Way off topic...attention contractors

[Dirty Dan Dawkins]

I found an 02 Ford E350 with a 5.4 engine and only 59k miles on it. Nice to me. Has a Grumman-Olson aluminum utility body. Walk-in the rear with standing height. Tool boxes down both sides on the exterior.

Price is fair from all I have seen and had to compare to. Been eyeing these, but they tend to run a bit high and out of my budget.

My 03 Chevy needs a tranny and I'm ready to move on anyways. Last Ford I had was 98 E350 with a 7.3 PSD. Great van. Old boss still has it with nearly 300k and all he's done is the expected head gasket replacement for PSD's at around 250k (he's had to on all his PSD powered vans).

What say you on:

These Ford 5.4 engines?

What fuel economy can I get out of these bodies? I been getting 13 or so outta my Chevy. Don't really wish to go down. I figured the aluminum cargo body should help in some way.

Any other considerations?

 

I may ride up to Blue Ridge tomorrow.

 

Thanks pards and pardettes!

 

See here:

 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=311786778&dealer_id=57027721&car_year=2002&position=top&model=E350ECON&pager.offset=25&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=VANS&scarid=309028753&search_type=both&distance=200&rdm=1324614850296&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&dma=ATLANTA_SE&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=64&first_record=26&isFlashPlugin=true&default_sort=priceASC&address=30055&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=18000&make=FORD&num_records=25&seller_type=b&cardist=100&standard=false

[Wasatch Lawman]

I don't have a van, however I've got the 5.4 in an Expedition that as big or bigger than a van. I get 17mpg on open cruise on the freeway @65mph drops to 13mpg@80mph. Average around town is 15mpg.

 

Been a good motor, had a ign. coil go out around 110K, got about 140K on it now.

 

 

Wasatch

[Krazy Kajun]

Looks like it'll have enough room to tote your guns between stages. It might be big enough for you to carry Tuco too

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

Sounds similar to the van a pard has in Denver. Typically around town he gets 13-14 mpg, highway up to 17 or so and over 70 mph drops back to about 14.

Currently has about 150K on it and has just started to use a little oil (maybe 1/2 quart between changes). Normal routine maintenance (he is not a mechanic and does not want to be), check oil and belts etc. has been about it.

A little hard on tires but he is an architect/remodeling person so I suspect the load is near max most of the time.

Has said when time to replace he would get another just like it so I guess that qualifies as an endorsement.

YMMV

 

Regards

 

 

Gateway Kid

[Chief Rick]

We have an '06 E350 extended with the 5.4L and just rolled over 100k (bought it used with about 45k on it).

 

My wife has used it to haul our 26 ft bumper pull travel trailer from Norfolk, VA to Denver, CO and back to MS.

 

Mileage with no load on the highway is around 17 if we keep to the posted speed limit, around town gets about 11-13. Towing the trailer (~3,800 lbs) averages 9 mpg.

 

It is a heavy vehicle and will go through brakes and tires. Rotate the tires at every oil change, every other at the most, and tire life will be prolonged.

[Dirty Dan Dawkins]

Well, rather than droppin' money on something else, I decided to rebuild transmission, do brakes job all the way arounds and push for another 100k. Course I need tires within the next 18 months. There's some body work to be done, but I do believe I will repaint myself (and a pard) and spread money out over time on fixin it up like new. I am at 210k now, but its paid for and aside from the tranny and brakes only other issues are cosmetic. Using the formula VEHICLE COST/REMAINING EXPECTED MILEAGE BEFORE MAJOR REPAIR (engine or tranny) , I got a nickle a mile average no matter what I bought. So, end decision was to stick with what I know and that which cost the less.