Extended body vs regular body

[JamesO]

I’m having a hard time finding a good extended body e250/e350. I’ve seen a few but they have the 4.6L and I want the 5.4L or 6.8L v10.
I’m starting to think I might just settle for a regular body since the are so many available and I wouldn’t have to fly all the way across the country to buy one, and have it shipped back (also risking having to walk from the vehicle if there’s something I don’t like and wasting $1000+ on plane tickets for nothing).
I have two concerns when it comes to the extended body vs regualr:
1. The look- I think the extended vans look silly. I’m surprised Ford decided to make an extended body and keep the wheel base the same. From pictures I’ve seen, the extended looks a lot better once lifted and with larger off-road wheels/tires.
2. The cargo area- Will I really be that upset with the 20” less cargo space of the regular body? I’m sure I can accomplish everything I need to with it.
Anyone out there with a regular body that wishes they held out for an extended?

[1der]

Main question - what/how are you planning on using the rig? That will really drive your answer. We have had EB’s and for our usage it has been very much appreciated. The RB would not have the comfortable space for the two us during our six plus week ski trips staying in our van.

[Grampswrx]

If you can add your location to your profile, we can help you look for a van.

Depending on your packing proclivities, you may or may not miss the extra 20" of space. I personally think EB vans look fine lifted, but when they are stock height I think they look very odd.

[JamesO]

Originally Posted by Grampswrx

If you can add your location to your profile, we can help you look for a van.

Depending on your packing proclivities, you may or may not miss the extra 20" of space. I personally think EB vans look fine lifted, but when they are stock height I think they look very odd.

I’m in the Portland, Oregon area.
And ok I guess my first thought on the eb fords was correct. At stock height with stock size tires it looks funny, but lifted it looks normal.

[Ron_Nunan]

I’m not sure I’d ever regret the EB but I know for sure I’d regret not having this space for my family with the RB... here’s a pic I just snapped... lifted so the silly part isn’t there... but I do understand your point. My neighbor has a 2wd and he added larger tires without a lift and it looks good.

[rob_gendreau]

In practical terms the only downside of the EB is a bit longer to park (but still about the same size as a full sized pickup or even some SUVs) and a worse angle of departure. But of course the latter is mitigated if you add any lift, esp above and beyond bigger tires.

About the only folks I knew choosing the RB where those doing harder offroading since it gives them an AofD more like the front.

[saline]

I'd say the only issue I run across is the badonkadonk of the rear overhang off road. Granted ...I very frequently push the limits of where I should take my van on 4x4 roads.

I'd never consider a RB. 22" of extra space is priceless.

[renegadeoverland]

It all comes down to use case, as other have mentioned be honest with yourself on how you intend to use it. Perhaps at a bit of difference compared to many, my Adventure Van is a family daily driver. With a handicapped kiddo that means frequent hospital visits, we needed to accept the reality and compromise on vehicle size for overall usability so for us the EB was just not an option. Were we using this mostly for adventuring then the EB would have held more draw, and perhaps someday we will swap up to that. But our use case makes the RB more desirable. The main point here is defining your use case and giving solid thought to how you envision using the van will lead you to which form factor is better for you.

[Jack K]

Another way to look at it is whether anyone with an extended van would rather have chosen a standard length. Speaking strictly for myself, it was an easy choice to go with an EB, no regrets. The extra 20 inch length translates into ~40 extra cubic feet of space, a not inconsiderate amount of additional storage capacity and interior space, especially nice traveling with my wife, or not (more beer!). I'm tall, so an 82" length bed was a given, another of the factors in the choice. The lessened relative takeoff angle has not been an issue, having gone on various desert trips in the southwest; not a problem unless you plan on some serious rock crawling.

The existing wheelbase on an EB keeps the van less prone to high-centering in rough terrain, compared with the longer wheelbase of a GM extended van. As far as the 'coolness' factor, with a lift, 4X4 conversion, and 35" tires, an EB is nothing less than bad-ass.

It all depends on personal choice and how the van is intended to be used.

[RemingtonM]

Yeah I think I would just think about your current needs and do your best to project out your future needs (ex will you have a family or more people in it in the future). Also it would be great to see both in person before making a decision. We went with the EB and it was a must for us because we already have one child, those extra 20" goes a really long way when you have to install additional seating. I was worried about the parking and driving a longer vehicle but honestly after driving it for a few days I don't even notice it anymore and I haven't had a hard time parking it. I think the EB just gives you a bit more flexibility but it's obviously up to you and what you like best and what suits your needs.