Like Jayro suggested
That way you would have something to drive while the other is being worked on.

But then again I believe you said that you don't have time to work on your own van. That puts you dependent upon paying high prices at shops and financing new or nearly new cars. That in turn keeps you in debt and requires that you work more .. The never ending cycle unless you find a way to break it.

If you could find a older beater backup, who knows, you might get that 400k out of the van you have now..

 

So my general advice, not being in your exact position but just with ford van experience would be to stick with what you have. I like the idea of picking up an old beater that runs and drives that might pull off a job or two while your other vehicle is down. Depending on if you have space for it and can get your insurance lined up so you don't pay on two vehicles when you can only drive one at a time, that could be a nice backup. I recommend a 5.4L. That's the standard gas van and IMHO has the best mix of power, reliability, economy, fixability.

Regarding your list, hoses rarely blow, just be sure the retainer on the lower control arm keeps the hose from touching the steering arm. Never busted a serp belt except when the AC seized on an 06 around 700,000. Fuel pumps go at around 500,000 on that vintage. You could be burning more with the V10, so figure 400,000. Change your gas filter every 50k or so. Coils do start going randomly from your mileage on. They aren't hard to replace, $30 a piece if you can replace them yourself. Alternators... yeah. I think you are older than 2009 there. Ford has a new alternator that we retrofitted to our 08 and 06 that never fails for all practical purposes. We've worn them out at 750,000 miles but no normal use will fail them. If you have the old style, figure on replacing/rebuilding them every 100,000 or so. Might keep one on hand, they aren't hard to replace. Starters almost never fail so I wouldn't worry about that even if you start several times per day. Batteries, maybe every 4 years or so. AC, well just sweat. They've been reliable but when it goes, it's expensive. You need to replace a lot of stuff and it's over a grand at a shop typically. Shift linkage, they get loose and need new brackets sometimes but rarely anything else. Window regulators, never changed one. Ever. Over 8 million miles. Don't do a lot of up and down windows though.

 

Wow thanks Del!
You've raised my eyebrow on a couple things I'd like more info please:
Coil packs- I can do them myself but I'm wondering what brand you are buying for $30..? I thought the Motorcrafts cost $40+. And "everyone" says Motorcraft is the only way to go.

Alternators- id like the specific info on that retrofit deal please. Or at least your preference of brand name for a drop in replacement. Drop in is probably OK for me- I don't mind replacing it every 100,000 (every two years).

Starters- I would say I crank my starter about 6-10 times per day minimum, probably averaging about 15 and some days 20-25 times per day. I suspect this is higher than you thought. What about your vans? 200,000 miles per year (you) seems to indicate your starters are lazier than average welfare recipients. Or am I wrong?
Anyway I just prodding you for more specifics on starters, (and brand name preference) please.

Again: I greatly appreciate your reply above.