Need advice: Considering an E350 passenger van

[packmule]

I'm considering an E350 passenger van as a 3rd vehicle for vacations and road trips. I've got a family of six, with four kids (two teens) and one yellow lab that goes everywhere with us. We live in Oregon and regularly travel the west, including multiple trips through the Cascade mountains each year. We love camping and outdoor recreation. We do light duty towing with a 5x8 utility trailer. I'd prefer the power of a 460 or 6.8L V10. I don't want diesel due to the cost. I'd like a UJOR conversion, but it's not in the current budget. I'll add some Yakima bars to use my current accessories, but nothing fancy to start with.

Here's what I've narrowed things down to:

E-350 regular body
6.8L V10 or 460
captains chairs in 2nd row (Chateau package, conversion van, or DIY)

I like the Chateau because it has more cargo space than a conversion van. The conversion van is nice for passenger comfort and leg room. I'll do a DIY bench to captains chair conversion if the van price is right.

I've got a few questions:

1) What year did the V10 get the Torqshift? 2004?
2) Is the 4R100 a big enough downgrade in reliability or fuel economy that I should consider limiting my search to Torqshift years if I can afford the price uplift?
3) Is the 6.8L V10 noticeably more powerful than the 460? I assume gas mileage is similar, but maybe slightly better on the V10?
4) Was limited slip a pretty uncommon option for passenger vans?
5) Are there any general problem areas I should look for when evaluating potential vans?

I found a clean 2004 E350 Chateau at a local dealer south of Portland, but the price seemed really high @ $9747. I've got time on my side since I don't need anything until summer.

Thanks for any tips.

 

[packmule]

I've seen this clean Club Wagon on CL for a month or so. They say price reduced, but it's still over $2k above Excellent KBB private party... and $1500 above KBB retail. This seems to be a common theme with stock trim Chateau vans in my area. I know they're not as common as cargo vans, but I'm not sure how they can command well above KBB.

 

[86scotty]

1) What year did the V10 get the Torqshift? 2004?
2) Is the 4R100 a big enough downgrade in reliability or fuel economy that I should consider limiting my search to Torqshift years if I can afford the price uplift?
3) Is the 6.8L V10 noticeably more powerful than the 460? I assume gas mileage is similar, but maybe slightly better on the V10?
4) Was limited slip a pretty uncommon option for passenger vans?
5) Are there any general problem areas I should look for when evaluating potential vans?

Here's what I know, or um, at least some of it I know, and some is opinion. :sombrero:

1. 2005
2. I don't think so, but I've only heard about it and not ever owned one. If you tow large loads a lot I would look for it, but the 4R100 is a fabulous tranny that did well enough in the V10 vans for years.
3. V10 owners would say so. I've had 2 460s and think they are plenty powerful. Fuel mileage would be about the same, which is to say, lame, but you aren't buying a big van with a big engine for a daily driver. It's a great tradeoff IMO for having a place to sleep! The V10 is certainly capable of a lot more power for a cheaper price with modern tuners, etc. No one is supporting the 460 anymore really. I have one with 20k and about all I could do is K&N filter and exhaust, as far as simple upgrades go. Either way, both plenty strong in stock form. Remember that these are the same 2 engines that have been pulling around huge motorhomes forever.
4. That I don't know.
5. RUST! And abuse in general, but don't get too worried. Ford vans are about the most durable vehicles ever built. They really are hard to kill. Keep in mind that 460s usually poop out around 250k but v10s are known to go 3-400k. Either one may need a transmission around 150k. I would not say that's a rule but it is very common.

Good luck, you can't go wrong with either one, but diesel owners will tell you different.

 

[UHAULER]

What people are asking and what they will take are two different things, Cash Talks. Also most everything on craigslist seems priced high, when the ad is free and you can keep reposting, people can take their time slowly bringing the price down to reality.

 

[Shocker]

Either engine would be fine. The 460 is good for more than 250k IMHO and anecdotally. The V10 might be a bit better on gas. The 460 is very stout and an excellent choice and you would pay less for a van with one. There are plenty of performance options for the 460 beyond what Scotty said, but that means tearing into the engine. The 385 series is a very well understood engine so the options are myriad.

I don't there there is a downside to either transmission. Alot of 460's might have the E4OD in it, which is also a OK transmission but really benefits from upgrades to bulletproof it.

The limited slip is a more rare option in the passenger vans vs the cargo vans, but not unheard of. Easy to add if not. Not a deal breaker on a nice rig.

I also wouldn't rule out the extended vans for your family. With 6 and a dog, you will eat up the space on a long trip pretty quickly.

I do like the look of that green van. It has been for sale for along time. Flash some cash and see what they say! Welcome to club!

 

[Bbasso]

V10 With The 5R110 AND a tune from Mike at 5star Had Me Laughing every time I hit the gas pedal. Fast wasn't the word!
Also got up to 17 mpg...
Pulling my 31.5 travel trailer was a breeze.
I can't speak of the 460 But I'd aim for the 7.3 first then the v10.

 

[Bbasso]

Diesel doesn't cost much more in maintaining, yes a few extra but the longevity, resale and mpg make up for it.
Reconsider the 7.3 skip the 6.0 Unless You can afford to bullet proof it before using.

 

[packmule]

Thanks for the great tips. It sounds like either the V10 or 460 would do fine for my needs. I'd prefer an OBD II vehicle, so I think that means '94 and newer? What year did they replace the E40D with the 4R100? Personally, I don't mind EB vans, but I'm not sure my wife would drive it. They do hold a lot more cargo than the RB when both are configured to seat 7 or 8.

A 7.3 van would be great, I'm just not sure a nice example is in my budget. I think I can get a lower mileage van in good shape for less money if I stick with a gasser. I anticipate using the rig for 5-10k miles per year and I'm not towing heavy, so I'm not sure when I'd break even. I did find a '95 Powerstroke conversion van at a dealer about 1.5 hours south of Portland. It's missing one of the captains chairs, has 225k miles and they want $4k. I'm hesitant to get into a van with that many miles without solid service records. Does that price for an early PSD seem average, low, high, or it depends? Coming from a used car dealer, I question what is wrong at that price.

 

[86scotty]

Thanks for the great tips. It sounds like either the V10 or 460 would do fine for my needs. I'd prefer an OBD II vehicle, so I think that means '94 and newer? What year did they replace the E40D with the 4R100? Personally, I don't mind EB vans, but I'm not sure my wife would drive it. They do hold a lot more cargo than the RB when both are configured to seat 7 or 8.

1996 was the first year of OBDII. And keep in mind that the EB vans are the same wheelbase as the RBs so as far as your wife being afraid of it, it's all a mental thing. They drive, turn, go and stop just the same. My wife is a little intimidated by driving them also and we've had both, but on road trips when we are out on the open road she is happy to relieve me from time to time.

 

[86scotty]

Either engine would be fine. The 460 is good for more than 250k IMHO and anecdotally. The V10 might be a bit better on gas. The 460 is very stout and an excellent choice and you would pay less for a van with one. There are plenty of performance options for the 460 beyond what Scotty said, but that means tearing into the engine. The 385 series is a very well understood engine so the options are myriad.

Not to be a jerk, but I did say "as far as simple upgrades go." Mine's also pre-OBDII, as any pre-96 would be, so not too many simple options, and they only made them til 96.

Cheers

 

[Toolman]

V10 With The 5R110 AND a tune from Mike at 5star Had Me Laughing every time I hit the gas pedal. Fast wasn't the word!
Also got up to 17 mpg...
Pulling my 31.5 travel trailer was a breeze.
I can't speak of the 460 But I'd aim for the 7.3 first then the v10.

was your V10 lifted, 4x4 etc. ? 17 mpg and more power than I have now would be great. Where is this "Mike from 5 Star" ?

 

[89s rule]

was your V10 lifted, 4x4 etc. ? 17 mpg and more power than I have now would be great. Where is this "Mike from 5 Star" ?

http://www.5startuning.com/

 

[tommonta]

Don't expect to get 17mpg for normal driving. I have a 2006 E350 V10 with 4" Ujoint and a tuner from 5 star. With the econo tune I get 10-14 mpg for mixed freeway and street driving.

 

[Bbasso]

All stock except for tire size 265/75-16 And the tune.
Up to 17 mpg At speed limits with cruise control.

 

[packmule]

I have a few more questions to help me narrow my search:

• What was the last year Ford offered the E-350 with the Chateau package or another standard trim with quad captains chairs? I think at some point Ford limited the Chateau to the E-150.
• Did the 1996+ Chateau ever come with barn doors, or just the slider? I like the slider for getting kids in and out in a tight parking lot, but there are advantages to barn doors too (larger tires, fender flares, etc)
• Did Ford ever offer quad captains chairs in an EB from the factory? E-350 EB conversion vans are like unicorns, never mind EB conversion vans with the big engine.

Thanks for all the help.