greggearhead
Member
1996 Ford E250 Van 4x4 4wd 116k miles Rust Free!! 351W 5.8L $12,000
This is a low mileage 4wd van that has been upgraded and maintained very well, but my business requires a turbodiesel truck that can pull a 5th wheel.
Since purchasing this truck years ago with 93k on it, I have upgraded many, many things. Initially, I had the transmission (4R100 HD) flushed, and the axles (Dana 60 and 44) drained and filled. This is the last year of the legendary small block Ford - the 351 Windsor was a true roller cam engine this year, and the MAF fuel injection was much better than the earlier speed density setups. I did the serpentine belt and idler, water pump, tune up parts, replaced the front brake rotors, calipers and pads, and more. I then drove it for a year or so, and one of the cylinder heads developed a small crack on the outside, meaning a coolant leak. I purchased Patriat Performance big valve heads, 1.6 ratio roller rockers, ARP Head Studs, an Edelbrock truck intake manifold, ported throttle body, custom cold air intake, manifold replacement Hedman Headers (CARB EO number) and a 3” cat back exhaust.
I had to have the Edelbrock intake manifold custom machined on 3 planes to make it fit in a van (they will tell you it won't fit, and they are right), and installed the heads, rockers, intake manifold, headers and exhaust. It really REALLY woke up the 351 Windsor. It was like night and day. However, a couple months later, it developed a miss. I took it to a Ford Performance specialist and they had new injectors installed and a remanufactured ECU installed. It has been awesome since. When that was done, I had the rear brakes and axle seals done. Within the last 5k miles. I just had the front ball joints replaced and it has an almost new HD battery. S/K did a 30 gallon custom fuel tank.
Recently, it developed an engine oil leak from the rear main seal and has started leaking from one of the head gaskets into the coolant system (pushing exhaust gas into the cooling system). It is likely just a new head gasket and torque solution (ARP head studs), but I don't have time for a project vehicle shop truck. Its got thousands and thousands of dollars in parts and labor into it. I don't like to think about it, but for a Ford person, it would be perfect.
The truck also has a sound system installed with Morel component speakers in the front doors, 6x8s in the back doors and a Pyle subwoofer behind the driver. The sub recently stopped working, likely a fuse or something simple. It isn't a huge thumping system, but it is much better than you would expect for a van. It has factory Ford flip over tow mirrors. The AC system worked but needs a pressure switch currently – holds R134a, but just doesn't actuate the clutch.
It has a Warn front winch on an extended front bumper with tread plate to stand on, so it looks stock. The front spring mounts are reinforced. It has longer than normal conversion leaf springs for Salem Kroger conversions. It has Rancho gas shocks all around – rears are adjustable, which is great for loads or towing. It has a receiver tow hitch that has only pulled small boats and a single car aluminum trailer. I started building out the interior – it has a factory quick release 2nd row bench seat, and I built side tool boxes and started on bed platforms for the rear cargo area but never finished. Tires a good tread all terrains 265/75R16 E rated I bought new when I purchased it at 96k miles. The rear bumper is also extended, to make hooking a motorcycle ramp on it easier, and standing on it to clean or climb onto the roof easier. I have ladder roof racks I will include for the right price.
I've used it to haul car parts, motorcycles, etc and drive all over Colorado and it's great, and gets LOTS of looks and thumbs up everywhere it goes, but as I mentioned, I need a 5th wheel pickup truck for my business. Fix the issues and it's worth $20k. Put a pop top camper roof on it and it's worth around $40-50k. I simply don't have the time.
This is a low mileage 4wd van that has been upgraded and maintained very well, but my business requires a turbodiesel truck that can pull a 5th wheel.
Since purchasing this truck years ago with 93k on it, I have upgraded many, many things. Initially, I had the transmission (4R100 HD) flushed, and the axles (Dana 60 and 44) drained and filled. This is the last year of the legendary small block Ford - the 351 Windsor was a true roller cam engine this year, and the MAF fuel injection was much better than the earlier speed density setups. I did the serpentine belt and idler, water pump, tune up parts, replaced the front brake rotors, calipers and pads, and more. I then drove it for a year or so, and one of the cylinder heads developed a small crack on the outside, meaning a coolant leak. I purchased Patriat Performance big valve heads, 1.6 ratio roller rockers, ARP Head Studs, an Edelbrock truck intake manifold, ported throttle body, custom cold air intake, manifold replacement Hedman Headers (CARB EO number) and a 3” cat back exhaust.
I had to have the Edelbrock intake manifold custom machined on 3 planes to make it fit in a van (they will tell you it won't fit, and they are right), and installed the heads, rockers, intake manifold, headers and exhaust. It really REALLY woke up the 351 Windsor. It was like night and day. However, a couple months later, it developed a miss. I took it to a Ford Performance specialist and they had new injectors installed and a remanufactured ECU installed. It has been awesome since. When that was done, I had the rear brakes and axle seals done. Within the last 5k miles. I just had the front ball joints replaced and it has an almost new HD battery. S/K did a 30 gallon custom fuel tank.
Recently, it developed an engine oil leak from the rear main seal and has started leaking from one of the head gaskets into the coolant system (pushing exhaust gas into the cooling system). It is likely just a new head gasket and torque solution (ARP head studs), but I don't have time for a project vehicle shop truck. Its got thousands and thousands of dollars in parts and labor into it. I don't like to think about it, but for a Ford person, it would be perfect.
The truck also has a sound system installed with Morel component speakers in the front doors, 6x8s in the back doors and a Pyle subwoofer behind the driver. The sub recently stopped working, likely a fuse or something simple. It isn't a huge thumping system, but it is much better than you would expect for a van. It has factory Ford flip over tow mirrors. The AC system worked but needs a pressure switch currently – holds R134a, but just doesn't actuate the clutch.
It has a Warn front winch on an extended front bumper with tread plate to stand on, so it looks stock. The front spring mounts are reinforced. It has longer than normal conversion leaf springs for Salem Kroger conversions. It has Rancho gas shocks all around – rears are adjustable, which is great for loads or towing. It has a receiver tow hitch that has only pulled small boats and a single car aluminum trailer. I started building out the interior – it has a factory quick release 2nd row bench seat, and I built side tool boxes and started on bed platforms for the rear cargo area but never finished. Tires a good tread all terrains 265/75R16 E rated I bought new when I purchased it at 96k miles. The rear bumper is also extended, to make hooking a motorcycle ramp on it easier, and standing on it to clean or climb onto the roof easier. I have ladder roof racks I will include for the right price.
I've used it to haul car parts, motorcycles, etc and drive all over Colorado and it's great, and gets LOTS of looks and thumbs up everywhere it goes, but as I mentioned, I need a 5th wheel pickup truck for my business. Fix the issues and it's worth $20k. Put a pop top camper roof on it and it's worth around $40-50k. I simply don't have the time.
