Ford E350 vans
- Thread starter Tharkûn
- Start date
let's just get this out of the way...
MrIncredible
Is fintastic
The best engine of the lot is the 7.3. They made two of them-one is the powerstroke, and the previous one is the IDI. Either should outlast your needs, though the latter is simpler but less powerful.
Tharkûn
Freeway Moderator
E350 7.3 Powerstrokearty
We sold ours when we bought the Sprinter and miss its capable self.
Sonny, "fawndog" and "Everett"DuckyFresh" are probably good folks to talk to.
Good to know, was looking at the sprinter also. 7.3 it is
MysterYvil
Mr. Bad Example
My work had a V-10, which I got to drive a few times. I was unimpressed, no discernable power or torque improvement over the V-8.
Not sure if they still offer it, by my father had a straight-six version, which was the suckiest van that ever sucked. Crap mileage, no power, couldn't tow worth shit.
If you're set on buying a used Ford, make certain it's never been in a front-end collision. Their "double I-beam" front suspension is fairly easily tweaked and apparently nigh-impossible to properly repair. We went through front tires at a prodigious rate.
Zerox
Can I be....frank?
We drove Ducky's 7.3 to Utah to race at Miller a couple years ago, that van had so much power it just cruised effortlessly all day long, up hills no worries even fully loaded with two racebikes and assorted gear. :thumbup
fawndog
Well-known member
I've driven the v6-v8-v10-7.3 2x4 and 4x4
v6 gets 15 mpg and has mild power, just don't load it down and it'll be like any ecobox car even on steep climbs.
v8 (460) friggen bulletproof, (I cant talk about the modular 5.4) but it's thirsty if you step on it
v10 not as thirsty or as punchy as a 460, reliability ? GoGo is up to 300K on his 98 E350
7.3 You know a diesel mechanic ? Who's also a contortionist ? Sure you can neglect them a bit and they are monsters once in the turbo spool, but rarely will you repair anything on them cheaply (compared to gas versions).
v6 gets 15 mpg and has mild power, just don't load it down and it'll be like any ecobox car even on steep climbs.
v8 (460) friggen bulletproof, (I cant talk about the modular 5.4) but it's thirsty if you step on it
v10 not as thirsty or as punchy as a 460, reliability ? GoGo is up to 300K on his 98 E350
7.3 You know a diesel mechanic ? Who's also a contortionist ? Sure you can neglect them a bit and they are monsters once in the turbo spool, but rarely will you repair anything on them cheaply (compared to gas versions).
MrIncredible
Is fintastic
Another thing to consider is 96 and older diesels won't need to be smogged.
Duc996Girl
Well-known member
I'm also looking into possibly buying a Sprinter for the biz. They look awesome and those high ceilings will help us carry a ton of event stuff...hmm....
Tharkûn
Freeway Moderator
We would like that as well, but they're a little out of the budget for now
fawndog
Well-known member
98+ are required to smog, it's a easy test, they just look to see if you have "riced it out" with exhaust and a tune or if it belches black smoke. (what's the redneck term for that?)
MrIncredible
Is fintastic
Cereal KLR
Well-known member
^^^
The lighter rated versions work just fine. They came with the 4.6 small V8 also if feel the need to get the super duty model. The Sac are has tons ,lots of service/delivery trucks up there.