89 E150 - Izzit worth it?

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Jan 9, 2004 | 09:09 PM

hedgeapple

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From: Newton, Kansas (3 syllabl

89 E150 - Izzit worth it?

Found an 89 e150 club wagon conversion, @110,000 miles, $1650. 4.9 w/@8,000, c6, unkn rear, 3 faded captains chairs, rest missing. Very tired paint, sfc rust on roof, body remarkably straight w/no rust-outs, just blisters around a couple of hinges and mild large dent in (swing) side door (would probably pop out). Good glass tint. Needs tires, 2 rear wheels, windshield.
I'm looking for an economical way for the ol'lady 'n me to travel/camp in Nova Scotia, the AlCan, the Keys, etc. Would build a bunk, mount rv roof ac/heat, carry a small gen-set. Would tow a 500lb motorcycle on occasion, carry passengers when home.
Gas milage is high priority.
I've always liked the 6. Would prefer a stick or at least an overdrive. I'm not familiar with Econolines. What should I look for? Comments/Advice appreciated. Cheers!

Jan 9, 2004 | 10:03 PM

pfogle

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From: Oak Harbor, OH

I'd look on, that's a little high..... The C6 will get you about 15 mpg.

Jan 9, 2004 | 10:18 PM

samhihn

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From: southeast,usa

The 4.9 engine with the C-6 trans is an almost bullet-proof combination. It can be very reliable. You don't really know, however how well the drive train has been maintained. Judging by your description of the rest of this rig I'd say maintainance wasn't a high priority. The price is too high and you will never get good fuel mileage with this rig. Brand spankin new 16mpg would have been tops. If you're gonna drive a big "box" around all over the country, don't think about fuel mileage, think about reliability. best of luck

Jan 9, 2004 | 11:01 PM

cocot

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From: NY

I believe if you are going to haul and/or tow you need at least an 250. Also the newer body style, '92 rides a world of difference better than the old and is more aerodynamic.

Jan 10, 2004 | 08:44 AM

hedgeapple

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From: Newton, Kansas (3 syllabl

Having slept on it, I'm now inclined to pass on it too. I've already drawn up plans for a fairly aerodynamic camper for the F250 anyway. And perhaps I'll stumble across an Econoline with a 300, a stick, and a money order from Ed McMahon stuck behind the cushions. Thanx for the input.

Jan 16, 2004 | 11:30 PM

IJRoorda

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Pella, IA

Shop around. Hold out for a better deal - we just bought a '97 E-350 Club Wagon with the V-10 and 137k for under $4k. Pulls a trailer terrific, and mileage is probably about the same as that 300/C6 combo. On the other hand, the 300-6 is a good engine, very torquey for the size, and I can testify that it'd pull a 500lb. motorcycle just fine, since we pulled a popup that pushes a ton with an 87 E-150 with a 302 for a few years before we got the Club Wagon.

FWIW,
Isaac

Jul 14, 2019 | 03:27 PM

EarlT500

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Paint is Cheaper than Newer model

if you are East of the Mississippi
get it,
and have it Painted.

Newer models
have Many more Parts.

87-91 is the Best of the Best.

Much Easier to work on.

6 cyl > than V10.

Open the Hood on a Van,

Take a good Long Look,

at How Hard or Easy it will be
to Work on it,
either when you Work on it
or someone else Works on it.

6cyl is Easier to work on
than anything '97 & newer.

if you need or want
Faster acceleration,
or Towing over Hills,
that affects which Engine
is Best for you.

Also
on 5.4 engines in vans
Ford mounted the Fuel Rail over the Coils
so when a Coil needs to be Replaced
or you want to Swap a Coil or spark plug
to pin down a Misfire problem,
because Ford PCMs take so long,
(much longer than GMs)
to tell you which cylinder has a Misfire
the Fuel Rail has to be Removed.

(part of this info comes from experience
part from reading )

.

Last edited by EarlT500; Jul 14, 2019 at 03:46 PM. Reason: add ingo