Is the 4.6L engine enough for van living?

[jmp11m]

I'm debating on buying a 2004 Ford E250 cargo that looks like a great deal

However I'm hesitant over the 4.6L V8 that's in it. I currently live where I'll be driving in the Rocky Mtns a decent amount. As far as build, I won't be going crazy like attaching 10 gallon water tanks or anything, but certainly look to put a high top and solar panels along with the typical bed, small kitchen.

Will the 4.6L be enough for this? Does anyone have any experiences they could share with the 4.6L? Lemme hear your thoughts, thanks!

 

[John61CT]

Towing something very heavy would be the only issue, and of course maintenace issues.

But as long as you're patient climbing those grades no worries for even a relatively heavy buildout.

A 10 gallon tank, nor anything else you mention should not even be noticeable.

But of course the lighter you keep her the easier and cheaper your travels.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Funny you should ask. My Ford van has the 4.6L but is not a hightop.

The 4.6L is decent motor, but it's a bit short on horsepower when pulling a trailer especially in the mountains. But without a trailer it does fine in the mountains. 

I'm not sure how much just a high-top will affect it, I would assume it would be affected a bit, but probably not enough to downshift a lot.

Mine gets as much as 21 mpg on the highway (around 65mph) but usually about 19-20 mpg. 

My van also has a 35 gallon tank giving me around 575-600 mile range...I love that part.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Our 1976 Ford Turtletop had a 6'3" inside height.
It weighed 6300 pounds with all our stuff inside it.
(Fridge/stove/sleeping for four/TV...etc.)
It had a 120 HP 6 cylinder engine and we went everywhere with it.
Maine to Key West and throughout Appalachia lots of mountains.
Never had any problems.
You will not even begin to have power issues with a 4.6 V8.
Don't give it another thought.

 

[tripper]

It will just be slow, take it easy put it in a low gear and don't floor it. I used to drive my 225 slant six in the California mountains with a cab over camper on it, only issue I ever had was the 4 wheel manual drum brakes fading away on down hills.

 

[frater secessus]

Here are some threads mentioning the Ford 4.6L. 

That's a normal web search with the phrase site:cheaprvliving.com added.  This works on Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Pardon the second entry here, but while people are trying to help, the waters are getting murky.

For a little added perspective:
The 4.6 powers Mustang GT's.
Police Crown Victoria "Interceptors" are 4.6 V8's.
The 4.6 has more horsepower and a tiny bit less torque than the "330" Ford engine used for years and years in nearly every U-Haul 24 foot moving van, a ton of school buses. Full sized school buses. Oil delivery trucks. Fire apparatus. 5 ton dump trucks.
80's era Mustang GT's with the 302 engines (later known as the "5.0") were fast. They had 210HP. Your 4.6 has more.
351 ("5.8 liter") engines in many older 3/4 ton 4X4's/vans/buses/high top "E350" wheelchair vans/F350 dually dump trucks...etc etc, did not have as much power as that 4.6 V8 powered van.

I know people are trying to be helpful here, but calling it slow gives the wrong impression.
The truth is, NONE of the base V8 engines are underpowered. Dodge, GM or Ford. They are all more than adequate.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Back in the day, BIG motors were attached to 3 and 4 speed automatic transmissions and they worked fine.

As fuel economy is more important these days, lots of smaller motors have 5, 6, 7, and even 10 speed sutomatics to help with towing.

If the OP has no plans of towing a large trailer, the 4.6L should do a fine job.

BTW the 4.6L motor in the van is a derated version of the motor they put in the Mustangs and Crown Vics....fewer valves and a different cam profile, and of course, different transmission and axle ratios.