These are great comments, thanks to everyone. I was thinking this morning about the safety factor as well after having read about a rear ender, Ex owner hit by a tractor trailor (one of the posts on this forum), and wondered how well the E350 would hold up to that sort of collision?

Also, doesn't the Ex have side impact beams?
I don't think the van does, does it?

It's pretty hard for me to consider these 2 examples "ugly"



FWIW- The intended use is as follows:

Primary:

I am the Marine Operations person for a non-profit, deployable SAR team (marine environment).- The vehicle will be used as a team vehicle to transport personnel and equipment, tow the bigger boats and amphibious vehicles.
A place to keep the gear "relatively" secure when not in use, and provide a mini-command center on scene.
We have a full sized, RV style command center, but many searches just do not justify it's use or cost. Since we're a non-profit, expenses come from donations, grants and out of pocket. As such, we try to keep costs down as much as possible.

It will also be used to extritcate people from and transport medical/law enformcement personnel into, flooded/obstructed areas, once we determine by watercraft and amphib. that the area is safely passable. Thus the need for 4wd, a raised vehicle (bigger tires), better visability and the extra room inside.

Secondary:

Even though the primary use wil be for the team, I will own it and provide it to the team as an asset.
It'll be fully marked and insured under the teams policy, but when not in use, I'll use it to haul the 4 year old live in grandaughter, her mom (my daughter), our son (6'1" +), thier friends, the wife and myself, to camping, fishing, canoeing locations around the state in comfort without being cramped.

I love the Ex too (which is what brought me here in the 1st place). Just looking for the pros and cons from the "pros" here, as to which may be the most practical?

Will probably go with the UJoint custom unless I can get a decent deal on a Sportmobile. Looking 1999-2006. Prefer a 7.3 which limits my options as to the year a bit.

I can build the Ujoint custom, buying the parts and having the labor done and paying as I go, so as to not have the overhead.

I can pick up a 1999-2003 for under 8k. Later models a bit more.
By the time I add the custom package, probably add another 10k but it'll be pay as you go so I'm fine with that.

An Ex (diesel) seems to be in the 20k+ range all day long, as do the used Sportmobiles.

Either way, Ex, Spoortmobile, or UJoint, it looks like I'll be tit for tat (+/-) in $$$ at the end of the day.

I also own a 1989 FJ62 Landcruiser.
I have decided to keep it, repair it and modify it, for personal use. It seats 5 comfortably, 7 if I add the 3rd row seating, but does not have the extra room an Ex or Van offers or the flexibility. Can't really haul the loads (externally or internally) that either of the aforementioned to are capable of.

It is easy to get in/out of tight places, a very capable off road vehicle and tough as freaking nails! Also getting more and more rare which appeals to me a bit

It can haul the hovercraft, small boats (<22') and airboat (16-20 ') with little effort (we're in Florida) and a canoe fits fine on the top. It's paid for so I don't get the added benefit of additional payment.

Anyway, now you know my reason for asking

Any more input will be greatly appreciated

 

I think you are going to find a big difference in price, the 4x4 vans are pretty rare and if they are in prime condition will command a price to match... Ex's are a lot easier to find right now. Ford has a certification program for companies that upfit ford "incomplete vehicles" like RV's cab and chassis, ambulances etc. you will not have warranty issues if the company is certified by ford. if you are looking new a 4x4 van starts around $50K on up over $100K for sportmobiles and such

 

sar skipper...thats a tuff looking van. quigley is a very reputable company with a quality product. that being said what does the OP need a van/ex for? a buddy has a e350 4x4 and he puts dirtbikes in the back and he can go to some remote locations, so a ex would be no good for him. either way both are good choices. or if you want step up to the big boys and get yourself a f350 pick up.

 

Thanks for all the advise and infomation southpaw.

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with the prices of them new and they're completely out of my "out of pocket" price range.
We just had our newest rescue airboat completed by Diamondback here in Florida. It's a 20' open with high sides, drop down ramp/grass rake, Levitator engine with carbon fiber prop, etc, etc.

Will be used primarily for animal rescue and was funded through a grant from a private organization.

Unless we were able to come up with that sort of funding, etc., buying new would be completely out of the question.

I've been looking at used (sportmobile even has a used section on thier site), and the prices "start" in the mid 20's for an older model.

I'm really considering U-Joint Engineering's conversion.

It's can be purchased and/or completed, in pay as you go, or as a completed package.

Since I'm probably going to end up funding this project myself, the pay as you go option really appeals to me.

The end result (Seen above) seems well engineered and uses quality products.

They're not that far from me (I'm in Florida they're in NC) so going there to have certain parts fitted wouldn't be a real problem either.

I also have some great fabricators and mechanics available to me via friends and team mebmers. I think we could get it done here if necessary.

I have found late 90's (1999) through mid 2000, E350 diesels for a decent price. It may end up costing half as much or better as much as a new van, but again the idea of paying it off as I go is appealing to me on this project.

I've made the same decision on an Ex if I end up going that way. It will be a cash deal....no financing!!

The only warranty issue I would be concerned with is on the diesel engine, if there's any left. The conversion shouldn't effect that warranty.

I am the OP

Here's what we need it for:

A pick up, even the Crew Cab, won't do what I need it to do
It's an Ex or the van for our purposes.

The need to get into remote locations is easily accomplished by my landcruiser or one of the amphibious vehicles. The van/Ex would be used as a base in those cases, and everything stays (relatively) secure inside.

 

just havin' some fun. i say stick with the van.

 

I understood

My first thought early on was a 250-350 dually. But as needs changed (both team and family), I had to look more toward the Ex or a 4x4 Van.

Just trying to sort it all ouot at the moment, which is why I turned to the good folks here. Everyone seems sincere, seems to have good information and are willing to toss out some ideas.

Thanks to everyone for all your information.

Its a great place you have here.

Enjoy a happy and safe 4th

 

I was in the same predicament. I wanted an Ex. but unfortunately they stopped making them 6 years ago. And if you want a good diesel engine you gotta go all the way back to 2003 for the 7.3.

I wanted something newer that doesn't have a lot of miles, and hasn't been abused or improperly modified by the previous owner, or owners. But I'm not going to pay $30k for a low milage Excursion.

So I got a 2010 E350 with 20k miles for $18k. It still feels like a new vehicle, has a warranty, hauls plenty of people, tows great, and with a few mods I can make it look pretty cool. The only thing I don't have is 4x4, but some good tires and a rear locking diff should be good enough to cover my needs.

 

I would have considered a van but I wanted something already family friendly. Most of the E250-E350 vans I have seen are cargo vans with no side windows and no seats to speak of. I paid $7000 for my 2000 Ex. I doubt I could have found a van for that price even a 2WD version. I grew up in vans and would have liked the extra volume and head room. I am not knocking the EX but from a cargo standpoint it is hard to beat a van. I stayed away from 4x4 and Diesel to reduce maintenance costs.

Perry

 

Right now there are tons of 2010 passenger vans on the dealer lots from fleet leases with 20k miles on them. Most are white but some are silver.

 

I did SAR in Arizona with the Mountain Rescue Association (backcountry mountain stuff) and I would recommend the van, especially if it will also function as a semi command vehicle. More headroom and space for multiple people to gather around a table/maps and discuss the SAR plan. Also can get the group out of the elements (rain/heat) much easier.

A cargo van, it is inherently more secure because there are not side windows. Out of sight, out of mind and less surface area to break in through. That also allows you to use the inner side walls for storage/rack space that the Ex side windows don't afford.

I love my Ex but in this application I think a van would be best.