and Feb are good times to buy these vans -- holidays are over, while there is snow and these are not 4x4, plus they take up a lot of space on people's driveways, and people are afraid of butting into them and de-valuing them.
It is always more attractive to buy another van -- greener gas on the other side. It doesn't work like that many times.
If you are towing 6000 lbs consistently through the Rockies, I would say -- yes you need a different vehicle. Depending on what and how you plan to tow, upgrading the rear end, and adding a aux transmission cooler might be the best and economical way to go.
It is always more attractive to buy another van -- greener gas on the other side. It doesn't work like that many times.
If you are towing 6000 lbs consistently through the Rockies, I would say -- yes you need a different vehicle. Depending on what and how you plan to tow, upgrading the rear end, and adding a aux transmission cooler might be the best and economical way to go.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Rockport, IN
Jan and Feb are good times to buy these vans -- holidays are over, while there is snow and these are not 4x4, plus they take up a lot of space on people's driveways, and people are afraid of butting into them and de-valuing them.
It is always more attractive to buy another van -- greener gas on the other side. It doesn't work like that many times.
If you are towing 6000 lbs consistently through the Rockies, I would say -- yes you need a different vehicle. Depending on what and how you plan to tow, upgrading the rear end, and adding a aux transmission cooler might be the best and economical way to go.
It is always more attractive to buy another van -- greener gas on the other side. It doesn't work like that many times.
If you are towing 6000 lbs consistently through the Rockies, I would say -- yes you need a different vehicle. Depending on what and how you plan to tow, upgrading the rear end, and adding a aux transmission cooler might be the best and economical way to go.
Still, you are right that it sometimes looks better to get a different vehicle but it turns out not to be better. That's part of the reason why I am not totally bummed about this other van going to someone else. Anything that is used and old is going to need something. At least I know what mine needs.
Plus, I am pretty attached to that I6. LOL! I know how dependable and long lasting they are.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NY, NY
I would estimate your TT to weigh around 3-3.5k pounds. With a 3.73 rear end I don't think you would have any problems. The 300 is a great engine. Ironically, I saw an ad for a 96 high top with a blown 300 for free almost. I thought about it...
You're absolutely right -- you are better off with the "devil" you know. I am very reluctantly in the process of replacing one of my current vehicles -- the reason is collision which has resulted in a bent frame, from the shock towers to the bumper. I bought another one -- the same make/model, later year, better condition. I still cringe when I think I gotta start all over again, get to know its problems, blah, blah.
You're absolutely right -- you are better off with the "devil" you know. I am very reluctantly in the process of replacing one of my current vehicles -- the reason is collision which has resulted in a bent frame, from the shock towers to the bumper. I bought another one -- the same make/model, later year, better condition. I still cringe when I think I gotta start all over again, get to know its problems, blah, blah.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Rockport, IN
John, I have resigned myself to the fact that gas mileage will go down if I do the rear end swap. Other than the first van I ever owned, which was an early 70s Econoline, this is the only I6 I've had with an automatic behind it. Even that one only got around 10mpg or so. I guess the I6 just doesn't do as well on mpg with an automatic. Well, I haven't had one with OD yet, so they may do better.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Rockport, IN
I would estimate your TT to weigh around 3-3.5k pounds. With a 3.73 rear end I don't think you would have any problems. The 300 is a great engine. Ironically, I saw an ad for a 96 high top with a blown 300 for free almost. I thought about it...
You're absolutely right -- you are better off with the "devil" you know. I am very reluctantly in the process of replacing one of my current vehicles -- the reason is collision which has resulted in a bent frame, from the shock towers to the bumper. I bought another one -- the same make/model, later year, better condition. I still cringe when I think I gotta start all over again, get to know its problems, blah, blah.
You're absolutely right -- you are better off with the "devil" you know. I am very reluctantly in the process of replacing one of my current vehicles -- the reason is collision which has resulted in a bent frame, from the shock towers to the bumper. I bought another one -- the same make/model, later year, better condition. I still cringe when I think I gotta start all over again, get to know its problems, blah, blah.
Sorry read about your accident. They are never fun, any way you look at it. Building up confidence in a used vehicle is something that takes me a fair amount of time. I would imagine that you aren't much different. It would be nice to be able to afford a new one every few years.
