Input on buying a van

[CP]

Just asking for input on utility vans.&nbsp; options, etc.&nbsp; I am thinking of a Ford E250 or E350 extended van.&nbsp; Anyone have an opinion on the Triton V8 or the older inline 6 engine?&nbsp; Thanks for the great forum.<br>

 

[akrvbob]

The Ford 5.4 is a good solid engine. The 300 in-line 6 is a legendary engine. one of the best ever made by anyone. It will give you great mpg and if treated half way decent will run forever. There are some in vans but they are very hard to find. Ford put the 7.3 liter diesel in some vans and it is an outstanding engine, some of the older ones got fantastic mpg. Diesels run for a long time, but when they do need work, it is much more expensive than a gas engine. The Dodge 318 is another outstanding&nbsp; engine in a van with great reliability and great mpg. Whichever van you buy, try to buy a 1996 or earlier model, they will have OBD II which is a huge plus.<br><br>Much more important than the reputation of the engine is how it was maintained. The only way to know that is to take it to a mechanic and get it checked out. Don't buy any van until it has been checked out by a mechanic you trust!!! Keep asking those questions! Bob<br><br>

 

[deafrv]

hello all u&nbsp; i am look van&nbsp; and what is best to live&nbsp; dodge or ford ? and more room in van ? for me and gf&nbsp; . in year 1980"s&nbsp;like&nbsp; up to $500 . how i do that ?<br><br>

 

[Bear]

for me and gf&nbsp; . in year 1980"s&nbsp;like&nbsp; up to $500 . how i do that ?<BR><BR>&nbsp;

<br><br>You do that with a VERY understanding, patient, forgiving gf! and then pray or&nbsp;hope you're hitting the lottery buying a $500 van hoping it won't need a good bit of work&nbsp; - if I were to do it again, I'd buy a Ford, long bed van with swing out doors on the back and side, and then use many if not all the ideas from Steve's van conversion: <A href="http://www.cheaprvliving.com/Steves_Van_Conversion.html" target=_blank>http://www.cheaprvliving.com/Steves_Van_Conversion.html</A><br><br><br>

 

[freenez2]

My 2005 Extended e250 with 5.4L Triton engine at 78K miles has been 100% trouble free. Hope I haven't jinxed it! Gas mileage sucks though... 12 City cold and 15 Highway at 60 miles per hour hot. The extra 20 inches in the extended model is nice. <br>

 

[deafrv]

<P>i need a van too bad !!!!!</P>

 

[RichFern]

Don't mean to hyjack the thread.My question is a cargo van better than a conversion van?I will be purchasing a used van in the next two months,I really want to spend as least as possible but up to 10-k.I live in the north east USA where it gets cold and hot.I have a friend that is a master carpenter and he can customize the interior in the case of a cargo van.I was thinking of a cargo van&nbsp;that I can add&nbsp;insulation and hardwood floors and built in shelves.At some point I will be adding solar panels and maybey some other stuff.I like the extended ceiling so you don't have to bend over but don't like that it reduces ridgidity.Over the hardwood floors I will place an area rug.So is it better to get a van with the least amount of windows because of insulation purposes?I will also at some point have my friend make me a nice little kitchn so I can cook.<br>Thank Rich<br>P.s. sorry about postin here I haven't yet figured out how to make my own post since I'm new to the site and am very excited about all this.<br>