Please Help Me Decide What Van Model I Need
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Junior User
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Please Help Me Decide What Van Model I Need
Ok. I have outgrown my Excursion and need to get a van. I need room for 4 adults and 5 dogs that are all over 150lbs. 2 St Bernards, 2 Great Danes and a Newfoundland. I would love to go with the E150 High End model since it has Quad Captains chairs and leather is an option. How much space is behind the second row Captains Seats if all seats behind them are removed? What is the exact distance? I go from Santa Barbara to Boise several times a year and need it to be big enough for them to walk around a little. Will a E150 work or do I need to go with the Extended E350? Whatever I get will also need a 4x4 conversion. Probably Quigley, but Quadvan and Sportsmobile are options. If I have to go with the E350, I will have a conversion shop put in Quad leather Captains chairs. That will get a little pricey, but I want to be sure I get something large enough. My Excursion only has enough room if I fold down the rear seats. Thank you...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Long Island, New York
I vote for the E-250, same wheelbase more or less. I have 95 E-150 ,5L. 13-16 mpg, 138" WB. Buddy has the 2005 E-250 with the seating set up you describe, with dog and 2 young boys. Carries more weight and he got the leather from the factory. I have a 94 E-250 with the heavy duty tires, 80 lbs, rides hard. It also has the 351, 11-12 mpg. If your not going to pull anything I would get the 5 liter. I really do not like the extended van, too unstable if your not carefull or need to do emergency manuver. I do not know much about 4x4, but the others will help with that. If Extended is what you want maybe 4x4 with dual rear wheels? There is pictures of 1 in the galleries somewhere. That is also why I would get the 250 or 350. Good Luck
Posting Guru
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All Ford vans have the same wheelbase. E150, E250, E350, and E350 extended are all 138" wheelbase. The extended is only available on the E350. It wasn't always that way, on older models you could get extended vans in the lower series.
The extended passenger vans are only available with the 5.4L. If you're not towing that should be fine. The 5 liter hasn't been available for almost 10 years.
I don't have an exact measurement with the seats out, but with just four captain's chairs a non-extended van has quite a bit of room in back. With the extended van you could play football back there!
The extended passenger vans are only available with the 5.4L. If you're not towing that should be fine. The 5 liter hasn't been available for almost 10 years.
I don't have an exact measurement with the seats out, but with just four captain's chairs a non-extended van has quite a bit of room in back. With the extended van you could play football back there!
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Junior User
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Thanks, but I am hoping to get the measurements. My Excursion has a lot of room also, but is to small by a LOT. When I get the measurements, I can compare them to the X and know for sure if it is big enough. No Ford dealers in my area have any E series vans that I can go measure. I will tow a car hauler with a Blazer or Jeep on occasion so I plan to go with the bigger engine if I get the E150 or the Diesel if I go E350.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Georgia
Originally Posted by Casey
The extended passenger vans are only available with the 5.4L. If you're not towing that should be fine. The 5 liter hasn't been available for almost 10 years.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 114
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
Go to the Quigley website....they have a link to the stocking dealers in your area....they also show the available seating arrangments stock from the factory...as an owner of the Quigley (and a mechanic) I like their front coil spring, 4 link set-up as opposed to leaf springs in the other conversions. (F series 4x4 just started using coils also!!!!) Due to wieght limitations, the Quigley site will tell you what engine/van combo is avialable...just so you know what your options are.
My gas reg. van has 6'8" from the back of the second row, 4'4" high....my extended diesel has 8'2" ...of coarse choice of seating will alter these #'s slightly..Happy Hunting...Al
My gas reg. van has 6'8" from the back of the second row, 4'4" high....my extended diesel has 8'2" ...of coarse choice of seating will alter these #'s slightly..Happy Hunting...Al
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
http://www.quigley4x4.com/
I thought the Chateu package offered leather in all wieght ranges ???
There is also a comparison chart as to the cubic footage. Al
I thought the Chateu package offered leather in all wieght ranges ???
There is also a comparison chart as to the cubic footage. Al
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Posting Guru
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Originally Posted by al_e._gator
I don't know about new ones but older extended vans had the V10 available.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Wyoming County, New York
Originally Posted by Quigoline
http://www.quigley4x4.com/
I thought the Chateu package offered leather in all wieght ranges ???
There is also a comparison chart as to the cubic footage. Al
I thought the Chateu package offered leather in all wieght ranges ???
There is also a comparison chart as to the cubic footage. Al
Quicker, you could call Quigley, they have a good handle on who has what. I dealt with Phil at Warnock Ford, nice guy. They can arrange shipment anywhere in U.S.
Be sure to check out Quigley's page advertising owner's used offerings...you might find what you need there.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 333
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From: Toledo, Ohio
With that many passengers/dogs and cargo, an e-350 is definitely the way to go. Too bad about the v-10 not being available in the extended vans, used could be an option though if your willing to look for a while. As far as I know, Club wagons/ Chateau (with quad captain seats) are not available in the extended vans. They will have bench seats behind the two front captains seats. Personally I fail to see the advantage of leather seats, if someone could enlighten me on them I would appreciate it. I have had good luck/durability with the cloth seats in my Club Wagon(s). Recently, I've looked at a few Navigators/Expeditions (used) and have liked the cloth seats of the Exp's better. Do your dogs ride in crates? We have a Lab sized crate in our van and It takes up half the space in the rear from the bench seat to the back door (Non-extended van)
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I am trying to avoid an Extended if possible. My dogs do not ride in crates. I found a new 06 E150 Chateu with a Quigley Conversion at a dealer about 4 hours from me. They are asking $52k for it. If I can get them down to $48, I am goiing to take it.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Toledo, Ohio
I would test drive an e-150 with a typical load and then drive an e-350 with the same load. The e-350 is a much more stable van with those types of loads. The e150 rides nice empty or with lighter loads. (Have had both) Maybe the Quigley conversion is sprung heavier than a typical e-150 though (sway bars too)
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
MCNE,
I calculate you will have 1550 pounds just with dogs (5*150) and people (4*200)! Taking five dogs, you certainly are going to be carrying (70+) pounds of dog food and 5-10 gallons (80 pounds) of water. That comes to a min. of 1700 pounds (1 ton).
Not counting suitcases, towing, etc.
You really need a E-250 at min. or E-350!
Though I normally like the 60/40 barn door, considering your cargo (people and dogs) get that sliding side door.
Dual zone (front and rear0 heat and A/C!
If you get a E-150 and E-250 for a test drive, the E-150 rides better. If you put a driver and 500 pounds in both vehicles, the E-250 will ride better then the E-150. Put 2,000 pounds in both and the E-250/E-350 is the only choice.
re:why leather someone asked
Easier to keep clean, way more comfy on long trips and breathes better without getting hot and sticky. I know having dogs and kids, cloth is the worse way to go. You end up with smelly grungy seats. Wet dog and wet cat smell does not come out of fabric.
I calculate you will have 1550 pounds just with dogs (5*150) and people (4*200)! Taking five dogs, you certainly are going to be carrying (70+) pounds of dog food and 5-10 gallons (80 pounds) of water. That comes to a min. of 1700 pounds (1 ton).
Not counting suitcases, towing, etc.
You really need a E-250 at min. or E-350!
Though I normally like the 60/40 barn door, considering your cargo (people and dogs) get that sliding side door.
Dual zone (front and rear0 heat and A/C!
If you get a E-150 and E-250 for a test drive, the E-150 rides better. If you put a driver and 500 pounds in both vehicles, the E-250 will ride better then the E-150. Put 2,000 pounds in both and the E-250/E-350 is the only choice.
re:why leather someone asked
Easier to keep clean, way more comfy on long trips and breathes better without getting hot and sticky. I know having dogs and kids, cloth is the worse way to go. You end up with smelly grungy seats. Wet dog and wet cat smell does not come out of fabric.
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Thanks everyone. I decided to just go big and ordered a Sportsmobile 4x4 Conversion. It has a bigger fuel tank (49 gal) and MUCH tighter turning radius than Quigley. They are using a E-350 RB base van and putting in 4 Captains chairs, windows, a fridge and micro, small sink and porta poti. It will have a genny so I can run the A/C for hours without the van running. I went with the 6.0l Diesel. Total cost will be around $60k but it qualifies for RV financing so I will get a 120 month loan to lower the payment.
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