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Anyone out there have a V10 E350 passenger model? If so, what are your thoughts? We have been thinking of upgrading our current vehicle to a better tow vehicle and have considered an Excursion and maybe thought we should consider a V10 E350 as well.
We like the van/SUV better than a pickup due to wanting to take our dogs and daughter all camping with us.
I currently have an 03 Expedition with a 5.4 and I know we will do ok but figured that having a larger vehicle with a larger engine would probably do better for us.
I had a 2002 extended V10 12 passenger E350. I towed a 9100 pound travel trailer with it. It did very well.
Mine had a 3.73 axle and that limited the tow rating. To get over 10,000 pounds towing you need more axle ratio. I think the V10 had either a 4.10 or 4.30 ratio available.
I have a '97 E350 15 passenger van with a V10 and I love it. It's my do everything vehicle. I can take the seats out and get a ton of room to move/haul anything, I camp in it, pull a trailer up north deer hunting, put the seats in and take a whole bunch of people anywhere I want to go. I don't believe there is another vehicle out there that can do what my van can do, not even a F350 long bed crew cab.
Another one here who loves his V10 van. On my second one now. Had a '97 extended model and with air bags and rear sway bar it did a great job of towing. The new one is a non extended and it does even better. Less sway with the smaller overhang. I recommend getting a '05 or newer so you can get the Torqshift transmission. It is great. With the TorqShift transmission you get the lower gear ratios of the E4OD and a 4.10 with having the 3.73 for the higher gears. Plus the tow/haul mode is fantastic.
I guess my next question is - how hard is a van motor to work on? I like to do my own work when I can and I have never really looked into working on a van motor yet.
I hate to sound um-knowledgeable but there is a lot to think about.
I just drove a 2000 Ford Excursion and I liked the ride, etc but when looking at purchase costs, I have my eyes on a 2005 E350 Chateu with V10 and 4.10 gears for 11,100 and when I look at Excursions the prices are much higher.
Minor work like changing the spark plugs is difficult, but possible. I've done it. Actually the rear two cylinders are about as easy as any I've ever worked on. The front two are not bad, either. The middle four are hard to reach from under the hood, and hard to reach from inside the van.
Having to do major work like taking the heads off would be very, very difficult without removing the body from the frame.
I'll second Mark's assessment of motor work----as typically configured you're in for quite a challenge. However..............
......removing the two front seats is easy making plug changes and other servicing sooooooooo much easier. A T-55 Torx Plus bit, 18mm socket, release the seat belt pre-tensioning connection and they're out. More than one of us here have discovered this.
For more severe work a good shop will have figured out a way to remove the engine from the front. Most shops aren't typically equipped to lift the body or they'd think that's the long way around that operation.
The upside iis most modular motors---with regular maintenance and paying attention to things---you'll get good long life. I'm running an '00 E250 with 5.4 V8, 272K miles and still dependable as can be!
If you found the nearly perfect for your needs E350 with V10 but not the right rear gear ratio that would be easy enough to change out. It would add a bit to the initial purchase cost but if you end up with the now perfect van it would be worth it all.
Someone here will have an estimate of that cost which might help your decision making.
For me a van is infinitely more practical than a pick up, at least as you describe your needs. Not sure if a V10 E350 makes a good daily driver though........
Chateau Vans are nice...especially the ones with the 4 captains chairs...The 4:10 is perfect for towing ....As far as working on it goes it is not that bad....My 7.3 is much bigger and like JWA says seat removal is almost necessary when working on it from the inside ....I have had 6 Vans and the 7.3 is the hardest to work on ...460 would be second...from my understanding , aside from spark plugs they are not too bad...I would buy the Van and not look back ....