Vans!

[snakebit]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

I had an extended cab stepside 97 F150 with the big V-8 (5.4l) and my roommate at the time had a 97 F150 fleetside with the little V-8 (4.6l) he got consistently 2-3mpg better around town, but I caught up on the freeway 'cause he only got 1-2mpg better. Around town, I got 17-ish. 20-22 on the freeways doing 75-ish.

Pulled his boat back from the Colo River. Got 8mpg, but got up the big hill at 55mph!

Not sure how that translates into 'van' but I'm sure it'll be similar. If it were me AND I didn't hafta worry about pulling something, I'd stick with the 5.4l. ...and I have the Stroke now! HOWEVER if you ARE planning on pulling something, the Stroke is hard to beat.

M

Interesting, I checked the EPA numbers (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymake/Ford2003.shtml) at it seems the pickups do get a little better mileage than a van with the same engine/transmission. Gearing? Aerodynamics?

I actually wanted an E-250 with the small v-8 but came across this 150 six at a price I couldn't turn down.

[RustySpokes]

Lots of Ford E series vans in here. A question for you Ford van owners, how do they hold up over the long haul? From what I've read it seems the engines and transmissions are pretty rugged. But what about all the little stuff? Do the interiors fall apart? Do they rattle like a tin can full of rocks? Suspensions and steering get loose and wonky?
What say ye?

[garandman]

Last Ford we had was a 1995 E250 (5.8L). We sold it with 165K, including a good 30,000 towing trailers. We'd replaced brakes, radiator, water pump etc. Nothing major: engine and trans were great. Ford has major market share in vans.

We bought a Chevy to replace it as it was easier to get a cargo van with cruise control. But that one only has about 75K on it.

[KidKawie]

Originally Posted by RustySpokes

Lots of Ford E series vans in here. A question for you Ford van owners, how do they hold up over the long haul? From what I've read it seems the engines and transmissions are pretty rugged. But what about all the little stuff? Do the interiors fall apart? Do they rattle like a tin can full of rocks? Suspensions and steering get loose and wonky?
What say ye?

My conversion van is based on a 99 E250 chassis, 5.4 V8. I bought it specifically for MX a couple years ago with 80k on the odo. Sucks driving on windy days, had to put some work into the front suspension replacing the shocks and some bushings. It has 115k on it and drives relitavely smooth (for a van). I own a courier service and we run Dodge cargo vans. The Dodge's rot on the floor of the bed, which is why I steered clear of them when looking for my conversion. The Dodge engine is great but the trannys blow initially at around 150-200k. After a rebuild or swap with a Jasper unit they work fine. I have an 02 B2500 right now with 400k. Just rebuilt the front end. We got rid of a 95 Dodge B1500 a while back with 550k. The valve covers were never off the engine, swapped the trans once and rebuilt the rear once.

I always liked the Ford vans after the redesign in 94?. The Dodges still sported that 70's look up until 03 which turns me off for my personal vehicle. The Ford trans shifts great and the engine runs smooth. The only problem I had with the engine was one of the coils blew. There's a coil per cylinder. It has a nice cockpit feel too.

[Jimmy the Heater]

Originally Posted by ErikY.

My RHD 4 wheel drive Mitsu Delica, imported from Japan.








Ever since my dad camperized an old Dodge Tradesman in '73, I've loved vans.

AWESOME!!!!

[Turbocelica]

Here's a van that might be of interest to somebody. Especially cool if you can register it out of California. It's a '76 Ford Van w/460 and Quadra-something 4x4 equiped. They're asking $1200 with a Salvage title. If someone out of the area is interested in it I can go get more pictures & info if needed.

http://www.autogator.com/details.php...plate=builder#

Justin

[Road Rash]

Saw this at the big swap meet last week and thought of Duke.

[Super Suz]

So far, I've taken my van to

Wright's Beach campout X 2
Big Sur campout
Baja
Los Angeles area
South Arizona
Death Valley X2
Tomey/ Panoche BLM / Mercey Hot Springs
Gold Country campout
Stoneyford campout
A really cool BMW rally in Colorado
Markleeville campout
Sierra Hot Springs
Travertine Hotsprings
Lake Tahoe, NV
Mammoth Lakes
Benton Hot Springs
Tonopah Rest Stop (one nighter), NV
Remington Hot Springs (Lake Isabella/Kern River)
Moab, Utah
Capital Reef, Utah
Crested Butte, CO
Ouray, CO
Zion, Utah
Las Vegas, Nevada
Extraterrestrial Hwy, Nevada
Fish Lake, Utah
Mystic Hot Springs, Utah
Buena Vista, CO
Strawberry Hot Springs, CO
a couple of Walmart parking lots too

That's all I can think of right now. I've had it for about two years now, I think. I get more use out of it than an RV and I'm just getting started.

Use what you have and get out there when you can.

[Hayduke]

AWESOME footage of old custom vans in this vid!

[RustySpokes]

Originally Posted by Hayduke

AWESOME footage of old custom vans in this vid!

How goes the van search Hayduke?

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by RustySpokes

How goes the van search Hayduke?

I'm not really searching right now. We had to replace Tami's broken XT (with a WR250R) so there went the van fund. Some day, though.

[NomadRip]

That is a rad video. Yeah, I said rad.

[Barnstormer]

Sort of van-like. And sort of a barn find. Last registered in 1994. Brought it home today! I've always wanted one.
I tell ya, having that trailer has been a blessing and a curse.

[ErikY.]

Originally Posted by Barnstormer

Sort of van-like. And sort of a barn find. Last registered in 1994. Brought it home today! I've always wanted one.
I tell ya, having that trailer has been a blessing and a curse.

Very cool and rare too. Elbow grease a necessity but worth it I think.

Cheers,
Erik

[dirtypumpkin]

Originally Posted by ErikY.

Very cool and rare too. Elbow grease a necessity but worth it I think.

Cheers,
Erik

+1 very cool.

You could build some cool modular rear add ons for it.
Bike hauler, camper unit, hot tub.