My son's band recently purchased a 1997 Shuttle bus to use as a tour vehicle. I've been doing a lot of work on it and have been going cross-eyed researching various fixes. I'm still confused however about whether this vehicle is considered a E350 or E450. When we registered it with the DMV they had issues naming it too but in the end they called it a E350 The badge on the side only says E-Superduty. I've seen it listed as 350 and 450 depending where I look. It was a cutaway that Metrotrans converted into the shuttle bus.

When I look up parts for it I'd like to know what to call it there usually isn't an option for only 1997 esuperduty. I suspect I should consider it an E350 but this is all relatively new to me

Pete

Some general info:

Photo of the bus

https://goo.gl/photos/hRTZDMDUkqrmGjX98

https://goo.gl/photos/P2Cz2BLWu7TzTGj76

Door Placard

https://goo.gl/photos/BvnvzaeUWaXwe7aN9

VIN 1FDLE40S0VHA04173

Ford Super Duty Chassis
6.8 Liter Triton V-10 Gas Powered Engine
4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive
Dual wheels in rear
26' Class C coach

 

Based on the GVWR of 14k pounds, I would guess it's a 450. 350's are usually around 10-11k pounds

 

Thanks for the reply.

I saw that someplace on line too and that seems reasonable. I'm guessing the KS DMV listed it as an E350 because they didn't know any better. As for getting interior parts it seems that for the most part the E350 and 450 are pretty much interchangeable. I do need to get a re manufactured instrument cluster It seems the E350 is the style I need based on photos I've seen compared to mine. I've replaced the little worm gear that worked the speedometer but it only worked for a 1K miles or so.

 

On a side note, is the van registered as a personal vehicle or in the band's name? Will it have the band's name plastered all over it? If registered as a commercial vehicle, they may have to look into getting a DOT number and the driver(s) will have to log their hours if they drive over a 100 mile radius from home base.

 

It's registered in one of the band members name as a personal vehicle. I wondered about the DOT thing too. It was a can of worms we didn't want to open. KDOT considered it an RV. Bands don't put their names on the outside of their vehicles now, at least not at their level. That only invites people to steal their gear which I'm sad to say is on the rise. This month they have a 6,218 mile tour so the bus will get a work out. So far so good they are on their third day.

 

What's the name of the band? What kind of music?

 

If it has the Straight axle...it is a 450 /550...they usually come with 19.5 tires...but not always.....If it has the Twin I beam it is a 350....still Ok ...Just Different ....And they have 16" rims ... Usually 225/75/R16....Not the size of the 450/550.....

 

Looking at the Pic it is E350 based..those look like 16" rims...I just looked at the door placard....it is a 350 ..Twin I beam ...16" rims....

 

The band is called "Young Medicine" my son is the Bass Player (no jokes please ) and sometimes vocals.

I guess it's called electronic rock? Hard to categorize it's kind of a blend of many things. One of my hobbies is photography here are pics from their last show:

https://goo.gl/photos/SqhuDJTGYsX97MaA9

Here is some footage of their last tour and a typical song:

https://youtu.be/1Bg_z14RSDM

I'm an OF myself but it's not too bad all things considered. The four guys range in age of 20-23.

They are basically traveling all the way to CA and back home in the bus, living in it for the most part, staying at truck stops. I've removed all of the passenger seats on one side and installed some bunks. There is plenty of room in the back where the wheelchairs went for their gear. The wheelchair lift is a nice bonus to get stuff in and out. I've installed some e-track to help secure everything and the floor already has hold downs.

The bus has low mileage for it's age (~43K) and about a year ago, according to the carfax, it had all new tires, spark plugs, alternator and battery replaced and all the fluids serviced: transmission, rear and coolant etc. Everything works except the aux overhead AC. I tried to figure out what is wrong with it but so far have not had luck. I'm going to bring it to a place that specialize on this type system.

I've learned a lot form the forum over the past few weeks poking around. One thing being how to fix the HVAC being stuck on Defrost. I bypassed the bad vac line and installed a vacuum tank / check valve to get it going again. I help run and moderate a website on how to work on Subarus so I'm okay with cars but this thing is a beasty

~Pete

 

It is a 450.

Put your vin in here...
https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleSelection.do

 

Primary Features
Build Date: 04.09.1996
Vehicle Line: Econoline
Body Style: Stripped Chassis
Version: 450 Series
Engine: 6.8L SOHC EFI NA V10 Gas
Transmission: E4OD(4R100)
Drive: LHD RWD
Axle Ratio: 4.63
Emission: With 49 State Emission Requirements
Air Conditioning: Manual Air Conditioning
Paint: Oxford White #2

 

I'm not sure when the switch happened in the E-Series, but in the F-Series, prior to '99 there was F-350 and F-Superduty, then from '99 on there was F-350, F-450 and F-550. The F-Superduty is often called an F-450 (because it's roughly the same rating as the later vehicle). But it's really an F-Superduty, not an F-350 or an F-450. I'm sure the same naming convention was used in E-Series, but I don't know the years for sure.

So the van you are asking about isn't an E-350 or an E-450, it's an E-Superduty. But it's just the model year that's keeping it from being officially called an E-450.

I'm not sure about earlier years, and mine sarting life as an "incomplete vehicle" might bring differences as well. But my E-450 based motorhome has Twin-I beam suspension and 225/75R16 tires. So at least in a 2015 E-450 incomplete vehicle those things don't mean it's an E-350.

 

Thanks for that explanation. This vehicle also started out as a cutaway too obviously and it has 225/75R16 tires. I suppose it really is a transition year type of vehicle having qualities of both the 350 and 450 but technically being the E-Superduty. The 1997 must be shortly before they decided to give numbers to the line. The problem becomes looking up parts etc. When I put in the 1997 I typically don't get that as a choice without the Number being needed.

Thanks again for everyone's input, I appreciate it.

Pete

 

It's definitely not an E-350, and likely doesn't have any "qualities of an E-350" (other than things that aren't specific to E-350s and therefore not helpful in identifying it).

When you run into systems that don't understand that "E-Superduty" is a valid model name, then tell them it's an E-450. That's likely what they're calling it.

 

Your son's band is pretty good for that type of music. Somewhat rare to see a bassist playing a 5 string bass. Hope they enjoy their summer.