chevy or ford cargo van ?

idtrans · Sep 24, 2010

I am looking at some vans I want to buy 2 vans and get drivers to drive them.

I am thinking chevy 6 liter ? or a ford 5.4 liter ?

Or is there a better selection besides spending the extra for a diesel.

I am working with a $10k budget and have seen some descent vans for that price range on ebay some 04 to 06 models.

I was asking because I was curious what engines you cargo van drivers have in your cargo vans ?

I have thought of a small cube but so far the ones I find used are either very far away or beat to heck bad.

LDB · Sep 24, 2010

I have a 2009 Chevy 3500 with 6.0 with about 40k on it so far. If I drive strictly for mpg I can get up to 19 mpg all highway. More realistic overall driving gives me about 17 mpg.

Zoli · Sep 24, 2010

Why do you not consider the Chevy 4,8 L engine. I have some vans with over 350 000 miles and the engines runs like new. Or I have a Ford 4,6 L engine. I have 6.0 to ,good engine but the mpg is not so good. v

idtrans · Sep 24, 2010

LDB said:
I have a 2009 Chevy 3500 with 6.0 with about 40k on it so far. If I drive strictly for mpg I can get up to 19 mpg all highway. More realistic overall driving gives me about 17 mpg.

is that a stock engine or with a programmer on it ? thats pretty good mpg. I have looked at some 05 6ltr vans they are catching my eye.

idtrans · Sep 24, 2010

Zoli said:
Why do you not consider the Chevy 4,8 L engine. I have some vans with over 350 000 miles and the engines runs like new. Or I have a Ford 4,6 L engine. I have 6.0 to ,good engine but the mpg is not so good. v

i will look into the 4.8 chevy as well thats allot of miles you have got out of those vans.

BillChaffey · Sep 24, 2010

I drive a Ford E 350 ext diesel, 2002. At 62-64 highway I get around 22 mpg. At home on the county (gravel) & black top I get at least 18 mpg.

LDB · Sep 24, 2010

That's a factory stock van with nothing done to it except careful driving. I am very light on the throttle and follow more like a 10 second rule than a 2 second rule so I'm on the brakes far less than most. To get 19mpg I have to hold it to about 58-60 mph all interstate with mostly level ground and running empty but the 17mpg overall is

idtrans · Sep 24, 2010

BillChaffey said:
I drive a Ford E 350 ext diesel, 2002. At 62-64 highway I get around 22 mpg. At home on the county (gravel) & black top I get at least 18 mpg.

I have a 03 7.3 ford I drive now I get around 19 to 20 all around with a bullydog chip in it. at 62 to 64 i get around 25mpg easily I love my powerstroke great engine

idtrans · Sep 24, 2010

LDB said:
That's a factory stock van with nothing done to it except careful driving. I am very light on the throttle and follow more like a 10 second rule than a 2 second rule so I'm on the brakes far less than most. To get 19mpg I have to hold it to about 58-60 mph all interstate with mostly level ground and running empty but the 17mpg overall is

Thats what I figured but thats cool if the drivers I hire want to spend their money on fuel great if they want to save money on fuel I will see about getting a couple more vans that will do that for them to make more $.

bluejaybee · Sep 25, 2010

You will probably find a couple of "good" vans easier than you will a couple of "good" drivers!

idtrans · Sep 25, 2010

bluejaybee said:
You will probably find a couple of "good" vans easier than you will a couple of "good" drivers!

Well I hired one that will start on monday seems to be a good guy. I have another guy call me and beg for a chance and BLAH BLAH BLAH had him added to insurance told him ok you start tuesday and he said well i will reather wait to see if I get a better offer. WTF

Tell you what I do not understand some of these guys that call for work.

I did have a couple very qualified candidates but they are very far from my house and do not want my van that far away in case they quit or decide they have a better job somewhere else or who knows what some drivers think up .

AutonomyRex · Sep 25, 2010

Where about's are you located ID? You putting sleeper Units in those Vans? Who they one with?

idtrans · Sep 25, 2010

AutonomyRex said:
Where about's are you located ID? You putting sleeper Units in those Vans? Who they one with?

I am in Peoria, IL and I am on with 3 companies, and no I didnt plan on building a sleeper.

idtrans · Sep 25, 2010

well may get this van for my new driver or I may drive it who knows. LOL I made offer of $8980 they accepted so now I wait see what their finance man says .

its a 4.8 chevy the truck should do good for a year or more I hope and make me a little money. best part is sprinter loads will fit inside the box

2006 Chevrolet Express Cargo | Used Express Cargo | Bourbonnais, IL | 1GBHG31U961226367

idtrans · Sep 25, 2010

Zoli said:
Why do you not consider the Chevy 4,8 L engine. I have some vans with over 350 000 miles and the engines runs like new. Or I have a Ford 4,6 L engine. I have 6.0 to ,good engine but the mpg is not so good. v

Are your vans 2500 or 3500 ? I saw a 2500 expeditor with panther stickers other day in iowa. I didn't think a 2500 would be good enough to haul the freight gvw side is lower isn't it ?

greg334 · Sep 25, 2010

idtrans said:
well may get this van for my new driver or I may drive it who knows. LOL I made offer of $8980 they accepted so now I wait see what their finance man says .

its a 4.8 chevy the truck should do good for a year or more I hope and make me a little money. best part is sprinter loads will fit inside the box

2006 Chevrolet Express Cargo | Used Express Cargo | Bourbonnais, IL | 1GBHG31U961226367

4.8 in a cutaway?

No way would I consider it.

Sorry but you will have a hard time with the wind load of the box with the 4.8 and a 3.73 in the rear. 6.0 will give you a better overall mileage than the 4.8 with a box.

I think a lot of people think smaller is better but it matters in what you are talking about. The 6.0 has a better volumetric efficiency than the 4.8 in many of the configurations (trans, rear, body...) and sometimes can pull off some good mileage. You won't get sprinter mileage, even the gas sprinter mileage but you should not hit 14 mpg a lot either.

idtrans · Sep 25, 2010

so I should just get one of the budget old box vans lik ethis one that has a 6.0 in it? They are only $7k in chicago with 122k miles I just want to have the best setup for my drivers with in the moneys I can afford.

greg334 said:
4.8 in a cutaway?

No way would I consider it.

Sorry but you will have a hard time with the wind load of the box with the 4.8 and a 3.73 in the rear. 6.0 will give you a better overall mileage than the 4.8 with a box.

I think a lot of people think smaller is better but it matters in what you are talking about. The 6.0 has a better volumetric efficiency than the 4.8 in many of the configurations (trans, rear, body...) and sometimes can pull off some good mileage. You won't get sprinter mileage, even the gas sprinter mileage but you should not hit 14 mpg a lot either.

guido4475 · Sep 27, 2010

But now you may be getting into a GVW issue.Some of those cutaways are only rated at 10,000 gvw, with the empty weight not too far from that,leaving you very little freight weight hauling capacity.I have a freind who has a 15' chevy cutaway 6.0 gasser, and it sucks gas. It is for sale, by the way.

Why do so many try to make the smallest engine do the biggest jobs? With the exception of OVM and his 25 mpg avg 5cyl diesel sprinter, I would say this is not a good thing to do.I do not see where anyone can achive longevity and dependability from the smaller gasser engine.A few have tried that on here and it appeared they werent too successful.

idtrans · Sep 27, 2010

well got a local guy to run the van wish me luck seems like a good guy he is out getting his first load now.

dzufall · Oct 12, 2010

We run a 3/4 ton Chevrolet Extended Cargo van with the 4.8, I run about 500 miles every day and get 20 mpg. It's a 2008 that I got new and now has 250,000. with no problems.