How many miles are too many?

[urbsk8er]

Im looking to pick up a cheap cargo van to be used for construction work. Ive found quite a few decent looking vans locally, but a lot have 150,000+ miles. Sinse you guys drive drive drive, i figured you might have a good opinion. Id prolly get an e250 or chevy 2500

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[asjssl]

I have an 06 express 2500 4.8L ....455,000 and still uses 0 oil between oil changes...

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[jrcase]

It depends on how it was driven. Highway miles are very low wear type of driving while stop and go miles are killer. Look for seat wear and brake pedal wear. That will tell a lot. If the seat is very worn on the side it means a lot of in and out movement.... Stop and go. Also the brake pedal rubber will be worn if a lot of stop and go traffic.

If the van has had regular oil changes and maintenance, today's vans are easily good for 300K. They are built tough.

 

[Deville]

I purchased a 96' e-350 with 162,000 miles 3 years ago. It runs like a champ. It was used for a landscaping company, so sadly it was never cleaned on a regular basis & all the mositure from grass & dirt has created a rust problem. The van's body will rust away before the motor dies.

 

[guido4475]

If youre going to use the van for expediting,Why limit yourself with a 3/4 ton?? Go for the 1 ton! I'd think the important question would be how it was maintained, idle hours,(which I know cant really be told on an American van), and how it was used, etc.I've seen properly maintained trucks with tons of miles on them run and sound better than those with less miles.

 

[geo]

if you are able to look at maintance records to see what has been done to vch i wouldn't have a problem but if no maintance record would stay clear of it

 

[Deville]

The great things about Ford vans is that they can take a beating. AN E-150 that was abused would be easy to spot by the way it sits. an e-250 or e350 can handle nearly anything thrown at it. I'm very happy with mine.

I was lucky that not only was mine maintained fairly well before I bought it, the previous owner & I used the same mechanic who is very good.

I had mine in the shop today because I needed several new muffler hangers & while it on the lift I went over it with a fine tooth comb to see hbow bad the rusting is. Thankfully the frame rails & under carriage were in good shape. My rusting is isolated to the corner panel & the edge of the cargo area.