Newbie needs Help

[JBG-SMB]

Hi all, great looking forum. I am looking to get into a 4x4 van situation. I would primarily use it for weekend one-2 night ski trips and weekend hunting trips. I feel like a van with all the camping cabinets and plumbing might be overkill for me and the dog and occacional girlfriend. I think i could get by with an open floor plan with a bunk and build from there. Sooo now i need a cavas to paint this picture. I found a 2005 Ford E350 superduty with the 4x4 from quigley. it has the 6 liter diesel and 157K. It has no finishing on the inside except a floor. My plan would be to build a bunk rack and insulate it for winter and add some type of heater. they are asking 17.5k. is this a good price for a basic platform based on what i want to turn it into? Is this a good engine with the amount of miles on it? Should i just stay in a hotel? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appriciated.

 

[carringb]

I STRONGLY recommend holding out for a V10 van. The 6.0 diesels, especially with higher milage, are likely to fail major mechanical failures on a somewhat regular basis. Diesels are fun, but unless you have deep pockets and a satellite phone, I recommend staying away.

The only exceptions are those motors which have very meticulous maintenance, like annual coolant flushes with an added coolant filter, and quality oil with OE oil filters. NONE of the aftermarket oil filters fit properly, and allow oil bypass, and therefore poor oil quality which eventually damages the injectors and/or HPOP (exception for bypass oil filtration system). The coolant maintenance is essential to prevent the oil cooler plugging up, which causes the EGR cooler to fail, which can cause failed turbos, ruptured intercooler, failed head gaskets, and even a hydro-locked motor. Any extended idling is bad news too because it fouls up the EGR system, which can also cause a turbo failure.

The V10 OTOH usually requires nothing more than oil changes every 7500, spark plugs every 100,000 and coolant every 150k. And it can be idled at will (which is nice, because it quieter than most generators.)

 

[carringb]

PS - For the same price, you could get a 05-ish V10 2wd van, and send it to QuadVan, SMB, or U-Joint for an even better 4WD system.

 

[Gnarvan]

What he said. The 6.0 is something to stay away from. Unless you have a qualified ford diesel mechanic with a top notch shop in the family. Having that family member owe you a bunch of favors would be nice too.

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Basic maintenance, and some upgrades (see Jeffrey's updates), and the 6.0 is a fine motor.


Herb

 

[BIGVANS]

I STRONGLY recommend holding out for a V10 van. The 6.0 diesels, especially with higher milage, are likely to fail major mechanical failures on a somewhat regular basis. Diesels are fun, but unless you have deep pockets and a satellite phone, I recommend staying away.

The only exceptions are those motors which have very meticulous maintenance, like annual coolant flushes with an added coolant filter, and quality oil with OE oil filters. NONE of the aftermarket oil filters fit properly, and allow oil bypass, and therefore poor oil quality which eventually damages the injectors and/or HPOP (exception for bypass oil filtration system). The coolant maintenance is essential to prevent the oil cooler plugging up, which causes the EGR cooler to fail, which can cause failed turbos, ruptured intercooler, failed head gaskets, and even a hydro-locked motor. Any extended idling is bad news too because it fouls up the EGR system, which can also cause a turbo failure.

The V10 OTOH usually requires nothing more than oil changes every 7500, spark plugs every 100,000 and coolant every 150k. And it can be idled at will (which is nice, because it quieter than most generators.)

+1 on the V10 !
:b5:

 

[JBG-SMB]

Thanks for the advice. I think the idea of finding a good 2wd then getting the 4x4 conversion done would be the fastest way to go. Now in the used market is it best to go for a used cargo or passenger van with the thought the passenger van would have lighter use or does it really make a difference? Also what does a standard 4x4 conversion cost with the idea the 4x4 would be used in snow and light mud conditions. I'm not planning on rock hopping with it. I'm hoping I can get a good van with 100-150k miles and 4x4 conversion for under 17k, am I crazy? The 12 inch lift will have to wait . . . For a while.

Gnarvan - is that you back flipping on lochsa falls . . . Showoff :l1:

 

[Gnarvan]

Basic maintenance, and some upgrades (see Jeffrey's updates), and the 6.0 is a fine motor.


Herb

Herb, I respectfully disagree with you on this one. The early 6.0 was plagued with problems. If you bought one of the later ones new and did the maintenance religiously and upgraded the necessary items it could be a fine motor, I guess.

After hearing all the blown turbo and bed plate leak stories I would never buy a medium to high mileage used one. But that's just me. I'm not that big of a gambler. I'd feel a lot more comfortable buying a used V10.

And yes that is me doing a very tight rotation back flip in Lochsa Falls. I was still in the seat on the oars when the boat pounded me upside down into the river. I didn't even have time to grab frame. That wasn't showing off, trust me. I missed my line by about 18".

 

[BIGVANS]

Thanks for the advice. I think the idea of finding a good 2wd then getting the 4x4 conversion done would be the fastest way to go. Now in the used market is it best to go for a used cargo or passenger van with the thought the passenger van would have lighter use or does it really make a difference? Also what does a standard 4x4 conversion cost with the idea the 4x4 would be used in snow and light mud conditions. I'm not planning on rock hopping with it. I'm hoping I can get a good van with 100-150k miles and 4x4 conversion for under 17k, am I crazy? The 12 inch lift will have to wait . . . For a while.

Just to name a couple of many, Advanced 4x4 starts out at about $9K and Northwest Quadvan goes $15K to $20 with most other brands somewhere in-between. If you can install most or all of the 4x4 conversion parts yourself, U-Joint is defiantly the way to go with both cost and quality.
:b5:

 

[Ultrasport12]

I for years had a 7.3 F-350 Six Speed manual and it was really great but in a van I love my V-10. There are guys on here that are very happy with their 5.4s as well. If you really want a diesel you MUST know its service records are perfect. If you find one someone bought new and took really good care of it that's one thing. Yes you can always fix them but it costs lots of money. Engine work on a van means the engine has to come out or the body has to come off no way around it. There are many improved parts available for the 6.0 but they are expensive and unless you want to do that right now as part of your initial costs you won't know what you have.

To get a V-10 or a Diesel or you have to get a E-350. As for the Window or Cargo question, which do you like better to look at? Are you going to put windows in a Cargo van? Do you want a full interior or do you want to build an interior. I like the looks of both but if you like lots of options and don't want a beat up work van you might find a nicer, lower mileage window van may work for you. You can cover the windows from the inside with walls or cabinets if the van has privacy glass. Window vans if you get an XLT have nicer door panels on the side and rear doors plus rear seats if you want to carry more than two people. If you want cloth captains chairs they are not as common on cargo vans. That said they are out there and I was able to find a very loaded up cargo van when I was looking a few years back. Personally I would only get a van with the 60/40 hinge out side doors if you want to do a 4x4 conversion. Also a personal preference would be to get windows in the Side and Rear doors if getting a cargo van. If you have time look around at a bunch of vans maybe even go out of state to get one. Just get what you want and need to be able to do what it is you think it should do. if you find a 4x4 van that you really like great but getting a 2WD van and converting it is also an option. Like anything you can spend as much or as little as you want. Remember that you WANT a 4x4 van you probably don't NEED a 4x4 van. If you could live with a 2WD for a while you could buy a van fix it up and do the conversion when you have more time and money. Good Luck...

 

[JBG-SMB]

So I found a 2003 e350 with the 7.3l and 157k for 6.9k It was a work van with no real service records. The guy said it was leaking oil and had put only 1000 miles on it in the last two years but other than that worked fine and was fine with me taking to a mechanic to check out. My plan would be to run it was a 4x2 until late fall then decide if it's a good fit and send it off to quadvan for the 4x4 conv. from what I've gleaned here it seems like the 7.3 is a good unit if taken care of. So we'll see what the mechanic says and go from there. I'll let you folks know how it turns out

 

[Ultrasport12]

7.3s are great but they are not intercooled in a van and have less power than in a truck...

Make sure you can live with the noise on road trips as 7.3 in a van are quite loud, one of the many reasons I don't have a diesel van is my better half cant stand the noise/sound of a Ford Diesel 7.3 (or even the quieter 6.0) in a van on trips...We test drove at four or five diesel vans and after a few 15 minute highway speed 65-70mph test drives and she said no way...I must say while I absolutely loved the noise of the 7.3 in my 2000 F-350 truck I also thought it was too much in a van for our long road trips...

And since it is a cargo van make sure you think it had lots of power and acceleration now because they get less and less as you add interiors, camping gear and 4 wheel drive...

Having the van checked out is a really good idea...7.3s can also have oil leaks in the valley/bed plate and it looks like a rear main seal leak...That can be an expensive repair...But 7.3s can run forever...

I think your idea of using it as a 2wd this summer then doing the conversion is a good idea, that way you can have the van well sorted and checked out before you convert it...

 

[Ultrasport12]

Hey I don't know what I was thinking last night when I said 7.3 bed plate leak they dont have them. I had just read a post about a 6,0 bed plate replacement and had that on my mind. What I was thinking was turbo stand seals and thats not a costly job. Most 7.3 oil leaks are not as big of a deal as the 6.0s are. How did the van check out?

 

[JBG-SMB]

WEEEEEELLLLLLL, so i took it to get a Buyers Inspection and here's what it needs
Needs Rear Brakes and Calipers with Rotors replaced
Right Rear Tire is on Discard bars
2 QT low on OIl
High Pressure Pump is leaking oil $1500
Codes in Memory are P1280, P0113, P1212
Needs new ICP Sensor $680
Ball Joint in front are bad and unsafe $1000
Needs cooling system service 135.00

SOOOOOO it looks like it needs about $4k. The guy is asking about 6.5K do i walk, run away or is it the case if i get this stuff done all the engine will need is the basic maintenance stuff for the forseeable future. My gut tells me to walk or should I offer him the difference of the service and what he's asking and get the work done? Thoughts?

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

That's a LOT of telltale signs of a neglected vehicle. Aside from engine challenges, I would be suspect of the transmission and 4wd system as well. I'd run and not look back.


my $0.02,
Herb

 

[JBG-SMB]

Thanks Herb, it doesnt even have the 4x4 in it yet. I would have added that later. The search continues . . .

 

[Ultrasport12]

Go with your gut...its always your best guide... so you could have $10,000 or more for a better van instead of this one...

 

[JBG-SMB]

Sooo I found a different one here are the details
'00 e350 quigly 4x4 RB
7.3L diesel with 107k miles
Sportsmobile pop top.
The inside is birtch lined over insulation but no built-ins
Custom front and back bumpers

Thier asking 29k
Go for it?

 

[86Scotty]

Ouch, sounds pretty high to me with no built out interior. Depending on what you want inside that could cost you a few more thousand.

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

Did you see this one?

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9134

06 for less.

Mike