I am looking for a used van to use for work and a place to sleep when my wife gets mad at me(more times than not).

What do you think about this thing?

It been a while since I owned a modular engine. There is also an E250 at the same dealer with a similar set up but with the 5.4.

I am tired of working out of my Bronco (I look like a hoarder with all my stuff, stuffed in the Bronco).

 

The one in your link says E-150 but suspension-wise its really an E-250--not a bad thing. From my own highly personal preferences this one has a few strikes against it:

-4.6 engine
-sliding side door

It does have a few small dings and dents, it does have the ladder rack with interior partition and shelves---if you need or can use those so much the better. Price is maybe border line acceptable---in person they might negotiate downward a bit.

You'd want to drive this one along with the 5.4 motor version at the same time. Running one of this with the 4.6 engine and virtually no cargo would be fine---load it up and you might wish you'd opted for the larger motor. Gas mileage between the two would be similar so there's no huge MPG advantage with the 4.6.

If you'll be using this as a work van and/or temporary escape pod from the wife this one or the other E250 would be okay. Frankly I'd get the wife an attitude adjustment and no have to worry where I was sleeping from day-to-day. Then again it might be easier just having such emergency sleeping accommodations.

 

A cargo van is the proper vehicle for a working man, way better than a pickup and I can't imagine how much of a cluster---- it would be in a Bronco. What kind of work do you do? The only downside of an E150 is It doesn't take much to overload it and make it wallow around on the road, I regularly pile my van full to the roof with gear and the heavier 3/4 ton suspension handles it well, but the upside of an E150 is it will ride a little better unloaded and it will still get the job done for an occasional heavy load. If you're going to have 1500lbs of tools n stuff in the truck all the time get an E250.
The 4.6 will also get the job done, for once Ford was sensible and equipped pretty much all of these vans with 3.73 or 4.10 gears which makes all the difference, around town and on 2-lane highways my van has no problem getting around. Other than that my biggest complaint with these trucks is that the headlights SUCK.. easily the worst I have ever had in any vehicle, but that can be fixed pretty easily these days with aftermarket housings and upgraded bulbs and wiring, just make sure you get DOT housings because the chinese knockoffs are total garbage.

 

I camped in my 97 for years. Cargo can - white, no side windows, sliding door, 5.4 E250.

The biggest down sides are the complete lack of insulation and inability to stand up in it.
I swear it gets colder in the van than it is outside. Probably not a problem where you are, though.
But it also seems to get super hot on the hot days.

On the plus side - better than a tent in any kind of bad weather.

 

Photos of the E250.

 

E150's in 2013 were basically E250's---check the door jamb label for the GVW and this shows a marked increase. The frame, suspension and brakes also enjoyed an increase.


This might be a personal preference, I've only test driven a few E-Series with that engine---immediately I could tell it was lacking as compared with the 5.4's even completely empty cargo-only vans. If you are to carry 1,000 plus in tools and sleeping gear as a daily driver the larger engine would be preferable, IMHO anyway.

I've had good experience with the Sylvania Silver Star H6054 sealed beam lamps. Aimed correctly they're a great option---again mostly from my using them for about 10 years now.

The creature comfort of an E-Series can be dealt with easily enough---insulation even of a modest level greatly improves this. Standing room is limited so if that becomes the main focus of what to buy a mid or high roof Transit would be a good choice too.

If maintenance records are available from the previous owner of either van that would be a great read---see how well it was or was not maintained over their ownership.

All in all the second van shown here would be my choice.

 

So the 8520 GVWR would make it an E250?

I plan to carry around 1000 pounds of gear daily.

 

I see that mentioned here a lot and I don't buy it. From 2008? on the E-150 got upgrades(same axles and brakes as an e250) but I don't see any evidence that it has the bigger frame or suspension.



Yes but it's my experience that the smaller motor does deliver better overall fuel milage. There is always a tradeoff.

 

I ended up with the E150. I picked it up yesterday and got the widows privacy tinted today. I plan to start putting some tools in there later today.

I like driving it so far, much better to use as a work vehicle compared to the Bronco.

I am sure I will have tons of questions about this van as the days go by.

 

We use my 96 E150 conversion van as a mini motorhome all the time. Ventilation is the main thing you'll want to address using that panel van.

 

Why not have HER sleep in the car??