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Hi to you all,
I'm looking for a campervan for myself - the vehicle is not needed for towing. This Ford van is up for sale asking $5500. with 87,188 km on it. It has not been used in the winter months and the owner says it is in rust free condition. It has 5.0 litre overdrive engine and was wondering what your thoughts are on it, and the gas mileage I would get from it. I'm a female with no mechanical skills...lol
Last edited by Brooks222; Feb 28, 2023 at 06:14 PM.
Reason: photo upload
For MPG, these were rated at 12/16 (20L/100km to 15L/km) city/highway. You could probably get a little more out if it on the highway as long as we are talking flat land and lower speeds.
Check behind the rear wheels and in the doors for rust. Check around the windshield--these like to leak there and where there's a leak, there's rust.
For 1991 it may have the AOD transmission--not the best, but at least by '91 Ford had upgraded it.
That seems like low miles (54,176 for those KM challenged) That's good. Check the pedals, how tight the steering is, how worn the upholstery, floor mat, paint in the entry footwells--all that stuff should look pretty good.
As to price, I see them for sale with prices all over the place--$3900 to $15000.....
I had an '85 and I couldn't get people to look at it for $800 in 2009. (but I'm not (still) bitter)
These are pretty reliable but as with anything 31+ years old, you can expect an issue here and there.
Engine: The 302 is very durable. The emissions and EFI tubing and wiring on it are not as durable. I'm not sure about '91 but my '85, which had the evil computer controlled carb, used a mass (mess?) of plastic vacuum lines for some engine controls and some of the HVAC controls. These get hard and brittle and snap like dry pasta.
Transmission: Be sure it shifts to all gears. You have 4 gears and a torque converter lockup which may feel like an extra gear. It should downshift when you give it more than a tiny bit of throttle.
One of the issues with these was "hunting". In hills or at certain speeds, the transmission would go back and forth between 3rd and 4th--"hunting" for the right gear. If this happens, move the selector out of OD. Move it back when you get to the flats.
Rear axle: The Ford 8.8" axle is very common and no major or minor issues plague it. Wheel bearings could pop up, you'll hear them.
Brakes: Find a trusted shop and have them gone through. They are small for the job. With good pads, and good adjustment in the back, they are adequate. Don't run it up to 130 Km going down a mountain and then lay into the brakes to stop. You will be very sorry....
That spare tire mount might cause overheating. I'd ask about that. I would be more comfortable with it on a rear door mount.
If you make sure of the basics, and have a good CAA membership with 5,000 Km towing, and a couple credit cards with at least $15,000 combined credit cards, I think you would be safe taking it anywhere.
in my experience just reading this sub-forum I'd avoid the early 90's E-Series especially without any mechanical skills/experience--the lack of reliable quality replacement parts. It seems they're plagued with ignition and fuel supply issues.
I shake my head at the Herculean efforts some here will go through keeping a vehicle this age running. IMHO there's no such thing as a "good deal" even if a complete gift for something so prone with reliability problems.
There will be those who disagree but please read through a few threads that are already under discussion and determine for yourself if that's something you'd enjoy undergoing.
JWA is correct, if you have no mechanical knowledge, or you don't want to keep it at a garage, then start looking for a newer vehicle, something in the mid 00's or newer, at least when they break down, there's a better chance of getting parts for them.
I have a 90 E150 with the dual tanks and it's been an ongoing problem with gas tanks, lines, pumps, Gasket leaks, now dealing with a windshield leak that just started.
Manufacturers are suppose to keep parts supplied for vehicles for 10 years after they're manufactured. Once those parts run out, then we start looking for after market. If after market isn't available then you have to start looking at used parts or find something universal and make it fit. So my suggestion to you, unless you're a vintage Van enthusiast with some money in your pocket for repairs, buy newer, you'll be happier.
Looks like it has a single tank?
If that is the case, it runs well and is cheap enough, go ahead
If dual tanks, pass
Like to see you get a mid 90s at least with obd1, and 3 digit codes, so you can fix it easier down the road
Wow..thank you very much for all the information - I'm very glad I decided to ask for advice. Appreciated.
After reading all this I think I will run a mile..lol or micro-camperize my realiable SUV and buy a tent!!
Lots of great advice here!
I have mechanical experience on older cars and bought my 1988 because I like the older vans. I also bought my van with the thought in mind that I would be repairing or replacing many parts and all sensors. Not so much because they went bad but as preventive maintenance on a 30+ year old van before they went bad. Right after I bought my van I rebuilt the complete front end. I had to replace leaking valve covers and had the radiator cleaned at a shop. Later due to the"hunting gears between D and OD", I found all the Ford parts and completely rebuilt the rear axle with all new parts changing the gear ratio from 3.55 to 3.73. now it no longer shifts between D and OD on uphill grades.
In 7 years the closest mine has ever come to leaving me stranded on the side of the road was when it developed a fuel leak that I was able to repair once back home.
If I did not know how to do mechanic work then i believe I would have looked for a much newer van with low miles. And as to that 87 thousand KM, these old vans only went to 99,999 and then roll back over to 00,000 again. My van was showing 05,000 on it when I bought it. I knew that was at least 105,000 and perhaps 205,000 because the 5.0 engines are great engines and can go well over 200k if taken care of.
I have a 1985 and 1988 E150 and with the price of these older vans going up, I have thought about selling both vans and investing in a newer one. Then I think why? Gas mileage? A 2000 E150 with a 5.4 engine gets about the same fuel mileage as my van so there is no advantage there. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/16188.shtml
IF my transmission were to go out, $2,500 would replace it and I would be good for another 100k. Again tough I do not have to pay a shop which adds up fast.
There are a couple of safety advantages to a newer van such as air bags and anti lock brakes. I think the 91 may have had rear wheel anti lock brakes?
In the video below it makes one think about air bags as in the crash test, the steering wheel and column are forced upwards and towards the drivers head and chest. The dummies head and chest does seem to push it back down a good bit though! The front passenger seems to do much better as his head hits the padded dash. Does kind of make me wish I had an air bag.
Yes..something I never thought of. They sure are a safety feature. A lot to think about when buying something older but I love older vehicles. I had a 1979 Rally Sport Camaro with a 302 engine and there was nothing like it for being on the highway. I drove it across Canada and I could have kept going forever if I didnt run out of money lol. It never let me down. Yup.. the good Ole days.
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Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
