just bought a 1994 mark 3 conversion van on ebay. i have yet to see it yet, but i believe i will be picking it up on sunday. it has 156k miles on the body, but 17k miles on the 5.0. just looking for info on the van, the mark package, any upgrades to consider with the 5.0 without sacrificing mileage or mucho dollars. i post regularly on other car sites, but new here. the primary purpose of the van will be trips to FL from MA about 3-4 times per year. what should i realistically expect for mpg with 3.31 gears at about 70-75 mph?

 

I have a '94 Hi-top MKIII, but with the 4.9/6 and C-6 trans.
MKIII is out of business, but there were some folks that bought their parts. If you need genuine stuff, do a google search.

I've been to FL several times in mine. I really like it. Handles good at road speeds and is comfortable. It does like gas though, 14 mpg. I think the AODs get a little better.

Hope you enjoy it.

 

i'm pretty sure mine has the 4r70w, but i will run the vin again and double check. thanks for the info.

 

I have a 95 F150 5.0 4r70w with the 3.31 Gears and it gets around 17 MPG, maybe more as it does some city driving also if this helps. This is with the A/C off.

 

cool. so if all highway...maybe 20 mpg. i was thinking of changing to 3.08's to pick up a little more highway, but it may offset local mpg, though it won't be much. anything i can do to help the ole 5.0 out power wise? it only has 17k miles on it.

 

I have a '95 Clubwagon XLT with a 5 liter, 4R70W and a 3.55 gear. I bought it with a 3.31 and ran that gear for some time. I can almost garantee that you have a 4R70W automatic as that was the standard transmission for most 5 liter conversion vans.

With the 3.31 gear keeping to 75 mph I was getting about 17 but that was before the mandaged enthanol fuel we are stuck with now. I really didn't notice much change in mileage swapping to the 3.55 gear but it did wake it up some. I would recommend the change. I have a hard time keeping the speed down to 75 mph cruising. I always find myself creaping up to 80+. Mileage drops slightly.

I have had mine since '97 and have roughtly 248,000 miles on it. Still runs great. Here is what I have done to mine and would recommend to anyone with a 5 liter E150 chassis. Install a K&N filter. Ditch the dual catalytic converter exhaust system and install a single high flow cat and a 3" pipe with a low restiction muffler. A Dynomax motorhome UltraFlo or a Dynomax Super Turbo works great. I have a Super Turbo on mine right now. Upgrade the front swaybar. I have a Helwig ($130 from JC Whitney) but an IPD or an Adco work too. I also added an add-a-leaf rear spring kit ($22 at Autozone) because I thought the rear springs were too soft and I tow alot. Or you can do a rear swaybar in place of the helper springs. And KYB shocks.

Finally, put quality tires on it. I use BF Goodrich Commercial T/As ($69 each at Sam's Club) and love them. But Michelin, Yokohama, Pirelli and Kumho all make a comparable tire. Be sure you get the correct size (235/75-15 XL) and the correct load range and run them at the correct pressure (should be 41 psi).

I also installed an aftermarket center console and love it. If yours doesn't already have one, get one.

Since your van has quite a few miles on it it will probably need some freshening up. Have the front end parts checked (tie rods, ball joints, etc..) and replace what's worn. Also check the radius arm bushings. At 100,000 miles they start to show their age and by 150K should be replaced. Change all of the fluids, including the transmission fluid. The 4R70W is a great transmission. Mine made 236,000 before any sign of trouble.

Do a comprehensive tune up. Plugs, wires, distributor cap/rotor, PCV and clean the throttle body. Good idea too to run some injector cleaner through it. Because they are difficult to get to on vans, that stuff is often neglected.

Finally, check the filler neck hose for the fuel tank. They are prone to cracking and leaking with age.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

 

do you see a difference between these two on summit:
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294907060

also, will running a larger bar up front, but no bar out back be an issue?

 

It looks to me like its the same bar but different hardware. Either should work as a replacement for the stock bar.

No problem running a front bar without a rear bar. That's what I did on my van. I did add the rear helper springs. I highly recommend them too.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT