Advise from the pros please!

[WRK VAN]

Happy Holidays to all.

I don't post much here, but have a question to all the pros. I bought a 2001 7.3 liter diesel about 2 years ago and have been using it as a work van. This van has had about 300k when I got it but it was a fleet van with all the required work done w/ paper. I have since replaced everything around the motor and it runs pretty damn well w/ 345k now on the clock. I also installed a 3 inch suspension lift & some 10 ply A/T tires on factory Aloca rims. I get compliments everytime I drive it w/ questions about the 4 wheel drive on it. lol.

Okay so here my question. I just recently found a 1996 E150 van that I wanted to use as a donor van to get the seats & other parts out of it. The PO didn't want to sell the van seat, and wanted to sell the whole van. Long story short. I ended up buying the entire van for only $400.00! (PO is Original owner) and after washing/cleaning it up. It looks great for a 1996 van. BUT the tranny is starting to go w/ 189K miles on it. PO changed oil w/ synthetic oil every 5k miles and EVERYTHING WORKS and intact as it came from the factory. He was a navy captain and kept unreal paperwork and receipts on everything.

After thinking about it, I might just keep the van and get the tranny fixed. PO said the torque convertor is going, as he took it to the Ford dealer. They said it would cost $4000.00 for a new tranny. (I have a great local Indy tranny specialist nearby) It drives awesome, engine is strong.

Get it fixed or pull the killer Chateau 4 captain chairs & bench/bed seat out? Or once seats are pulled, PickNPull will give $400.00 for it, so getting the seats for free!

Lastly, if I keep I will put Antique plates on it in January. Not in a hurry as I have 3 4x4s to drive and the wrk van.


Sorry for the long winded post, but wanted to give some info on what's going on.


TIA

WRK VAN

[vandiesel]

Depends on how much time you want to spend on it. Free seats and moving on your way will probably feel great and you can focus your energy on the next thing. Spending 2k plus finding seats and a buyer and your time to net $1000 or 2 might be best for you. I love freedom and time. I’d take the free stuff and walk.

[WRK VAN]

Thanks for your honest thought VanDiesel. The good thing is that 1. I am not in a hurry to do anything. 2. I have other trucks/van to drive.

I am going to take the van to a tranny specialist and see what kind of work needs to be done before making a choice to keep or just pull the seat. Honestly I hope that it is nothing crazy because it's really a super clean Chateau van.

Any other thoughts from others?


WRK VAN

[BenJJ]

I would stick to the original plan of only using it as a donor van for the seats and other trim pieces. Spending $4k on a 24 year old E150 seems undesirable.

[marret]

I agree with the others by staying with the original plan. Doesn't sound like you need another vehicle. I would want to know cost to fix vs. value before fixing the transmission.

[WRK VAN]

Thanks for the replies.

So here's an update. I have a relationship w/ the best tranny repair shop in my area. I have an appt. tomorrow to visit them w/ the donor van to see what it will take to fix it . Good thing is that I DO TRUST him, (had work done here before) and they will give a free estimate for how much it will cost to repair.

So far I only have $400.00 into the donor van. My local Pick N Pull will give me $396.00 for the donor van without seats and anything else I want from the interior. So again, I am getting the seats, etc. for pretty much free.

Do I need another van? NO. But, it's in such great shape. Pending repairs cost, I may just pull what I need and repair and sell the van.


Keep you all posted.



WRK VAN

[LSretired1]

I have a 94 250 EB work truck 250,000 miles on it and a 08 350 EB that I'm converting. the 94 250(351 v8) has been turn the key and go(normal maintenance).
You know your market better than anyone else. Around here, Vans are in demand. I pulled a lot of Conversion Van parts from the local yard for the 08, and saw identical cloth seats that to your 96 and did not take them(my 08 needs front seats). Nice seats, but really not that nice.
IMHO, If you think you can get the 96 repaired, your $400 back and then some, use that money to get yourself some nice seats. Less work and better seats. Good Luck

[WRK VAN]

Here's my update.

I ended up getting the tranny rebuilt for $1900.00

Van runs very nice! I did all the legal BS, registered, inspection, insurance. Been driving for a couple days. Was going to get some "For Sale" signs in window and see what bites.
Stopped by my bro's house and what do you know? I have a buyer for van. $4000.00 minus all the seats and replace w/ my 2 vinyl seat out of E350. His step daughter wants to buy it and do the "Van Life" thing.


WRK VAN

[marret]

Awesome, great ending.

[LSretired1]

Totally great! Everyone loves the E-Series and for good reasons. Good luck with WRK Van project.