Which van to start with?? Please help

[iggi]

Sounds like you've ruled out the Econoline but if you change your mind. The post lawsuit 6.0 Powerstroke seems to be a pretty decent engine. This is the 2008-2010 version found only in the econolines (and possibly only the cab and chassis. (don't remember for sure at the moment) The 5R110 transmission is heaps better than anything before. I've got two years in my retired 2009 E350 based ambulance and the only drivetrain issue has been a thermostat failure. Probably cheaper to buy and maintain a gasoline powered one though, quieter too!

PS The folks saying the Econoline is much cruder than the new vans are 100% telling the truth!

 

[Tjbell]

The used market is insane right now that is for sure! We looked at a low roof transit yesterday, wife said no way roof is too low. I really like the gm offerings but the roof situation has lead her away. How expensive is it to put a high top shell on one? I know tons of people live without it, it's it a pain?

I am not a huge fan of diesel-powered stuff, just personal preference. Same with nissan, I know they are dead nuts reliable but the wife swore them off so that's a battle I won't win.

So I guess, looking between gm, e series and transits. It's hard to find a LWB version of any though. I'm fairly sure I need a LWB so I can add a seat for my son and still have room for everything else

 

[s.e.charles]

regardless of chosen vehicle, make sure or make plans to be able to stand up. seriously.

 

[Highlander]

Have you given a thought to a Nissan NV V8? I know it is small and ugly, but it is architecturally similar to the Ford E.
Also there are some dealers that convert them with the Titan's 4x4 parts.
There videos online.

I second the notion to at least consider one of the GM vans. They are everywhere and are reliable. They can now be converted to 4x4 via DIY kits from Weldtec and Timberline now and will ride better than the Ford once converted.

Which one? The current Svana models? They are indeed cheap and come with a locker too if I am not wrong.

 

[whith]

Savana and Express are the same except the logo and haven’t changed much the last 10 years or so.....heck 20 years. I’d check with Weldtec and Timberline tho to make sure what years they support. They do both have the G80 locker as an option but not standard.

 

[Porkchopexpress]

You can also accept the fact that you will probably never get around to actually converting anything to 4wd and splurge on a new Ford transit with 4wd as an option. See if you qualify for any of fords discount programs, (disabled veteran, ect) and order exactly what you want including long box and raised roof. Otherwise, with all your must haves and budget, I think you might end up with a basket case. I think the extra money you spend would come back in repair savings and resale. Especially if you are able to make quality camper improvements, it might even appreciate in a market like this.

 

[s.e.charles]

Savana and Express are the same except the logo and haven’t changed much the last 10 years or so....

my Savana was definitely a beast for punishment, but damn 13.2 mpg was the best i could ever get out of its V8.

 

[zuren]

I know this thread is getting on the older side, but wanted to see where the OP ended up with his decision.

I had a low-roof 2005 Express for 10ish years and the main reasons I sold it was the rear seat was not ideal for my young kids (too far back from the front seats to hand back toys and snacks) and could not stand up (I'm 6'2"). I would never by a low roof van again. I would not do the 4x4 conversion of an AWD drive againeither. For my needs, AWD is fine.

my Savana was definitely a beast for punishment, but damn 13.2 mpg was the best i could ever get out of its V8.

What V8 and gears did you have? I had a 5.3L with AWD (converted to selectable 4x4) and 3.42 gears and could get in the low 20s MPG on long highway trips reliably. I do live in the flat lands of the Midwest.

I'm starting to educate myself on vans again with the hope to buy something once the insanity of the pandemic and supply chain issues subside. I'm finding no used deals to be had. Frankly, I'm very surprised to see so many $45,000-50,000 base vans out there. Seems that anyone looking for a vehicle right now is better off ordering new.

 

[plh]

If you possibly can, hold off buying a used van until mid '22. New car chip shortage should be resolved and #vanlife should be back to the office and looking to unload. Prices will drop.

 

[Choff]

I have had a 2005 AWD GMC Savana full conversion van for 13 years.
Low roof type, drive and park and go through car washes.
Love it !!!!!!!!
We can sleep in it for days, haul 7 people belted in.
You get the picture
I like it !!
AND YOU CAN FIND THEM FULLY LOADED FOR NOT A LOT OF $

 

[zuren]

If you possibly can, hold off buying a used van until mid '22. New car chip shortage should be resolved and #vanlife should be back to the office and looking to unload. Prices will drop.

I'm definitely not in a hurry. I'm looking at this as a 2-3 year plan; gives me time to look at build examples and decide what I want. I'm undecided between a high roof Transit 148" EB (gas, 2WD or AWD) and a high roof Sprinter 144" (most likely gas). I need to dig deeper, but some complain that the Transit does not have the aftermarket support for upfit like Sprinter does. Many complaints on the Sprinter is that the dealer support network is very small, and repairs are expensive. I wrench on most of my own vehicles, but I don't want to be in a remote place and not be able to find someone who can work on it. Almost any shop in North America that services Ford should be able to fix a Transit.

I read a build blog from a company in CA (dated Summer 2020) that tried their hand at a mild build of a Transit AWD high roof. They seemed to focus more on Sprinters. They completed the build, but it was a very whiny description of what they did. It was always, "this is what we did, but it would have been easier if it was a Sprinter". I don't know if the Transit is truly harder to upfit, if this was a just a marketing exercise to convince people to buy a Sprinter and have them build it, or if they just were not that competent.

 

[vintageracer]

Savana and Express are the same except the logo and haven’t changed much the last 10 years or so.....heck 20 years. I’d check with Weldtec and Timberline tho to make sure what years they support. They do both have the G80 locker as an option but not standard.

The G80 option is not a Locker in the true "cents" of the word in the Overlanding community.

The G80 is a "Limited Slip" type of rear-end center section. It uses clutches to engage both wheels when 1 wheel slips. It is automatic in operation and is not driver controllable like a true "Locker" rear-end center section.

 

[Farfrumwork]

Needs:
To seat 3 legally driving.
Sleep 3 (2 adult one under 10)
Possibility to convert to 4x4 in the future ( likely a diy project)
Reliable as gravity

Just a note on kids. I have two myself, 18 and 11, and I would say that you should consider the kid as a FULL SIZED adult. don't make the mistake of thinking that the little kid can fit wherever - they grow! My 11 yr old is as tall as my wife, and will likely be as tall as me (6'2") in <4yrs

I know many people who have had to re-arrange or sell their campers because their kids outgrow the space.


And FYI - I know you aren't looking for a Sprinter (at least a Diesel) but ours gets ~18mpg driving around the rocky mnts (interstate, 2lane, and 4x4 trails included), and it rides on 33"s and weighs in at ~7500lbs loaded (without people)
edit {and it sleeps four adults with ease, not in bunk beds/dresser shelves either}

 

[whith]

You're right in that its not a manually engaged locker, it does work on its own when one wheel slips and rotates at 100 rpms more than the other. Its actually not a limited slip either though in that it can fully "lock" and apply equal torque to both wheels which most LSDs can't. Regardless is just commonly called a G80 locker in GM circles, didn't mean to imply it was something it isn't but rather just that its a nice feature to look for if one is shopping for one of these vans.

 

[coguzzi]

I need to dig deeper, but some complain that the Transit does not have the aftermarket support for upfit like Sprinter does.

I read a build blog from a company in CA (dated Summer 2020) that tried their hand at a mild build of a Transit AWD high roof. They seemed to focus more on Sprinters. They completed the build, but it was a very whiny description of what they did. It was always, "this is what we did, but it would have been easier if it was a Sprinter". I don't know if the Transit is truly harder to upfit, if this was a just a marketing exercise to convince people to buy a Sprinter and have them build it, or if they just were not that competent.

ive built many sprinters, and a transit and worked on a sprinter last week again. i prefer to build the transit honestly. upfit companies are going to be able to charge more for sprinter work, mostly because people are all enamored with the 3 pointed star and throw tons more $$ around them. So of course they are going to lean that way, and the transit was "different from what we always do" and had templated. Transit is more square inside, sprinter really curve to the top (promaster is 100% square FYI). i find build quality to be pretty equal, with maybe a slight nod to transit actually. tin can to tin can, transit is harder to drill, which screams higher quality metal to me for the same gauge (and they are close to the same, i have steel from window cut outs of both vans if we really want to dive in). i think sprinter electrical upfit integration is better vs transit CCP (customer connection point) but thats about it for me

as far as after market support, for sure Sprinter is almost like Jeep JK's, tons of **** you can bolt on. Now that the AWD transit is available it became a much more viable option, even hard core sprinter only builders are offering transit floor plans now. Aftermarket is growing with new products every week, its gonna take a while still though (and hope it dont become like a JK.....)