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The Ford Econoline van is a popular pick for a uncomplicated van conversion, despite its relative age compared to models like the Ford Transit or Mercedes Sprinter. I paid but $vi,000 for mine and haven't run into whatsoever big issues for a year at present. In that location are many with raised roofs so you get the elevation "luxury" of a newer model without the high price tag.
How Long Do Ford Eastward-Series Concluding?
E-series vans typically accomplish upwards to 300,000 miles before reaching points of critical breakdown–they are tanks! My van came with 170,000 miles on it and I'm now at 186,000 miles–still oasis't run into any issues.
The Due east-series includes the E150, E250, and E350. The numbers correlate to how much weight the vans can carry (and not the size of the vans–which I had originally idea!) The lower the number, the lower the cargo carrying capacity.
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E150 = i/ii ton payload
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E250 = 3/4 ton payload
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E350 = i ton payload
This is important to consider because converting your van–depending on how many appliances you lot want to include–will add meaning weight to it. For instance, my demote-to-bed conversion setup is made out of oak wood–i of the well-nigh dense and heavy woods out there. The bed is probably the heaviest slice of build in my van.
From what I've seen, nearly van life individuals will opt for an E250 or E350 for the extra weight chapters and interruption. That being said, if you end up with an E250 or E350 and have a very light payload, it might brand for a rougher ride because these vans take stiffer suspension designed for heavier payloads. Personally, I take an E250 and I think it rides polish as butta'.
Click to Shop Used Ford Econolines on RVT.com:
Why Did Ford Stop Making the Econoline?
In 2014, Ford discontinued the production of econolines to replace them with the Ford Transits. The thought being, Transits offered a little more than cargo chapters, space, gas efficiency and van configuration options.
So Why Not But Get a Transit?
If that's what y'all desire, go for it! Just be prepared to pay far more for your vehicle. You can purchase an econoline off Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for as low as $3,000 today, do a very simple build, and be on the road past tomorrow. Since this weblog is focused on budget van life, we focus on less expensive vans, such as the econoline.
Ford E-Series: 3 Common Issues
I'm speaking about these issues from feel. I grew up with an F350 truck and am now living in an E250 van (they are very similar in build). And then, whether you're at a dealership or viewing a car from a private seller, don't be afraid to ask the tough questions. Bring your mat to get down on the ground and await under that van for rust and other problems!
one. Exhaust Leak from Broken Manifold Bolts
Aye, I was dislocated virtually what the heck this meant too. Basically, the exhaust manifold is responsible for collecting all of your engine's emissions, burning them up, and sending them out the van via your exhaust pipe.
The exhaust manifold is bolted to the engine, which exposes it to extreme heat and temperature changes. The surface area in which the manifold is bolted to the engine–also known as the caput–tin can expand in size when exposed to extreme estrus. Over fourth dimension, this constant expanding and alter in size can snap the bolts/studs that adhere information technology to the engine and tin likewise cause the manifold to crack.
What'south more, the Ford Triton family of engines apply aluminum heads instead of cast-iron–which is bad news bears. It'south bad news because aluminum expands much more nether heat than cast-atomic number 26 (which is the other material the engine heads are typically made of). So, you're much more than probable to have snapped bolts/studs and a croaky exhaust manifold if your van has a Ford Triton engine. Non all Eastward-series vans take this family of engine, and so it's worth trying to observe out. My van (a 1999 E250) did have this way of engine then information technology wasn't surprising to have had this outcome.
How Much Does it Cost to Repair Snapped Manifold Bolts?
I paid $1,200 to replace my exhaust manifold bolts. Ouch, right? It's a pricey fix mainly because of the manual labor. The exhaust manifold is attached to the engine, which is basically located at the "heart" of the van. So accessing and working within that area is difficult and time-consuming.
Unless you're a mechanic or very automobile-savvy, it'll be hard to make an accurate judgement on the exhaust manifold bolts when going to run across the van before ownership. Y'all'll have to become nether the van– I was lucky considering my dad was with me when viewing the van and he knew to check for these. Side note–he knew they were cracked but that didn't stop me from ownership it…that'due south another story. I recommend bringing someone along who could aid with this, or asking the seller if yous can have a mechanic look it over before purchasing.
But at present that the exhaust manifold bolts are fixed, I won't risk emissions leaking under my hood, potentially breathing them in and having them wear downwards everything else under my hood. If you don't accept this fixed, over time your fuel efficiency and engine operation will decrease.
What Are Signs of Leaking Exhaust Manifolds?
A good indicator of an exhaust manifold leak is that your van makes an almost whistling, squeaking audio when you lot offset it and run it for the first few minutes. Information technology may never stop, or it may go abroad subsequently a fiddling, but over time it will just become louder and more constant. Information technology will exist a slow decease! Here's a more in-depth look at the risks of not fixing your frazzle manifolds.
two. Shift Linkage Loose in Steering Cavalcade
Practiced news is that this is a much more affordable set! Tightening the shift linkage in a steering column is anywhere under $100 and even a make new ane should run you almost $150. Both the F350 truck I grew up driving and my current van had very loose shift linkage in the steering columns.
Loose shift linkage is when you shift into different gears but the shifter feels loose or the gear you're in doesn't match what the dashboard is saying. I would constantly throw my van into reverse, only to realize subsequently hitting the gas pedal that I was in neutral. Thankfully, this isn't a super critical prepare but it is something that will only wear down more over time.
3. Rust On the Van Frame
Obviously, rust is a HUGE– if not the BIGGEST– problem to look out for before purchasing any van. But as someone who watched her family unit's brand new F350 truck rot out FAR too speedily for how old it was, some Ford makes just practise non stand against rust.
What Causes a Van Frame to Rust?
The rust definitely stems from salted roads. Good old-fashioned common salt used to be the handling for icy roads, but twenty years agone many highway departments switched to spraying magnesium chloride and/or calcium chloride as a pre-treatment before wintertime storms. These types of salts are way more than corrosive than regular old sodium chloride, AKA table common salt.
And then, I was very happy to learn my van had spent nearly of its days in Southern California and Guatemala, where there is no salting of roads. The frame of my van was not too rusty. I definitely, highly recommend looking at vans from southern states. Avoid u.s. with winter storms and salted roads! Information technology played a big part in why our F350 truck rotted out and so quickly. I will note that in the last few years, automobile makers have made huge progress in making corrosion-resistant vehicles, so looking at a newer model Due east-series van could help with this.
When you lot're evaluating a van, expect under it to run across how rusty the frame looks. The frame is a structural role of the van, meaning without information technology, your van might as well be a pile of metal. While rust spots, say, in a higher place the bicycle wells aren't ideal, they are much less of a concern than rust on the frame.
Some other matter to note is that rotted chassis mounts are a quick way to fail a rubber inspection. The "chassis" is the "box" that is mounted to the frame of the van and the places that they connect are specifically called the "chassis mounts". Whether the rot is on the frame of where the chassis mount connects, or on the chassis of where the chassis mount connects, it doesn't thing–it's equally as bad news for passing a safety inspection.
Then, at that place y'all have it! Picking out your van to alive in is easily-downwards the biggest van life decision–you want to go into it knowledgeable and prepared. Overall, I highly recommend the E-series because they're relatively inexpensive, easy to get parts for, and reliable. Even every bit a 1999 Ford E250 with 174,000 miles already on it, my mechanic was pleased to tell me that the manual, engine, and (thankfully) torso frame were all the same in solid condition on my van.
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Source: https://www.greenvango.com/ford-econoline-3-common-issues-to-look-for-before-buying-van-home/
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