V6 vans (G20s, etc) not Astros

[CautionToTheWind]

I'm curious about the older V6 vans...I came across a low mileage mid-90's G20 V6 ...Interested in their reliability and mpg.

Can you name other model V6's too. (not Astro's please)

 

[Van-Tramp]

You are talking about the full-size van with a V6 engine.

I am not sure how many there were or which brand had them. I do know that some of the Ford vans came with a 300ci Straight-6 or Inline-6 which is one of the best motors ever built. Full of power and extremely reliable. I had one in my 1987 F150 and that thing could pull a mountain and still get in the teens on MPGs.

Looks like they may have been in mid-80s Ford vans. In 1987 they introduced the Fuel injected motor (what I had in my truck), which I'd just about kill for to have in my van. If you find a Ford van with a post-87 EFI I6, buy it without question.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_straight-six_engine#300

http://www.onallcylinders.com/2014/01/22/top-10-engines-time-4-ford-300-i6/

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Chevy/GMC vans were available with a 4.3 liter V6 from 86-96

Dodge vans were available with a 3.9 liter V6 from 88-03

Ford vans were available with a 4.2 liter V6 from 97-02.
(Note:  This was a NOT a variation on the V8 & V10 engines that had spark plug issues.)

 

[closeanuf]

I think you will find that the V-6 in a full size van won't be able to get out of it's own way.  They have to work too hard to keep up that gas mileage is horrible and because they are over worked repairs are going to be more costly. around town they might be okay but on the open road and hills and in the wind you ain't gonna be happy.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Thanks for the response! The one I've spotted is Shorty Gladiator not full, just for clarification.

SUPER clean...looks new by pics.

 

[user 37446]

Shorty low tops, especially found as Dodges, would work. I have seen more than a few on CL in the last year, however I'd avoid a standard length or midtop with a 6.  Stay 94 or later on Dodge "Magnum motor" was an improvement over 93 and earlier.  

In Phoenix on Craigslist some guy is trying to get $2100 for a 2002 E250 with the 6 cyl, says 315,000 miles... That speaks for the motor as long as it is stock...

Don't know much else about the Ford or the GM, except that the Astro V6 was/is pretty well regarded.

 

[ArtW]

the cycle shop I worked at had a 'shop truck' that was a 2001 Silverado with 4.3 V6
I drove that thing all over Texas with a 16 foot trailer that at times I loaded up with as many as 5 Harleys, plus an ATV
never felt strained, never got less than 20 MPG
Of course I wasn't in the mountains, either, and I drive gently

 

[steamjam1]

I owned a '89 Dodge shorty with a 3.9L V6 and automatic. It was rock reliable all the way till the bitter, bitter bitter end. The 239ci V6 is one of the best engines Dodge ever built next to slant-6. older vans (Pre-88) came standard with the slant-6 and they will go 400,000 miles easy between rebuilds.

From Ford, you won't go wrong with the 300ci straight 6. Just as good as the Dodge slant-6, but more power.

The older Chevy's with the 250ci straight-6 is really solid too.

If you don't mid the van being on the slow side, the engine will likely outlast the chassis of the van. My old V6 van got 16-18mpg on the freeway...