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Need Cargo Van Advice

F

firefighter

Expert Expediter
Looking to purchase a cargo van and have it narrowed down to two. Looking for some feedback on these units: 2001 Ford Econoline 350 extended 1 ton cargo van, 7.3 diesel with 36,000 miles asking $21,500.
2004 GMC Savanah 3500 extended 1 ton cargo van, zero miles, gas engine asking $21,199. Also is there anyway to mount a Espar unit to a cargo van, or do most drivers just let the van run continuously for AC/heat while sleeping?
 
R

RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I don!t run a van but based on conversations I have had plus what you can read on this forum,I would definetly go with the GMC.There are plenty of Chevy/GMC vans with gas engines that have many miles on them without too much down time. But with the price of gas these days the better mileage you will get with a diesel should be considered,also in most states diesel is cheaper than gas. Yesterday morning at 0400,I did a transfer with a guy in Atlanta,he had just bought a new Dodge (Freightliner) Sprinter. He payed $34KK for it and it gets 22 mpg. But there have been many problems reported on the Truck forum about this vehicle.
 
G

Glen Rice

Veteran Expediter
I also did not run a van, however I have run 1 ton crewcabs for racing and would go Ford Diesel no questions asked would steer me away from one. My wife and I are looking at a Ford Crewcab diesel to pull a 18000 lb camper. When checking on sites such as Ebay you will see Ford 7.3 diesels with 190000 to 250000 miles and still not overhauled. Change the oil, run the valves once every 75000 miles and she'll run forever! Of course that is just my opinion! Best of luck!
 
T

tazman

Expert Expediter
The Ford Powerstroke is a proven workhorse for the cargo van...
And certainly with gas being what it is it will cost you less in the long run.....

The other difference is the ride...Ford Super cargo uses the same WB for both it's short and long cargo...while GM changes the WB on the extended unit.....which most people feel gives you a better ride and weight distribution on the cargo.....

The GM will probably have a 6000 V-8 which is their race-proven engine that they developed at NASCAR several years ago.....
It's got the new fuel-injection setup and will give you outstanding performance...and "fair" fuel mileage........

So, if you intend to be in this unit for miles and miles and miles and want to be comfortable (I'm partial to the GM seats and legroom)then I would say go new GM.....if you want fuel economy and want a long-running ride then go E-350...

I sell both products...so I'm kind of impartial...

Good Luck...

Frank in Pa...


"The Beast in the East":)

P.S. - The price seems right on...
 
T

tazman

Expert Expediter
Hi,

I just saw that their was an E350 2003 unit for sale on the EO Classified under Vans For Sale....

Looks like it has only 50,600 miles (barely seated the rings)
This was the last year for the 7.3 Powerstroke and probably the best one they ever produced (so my service techs tell me)...

He was asking $22,500...and said it's negotiable....

You might want to check it out ...before you buy...

Just offering help...

Good Luck...

Frank in Pa.

"The Beast in the East":+
 
R

RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I don!t know how it is now but a few years ago the transmissions in Ford Diesel vans did not hold up well.They were designed for the gas engine and couldn!t handle the torque put out by the diesel. I know of several guys that had transmissions rebuilt several times. If you started off real slow they were OK but if you had a lead foot,watch out.
 
Twmaster

Twmaster

Expert Expediter
The E4OD 4 speed AT in the Ford is weak behind a Diesel. I read something about the new 6.0L PowerStroke having a 5 speed AT is this right?

--
Mike N
 
ACE

ACE

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
The Ford Diesel is a good engine. The E350 is very capable Van, I have two of them they can haul a load and are built to work.Both of them are gas engines 5.4L.I stay with gas engines because until recently I could not justify the extra intial cost of a diesel over a gas engine.Now the the price difference between the two fuels is enough to relook. I prefer gas engines because of the availability of fuel at every station.More mechanics available for gas engines at the dealerships. 380,000 miles same engine only air polution items replaced,oil changes,air filters.
 
T

tazman

Expert Expediter
Yes, that tranny was designed for the torque of the 6.0 ...
It's a new 5-speed actually designed in France by a company that Ford owns.....

So far, the trans have been more reliable than the 6.0 engines.....
Why am I not surprised by that ????

Frank in Pa.

"The Beast in the East":)
 
highway star

highway star

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I'm running a '99 E350 with a Powerstroke. 640k and still going strong. The only thing thats been done inside the engine is one injector at about 130k. This is the first I've heard about doing valve adjustments. Mechanics I've talked with have not said anything to me about it. Trans was rebuilt last fall at 580k. Only one so far. I do pull away from lights pretty easy. You can run an Espar. I know a guy that has one and its great. My next van [if there is one] will have one for sure. In addition to the miles, I have many, many, idling hours. If you choose to go with gas, I would check into having a small tank for diesel mounted to run the Espar. There were reports of problems at first with the 6 litre Powerstroke, but they have supposedly been taken care of. Rumor is that Ford was pissed off enough about it to be considering dropping International after a fairly long relationship. The gas/diesel debate has points to be made either way. The up front money for a diesel is much more. I will stick with diesel [again, if there is another one]. Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
Lawrence

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
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