Engine Size for Cube Van?

maranatha7 · Sep 6, 2008

Need help determining Engine size for a Cube van with a Gas Engine. Ford V10 or V8 (cu in) GMC/Chevy V8. I am a slow driver so extra power is not needed, economy is more important. Also what is a good axle ratio. Thanks, Al

piper1 · Sep 6, 2008

What will be your gross weight (load + truck)?

Ford V10 is very thir$$ty.

Look at the "Rev's new ride" thread. He did a real good job building that one.

maranatha7 · Sep 6, 2008

Will probably use a 14-15K load with dual rear tires.

Moot · Sep 6, 2008

Maranatha, Piper is right. You must determine what size vehicle you need (gross weight). I believe you were looking at an Aerocell and there wasn't a concern about logging. Why not move up to a "C" unit and a heavy duty chassis?

If you stick with an automotive chassis (G.M. or Ford) you will end up with a 4:10 or lower rear end because of the lack of transmissions offered. With G.M. anything over 9600# G.V.W.R in the automotive category chassis comes with a 4:10 rear end as standard, at least with a van type cab. With a truck type cab that can accommodate the Allison automatic transmission you may be able to get a higher gear ratio.

Jefferson3000 once owned a Ford straight truck with a V-10. I'm sure he will post some specifics about that engine when he has time.

maranatha7 · Sep 6, 2008

Thanks for the input.I drive a straight truck now on a mail pickup route now on a part time basis and it beats me up pretty bad. It's an International with a DT466, Fuller 6 speed and a 26' box. Problem is with my old Navy legs it's hard stepping down those two steps besides the hard ride. Does International or Freightliner,etc. still sell a low profile cab with air ride? Perhaps that may be a viable alternative. I need something smoother with all the creature comforts. We have thought about a "C" unit but are nto sure of comfort, price, etc. We ran a van from 2000-2004 for Con Way and put 0ver 490K but it was always cramped.

Jack_Berry · Sep 6, 2008

marantha posted here a while ago asking abour the 4500/5500 chassied aerocell 17'er. nice c unit. only way to get it is with the 6.6 d max. get it chipped to about 330 hp and more torque and it ould be nice. either open source sleeper or put hard wall into it with a pass thru door.

MSinger · Sep 6, 2008

If you go with a GM van cutaway chassis with DRW you are only going to have two engine choices. The 6.0L gas and the 6.6L Duramax diesel. Both are good motors. Rev Dave operates this 08 Chevy cube Cargo Vans : 2008 AEROCELL with the 6.0 gas and is getting 15-16 mpg I believe.
If you don't mind logging and want good fuel economy I would check out a Sprinter cab/chassis with a cube body. Sprinter Box Truck
I believe the gvwr is 11,030.

greg334 · Sep 6, 2008

Don't forget about logging.

MSinger · Sep 6, 2008

greg334 said:
Don't forget about logging.

Read the 4th line. : )

Jefferson3000 · Sep 6, 2008

I ran an E450 with a V10. It was 14050 GVWR. As long as you don't jack rabbit, you can get good mileage. It's bigger than the V8 gas, which you will need having a load, so in the end it really doesn't use more than the V8. If I ran 60, I've gotten as much as 11.5 out of it. If I ran 70, it was more between 9 and 10.

Unless you're going V8 diesel, I'd do a V10. At least I would on the Ford side.

Jack_Berry · Sep 6, 2008

gotta remember the mileage HIT when you put a box behind a sprinter cab. don't know anyone who makes an aerocap for the narrow sprit can. talked to a fella who got 12 with his sprint cube. well maybe 12 is better than 8.

Jefferson3000 · Sep 11, 2008

Moot said:
Maranatha, Piper is right. You must determine what size vehicle you need (gross weight). I believe you were looking at an Aerocell and there wasn't a concern about logging. Why not move up to a "C" unit and a heavy duty chassis?

If you stick with an automotive chassis (G.M. or Ford) you will end up with a 4:10 or lower rear end because of the lack of transmissions offered. With G.M. anything over 9600# G.V.W.R in the automotive category chassis comes with a 4:10 rear end as standard, at least with a van type cab. With a truck type cab that can accommodate the Allison automatic transmission you may be able to get a higher gear ratio.

Jefferson3000 once owned a Ford straight truck with a V-10. I'm sure he will post some specifics about that engine when he has time.

Yes, probably the biggest hangup I had with this truck was the tranny, not the motor. I would say possibly it was the 4.1 gear ratio, but also that the parts were not heavy enough to handle the load. The suspension was sufficient, as was the engine. But when you stick 5000 lbs on an E450, the transmission seems as if it was made with twigs. You're still going to log though, so if you want a non-IFTA, non-CDL truck, I'd search here and elsewhere for a class 6 expeditor and just have the gear ratio altered slightly if needed.

maranatha7 · Sep 11, 2008

Thank you for the info. I am really concerned about the comfort level of a straight truck. We looked into one; however, I drive part time a 26' box truck with a Fuller 6 speed and DT466 and it has an air ride seat but it still beats me up and getting in and out of the cab I feel the effects of my 23 years of steel decks in the Navy. I am assuming a E450 would be a better ride than a C Class truck with an air ride?
I know what you are saying about the Ford Tranny, we have 498K on our 2000 E350 and the Tranny was replaced at 304K and all the Ford Folks were astonished it lasted that long. Also I believe I could put together a sleeper that would rival any sleeper on the market from my background in the RV Industry.