Ford E350 vans

[Tharkûn]

Need to buy a used E350 cargo van for my wife's business, but I don't know much about Fords engine lineup. Go for the gas V8, V10, diesel 6.0 or 7.3? Will occasionally do some light towing, like the size of a motorcycle trailer

 

[auntiebling]

let's just get this out of the way...

 

[MrIncredible]

The best engine of the lot is the 7.3. They made two of them-one is the powerstroke, and the previous one is the IDI. Either should outlast your needs, though the latter is simpler but less powerful.

 

[ThumperX]

E350 7.3 Powerstroke arty

We sold ours when we bought the Sprinter and miss its capable self.
Sonny, "fawndog" and "Everett"DuckyFresh" are probably good folks to talk to.

 

[Tharkûn]

E350 7.3 Powerstroke arty

We sold ours when we bought the Sprinter and miss its capable self.
Sonny, "fawndog" and "Everett"DuckyFresh" are probably good folks to talk to.

Good to know, was looking at the sprinter also. 7.3 it is

 

[MysterYvil]

Need to buy a used E350 cargo van for my wife's business, but I don't know much about Fords engine lineup. Go for the gas V8, V10, diesel 6.0 or 7.3? Will occasionally do some light towing, like the size of a motorcycle trailer

My work had a V-10, which I got to drive a few times. I was unimpressed, no discernable power or torque improvement over the V-8.

Not sure if they still offer it, by my father had a straight-six version, which was the suckiest van that ever sucked. Crap mileage, no power, couldn't tow worth shit.

If you're set on buying a used Ford, make certain it's never been in a front-end collision. Their "double I-beam" front suspension is fairly easily tweaked and apparently nigh-impossible to properly repair. We went through front tires at a prodigious rate.

 

[ThumperX]

The Sprinter is AWESOME especially its 20mpg. If your wife isn't transporting on rough roads and it's in your budget I'd go with the Sprinter. If you are doing super hard work (like we do) hauling big loads going in questionable terrain the Ford is the better choice.

 

[Zerox]

Sonny, "fawndog" and "Everett"DuckyFresh" are probably good folks to talk to.

We drove Ducky's 7.3 to Utah to race at Miller a couple years ago, that van had so much power it just cruised effortlessly all day long, up hills no worries even fully loaded with two racebikes and assorted gear.

 

[fawndog]

I've driven the v6-v8-v10-7.3 2x4 and 4x4

v6 gets 15 mpg and has mild power, just don't load it down and it'll be like any ecobox car even on steep climbs.

v8 (460) friggen bulletproof, (I cant talk about the modular 5.4) but it's thirsty if you step on it

v10 not as thirsty or as punchy as a 460, reliability ? GoGo is up to 300K on his 98 E350

7.3 You know a diesel mechanic ? Who's also a contortionist ? Sure you can neglect them a bit and they are monsters once in the turbo spool, but rarely will you repair anything on them cheaply (compared to gas versions).

 

[Tharkûn]

Hmmmm good info. Certainly don't need the pulling power of the diesel.

What year did they make the 460? All I see are 5.4s

 

[fawndog]

97 is the last year

 

[MrIncredible]

Another thing to consider is 96 and older diesels won't need to be smogged.

 

[Duc996Girl]

I'm also looking into possibly buying a Sprinter for the biz. They look awesome and those high ceilings will help us carry a ton of event stuff...hmm....

 

[Tharkûn]

I'm also looking into possibly buying a Sprinter for the biz. They look awesome and those high ceilings will help us carry a ton of event stuff...hmm....

We would like that as well, but they're a little out of the budget for now

 

[fawndog]

Another thing to consider is 96 and older diesels won't need to be smogged.

98+ are required to smog, it's a easy test, they just look to see if you have "riced it out" with exhaust and a tune or if it belches black smoke. (what's the redneck term for that?)

 

[MrIncredible]

98+ are required to smog, it's a easy test, they just look to see if you have "riced it out" with exhaust and a tune or if it belches black smoke. (what's the redneck term for that?)

Accelerating

 

[afm199]

Unless you really need the weight capacity, I'd go down to a 250 or 150. The heavy vans are HEAVY and get crap mileage.

My E150 with a V6 easily carries two bikes and gear and gets 17+ mpg doing it.

 

[Cereal KLR]

Unless you really need the weight capacity, I'd go down to a 250 or 150. The heavy vans are HEAVY and get crap mileage.

My E150 with a V6 easily carries two bikes and gear and gets 17+ mpg doing it.

^^^
The lighter rated versions work just fine. They came with the 4.6 small V8 also if feel the need to get the super duty model. The Sac are has tons ,lots of service/delivery trucks up there.