4.6 in a e250 van

[carringb]

Originally Posted by bill1929

thanks man!!! so you think it would work out to turn it in to a 4x4? im not going to build it out with cabinets just keep it simple....do you know any one that makes a lighter front end using a 9in center and not currie..that might be lighter then a dan 60... im a car builder not a van builder,,hahaha.

An E250 is fine for 4x4 as long as your full build-out isn't too heavy. The important mechanicals are the same as the E350 RB. QuadVan used to build IFS 4x4 vans using the twin-beam Dana 50. They no longer do that since the new D60 is so much more robust. But Clysdesdale in BC still does an IFS conversion. I suppose if you are really good at fabricating you could adapt one yourself, but it does take some modifying because the van frames are so much wider than the older F-series frame from the IFS era.

[BrianW]

My dad has the 4.6 in a 2011 E150 and is perfectly happy with it. He's a contractor and usually has a pretty full load-out of tools in it all the time, plus additional weight when hauling materials.

[dhally]

We test drove a 4.6 and it just seemed wimpy. But maybe with some short gears it would perk up. I don't seem to have them now, but I looked at torque curves and the 5.4L makes a LOT more torque at lower rpms. And no comparison to the V10.

I think Advanced 4WD in Salt Lake has an option for a lighter axle.

[carringb]

One thing to keep in mind.... A lighter capacity axle may not mean you are actually saving much weight.

[bill1929]

just got off the phone with advanced cool guy!!! they have a dana 44 and its 250lbs lighter then the dana 60.....I ran dana 44"s in my mud racer trucks and they never let me down and I beat the shit out of the trucks..haha......

[my3kids]

..possibly on the cheap(er), there's always this: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=10756

for all/most of the 4x4 conversion parts. Maybe go with 4.10s or lower, stay with 245 or 265s for tires and you might end up with something pretty decent.

.. anyways, just food for thought .. Good Luck.

Ray

[Zaphod]

I know I'm late to the party here, and you've probably already pulled the trigger one way or another.... BUT

The vans get the original 2 valve motors as far as I know (I'm certain the 5.4 is 2v, I'm assuming the 4.6 is too) and after having put 70000 miles on a 4x4 f150 4.6 2v I'd vote no to this project. It's anemic in the f150 and burns a ton of fuel for it's displacement because it's always working... even at 55-60mph empty. The van would only be worse.

Re: Clydesdale vans IFS system, I've been discussing a conversion with them lately and they are moving away from IFS too. They say parts are more difficult to source and wear quickly in heavy vans. Just food for thought.

[bill1929]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

I know I'm late to the party here, and you've probably already pulled the trigger one way or another.... BUT

The vans get the original 2 valve motors as far as I know (I'm certain the 5.4 is 2v, I'm assuming the 4.6 is too) and after having put 70000 miles on a 4x4 f150 4.6 2v I'd vote no to this project. It's anemic in the f150 and burns a ton of fuel for it's displacement because it's always working... even at 55-60mph empty. The van would only be worse.

Re: Clydesdale vans IFS system, I've been discussing a conversion with them lately and they are moving away from IFS too. They say parts are more difficult to source and wear quickly in heavy vans. Just food for thought.

hey thanks!!! and its never to late to get to a party!!! hahaha and no I did not pull the trigger,,,tha van is still at my shop...im going to look at a van today with a 5.4 in I think that's what im going for.