Lee Stockwell
FOJL
I had an e350 extended diesel years ago,95? A hoss.
"Retro Vans" whats your choice?
- Thread starter Mikey P
- Start date
Dolly Llama
Number 5
My '92 had a 4.9. ( 300 straight six)
Bullet proof engine, but mileage was no better than the 302 and 351 V-8 engines .
They were 14 mpg hi-way tops ....down hill ...with a tailwind ....
the 5.4 ltr Triton is a whole 'nother animal .
MUCH better mileage
It's warts are coil packs and popping plugs out of the head.
the popping plugs has long since been squared away though ..since '06 or better ??
..L.T.A.
Mikey P
Administrator
I found an emaculate 2006 E350 6.0 diesel extended with 75k on it
Fully insulated and rear AC..
$19k
Think I'm going to grab it.
Fully insulated and rear AC..
$19k
Think I'm going to grab it.
Barry-QDCC
Supportive Member
I think the Transit CONNECT is too small, as are all those in that category.
dealtimeman
Everyday is Saturday.
Our hard surface van is a 96 with an inline 6 ad just won't die!
It has close to 400000 miles and just keeps going.
ThaBeast
Member
Chevy rides and drives better, feels like it has more legroom. ford does everything else better, but perhaps I've just had three Monday morning chevys
shadygrady
Member
I just bought a 2001 Chev 2500 with the 8 bolt rims. 34,000 kms. I have been buying-up used Aqua-Tech CDS units to install. The last one that I purchased out of B.C. has like new 11o gal. vacuum tank. I credit that to the grease covered inside walls. Guessing that unit spent some time cleaning restaurants. The powder-coated insides are in new condition. The dash panels are also pristine. You would be hard pressed to tell this from a new one.
This unit came with the Roots 47 . I have a good inventory of Aqua-Tech components to build with.
This unit came with the Roots 47 . I have a good inventory of Aqua-Tech components to build with.
Desk Jockey
Member
Chevy has a better ride but door locks & latch problems on everyone we own. 
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
You will love it! (I had 7.3)
The transmission can be the weak link. Test by BACKING up a steep hill.
SamIam
Member
I had a 2002 Chevy lots of little problems then engine problems at about 120k got 8 years out it so maybe that's normal. My 2010 Chevy 3/4 ton has a 6.0 liter engine and avg about 12.1 mpg on the computer.
My 2011 has a v8 to but it's smaller 4.7 or smoething like that
I'm sure stripped down no weight in both vans the smaller engine would get better gas milage.
But really it's on slightly better 12.3 or so not really much difference except on hills the 6 liter engine has plenty of pop.
I wouldn't have recommend Chevy but my last 2 have been way more solid then the first. So they're doing something right.
My 2011 has a v8 to but it's smaller 4.7 or smoething like that
I'm sure stripped down no weight in both vans the smaller engine would get better gas milage.
But really it's on slightly better 12.3 or so not really much difference except on hills the 6 liter engine has plenty of pop.
I wouldn't have recommend Chevy but my last 2 have been way more solid then the first. So they're doing something right.
Zee
Supportive Member
Well...Maybe all this van talk will get heated if and when the rumoured Fiat/Chrysler -GM merger might take place.
That could be incredible for the cargo van market. You will see lower priced Ford Transits immediately as they will have to compete against a possible Ducato/Promaster/Chevy express fusion.
That could be incredible for the cargo van market. You will see lower priced Ford Transits immediately as they will have to compete against a possible Ducato/Promaster/Chevy express fusion.
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
Prices would go up.
Zee
Supportive Member
That's what you'd think normally would happen, Lee...but that merger wouldn't give them monopoly where they could raise prices freely.
They'd still have to compete with big players like Mercedes, Nissan, and of course, Ford. I think it could actually force prices down a little on Ford's side to really try to establish a larger market share with the up and coming Transit and all of it's variants.
They'd still have to compete with big players like Mercedes, Nissan, and of course, Ford. I think it could actually force prices down a little on Ford's side to really try to establish a larger market share with the up and coming Transit and all of it's variants.
Zee
Supportive Member
Oh and let's not overlook the possible full size Hyundai cargo vans -that are very similar to the Sprinters in construction- that may be entering the market with presumably good quality and very reasonable prices.
Spurlington
Member
I had a 91 Ford E150 with a 300 6cyl .. it was a workhorse !! The floor gave out before the engine did !! It had super power with super acceleration !!
Had a few Chevys. Had a 2005 with barn doors that kinda got so tight the hinge broke off with in a 4 yr period. That sucked !! Expensive to fix !! Didnt have my 2004 long enough and my 2003 was amazing. Minimal issues - excellent pick up and go !! All 3 were 6.0 engines.
Just bought a 2014 Nissan NV. I hate it !! Other than the fact that it attracts alot of attention, I dont like much about it. Its the 5.6 and dosent feel powerful enough for my agressive driving behavior. The hood is so long I cant see to good. I put a light dent in the bumper due to misjudgement. Which was due to my poison ivy relief drug the Dr said would have no effect on my driving skills. Liar !! Ive scraped the tailpipe backing into a steep driveway from a sloped road. (v shape) The side door has a deep cavity which holds alot of melted snow that freezes before I can shut the door after the job. If you get stuck in snow or mud the engine wont let you spin the tires. It somehow goes into neutral. Where my chevy Id spin them till I wiggled my way out of a rut.
And now, the van is a year old and I have to have the electrical harness that feeds the dome lights all the way back replaced under warranty. WTH !! And they have asked me to move out everything not attached to give them room to work. Which I understand but again, WTH !! I bought a new van to give me peace of mind for a few years !! And they want the van for the whole day !!
Had a few Chevys. Had a 2005 with barn doors that kinda got so tight the hinge broke off with in a 4 yr period. That sucked !! Expensive to fix !! Didnt have my 2004 long enough and my 2003 was amazing. Minimal issues - excellent pick up and go !! All 3 were 6.0 engines.
Just bought a 2014 Nissan NV. I hate it !! Other than the fact that it attracts alot of attention, I dont like much about it. Its the 5.6 and dosent feel powerful enough for my agressive driving behavior. The hood is so long I cant see to good. I put a light dent in the bumper due to misjudgement. Which was due to my poison ivy relief drug the Dr said would have no effect on my driving skills. Liar !! Ive scraped the tailpipe backing into a steep driveway from a sloped road. (v shape) The side door has a deep cavity which holds alot of melted snow that freezes before I can shut the door after the job. If you get stuck in snow or mud the engine wont let you spin the tires. It somehow goes into neutral. Where my chevy Id spin them till I wiggled my way out of a rut.
And now, the van is a year old and I have to have the electrical harness that feeds the dome lights all the way back replaced under warranty. WTH !! And they have asked me to move out everything not attached to give them room to work. Which I understand but again, WTH !! I bought a new van to give me peace of mind for a few years !! And they want the van for the whole day !!
Dolly Llama
Number 5
yeppers ...just as i mentioned ...micky mouse tin-willy buuullsheeit for hardware
..L.T.A.
Desk Jockey
Member
i just don't get it, why can't they build them better.
Mikey P
Administrator
dgas
Barry-QDCC
Supportive Member
When I use to have 3 chevy astro vans for work vehicles I actually would buy 6 back door handle assemblies at a time just so I would have the part on hand and could fix the door quickly when they broke. I got pretty good at replacing them.i just don't get it, why can't they build them better.
GeneMiller
Member
My ex fathers-n-law bought the Charles Manson van. Bullet holes and all. Seems like he paid around 600 if I remember right. It was a long time ago.
Gene
Desk Jockey
Member
Come visit your daughter an drive up and fix all my vans.
KevinL
Supportive Member
I'm getting pretty good at fixing those door handles too. I'll come over and visit your daughters Richard and fix your handles.
bob vawter
Grassy Knoller
i jus missed getting dr kevorkians van.........
my buddy Dale had it the whole time the DR was in prison
i think i mentioned it here before....nasty beyond belief!
i coulda had it for $600 plus DrK's drivers licence
Les Gold from Hardcore Pawn got it!
American Jewelry and Loan
my buddy Dale had it the whole time the DR was in prison
i think i mentioned it here before....nasty beyond belief!
i coulda had it for $600 plus DrK's drivers licence
Les Gold from Hardcore Pawn got it!
American Jewelry and Loan
Desk Jockey
Member
Old Coastie
Supportive Member
Plus, it removes gum, roadkill and Ferguson protesters from the pavement as you drive.
J
JS41035
Guest
The absolute best traditional cargo van ever made was the Ford E350 with the 7.3 turbo diesel. I would set the cruise at 80 and average 19mpg on the highway. The power made the van feel nimble. I was never in love with the 6.0. But I'm confident ford worked the bugs out. It really is not worth the initial price to purchase a Diesel engine in a cargo van. But if you can find one at a reasonable price go for it. Just remember to add the cost of a fuel cell to your budget.
It is a bit of a hassle having two fuels. But I would take that trade any day.
It is a bit of a hassle having two fuels. But I would take that trade any day.
Dan
Supportive Member
I had a 6.0. Never again.
Mikey P
Administrator
Yeah...
No go.
No go.
