Help choosing a van.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
If you keep the van and ever have to rebuild the engine, you will be in for a $hock on a 5.4 rebuild!
Stick with the 302/5.0 or 351/5.7 for the newer vans. There are also more add-ons for these engines and drivetrains then for the 5.4.
I think the best older van would be a 300/4.9L I-6. An I-6 carb van can be very reliable and might hit 15 mpg.
Stick with the 302/5.0 or 351/5.7 for the newer vans. There are also more add-ons for these engines and drivetrains then for the 5.4.
I think the best older van would be a 300/4.9L I-6. An I-6 carb van can be very reliable and might hit 15 mpg.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
I'm trying to narrow engine choices. What are opinions 5.4L V8 vs 6.8L V10? I will not be towing. It just seems that the V10 has more positive posts here than the 5.4L V8 does and I drive over some pretty steep passes. I'd like to be able to get over the passes at more than 40mph. I am going to test drive some new E150 and E350 today. My last 1 ton was a 1970 Chateau club wagon w/302. I've been driving my Dodge B200 so long driving anything else feels weird.
TIA,
-cadjak
TIA,
-cadjak
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: eastern Ma
03 van,
I've heard the new engines are a bear to work on. Even plug changes requires a mirror, and assorted universal joints with the plug socket. Sometimes these rumors start out small, and grow on there own. What do you think, or do you have your work done for you?
I've heard the new engines are a bear to work on. Even plug changes requires a mirror, and assorted universal joints with the plug socket. Sometimes these rumors start out small, and grow on there own. What do you think, or do you have your work done for you?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Pella, IA
We love our "new-to-us" '97 E-350 12-passenger with the 6.8L V10, but I assume that's a bit bigger than what you're looking for. Previously we drove an '87 E-150 Mark III conversion with the 5.0L 302 V8. We bought it at 126,000; it now has 200,000 and has been quite reliable.
If you want a conversion, the 150 is pretty much your only option for a used van, but if you want a factory van then you can get a 150 (7 or 12-pass.) or 350 (7, 12 or 15-pass.) - I don't know that the 250 ever came as a passenger van. If you don't need the capacity of the 350, the 150 does ride much better.
Up through '96, the 4.9L 300 I6, 5.0L 302 V8 and 5.8L 351 V8 engines are all good balances for power and mileage. If you want a lot of power, the 7.5L 460 V8 delivers, but at the cost of mileage. For an engine in a 97-04 van, I like the 6.8L V10 for the power and towing ability but not so much for mileage. If you don't need all that raw power, the 4.6L and 5.4L V8's are very torquey for their respective sizes and get much better mileage - I've driven both and liked them, particularly the 5.4L. Any engine in a van will be hard to work on. Get over it - it's the price you pay for all the cabin space. To change right-side spark plugs on our old van, we used to go in with a super-long extension and a u-joint socket through the wheel well - actually worked pretty well.
FWIW,
Isaac
If you want a conversion, the 150 is pretty much your only option for a used van, but if you want a factory van then you can get a 150 (7 or 12-pass.) or 350 (7, 12 or 15-pass.) - I don't know that the 250 ever came as a passenger van. If you don't need the capacity of the 350, the 150 does ride much better.
Up through '96, the 4.9L 300 I6, 5.0L 302 V8 and 5.8L 351 V8 engines are all good balances for power and mileage. If you want a lot of power, the 7.5L 460 V8 delivers, but at the cost of mileage. For an engine in a 97-04 van, I like the 6.8L V10 for the power and towing ability but not so much for mileage. If you don't need all that raw power, the 4.6L and 5.4L V8's are very torquey for their respective sizes and get much better mileage - I've driven both and liked them, particularly the 5.4L. Any engine in a van will be hard to work on. Get over it - it's the price you pay for all the cabin space. To change right-side spark plugs on our old van, we used to go in with a super-long extension and a u-joint socket through the wheel well - actually worked pretty well.
FWIW,
Isaac
Last edited by IJRoorda; Jan 19, 2004 at 09:36 PM.
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I originally had a'77 chevy 10 van 6 cylinder , auto "(old cablevision Van ) ran great ! but no load capability , even though it had the HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION!! but every time I went on I95 to drive back home to FLA. my pants legs filled up with with warm smelly stuff! the thing felt like it was going to turn over and die!! I got to Fla. stopped at my exit and the oil pressure went to 0! It seems like it emptied itself out through the breather ! no fun there ! It's replacement was a "82 Dodge b250 really nice riding !! but it was a problem a mile !! starting with exhaust , then cooling , then suspension !! got rid of that and bought an '88 Ford E350 van with a 351 windsor & C6 tranny @ 89k. WOW! What a difference !! the van pulls like crazy!! great suspension!! After about 10k and constant great maintenance , all of a sudden it has low oil pressure ?????????? you figure it I can't !! Some time s you can't win !! Ford 's got it with suspension and body , but therr bottom end sucks!! What ever you pick look for previous maintenance and trust your intuition after investigating it's history
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Pella, IA
Therion, I don't buy what you were told about the E-150 suspension falling apart at 100k. It's true that E-250/350 suspension will last longer, but our '87 van didn't start having suspension problems until 200,000 miles, which I think is pretty respectable for all-original components (except shocks, of course). If you want to see real suspension, though, take a look at the twin i-beams under the front end of an E-350. Those things are *solid*.
FWIW,
Isaac
FWIW,
Isaac
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Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Originally posted by IJRoorda
Therion, I don't buy what you were told about the E-150 suspension falling apart at 100k. It's true that E-250/350 suspension will last longer, but our '87 van didn't start having suspension problems until 200,000 miles, which I think is pretty respectable for all-original components (except shocks, of course). If you want to see real suspension, though, take a look at the twin i-beams under the front end of an E-350. Those things are *solid*.
FWIW,
Isaac
Therion, I don't buy what you were told about the E-150 suspension falling apart at 100k. It's true that E-250/350 suspension will last longer, but our '87 van didn't start having suspension problems until 200,000 miles, which I think is pretty respectable for all-original components (except shocks, of course). If you want to see real suspension, though, take a look at the twin i-beams under the front end of an E-350. Those things are *solid*.
FWIW,
Isaac
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: sarasota, fl
Hey, I'm looking to buy a van too! Probably an early 90s with 351, in the $3500 range. Need a club wagon, 12 pax or 15 pax. What are the advantages of getting the newer style van (when did that start -- 91?) vs the older one? An E150 or preferrably 250 is what I want. Don't need an E350 but would take one if that's what I found. Do the newer vans have A-arms instead of the I-beam? I'd prefer A-arms. This will be a daily driver, Home Depot hauler, carry a motorcycle, light towing, family vehicle.
thanks!
kevin
thanks!
kevin
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Metamora
The only thing that I've heard regarding reliability is the 1989-1996 E4OD transmissions in some models (they came in E-150's 250's and 350's). In 1997 my understanding is that they went to beefier internals (launch of the then new F-150). I believe the same trans is used today (different name) in all super duty trucks now 4R100 instead of E4OD.
I bought my 91 conversion (XLT, 351W, E4OD) 2 years ago and have put about 30k on it. I drove it for a while as a commuter 70 miles a day. Not so good on gas at 14mpg, but acceptable for a brick on wheels. Changed the plugs and rotor when I first got it at about 41k, I have to say that it was not that bad for my first van, the front pass side plugs were a chore, but I was able to reach them through the wheelwell, the only major problem was that the darn plug boots were fused to the plugs. I have not had any problems with the van except for a slight water leak at the rear cargo door and an unidentified "clunk" from the drivetrain.
If I had to buy another one, I would probably shoot for a PSD, but at $5k for the option, I'd probably wait to see if Ford puts the 3 valve 5.4 triton (300hp) in the e-series and look for one of those, preferably a E250, 12 passenger XLT. I would definetly NOT buy another conversion van.
I bought my 91 conversion (XLT, 351W, E4OD) 2 years ago and have put about 30k on it. I drove it for a while as a commuter 70 miles a day. Not so good on gas at 14mpg, but acceptable for a brick on wheels. Changed the plugs and rotor when I first got it at about 41k, I have to say that it was not that bad for my first van, the front pass side plugs were a chore, but I was able to reach them through the wheelwell, the only major problem was that the darn plug boots were fused to the plugs. I have not had any problems with the van except for a slight water leak at the rear cargo door and an unidentified "clunk" from the drivetrain.
If I had to buy another one, I would probably shoot for a PSD, but at $5k for the option, I'd probably wait to see if Ford puts the 3 valve 5.4 triton (300hp) in the e-series and look for one of those, preferably a E250, 12 passenger XLT. I would definetly NOT buy another conversion van.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: eastern Ma
86,
I've had both, and like the conv. better. More creature comforts:
p seats
p windows
p locks
tilt
cruise
p bed
tv
etc.
What's not to like ?
You can always dump the bed, if you want a cargo
van.
Just curious!
I've had both, and like the conv. better. More creature comforts:
p seats
p windows
p locks
tilt
cruise
p bed
tv
etc.
What's not to like ?
You can always dump the bed, if you want a cargo
van.
Just curious!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Pella, IA
Charlie Foxtrot, I would definitely look for a new series van ('92 or newer) - they just drive nicer. The steering has much better response and on-center feel, and they're definitely quieter. As far as I know, the E-Series vans all still use I-beam suspension in the front - I know our '97 E-350 does. I don't believe the 250 came in a passenger van configuration, though I could be wrong. I think the 150 may be or have been available in a 12-pax. configuration, but if you want 15-pax. you need an E-350.
HTH,
Isaac
HTH,
Isaac