E-150 as a 12 Passenger Van
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E-150 as a 12 Passenger Van
I am looking to get a used 12 passenger Club Wagon. Large family, carpools etc. Ford manufactures them as E-350 (not extended). But these are very rare in the used car market, and I want to stay away from the extended 15 passenger models. A dealer is telling me that it is possible to take an E-150, which has pretty much the same dimensions as an E-350, and simply add some benches to make a 12 passenger van. OTOH, Ford doesn't seem to think so, or they would themselves manufacture some E-150s with that seating configuration.
I sent an e-mail to a different dealer who does not do this type of conversion, and was told that there are safety issues. The guy claimed the heavier chassis on the E-350 includes stronger brakes, springs, shocks etc., and this allows for better handling under stressed situations. OTOH, my mechanic thinks it is not a big deal. I wonder if it is possible that this is an issue for someone who regularly lugs around a full cargo of 12 adults plus gear. But that in my case it will mostly not be fully filled, and even when it is, it will be mostly kids who weigh a lot less. So possibly Ford has to provide a stronger chassis because they market it as something capable of handling a full load, but for someone who does not plan on using it that way, it would be OK to use the lighter chassis.
So I'd like some opinions on that, and also on any other issues that might arise in this regard. (For that matter, if someone could explain exactly which parts are included in the "chassis", I'd appreciate this as well).
One other issue is in terms of the ride. Will a lighter chassis give a better or worse ride? I saw something in some product review which implied that the lighter chassis gives a smoother car-like ride, while the heavier chassis is more truck-like. Is this true, and will it still remain true if it is converted to a 12 passenger vehicle?
The second question is about engine size. I think I am going to stay away from the 6 cylinder engine, but I am being offered a vehicle that has a 4.6L V8. But I think Ford provides the 5.4L V8 as standard on the 12 passenger E-350s. So my question is again is what will be the impact on my engine by converting the E-150 to 12 passengers. Now I am well aware of the power issues that are tied to engine size. But my primary concern is not about power. My concern is about the long-term impact on the engine - particularly as I am to be buying a used vehicle. IOW, all other things being equal, if you have two different sized engines pulling the same size load, is it likely that the larger one would last longer than the smaller one? This seems intuitive, as it would be subjected to less strain. But I asked this to the mechanic and he thought this was also not a big deal - as long as the engine is not regularly pulling a full load, which I don't anticipate, as mentioned.
If you guys can help me out here, I'd appreciate it.
I sent an e-mail to a different dealer who does not do this type of conversion, and was told that there are safety issues. The guy claimed the heavier chassis on the E-350 includes stronger brakes, springs, shocks etc., and this allows for better handling under stressed situations. OTOH, my mechanic thinks it is not a big deal. I wonder if it is possible that this is an issue for someone who regularly lugs around a full cargo of 12 adults plus gear. But that in my case it will mostly not be fully filled, and even when it is, it will be mostly kids who weigh a lot less. So possibly Ford has to provide a stronger chassis because they market it as something capable of handling a full load, but for someone who does not plan on using it that way, it would be OK to use the lighter chassis.
So I'd like some opinions on that, and also on any other issues that might arise in this regard. (For that matter, if someone could explain exactly which parts are included in the "chassis", I'd appreciate this as well).
One other issue is in terms of the ride. Will a lighter chassis give a better or worse ride? I saw something in some product review which implied that the lighter chassis gives a smoother car-like ride, while the heavier chassis is more truck-like. Is this true, and will it still remain true if it is converted to a 12 passenger vehicle?
The second question is about engine size. I think I am going to stay away from the 6 cylinder engine, but I am being offered a vehicle that has a 4.6L V8. But I think Ford provides the 5.4L V8 as standard on the 12 passenger E-350s. So my question is again is what will be the impact on my engine by converting the E-150 to 12 passengers. Now I am well aware of the power issues that are tied to engine size. But my primary concern is not about power. My concern is about the long-term impact on the engine - particularly as I am to be buying a used vehicle. IOW, all other things being equal, if you have two different sized engines pulling the same size load, is it likely that the larger one would last longer than the smaller one? This seems intuitive, as it would be subjected to less strain. But I asked this to the mechanic and he thought this was also not a big deal - as long as the engine is not regularly pulling a full load, which I don't anticipate, as mentioned.
If you guys can help me out here, I'd appreciate it.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Panama City, Fl
E-150 as a 12 Passenger Van
I regularly drive an '02 E-350 15 passenger van as my job. I transport employees to and from work and the van gets 405 miles per day, seven days a week. I drive about 1400 miles per week in it myself. I would not want to try a 12 passenger set up on a 150 frame. The 150 is a half ton chassis. The brakes and suspension will be a lot lighter. If you did haul 12/ a full load, all must weigh in the area of 80 lbs with no other equipment on board. That is a full load for the chassis rating I believe. The E350 that I drive handles a load good but when I get 8 - 10 adults in it, I notice a real difference in the handling and braking. Even for the fully loaded 350, all must average about 130 lbs with no other equipment. I do run heavy a lot. The other thing to think about is your personal liability. All it takes is one idiot out there to cause you to have an accident with children in the vehicle. When transporting others, you need to take the best care you can in todays world of lawsuit happy individuals and low class lawyers. You might want to check your insurance about your plans also.
Lighter chassis would give a smoother ride until loaded. Then it will handle worse and ride bad. I have had to avoid a few things in the road over the last 4 years of this job and I was real impressed in the way that the 350 handled the sway and lean.
The 5.4l in the vans I drive get roughly 500,000 miles in three years to 39 months. We have not had any major problems either in the engine or the trans. The '99 we sold last year had 474,000 miles with an alternator replaced at about 230,000 miles and the fuel pump replaced at 474,000. All services and routine maintenance was done as needed. Oil was changed every 5700 miles, or two weeks for us. I would not try the 6 in any configuration for what you are looking for. I think the past care of the engine (since you said you are looking at used) will determine the life left in it. Bigger engine will last longer than a smaller one if the loads are equal and maintenance and all is equal.
This info comes to you based on real life from the job I have and the van I drive. To me, if you have to wonder if it is the safe thing to do, then don't try it.
Lighter chassis would give a smoother ride until loaded. Then it will handle worse and ride bad. I have had to avoid a few things in the road over the last 4 years of this job and I was real impressed in the way that the 350 handled the sway and lean.
The 5.4l in the vans I drive get roughly 500,000 miles in three years to 39 months. We have not had any major problems either in the engine or the trans. The '99 we sold last year had 474,000 miles with an alternator replaced at about 230,000 miles and the fuel pump replaced at 474,000. All services and routine maintenance was done as needed. Oil was changed every 5700 miles, or two weeks for us. I would not try the 6 in any configuration for what you are looking for. I think the past care of the engine (since you said you are looking at used) will determine the life left in it. Bigger engine will last longer than a smaller one if the loads are equal and maintenance and all is equal.
This info comes to you based on real life from the job I have and the van I drive. To me, if you have to wonder if it is the safe thing to do, then don't try it.
