Extended body vs regular body

[JamesO-SMB]

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-SMB]

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.

 

[CreekRob]

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-SMB]

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.

 

[FloridaNative-ClassB]

One other negative to the EB is in towing. The added length behind the axle will make it more uncomfortable and insecure towing close to its limit (and a lift will make that worse as well).

-Mike

 

[IanF-SMB]

All I can say is "patience". Ford EB vans in good condition can take a while to find. I searched for literally 20 years before stumbling upon my van on Craigslist.

 

[JamesO-SMB]

I’m now realizing that I’ll have to sacrifice one or the other and settle for a regular body or settle for a 4.6L.
I can find plenty of low mileage EB with a 4.6L or a RB with a 5.4L but not both.
I really would like to have that extra space. And I won’t be towing more than a couple dirt bikes, I don’t need to be screaming up the mountainside at 75 mph, I’m ok with staying in the slow lane.
So I think I’ll sacrifice the engine size and go for a eb in 4.6
Another thing is time, I got pre-approved through a credit union and the damn pre-approval is only good for 30 days which isn’t long enough to be patient.

 

[JWA-SMB]

Are you looking for an E-Series that's been built into an SMB or one to begin your own homebuilt SMB?

 

[JamesO-SMB]

Are you looking for an E-Series that's been built into an SMB or one to begin your own homebuilt SMB?

Looking for a bone stock, low mileage, clean eseries that hasn’t been drilled through for ladder racks and such.
I’m going to do the interior build-out myself but will see if Quadvan can do the 4x4 because I’m in Portland, OR and I’m okay working on vehicles but I’m no mechanic and want to make sure it’s done by a pro.

 

[shenrie]

^^^ being in the Oregon area, you should give expo vans a consideration regarding the 4wd conversion.


https://expovans.com/conversions/e-series/

 

[larrie]

Our first SMB was a RB. It was right for the two of us. Our current van is an EB and we love the extra space. Did the interior build ourselves. Am also in the PDX area if you want to look at it.

 

[JamesO-SMB]

Our first SMB was a RB. It was right for the two of us. Our current van is an EB and we love the extra space. Did the interior build ourselves. Am also in the PDX area if you want to look at it.

I would love to check it out to get an idea of how massive the space is back there compared to a rb.
Which engine do you have in it?

 

[1der]

I really, really, really recommend you keep looking rather than settle for the 4.6. You are looking to put in $20k to $40k (or more) into your rig after you buy it, right? An airline ticket and transport is a small amount to add to that to find a v10 or 5.4. You will have far more trouble selling the 4.6 based built van and I venture to guess the discount you will give to sell the 4.6 built rig will far exceed the travel/delivery.

There are lots of members here who are really helpful and qualified to check out a for sale van near them if you find one you like. And there are members here who will drive it to you for gas, a plane ticket and a bit of appreciation.

Visualize your dream rig, write down the details you want (length, engines, options, colors, even location) - be positive about it - start a separate thread for it and see what happens. And be patient and keep looking on Craigslists, RV trader, EBay, here and a couple of other forums There are people here who post links to vans they come across. And there are members who are almost ready to sell and may find your posting just the incentive needs to pass their rig to you without the hassle of listing it. There are more non-posted/PM based rig sales occuring than people realize.

So, put it out there. :b5:

 

[carringb]

Be patient and wait for the one you want. I couldn't do an RB body. If anything, I wish mine were slightly longer.

You are correct about the lack of vans in Portland. 4x4 E350s have become somewhat trendy in the NW, and the EB-V10 has pretty much become the gold standard. But once you go outside the PNW, it seems like sellers don't realize what they have! So beside being able to find one in the first place, they tend to sell for a fairer price. V10s in Portland seem to carry a decent price premium over blue book values.

If you don't need to tow heavy, the 5.4L is fine as long as you gear it right. But... even if you don't need the extra power, the silky smooth idle of the V10 is pretty nice in case you need stationary power or heat. IMO the 4.6L is too small for a camper, outside of a minimalist build.