Which engine do you have in your Ford van?

Which engine do you have


  • Total voters
    69

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
Gears are a good point to bring up, especially on 5.4s. Once you get to a 33 or 35" tire they need lower gears to help out. My last 5.4 had 35s with 4.88 gears and it was great. We have a big grade nearby that I pull a trailer with axles regularly. My 5.4 did just as good as my 7.3, I just kept it out of OD.
 

EMrider

Explorer
In contrast to the internet rep, my 6.0 has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. 120k and the only mechanical issue was a dirty EGR valve at 20k. After that repair, my mechanic told me to always drive it hard and use a fuel additive. So that is what I've done ever since. Everything is stock, no mods.

The van 6.0s are detuned versus the pickup motors. That helps since many failures are due to power mods and excessive heat.

Lifetime mileage is about 15.5 mpg. Pretty good for a 10k pound 4x4 van.

R
 

hitek79

Explorer
Lot's of interesting opinions. Thanks for everyone that took the time to explain their decision making. Honestly, for me, fuel mileage/costs are not a deciding factor. This is a fun time rig, so if I want to go someplace, I'm just going no matter what. I have a 2015 GMC Sierra with a Duramax in it. I love the fact that I can just step on the gas and climb any hill with no issues. Das Bus weighs about 12k pounds loaded up, so at 10,000 feet it REALLY struggles up hills. Like 25mph up the big pass by my house. A van will obviously weigh much less, but it's still not an easy climb. That being said, my truck runs DEF, so that basically eliminates me ever worrying about the rolling coal issue.
 

Railvan

Adventurer
2006 E350 SMB with 6.0 diesel. Ten years old and 83,000 miles on it. Averaged 15.8mpg the first five years. As much as I love the van, I would never tell anyone to get a 6.0 diesel. It went through three turbos in the first couple of years and a set of injectors a couple years ago.
 

Arctic Travelller

Adventurer
my mechanic told me to always drive it hard and use a fuel additive. So that is what I've done ever since.

For doing fuel cost comparisons between gas and diesel, the cost of additive is another data point. For me though, fuel is a minor part of the entire expense of the rig and not something that I worry too much about. Sure I'd like to get better mileage, but I just finished a 10K mile trip and probably spent $2200 on fuel. Even if I got 20% better mileage with a diesel, the cost savings would have been pretty minimal over what I spent on the whole trip. I'd love a diesel, but wouldn't hesitate to buy another gas motor.
 

derjack

Adventurer
Just trying to get an idea of who has what? I'm going round and round and round trying to figure out what I want, and what fits my needs. If you don't mind telling me what engine you have, and where you take your van, I'd love to hear everyone's opinion.

For me personally, I live in the Colorado high country. Long grades suck driving up in a gasser, but am I asking for trouble camping in the cold with a diesel as far as starting goes? Anyway, let's see whatcha got...

You're missing some engines: There are also older Vans before 1995 and therefore there are the 5.8, 7.6 gas and the 6.9 and 7.3 idi, Booth in n/a and Turbo.
 
The turbo's is a tough pill to swallow but not the issue 6.0's had. I also would hesitate to recommend the 6.0 but when operating correctly they are a awesome motor, I put 132k on my 04 f350 that burnt (plow harness). Needed fan clutch, a turbo clamp, and a couple glow plugs all were covered under warranty. I have an 11 f250 with the 6.7 great motor but honestly that is the only good thing about the new trucks. Radio has gone dark, high beams don't work. Blinker switch needed replacing along with wiring needed rewiring because of rubbing, just replaced pretty much whole front end, eats brakes and rotors (I have done them 3 times now in 98k, my 04 was still on original) have check engine light for def pre heater. I'm sure there are other things I can't think of. Very disappointed with the quality of the new trucks.
2006 E350 SMB with 6.0 diesel. Ten years old and 83,000 miles on it. Averaged 15.8mpg the first five years. As much as I love the van, I would never tell anyone to get a 6.0 diesel. It went through three turbos in the first couple of years and a set of injectors a couple years ago.
 

ClubWagon

Observer
96 E350 Ext body with 5.8 at 199k. I've put the last 50k on it. It's my daily driver and hauls everything from kids to lumber. I don't do any towing so I can't say anything there but I have hauled a lot of heavy stuff without any issues. I seem to get 13 mpg no matter what type of driving I do. Other than basic maintenance all I've done to the engine is a water pump and Alternator. It's not a huge powerhouse engine but it does everything I need it to do and has been extremely reliable. Definitely the best 2 grand I've ever spent.
 

djbonsu

Adventurer
I just completed a 1900 mile trip with the family from Chicago to Kentucky to Myrtle Beach to Charlotte and back with my 7.3 PSD van on UJOR 6" w/ 35s. Van ran great the whole trip loaded up with 3 adults and 2 kids and gear. I averaged between 65-75 mph on the highway and never had an issue. I did pull quite a few grades in Kentucky, West Virginia and the Carolinas and Ill echo Chris and other diesel owners that you do have to watch your EGT temps and maybe even oil temps (i did) so you dont damage the motor. Also keep in mind when you get pretty high in altitude, the stock turbo doesnt move air as good as it does at sea level. Diesels are definitely more expensive to maintain and repair but I LOVE our 7.3 PSD van. If you have the maintenance up to date and eliminate the weak points (leaky o-rings at fuel bowl, turbo pedestal and HPOP) that motor will definitely go a very long way. Ours is still a baby at 275K and counting. Bought it with 240K on it and to date I have replaced all the o-rings at the turbo pedestal, fuel bowl and HPOP, replaced the intake plenum boots, belt tensioner, starter, brake booster and an a/c compressor. After all of that, still no regrets!

I think you will be looking for another v10 or an older 460 for a gasser OR 7.3 or 6.0 powerplant in your search.
 

dcguillory

Adventurer
Fuel mileage mostly doesn't matter but I must point out that diesel is 40% to 90% better then a V10 if that's what your comparing. V10 gets 10 mpg pretty much all the time and diesel gets 14 to 19. (yeah 19 is pretty rare for these vans but I was getting that t for a while.
 

packmule

Observer
'01 RB wagon with a V10 and 4.11 LSD, 2wd... used as a daily driver family hauler and vacation rig. Some towing and plenty of mountain grades. We only put about 10k per year on the van, and I wouldn't change a thing.
 

rdcolorado

Observer
'02 V10 with 6 inch lift and 35's. Love it. 11-13+ MPG depending on driving. One of these days I would like to change the axle ratio, but the 3.73's get me where I need to go...mountains, off-road, snow etc etc..
 

bb121

New member
2008 V-10 Quig with 4.10 gears. A total hoss that would cruise up the mountains but frequently downshift and scream at 4000 rpm on the passes. 12.5 mpg hand calculated on a 3000 mile trip across the west, everything from interstate to 4wd trails and Engineer Pass.

Sold that one for a 2013 5.4 RB Quig with 3.73, RIP kit and five star tune. Just did a 900 mile loop through Colorado and Utah, mostly interstate and state highways, with a little hoonin out by Sand Wash. Computer told me 15.6 for trip. Hand calculation says 15.1. I was super pleased with the results, although I am thinking about regearing to 4.11 or 4.27 for some more oomph up the passes.
 

mikracer

Adventurer
I have a 2005 V10 with 4x4 and the best I ever got for MPG was around 12.5 and that was when it was at stock height with stock wheel/tires. I think I'm getting about 10-11 on the freeway and single digits in town. That's also with the 5R110 transmission and 4.10 gears. My van is a simple 7 passenger Chateau.

I like that the V10 is very quiet and is super reliable (someone on the first page said the V10's are just as loud as a diesel, but I don't see how that is possible). Easy 6 quart oil changes every 3,000 miles and I don't even have to use a jack to do it. I admit that I was dead set on a 7.3 when I first was looking, but I'm very happy with my V10. Mine was my daily driver until about a month ago when we moved to our new house. Changed my commute from 2 miles to 25 miles, so I had to get something a little more fuel efficient.
 

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