Chevy VS Ford

YellowstoneGuide · 04-12-2018, 06:44 PM

If anyone knows of a thread that answers this please point me there, thanks. Chevy Express vs Ford 350 van? I have looked some and it looks like people say the Chevy is a smoother ride. I have heard great things about the Chevy Express life any idea how the Ford measures up? I was convinced to go chevy until I saw that it looks like the Ford has more head room when you add the bucket seats in the back.

regis101 · 04-12-2018, 06:51 PM

Broad topic unfortunately. Coke or Pepsi. I have a Ford Club wagon. Has been very reliable. What I don't like are the bench seat mounting bars. If I want a flat floor I have to on bolt everything. More of an annoyance than a problem. I believe the chevy has recessed mounts for their rear seats. I can get just over 20mpg under laboratory conditions but mostly in the 15-18 range. I ve always has a shimmy at 60 or above. various tires and rims didn't fix. Had ball joints replaced. Might be a steering component issue. Who knows.
It's worth 2k and when it dies, I'll just push it off a cliff.
YMMV

WhitH · 04-12-2018, 08:50 PM

I’ve put many tens of thousands of miles on both and if your main concern is on road comfort for yourself and your clients/passengers then the GM independent front cannot be matched by a solid front end. Reliable drive trains can be had in either. I do not feel like the headroom in the GM is an issue worth concern. I’m 6’3” and while I usually drive I’ve ridden in the back of both plenty and it’s never been something I’ve even given thought to.

opie · 04-12-2018, 10:04 PM

I recently sat in both a GM and Ford cutaway at the request of a family moving cross country. The Ford clearly had more legroom for the driver.

86Scotty · 04-13-2018, 08:33 AM

If your biggest concern is price of admission and reliability it would be really hard to not go for a clean 5.4 club wagon. They are plenty strong if not towing and probably the most reliable and common fleet vehicle in the world. There's a reason just about every church, school, rafting company, and small company etc. etc. has one or two. Also, they are starting to be replaced due to age mostly and are a dime a dozen. I can assure you that my Transit is NOT as durable as an E350. I love it but it's not the same.

4x4sporty · 04-13-2018, 10:15 AM

If you are talking gas engines it is hard to beat the 6.0 Chevrolet. I have owned v10 and 5.4 ford vans and I now have a 6.0 chevy. I much prefer the chevy it doesn't seem to work as hard to get these big vans going and it takes the mountain climbs with ease. Also better fuel mileage.

WhitH · 04-13-2018, 12:00 PM

The thing is finding a van that is in good condition and fits your budget. With a little money on shocks and an Agile RIP kit you can make a Ford ride just fine. I loved my E350 after I did the RIP kit. It won't ride as well as a GM though especially if you spend a little on shocks from Agile or Weldtec. At that point it becomes not really close actually. If your goal is to be able to carry clients around on adventures then price and condition being equal I would recommend a GM van as your first choice. Best of luck and let us know what you find.

mikracer · 04-13-2018, 12:20 PM

I believe I read that the GM vans have more leg room for the front passenger. The Ford vans don't have much room for the front passenger.

WhitH · 04-13-2018, 12:23 PM

I would agree with that. Seems there is more for the driver in the Ford and more for the passenger in the GM. I've done some 1000 mile days in my Chevy and have never felt like it was a problem though.

Jsweezy · 04-13-2018, 02:10 PM

Ford transit for headroom.

Edit - and ride.