I will open with, I don't know what I don't know.
Recently retired from the USMC and looking to spend time with the family and reconnect via camping and road-trips, Colorado based (stated due to the elevation factor with towing).

We have a 35' Mallard Ultra-lite M312 (Dry weight 6840) which was to much for my wife's expedition max 3.5L eco boost to tow. We are looking for an E-series van and hoping to get recommendations for engine size. I have looked at the V10 Tritons and question if there would be enough power to pull a full load and passengers. I found a 2001 E-350 w/ 7.3l 4x4 but it has 300k so now I am questioning longevity before I purchase. I am a huge fan of diesel but, 300k is pretty substantial any opinions or discussions are welcome.

 

Do you turn your own wrenches? Only reason my 281,000 mile f250 is gone is because the body was rotting and wanted to get rid of it while it was still worth something. Monarch pass was a piece of cake with my 30' trailer.
Looking foward to 70 East from grand junction to denver with my 6.7 later this summer. Hardest part will be paying attention to the road.

 

The V10 will have plenty of power for that load. I've towed quite a bit heavier than that with V10 E-Series and they did fine.

 

I appreciate all the feed back.

@ Old and Soft: I am taking the 300k 7.3L in for a prepurchase inspection tomorrow, any specific points you'd recommend to spend extra time looking at or something you've ran into issues with in the past to check out?

@MARK any years you'd recommend to shy away from? I am still shopping ad not committed one way or the other

 

Our former V-10 Excursion was the dedicated tow rig for our 3 slide 41’ TT that scaled between 12 & 13 K lbs depending on water and toy loads. Logged over 80K towing miles with that combo with trips that took us up to 7K-ish elevations, we were never “that truck” holding up traffic on long climbs.
I don’t know what the gear ratio options were on the vans, but with a gasser try to get the highest numerical gear offered, I ran 4.88 gears with 35” tires for an effective 4.39 ratio on that EX. The V-10 seems to really like the 4.30 to 4.56 ratio range for heavy towing, deep gears with your much lighter trailer should provide for some easy towing.

 

V10s prior to 2002 had problems with spark plugs being ejected from the heads.

 

I won't recommend a 7.3 to somebody that doesn't turn their own wrenches. At 300k if still all original, there will likely be several things that will need to be addressed.
For instance
Listen for speed to vary/skip when cranking, caused by low compression.
Set the oil fill cap upside down on the filler while running, blowby will cause the cap to blow off as opposed to just vibrating off.
pull off ipr harness connector. Oil in the connector means the ipr is failing. ONLY USE GENUINE MOTORCRAFT SENSORS.
Pull off intake hose at turbo to check for dusting/play.
In the last 5 years I owned it I replaced
injectors
uvch x 2
valve cover gaskets
pigtails at valve cover wiring harness
glow plugs
glow plug relay
water pump, oil cooler, hoses, thermostat,and expansion tank
front main seal
starter
block heater and harness rumor is those are not needed in co springs, but they are in Gunnison.
radiator
Ipr sensor
40 hp tow tune
pyrometer and trans temp gauges.
ebpv delete w/turbo stand. The valve was sticking closed.
up pipes, look for soot on the firewall near the back side of the turbo
swapped steering box for a red head box.
took a trip to detroit just before I sold it, knocked out 19.5 mpg with the cruise set at 75. Got 13.5 towing my trailer. Lets see a v10 do that.
The guys in the 7.3 forum are quite knowledgeable and helpful. My oldest boy owns his own shop. He was the only person besides me I would let work on it.

 

My 1999 V-10 F-53 Class A has never weighed less than 17,000 pounds. I've had it over the Rockies on I-70 etc. many times. Yes, it slows down a bit on the steep hills at high altitude, but does just fine.

You'll be hard pressed to find an Econoline 7.3 with low miles. Everybody that owns one seems to love them and drive them a lot, and there weren't many built in the first place.

 

Thank you all for the input, after going back and forth between the 7.3L and the V10 I ended up going with the 2001, E350 7.3L UJoint 4X4. I took it in for a pre-purchase inspection and the only mechanical issues that were identified rear drive shaft seal had a slight leak, low cold crank amps on one of the batteries and the front ball bearings were showing signs of wear.

The van will be a decent project converting it from a wheelchair accessible van to a multi-passenger captains seating, cutting out body cancer and replacing the sheet metal, and general TLC, but I think in the end the family will love it. I truly appreciate all the insight and y’all taking the time to walk me through your experiences and opinions on the matter.





-Tom

 

Looks like a great project!

I bet folks here would be interested in seeing progress along the way if you're willing!