I need to make a move on a van within the next 2 days. Am I better off with an 07 E150, 4.6 with a 4.10 rear or an 08 E350 with a 5.4 and a 3.73 rear? Both in the same condition, both have about 50k on them. Both about the same price.

I don't like the idea of shooting spark plugs so I would have the inserts put in the 350, and carry an extra coil.

Either truck will do what I need. Of course the 350 will tow more. I would think the gas mileage would be about the same. I always thought the 150s had maybe a 3.54 or so for the rear, but I haven't seen any.

Thanks for any help.

 

i always pick bigger so i vote 350

 

E350

 

I live by the mantra "When in doubt; more throttle"

So i'd definitely pass on the "4.sissy" and .... Go find a V10

 

What could I expect for gas mileage with the 350?

 

Depends largely on driving habits, rear gear, and weight.

I am certain the other guys will chime in with very good specific info on the 5.4, but I'm here earliest: so here's my input. :-)

I drive 800 to 900 miles per week (about 50% Highway, 50% city) with my E350 V10. Mine has 3.73 gears, about 1000 to 1,500 pounds inside. If I keep it at 65 mph or less, I average mid 12's to mid 13s. I try to minimize idling, but in Florida that's impossible in the summertime.

I predict the other guys will tell you a range of 15 to 17 MPG with the 5.4, and probably about the same or slightly less with the 4.6.

Keep in mind also: there can be a higher cost of registration for the E350. In Florida it's considered a commercial vehicle so it costs more. Also the insurance is more. Also I accidentally lied in order to get the loan for the E350. I've since learned that my loan company and other loan companies, do not make loans on e350's

Keep us posted!

 

my last350 i got 8mpg driving it like a ol lady.

 

What engine and axle ratio did that have?

 

5.8w and 410 geats with a c6, i used to tell people to look over at my fuel gauge when we going down the road you could watch it go down, it was a 19 gallon tank i believe.

 

Building on or reinforcing 50Fast's great ideas the E350 most likely carries higher registration and potentially increased insurance costs as well. Its somewhat comical the Club Wagon's are E350's but even with a V10 they're still eligible for passenger car registration and insurance costs.

Not sure if by '07 the E150's had become E250's but check the GVWR on the door jamb---if it's 8,600# I'd buy that chassis.

FWIW I run a '03 E250 w5.4 & 3:73 gears motor as a daily driver work van, mostly highway miles with occasional 2 hour or longer idle times during the winter. Keeping plugs, filters and oil changes fresh along with Chevron's Techron every 3K miles I'm averaging 13-14 MPH.

Because I tend to drive posted speed limits or +5 at most using cruise control or Vehicle Speed Control as Ford calls it helps with my MPG's too.

Not sure what you want do to with a van but I'd stick with the 5.4 or 6.8 motors---much better if you want to tow or regularly haul any useful payloads. I do want to add the Modular Motors don't have too bad a terrible reputation for blowing plugs out even though when it does happen it seems horrible. This also isn't more prone or likely to happen with any particular CID---it has more to do with improper installation than displacement.

Please let us know what you end up with---and plenty of photos too!

 

This is very helpful. That is exactly what I saw. And I tend to drive like you as well.

The 150 did have a heavier suspension than I thought it would. And the gears were 4.10 which I didn't like. Plus they are trying to figure out what the noise in the rear is.

So that being said I need to go back and test drive the 350. They had regular and extended, all the seats and rear air and heat etc.

Have you had any trouble shooting spark plugs with the 5.4?

 

There isn't really any huge epidemic-type problem with any Ford Modular Motor blowing plugs out. While this does seem like it happens very, very often statistically its not that common, especially on the years under consideration.

Most spark plug issues can most likely be directly attributed to improper installation; following a time tested procedure you'd be trouble free for at least 275K miles. There would be no need to pre-empetively install inserts although carrying an extra COP of good quality isn't a horrible idea. Not usually necessary but they don't take up much space.

If you have a choice of the extended body with rear heat & A/C I'd go that route if the money is close to the same. If higher security of stuff inside is a high priority then the Club Wagon's are the best idea but otherwise the E350's as you're calling them would be the better chassis for towing.

How much money we talking for these vans anyway?

 

They are the window vans with all the seats, power windows and locks and rear heat and ac. All average about 50,000 miles. Some have new tires. Prices - $10-12,000. The 150 was an 07 and the 350s are 08.

 

Those are decent prices for that year and mileage.

 

I would think that the operating cost on the e350 would be slightly more than the e150, however I would go with the e350 because it would suit my needs better. I like the extra room for cargo and family. Plus the added towing capacity (most likely) of the e350.

The real question is "How will you use it?" If you will use the benefits gained by the bigger van now or in the future then go with the e350. I would be kind of pissed at myself for not getting the e350 if 3-4 years down the road I needed/wanted more room.