carcrafter22
Adventurer
The wife and I have been seriously considering buying an extended passenger van for long road trips as well as camping and being able to pull the boat. I cant see spending the cash on a ready built SMB but dont mind investing in a 1-3 year old used van in good shape as a base to start my own conversion. The plan is to get a van have then take it to SMB here in Texas and have them install a penthouse top, everything else I'd do myself, just the basics like a small Isotherm fridge, microwave or possibly a toaster oven, small tv and a bed/couch.
I took my wife to the local chevy dealer and drove 2 used vans, van 1 was a 2008 E350 with 31,000 miles and van 2 was a 2010 chevy 3500 express with 15,000 miles, both were passenger vans and had similar features with gas engines in both. I first chose the ford since I grew up owning them and have always like them and until this test drive I we were both heavily leaning towards the ford vans.
With the ford I immediately noticed the loud resonating factory stock single pipe exhaust and engine noise, the shifter felt sloppy with no positive feel of gear engagement. The seat was mildly comfortable to sit in but once we started on the road it was immediately apparent the ride wasnt going to be very good, even over the small lot speed bumps it was a jarring ride especially once we were on typical non upkept city streets. As for power well lets just say the go kart I just bought for the kids xmas present will easily outrun this thing and probably out tow it as well, very sad but I could deal with it if needed.
Now I should mention I'm no stranger to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck since I've owned both and daily drive a chevy 2500HD diesel truck that rides great for what it is so I understand these 1 tons wont ride like my wifes 09 camry.
Next we hopped in the chevy we were both very impress at how quiet it was at idle compared to the ford as well as the much nicer dash components and steering wheel feel. The seats were also a better fit for both our small frames, even the shifter had a good positive feel when going in gear. The chevy was by far the smoother ride, it wasnt even a comparison really everything from the lot speed bumps to the same roads as the previous test drive the chevy had a smoother ride in everyway, whereas the ford had a severe jarring shock to bumps and holes the chevy had more of a smooth rolling sensation. For power the chevy blows the ford away with ease, it was rediculous how much more powerful the 6.0L and 6spd auto transmission felt compared to the fords 5.4L and 4 spd.
At the end of the test drives we were shocked at the difference in quality and comfort the chevy had over the ford at least in our opinions. We are now leaning towards the chevy since it will probably fit our needs better.
This all brings about my question, why do I see so many E series ford vans used in these conversions instead of the much smoother riding more powerful chevy vans? What is it about the fords that makes them more popular? Could it be looks? options? slightly more room? initial price? What is it? I dont get it. The ones I drove were very similarly equipped and seemed to be very close in room so I dont get it. Looks are in the eye of the beholder but you cant argue the chevy has way more power and a much smoother ride, do people just not care about that? Are there other problems I need to be aware of with the express van that the E series doesnt have? maybe lack of gadgets?
Thanks for the help everyone.
Randy
I took my wife to the local chevy dealer and drove 2 used vans, van 1 was a 2008 E350 with 31,000 miles and van 2 was a 2010 chevy 3500 express with 15,000 miles, both were passenger vans and had similar features with gas engines in both. I first chose the ford since I grew up owning them and have always like them and until this test drive I we were both heavily leaning towards the ford vans.
With the ford I immediately noticed the loud resonating factory stock single pipe exhaust and engine noise, the shifter felt sloppy with no positive feel of gear engagement. The seat was mildly comfortable to sit in but once we started on the road it was immediately apparent the ride wasnt going to be very good, even over the small lot speed bumps it was a jarring ride especially once we were on typical non upkept city streets. As for power well lets just say the go kart I just bought for the kids xmas present will easily outrun this thing and probably out tow it as well, very sad but I could deal with it if needed.
Now I should mention I'm no stranger to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck since I've owned both and daily drive a chevy 2500HD diesel truck that rides great for what it is so I understand these 1 tons wont ride like my wifes 09 camry.
Next we hopped in the chevy we were both very impress at how quiet it was at idle compared to the ford as well as the much nicer dash components and steering wheel feel. The seats were also a better fit for both our small frames, even the shifter had a good positive feel when going in gear. The chevy was by far the smoother ride, it wasnt even a comparison really everything from the lot speed bumps to the same roads as the previous test drive the chevy had a smoother ride in everyway, whereas the ford had a severe jarring shock to bumps and holes the chevy had more of a smooth rolling sensation. For power the chevy blows the ford away with ease, it was rediculous how much more powerful the 6.0L and 6spd auto transmission felt compared to the fords 5.4L and 4 spd.
At the end of the test drives we were shocked at the difference in quality and comfort the chevy had over the ford at least in our opinions. We are now leaning towards the chevy since it will probably fit our needs better.
This all brings about my question, why do I see so many E series ford vans used in these conversions instead of the much smoother riding more powerful chevy vans? What is it about the fords that makes them more popular? Could it be looks? options? slightly more room? initial price? What is it? I dont get it. The ones I drove were very similarly equipped and seemed to be very close in room so I dont get it. Looks are in the eye of the beholder but you cant argue the chevy has way more power and a much smoother ride, do people just not care about that? Are there other problems I need to be aware of with the express van that the E series doesnt have? maybe lack of gadgets?
Thanks for the help everyone.
Randy