I've been looking into the E-series vans and have concluded that I'd be best served by an E-250 extended with one bench seat behind the front, so about 5 passenger capacity, with the rear portion for cargo. I'd want windown for the passengers, windows on the rear doors, but nothing in the back section. I haven't been able to build one on the ford site that matches these specs and I'm wondering if they're even offered or if it would have to be customl optioned or later reconfigured by me.
This image from autosite shows what I want well.


Anyone know how to get what I want, what I really really want?

 

that would be a fleet style van, there is no interior in the back(only front two seats) unless you consider tool rack/shelves an interior, and the side glass is only on the swinging doors(option), nothing on the drivers side.
Think cutom interior.
Ford Commercial trucks

 

I get the impression this site is meant to be a guide and you really have to go to a good dealer to get the most out of it. But looking at it, I think you can get pretty close. You would have to go with an E-350, rather than a 250, but if you are using it for work or towing, that would probably be prudent anyway. Look at the "E-350 Super Duty - Extended Wagon XLT" with the "Center AisleSeating Prep Package"

Or ask your dealer about a "Crew Van Package" which may be even closer:
Crew Van Package

• 2nd row vinyl bench seat
• Metal bulkhead
• Low series rear partial headliner
• Full “B” pillar trim panels
• Low series side and back door trim panels

Which looks like it might be exactly what you're looking for. Personally, if I had the funds to buy a new van, I'd probably go this route (adding a diesel, dual batteries, H-D alternator, etc), sending it to Quigley for 4WD and then to a conversion shop for a raised roof. I use my conversion van more for cargo (all rear seats have been removed) and could not imagine owning a van w/o a raised roof. Granted, by the time I was done, I'd have a $60K van...

 

I'd seriously consider the Quigley job as well, hence another thread of mine. I might be able to flex up to a 350, but the 250 has always seemed most appropriate. I'd have no problem putting my own second row seat in, but I'd really prefer the side windows for the passenger compartment and windows on the rear doors. So just getting those windows and a plain back end on an exteneed wheelbase is all I really need.

Would I have to go to a different dealer for a fleet van or how would i go about picking one up? I'm also inclined to think a used van might be best for starters.

 

You aren't getting an extended wheelbase because all Econolines are built on a 138 inch wheelbase. The extended vans are longer behind the wheels, but the wheelbase is the same as the non extended vans.

 

Granted, my mistake. Would extended body be the better term, or should I just say extended van?

 

A used E350 church van gets dangerously close to what you are looking for without breaking the bank.

Remove the extra seats for the cargo room and you have the benefit of a much more effective heat and air conditioning system and the floor mat.

I'm not sure why you don't want the rear quarter windows, if it's just a styling issue or a functional one. If you elaborate on that a little bit, maybe a solution can be found.

Gene

 

sounds like a good idea, the church van/ commuter bus should be available after the bad press lately. and the rear windows can be boarded over for security if that is an issue.

 

The advantage of no rear windows would be to be able to put cabinets up there for access from the inside. Would also be less glass to break in case of rough travels (I know I'm stretching it there).

I wouldn't completely rule out having rear windows, but I much prefer their absence, and yes styling is part of it. I pretty much want a two compartment vehicle. Church vans are a possibility, but chances are they'd be pretty worn if they're getting rid of them.

 

It sounds like the crew van is closest thing to what you want. To get all the way there you would have to get a window installed on the driver's sdie aftermarket. You might even be able to use one from the junkyard and just have the hole cut.

 

So the windows I see on the side are only on the doors and not on the side panels? Much as I prefer no rear windows, I'd take them as opposed to leaving my second row without a driver's side window.

 

Elvish,

I can relate to the frustration as I looked for something similiar myself for a long time. Not to be found. The other posts are right on about having to deal with trade offs and what is important to you. It depends on how much you want in creature comforts.

A 15 pass (Extended Van) comes with all the seats and allows you to reconfigure to your hearts content by moving the seat mounts to where ever you want them (pretty much) plus you have seat belts already properly tied in to strong points.

With the XLT you get the rear heat/A/C which makes a huge difference in heating and cooling the cave inside. You get all the trim panels and headliner which you could modify with a little thought to butt up to the cabinets lining the rear. (Not the headliner as it carries the overhead vents and lighting.

If you are set on the fleetside look for the rear sides, and rear quarters, those windows come out without a lot of effort and you could make a metal or fiberglass insert which would bolt in place of the windows. A body shop would easily fill the seams /gaps and you would have what you want. The windows for the side doors and behind the driver would be stock installed flush mounted. With the number of vans built I am sure you could find rear doors without windows if you wanted those as well.

E350 vs E250 - For an extended van and 4x4 conversion (if that is what I read in your post) I would and did choose E350. These are big heavy units already and to have the additional capacities and upgrades that come with the 350 chassis just seemed smart to me.

If creture comfort is not important, then a Windowless Extended E350 Cargo would be the way to go and just add aftermarket windows to the doors and behind driver. You may be able to order the RV chassis with a full headliner and the creture comforts, but it will not come with rear seats or rear seat belts. Again, you should be able find these in a wrecking yard or Ebay.

We went with a used 2003 15 pass E350 V10 w 24k miles. Bought on Ebay for less than $17k over a year ago. Did a Quadvan 4x4 conversion, sports suspension and then I reconfigured seating so we have flexible storage in the back or the entire van for camping. I am going to make color matched fabric covered panels I will insert inside the rear quarter and rear door windows to block out the rear of the van for privacy when we are camping and use curtains on the windows behind the driver and side doors and across the front window to complete the privacy. From the outsinde it will look like a normal full window van but inside I will have the cargo feeling for sleeping and camping.

Just some thoughts on the subject..... Good Luck!

 

Personally I would take accessory manufactured windows any day over stock. Pick your size, your tint, AND, you can get windows that will open and have screens. All the van conversion co's use the nice windows. My ClubWagon has zero opening windows, with the exception of one on the drivers side, and it pops out about an inch on the bottom, might as well not even open.

Check your state laws for EPA testing, many times the 1 ton will be not subject to so many rules and regs. Plus, the cost difference is very minor, the ride quality is the same but you have more tow and cargo hauling capacity. A used 1 ton ext length can be bot cheap, add a couple windows, and a power folding rear seat that makes into a sleeper, some cabinets and a partition and you're set. But unless you get a passenger van you'll have no rear a/c & heat. And that is a big space to overcome with a front only heat/a-c unit.

The raised roof option is about $1500 locally, my last van had it, I wish this van had it, but I do notice less wind resistance in gusty, side wind conditions.

Be sure you weigh the difference in diesel costs, both higher price initially and much higher fuel and maintenance costs as opposed to a gas engine. Alot of towing heavy loads and alot of miles must be traveled to come out even, just something to think about. The 5.4 V8 and the 6.8 V-10 get very similar mileage, but the power difference is huge.

And finally, Quigley will normally only do 1 year old or less vehicles, so check with them if you want 4WD. A good positrac unit will double the traction for most places, at only $500/$600 or so installed. Most all the trucks that pre-run the big off-road desert races are 2WD with rear lockers, FYI, Ken

 

ElvishWarrior21,

There are many of the "church style" vans available for sale at just about any wear level you are willing to pay for. You can check locally to see what may be available. Some organizations are selling their vans earlier than they might normally due to the bad publicity of the roll over scare.
There is a company in North Carolina ( adventurevans.com ) that is in the van leasing and rental business that sells their used vans on ebay. Most are one to two years old and appear to be in very good condition. I'm not endorsing them, just giving you a place to look.
I'm not sure if the van will be used for business or personal transportation or both, but to address some of the issues you mentioned:
The rear quarter glass has a fairly dark tint on it from the factory so if you painted the backside of the shelving units flat black I doubt that they would be very noticeable from the outside.
If the van is for commercial purposes you could use the rear windows as a place to put your company signs. Also, there are companies that make custom vinyl signs or graphics that cover both sheet metal and window glass with one large logo. You cannot see into the vehicle but you can see out of the windows as if it were not there. Very cool. I saw that on either a Prevost or MCI motor coach website if you are interested in checking in to it. Or the filler panels could be fabricated as mentioned by another poster. You could do a lot to the van for the money you will save buying a used van of this type.
Ken's remarks about the heat and air are what I was getting at earlier. Your middle seat passengers will be very uncomfortable with only the dash air and it will be hard to cool the van in the driver's area on a very hot day without the rear air. If you intend to build a solid bulkhead to divide the back from the front, you would probably have to engineer an air return duct (the intake) that takes some of it's air from the front and some from the rear. In my opinion it wouldn't be hard to do and would be well worth the effort.
If you shop around for a while you will see some of the 15 passenger vans in XLT trim and with V10 engines. That would be my choice.

Gene

 

I wonder if a bulkhead was built with a non-rear a/c model, if it was just behind a single row of seats behind the driver/pass if that space would be small enough to be served by the in-dash unit ? I think that is what the poster was thinking ? Personally I don't know if it would be sufficient or not, but I'm guessing if the passenger space was small enough, that the front unit may work, of course depending on where the poster lives. I'm in the Pacific Northwest, so we rarely get the huge high or low temps. Ken