It's time to retire my 76 E-150. We love this thing but the restoration cost is close to a decent used 2008 and up. It could carry way over it's rating and had a great ride.
But it's a big shift from a 351W C6 to 4.6 or 5.4 so I have a lot of questions.

I am starting to look for a 2008 or newer extended E series cargo.

1) How is the empty ride on the heavier models?

2) The 4.6 seems most common -- is this enough engine?

3) These Tritons are really wide. Is there a lot more working room around the 4.6?

4) Anything to look out for (other than the plugs) the these newer vans or engines?

Any input would be very welcome.


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65 Mustang Coupe - home grown 289 "Shelby Cobra", trick C4, 300k+
76 E-150 351W, trick C6, 300k+
92 F-250 460, E4OD, 4x4, Banks, K&N, 200k

 

IMO on "extended E series...heavier models" the 5.4L "seems most common".

This translates into even less room to work around in the tunnel.

 

there are a couple things that make a 4.6 or 5.4 in a van better than one in a pickup or SUV.
first of all, vans never got the troublesome 2-piece spark plugs that were so infamous for breaking off in the head.
second, these engines have almost no work done from the side of the engine, its all from the top unless you're removing exhaust manifolds, so the close clearances on the sides really don't affect any common maintenance you'll be doing.
and as you already know, being able to remove the doghouse is the huge blessing of a van over any other body style, and makes maintenance easy.

i would figure that the e150s would often have the 4.6, whereas the e350s would usually have the 5.4. so the weight class you're looking at determines which engine you're more likely to find.

 

I'll throw out some random thoughts, use the ones most helpful!

Your eventual loaded weight should be your main decision criteria, just as Josh recommends. Even though your E150 carried more weight than rated that's not safe. The E150's from that era were much different chassis, less heavy duty in the running gear and suspension, brakes included.

Look for at least an E250 with 5.4 motor, the extended body will be a bit of a tougher find but they're out there. I found an '03 cargo only van totally stock but it was a bit of a search, was prepared to travel up to 1200 miles finding the one I wanted.

Its not a harsh ride when empty but like most heavier duty vehicles they ride a bit better loaded. My curb weight was 5300#, as currently outfitted for work with heavy carpeted plywood floor, insulation, paneling, tools and tool boxes I'm hitting right at 7800#. Adding a dividing curtain (not a bulkhead) its quiet inside, a huge difference with a '99 E250 I drive with absolutely no such improvements.

For my needs I could have gone with the E350, same motor and enjoyed the higher GVWR which IMHO adds a bit of a safety margin. Since I'm a bit **** about handling the van's ability to safely maneuver even when fully outfitted is very important to me, a too comfortable sofa-on-wheels ride not so much.

Engine work vans with modular motors really aren't a huge challenge although for many rear-of-engine operations I just remove one or both front seats along with the dog house. The increased room for us DIY's is amazing, once you've changed plugs both ways you'll more than likely become a believer is this too. Two T-55 Plus bolts, two 18mm nuts, disconnect the seat belt pre-tensioners and you can hold a dance up front now!

The 5.4's generally don't suffer from broken exhaust studs and just as Josh mentions there is more than enough room from the front, inside cabin or underneath to do nearly every normal maintenance chore you'll do. I've changed plugs and alternators, maintained the various vacuum hoses, replaced IAC valves all without encountering any huge issues with the van body.

For whatever reason or lack of desire Ford has/had in updating the E-Series with "improvements" like 3V motors etc etc they remain fairly easy to maintain and serve their purpose very, very well.

So that's one POV-----hope its somewhat helpful.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm just a bit shocked at how many of the 250 extendeds have the 4.6 in them. I have trouble imagining one them climbing a hill at 8000 feet carrying 2500lbs like my '76 E150 351 - has managed.

Is there really that much difference between a 4.6 with E4OD and a 351W with a C6?

Do the 4.6's have exhaust stud problems?

My mechanic brother-in-law warned me about the working space problem. But then he is likely working and passenger cars.

I don't have any trouble working on my stuff. I'm a wrencher from way back. None of my vehicles has ever seen the inside of a shop. (Unless it was for paint work.) I have rebuilt for street and race everything from Honda 90's to a 427 SOHC. I'm just getting too old for it to be a lot of fun anymore.

 

Just a thought, if your looking for an 08 go and rent any Ford cargo van for the weekend. Newer ones have more computer stuff but still have the same engines and trans, etc. Take a test drive for a few days!

 

I would love to rent one to check it out but there isn't even dealer stock to check out with a 4hr drive. We actually do live out in the middle of nowhere.

Nearest town of 5000 people is 2 hours away. I'm going to have to take a 1200 mile "vacation" to even try and chase one of these things down.

 

A few questions occur to me:

1. What's your end use for a new van? Cargo only, people mover with added rear seating or varied use, nothing specific?

2. What are your needs or wants relative to ride comfort and inside noise from the van itself?

3. Are there any thoughts to improving or semi-customizing the interior to better accommodate your eventual end use?

Since you've already wrench'd on things the 5.4's and V10's aren't huge leaps in necessary skills, tools or knowledge to keep them well maintained. As already mentioned there's no huge loss of working room---is ANY vehicle that easy to service completely assembled?

You're 100% correct the 4.6's aren't gutsy enough for a lot of uses. Even if you run close to the GVWR of the chassis it would probably disappoint you performance wise, most likely MPG's would suffer too since it would be working too hard. That's just MHO and without any real experience with that motor---I've had three 5.4's so far and they've been good enough for me.

Do keep in mind the '97's and above are a whole new generation than your '76 so the differences will be a nice surprise I'd bet. Creature comforts up front are better, dependability and longevity are also just great but in the end the configuration and so-called problems with any van are still present.

Search-wise I'd check eBay since my last three vans have come from that site. Since you're not adverse to traveling your market opens up quite a bit. I almost prefer eBay since buyer feedback is a good indication of the seller's veracity and willingness to deal with online sales. Brags in ads are one thing, hearing it from a satisfied OR unsatisfied buyer is the real story IMHO.

There are numerous other online auto/truck search engines but I'm not familiar with them or have any experience with them either.

Hope you find a great newer E-Series----you won't be sorry.

 

I have a 98 e150 conversion van with the 4.6 and also have driven a 2002, 2003 e-250 cargo 5.4 and a 2006-e250 extended cargo 5.4 Many many miles on all of them.

I sold the 2002 with 250k miles and the 2003 with 282k miles on it. No issues with engine except normal plug changes. Same with 2006. Like said before no difference working on the 4.6 or the 5.4 from top or inside doghouse. Like another post said...yes my 4.6 has exhaust stud problem. I learned to live with the tick sound. I am afraid to tackle this issue because I might break off more studs in trying to fix this.

The 2006 extended van was a little bouncy when empty. I pull a 3000 pound boat and prefer the regular size van for this.

The 5.4's definitely have the power to get up and go vs the 4.6, but who really needs it when driving a van? I will take the better gas mileage on the 4.6, however when towing with either 4.6 or the 5.4 gas mileage is the same!

all experience based on empty vans or 1000 lb payload, nothing really heavy or fully loaded.

Hope that helps!

 

I bought my current 150 new with the factory insulation/wall package so it has always been pretty quiet. I would mod a new to have the same.
A curtain behind the seats is critical if only to help the A/C. This was a big problem with '76.

My 150 was used mainly for hauling two dirt bikes inside to the mountains and then camping onsite. But once in a while it had to act as a hauler for equipment. And once hauled a yard and half of gravel - crap happens.

Plan one using this one for camping AND heavy duty trips to Costco -- we can only go twice a year due to distance -- so it is quite a load. Currently use the F-250 for these trips and put Firestone air springs in and it needs it for these trips. I would do the same to the van.

One thing that really helps the ride on the F-250 4x4 is to run D range tires. It really takes out the harshness.

My first reaction has I wanted the 5.4 and I will try to stick with it. I wish they would have put the 5-speed auto-tranny on it.

Thanks for all the input.

 

Lets not sugar coat it, here's the modular engine in the vans, there is very little room!

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...anengine1.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...anengine2.jpg/

 

Well yeah when you put it like THAT!

But for the most part there's not a lot of routine maintenance needed that requires a lot of room. Even in those views getting to the plugs and various vacuum lines from the rear means a bit of snaking through that maze; from the front once the air cleaner housing is outta the way there's enough room for most things too.

If we're talking about things like head or exhaust manifold work its not a pic nic for sure. The F-Series guys also complain about cramped engine bays so its not like any of us enjoy ballroom sized working areas.

I'm tellin' ya front seat removal makes a big difference but let's hope none of us have to do anything serious to our vans.........ever!

 

Yea that is a mess but from the point of view of plugs my '76 351 isn't much better and just try doing carb work -- it's right under the tunnel and bulkhead -- it's barely possible to get the air cleaner off. It was a lot of fun pulling the engine out for a rebuild....

I do like the the idea of pulling the seats out when needed.

Other thoughts---

1) There a some things I will miss on my '76...
There is a lot of room in the cockpit. The newer F-250 are claustrophobic.
The cargo deck is at least 6 inches lower.
It is easy to reach in over the fenders and grill to work (I have to use a stool to do
anything on my '92 F-250 4x4)
Easy access to the heater/vent doors and the core.

I WON'T miss this marginal front disk brakes.
Or the dust infiltration -- assuming this is actually better now

2) What can Ford have done to make the newer vans ride better? I just checked a '92 van and it has the same basic frame, rear leaf and twin I-beam as my '76. From what I can tell the 2013 is the same -- they are all boxes mounted to a ladder frame, rear leafs and twin I-beam upfront. The cargo length on the 2013 is identical to my '76.

I mean there isn't much you can do with that setup.

Now on the '76 the first thing I had to do to make it "drivable" was put in 1-1/8" sway bars front and rear along with the heaviest shocks I could find on the front.

3) Did Ford ever put a cabin air fiter in? If so what year?

Thanks again for your time.

 

and just think, i had all that fun with a diesel engine in mine it requires you to be a little creative, but it wasn't the end of the world

 

You want fun, when the vacuum canister fails, usually the back-flow valve, a $4 part, it requires either removal of the entire AC system, along with battery, or a creative hole cut in the wheel well, to access the damn thing. I have this issue, and some others have gotten it, a $1700 dealer repair, it causes your heat/ac to drop into default when the engine reaches the RPM where it produces no vacuum, my rear vent/ac drops from the roof to the floor which is heat, the front goes to defrost.
My 6 way power seat base slides my drivers seat back near 2 feet, so getting the doghouse off is OK, due to the wheelchair lift, the passenger seat can not be slid back or adjusted, hasn't bothered me tho. The air cleaner is a major issue, getting it back together, I need a new cap for it now, I cut it to make an open element once, so I had to patch it, I can tell you mileage will drop if you go for an open air filter on your van.