I may have found a 1988 Ford e-150 club wagon

[Chongolio]

I am going to hopefully test drive the van next week when I get back to the states.

My uncle,who knows a thing or two about engines of all types, has looked it over and says this rig is in pretty good shape. It is also priced under my budget of $5000ish

I am not afraid to wrench and would rather have an older vehicle with a solid motor with easy to find parts than something new filled with newfangled electronic gizmos and sensors.

My only concern really is how this baby will do towing a cargo trailer filled with living supplies and a motorcycle on a semi full time basis.

I am gonna ask the seller, who also comes across as very knowledgeable, a few more questions regarding the tranny and gearing before I pull the trigger.

I just wanted to share, any of your thoughts or input are welcome.

Here are a few excerpts from seller’s post:

• Has automatic overdrive transmission. The motor is a 302 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection.

• The van has a factory tow package.

• New Shocks with overloads in the back.

• Tires are Michelan with 20K wear.

• Engine water pump recently replaced.

• Has new radiator. Ignition and column linkage was replaced 2 mos ago.

• No major damage at all.

• It has oil leak on passenger rocker cover, needs fixed. No other fluid leaks.

• Entire brakejob 10K back, they are excellent.

• It has 54,458 original miles on it.

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[Weight]

The age of tires are more important than miles. The odometer on those vans turn over at 99,999.9. I would bet 155,000 miles.

 

[Chongolio]

The age of tires are more important than miles. The odometer on those vans turn over at 99,999.9. I would bet 155,000 miles.

The seller says the odometer has not flipped and that the first owner was an old guy who only used the van on weekends to attend ball games.

I have family in the tire biz so that is not an issue for me.


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[closeanuf]

That thing is still 30 years old.  $5000 seems like WAY TOO MUCH to me.  54,000 miles in 30 years, I find that hard to believe and and low miles on something that old scares me.  For $5000 I think you could find something you'd be happier with.  I have a friend who bought a 87 Ford van from a church that didn't need it any longer for $400.

 

[rm.w/aview]

My only concern really is how this baby will do towing a cargo trailer filled with living supplies and a motorcycle on a semi full time basis.
I am gonna ask the seller, who also comes across as very knowledgeable, a few more questions regarding the tranny and gearing before I pull the trigger.
I just wanted to share, any of your thoughts or input are welcome.



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Doing a tow rating search on the web and crossing that with your trailer weight loaded may be helpful.

 

[Chongolio]

Doing a tow rating search on the web and crossing that with your trailer weight loaded may be helpful.

The seller says he has towed a few bikes in an enclosed trailer but has not done so full time or on a regular basis.

I plan to get a look at the door sticker in hopes of shedding some light on the gearing of the tranny.

I have decoded the vin# which tells me the van’s GVWR is 6000-7000 lbs

I don’t have a trailer yet but research shows a 12x6’ enclosed trailer will weigh in with a GVWR in the neighbor hood of 2990 lbs

My heaviest motorcycle is 662. Lbs

So that leaves about 3448 lbs without living supplies, solar and build out weight.

So If I keep a close eye on loaded weight after the build out, I should still fall well within the van’s tow capacity.

All that being said, I can’t help to wonder if a van with a larger GVWR would be better or overkill for my needs.

So much to think about and learn, but I kinda dig it!


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[rm.w/aview]

The GVWR minus the weight of the vehicle itself will give you the number you'll be working with. As you said, the door sticker should have this.

 

[user 13531]

302/5.0L Ford is a little friggin work horse. Parts are everywhere. I've had a couple of them in shop trucks we ran well over 200K with no major problems.. Check it for rust and frame damage... Good Luck!

 

[Chongolio]

The GVWR minus the weight of the vehicle itself will give you the number you'll be working with. As you said, the door sticker should have this.

Are you certain? From what I read in the article linked below the formula you gave will give the payload which is not the same as towing capacity.

http://www.carlifenation.com/for-tr...fference-between-payload-and-towing-capacity/


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[Chongolio]

302/5.0L Ford is a little friggin work horse. Parts are everywhere. I've had a couple of them in shop trucks we ran well over 200K with no major problems.. Check it for rust and frame damage... Good Luck!

Thanks for your feedback! I have been reading good things about those motors. I will get underneath with a flashlight and giving it hard look for the things you mentioned next week.


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[Wanderer]

Nada say low retail is $1,925 Mid is $3,800 and High Retail is $6,150


High Retail Value
This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well-maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, trim and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition. Some vehicles may be considered “matching numbers” vehicles.

I once hit a dealer who had a 1984 Buick Station Wagon priced at $5995. Not taking one penny off it. Orig was 9,100 but it had 12K miles on it. Elderly couple had it garaged every night and no night driving. Church and back. What a creampuff it was.

 

[Chongolio]

Nada say low retail is $1,925 Mid is $3,800 and High Retail is $6,150

I would say this particular vehicle falls between high and medium and is fairly priced



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[rm.w/aview]

Are you certain? From what I read the formula you gave will give the payload which is not the same as towing capacity.

My mistake, you are right... GVWR-Unloaded Vehicle Weight=CCC (payload). I wasn't focused when I posted that other stuff, sorry.

 

[Chongolio]

My mistake, you are right... GVWR-Unloaded Vehicle Weight=CCC (payload). I wasn't focused when I posted that other stuff, sorry.

No worries! my brain is starting to smoke from all this info and mathematics



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[Wanderer]

I would say this particular vehicle falls between high and medium and is fairly priced



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No probs. Like I posted, there's cars so well maintained and driven so little they are maybe 50% or their retail rice and worth it.

 

[4x4sporty]

This van was built when interstate speeds were much less. My guess is it will be all it wants to pull its self down the interstate at todays speeds with it loaded to live in.
I had a 1995 1 ton with a 5.8 motor and it sounded like it was coming apart on big hills pulling a 2500 lb load. I also had a 1997 with a 5.4 fuel injected and it handled the task much better. 
The fuel mileage for the 1995 was in the single digits pulling and low double digits in the 1997
FWIW

 

[Chongolio]

This van was built when interstate speeds were much less. My guess is it will be all it wants to pull its self down the interstate at todays speeds with it loaded to live in.
I had a 1995 1 ton with a 5.8 motor and it sounded like it was coming apart on big hills pulling a 2500 lb load. I also had a 1997 with a 5.4 fuel injected and it handled the task much better. 
The fuel mileage for the 1995 was in the single digits pulling and low double digits in the 1997
FWIW

Thanks for your reply. I will add it to the stew I got simmering.



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[Chongolio]

I was able to get under the van for a peek at the undercarriage and saw zero rust anywhere. I also learned it has a 3.55 geared rear end which should be fine for my towing needs.

All the doors open and close perfectly and as mentioned earlier the body is perfect, so no obvious signs of a bent frame.

The test drive was pleasant with no shakes or shimmies and it got up to speed quickly without a cough or wheeze.

There is a valve cover leak, a side window that needs to be fixed along with a crack in the windshield. Also, some broken bits and bobs.

At this point, I am 95% sold unless it comes back from the mechanic with some sort of major alignment issue. (Seller is taking it in because he is pissed that the tires are showing wear after being told an alignment was not needed.)

The tire/alignment issue should be sorted next week by the time I get back from WA to get my driver’s license and motorcycle registered.





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[NoMadYesHappy]

I am going to hopefully test drive the van next week...

Wow!  Looks to be in really good shape, and 54K miles for an '88 is pretty dang good!
I think I'm going to hold out for something with 4WD.

 

[Chongolio]

Wow!  Looks to be in really good shape, and 54K miles for an '88 is pretty dang good!
I think I'm going to hold out for something with 4WD.

Yeah it looks super clean and well cared for. I will be the third owner.

The seller is a local guy with a mechanical background so I am not worried about being passed a lemon.

A 4x4 would be nice, but not really needed for my situation. After oil leak repair and tranny cooler install, I may upgrade rear end at one point.

But for now going to move on to looking for a trailer to build out.




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