E250 vs. 350 and engine questions

[sdski]

Hi all, I have been browsing this site for a while now and finally decided to join up. I stumbled upon UJOR site months ago while looking for info for 4x4 vans and found this site shortly after.

I have found a few deals around on E250s and wondering what the difference is from a 350. I would imagine it isn't much more than suspension and maybe rear axle. Any input?

Also I was wondering how many people out there have the 5.4 v8 and how it does on fuel and reliability. I am still hoping to pick up a diesel but there aren't many around and most are a little out of my price range. I was checking out a 1998 E250 today with 180k on the 5.4L and I just don't know if thats too high of mileage or not for that engine.

Thanks in advance, hopefully I'll be starting a new build thread on here soon...

 

[Lopracer]

We have run the 5.4 in our 2wd F250's and one E250 since the 1997 model year and had decent service from them. We tend to retire trucks at 150-160k as the maintinence cost go up alot from there per state fleet guidelines. I would want to see service records on a 180k 5.4 to be sure everything was well taken care off. One obvious thing to look for is the dreaded 5.4 spark plug blow out and thread destruction. Of our fleet of 15 trucks one has been a problem with blowing out plugs and has had to have two damaged spakplug holes repaired. It is in your best intrest to have a professional shop do plug changes so the exact Ford guidelines are followed and if the threads strip they can fix them. As for power they are not hugely powerful we do constantly carry alot of weight in the beds 1000lbs as a guess but do not use them to tow and have had mixed reviews of the get up and go power. They do OK but not anywhere close to the diesels I have driven or the new 6.2 that comes in our new 2011 F250.

Our mileage is generally in the low to mid teens in mixed city and highway driving. Your results may vary.

 

[shawn_nj]

I have an extended E250 with the 5.4L (3.73), 31" tires, with the quigley 4x4 kit. Gets 12-13 mpg pretty consistantly mixed driving. Last roadtrip I took it on, loaded up it will get 13.8 mpg highway only @73mph. That is on a bare cargo van, with (2)300lbs jetskis, a 250lb dirt bike on the hitch, luggage and riding gear. Powerwise its just fine accelerating. I can drive from NJ to FL with the load I described above, with overdrive ON, and it will only downshift from hill climbs under 10 times the whole trip. But if you plan on towing a heavy trailer with it, get the diesel or v10.

 

[Stumpalump]

I would not worry about the axles. You best bet will be to locate axles out of a donor 1 ton so grab the front and rear along with the rims if you can. You will get better breaks as well as the stonger axles. Putting that kind of money into a 98 with 180K miles may be the thing to think about unless the van is in great shape and you could aford a major hit down the road like engine or tranny. Good luck you will love a 4x4 van!

 

[sdski]

Thanks for the replies. I am looking for a diesel but it has been tough to find the right one in my price range unfortunately. I am even having a tough time finding a decent 5.4L under 150k miles that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. If I get one thats high mileage I will probably plan on pulling the engine at some point and overhauling, but I'd rather spend the time doing all the rest of the work I have planned for it.

And Lopracer, thanks for the spark plug info. I did some research after and man that sounds like a headache.

I'll keep browsing around for now, but ideally I will get this project "finished" by next winter. This site is a wealth of info, thanks a bunch. I find more helpful threads on here daily.

 

[loren85022]

On somewhat same note, has anyone ever tried running premium gas in their 5.4l to see if the cost per mile is improved? I used it once when towing 4000 lb trailer and thought helped.

 

[Eaglefreek]

I had a 2000 E250 with the 5.4l and it performed well for me. It only had 101,000 miles on it it when I bought it and regret selling it a couple years later for $2900 with only 110,000 miles on it. I would average about 13mpg and get 14 on the highway. At the same time, I had a company van that was a 99 Quigley E350 with the 5.4l and would get 16mpg on the hwy. Can't figure it out. It was higher and had bigger tires than my personal van. Here's a 5.4l with some miles: http://www.millionmilevan.com/

 

[sdski]

How about the E150s, what is the downside to doing a 4x4 conversion on those? I am looking for the 4x4 mostly for driving in the snow, though I could see myself doing some light off-roading on camping trips to Moab. I probably won't be towing anything (yet) with it.

There are lots more E150s around with lower miles.

 

[dsw4x4]

I would not shy away from a 150 van they actually use a shorter transmission 1997 and newerish, allowing you to have a larger tank. I would still put one ton axles under it though making it in to basically a 3/4 ton van. Chris will have to chime it to say if his kit will work on the 1/2 ton vans but I do not see any reason it won't work.
Derek

 

[ujoint]

The kit will fit, I've got a few 150's running around. Like Derek said, the rear axle will need to be swapped as well. Up front, the 150 frames are the same. The rear springs are different (narrower) Not a problem.

 

[sdski]

Thats good news, opens the door for many more options.

What rear axle did the 150s come with?

 

[ujoint]

Depends on the year, but most have a 5 lug 8.8.