I don't want to start a Ford/Chevy debate, I am just trying to get a new van that has the right capacity and engine size.

If you have purchased a van recently, What type was it? Please include the engine size and weight capacity. Are you happy with the vehicle or would you do something different?

Thanks,

I'm not much help here, but the longevity of the Ford 300 cu.in. I-six (4.9L) has me sold. I had a Ford Econoline a few years ago, this engine is tough! And within a few percent of the 302 in power as well.

If you want reliability, go with the 300 six.

I've got an 85 Dodge van with a 270 cu in "slant 6". I think a "slant 6" will normally outlast a Ford 300 but does not have quite the power. Anyone interested in purchasing it give me an e-mail. I've recently put a new exhaust manifold and a rebuilt carburetor on it. I wanted to put a 2 barrel intake and a two barrel carb on it because the 2 barrel carb is more plentiful and cheaper, but the intake is scarce. They were used on some fleet trucks and luxury cars befor the V-6 engines became popular.

I'll 2nd that. I've had many 300's, the bad news is they leak oil, the good news is you can run 'em down til you hear chunks rattling in the pan. Once i even put a gallon of chain saw oil in a beater i had.....do i sound like a redneck yet?
hmmm, where's my chew?

Hey,
doesn't chevy have a deal on an interior?

p.s.
Gerald, U sure that's not a 225 CI ?

I was hoping to get info on more current choices. I have a 93 E150 with the 300/6. It seems to be underpowered.

Are the newer 4.2/4.3/4.6 engines any good or should I go for the 5.?.
As far as weight capacity 250 or 350?

Jim;
I have a 4.3 fuel injected V6 chevy ,fully frieghted van, i mean room to sit full, no complaints...a good motor.
But for those long UG services in the mud & snow I have a 460 V8 F-250 HD 4x4 .
400' of 3" pvc and a reel of 350kcmil URD makes the van fishtail
i don't think there's a one-truck-fits-all.

'95 F-150 pick-up. 300 c.i. 5-speed. 4 wd Std. cab. 8' bed. Matching (black)ARE cap with tool boxes. Not as convenient as a van, but, I like 4wd. With the boxes set up with stackable bins for small materials,it works pretty good. 95,000 miles, going strong.

I'm driving a '91 Ford f250 van, 300 cid engine. Virgil's right, they're tougher than woodpecker lips. Unfortunately, I've heard rumors that this engine is no longer made, just when I'm about to buy another vehicle.

Tom

gpowellpec...

Oh Yeah! The Dodge Slant 6 225...

Had one in a Dart when I was young and dumb...

Had a guy bet me $50 against a hopped up 318 V8 that I couldn't blow the motor... (I pay him $50 if I don't blow it, I get a 318 to replace it if I do...) After a minute at 92 mph in second gear, I had to pay up.

Once it kept dying around right (or was it left?) hand turns... the culprit? The bolts for the carb had vacated, and the carb would flop over going around the turn and the motor would die. Once it stopped, it would plop back in place and run fine until you took another turn... Very few other engines will run with a mere carb gasket leak!

A local threw a rod complete with holes in the block in a slant six, drove it home 35 miles, shut it off, and started it back up just to see if it would still run, and it did!

I'm reasonably impressed with the Nissan 2.4L 4 banger... 140K miles, only have to put oil in it when it gets changed.

The Ford 300" 6 is a real winner. I used to haul as many as 10 horses in a stock trailer with a truck that had one. Bottom end guts!
My current work Van is a E350 with a 460". It's a slug and sucks gas (9MPG) like there's no tomorrow.
I've got a GMC pickup that I love.

Sorry about the size mix-up on the slant 6. The 2 sizes were 170 and 225. I just got the numbers confused. Had a 61 Plymouth with a 170 and a 67 Dart with a 225. Never could tune them to get any performance. The 85 van is geared to lug but it will do a respectable 75-80 mph depending on grade and wind. It's an old GTE van with automatic.

Jim M,
Sorry I have nothing to offer as far as new trucks are concerned. The newest I have had was a 90 Ford Ranger with the 4 cylinder, 8 sparkplug Mazda engine. Good for running parts, but not carrying anything substantial.

[This message has been edited by gpowellpec (edited 08-11-2001).]

Jim,

Sorry for the late join-in I had to check under the hood to see the Engine size. I've got a '98 E-150 with the 4.2 Haven't had one problem with it engine-wise.
I bought new in Sept '98 from leftovers and was able to get a great deal. They have package that includes a full rack system inside (both sides) with front barrier, AC, rubber rear floor mat, better tires and some added suspension upgrade. With the package the load rating came to within 50 lbs of the standard E-250.

I don't carry a lot of weight, but would've liked to have gotten the E-250. The thing was that the difference was several thousand at the time. The E-150s' were'nt as much in demand and they wanted to sell them. I figure I got the Truck with the Rack package and AC at dealer cost of a Bare-Bones E-150. It was about $16,800 if I remember correctly.

As far as the Engine goes, the 4.2 won't be winning any races, but I've got no complaints. I came from an '85 E-150 300-6cyl that was 1500 lbs overweight for 10 years and was still running when I sold it.


Bill

I have a '97 F350. 4x4 dually, power stroke. it has a Stahl bed. not great in the rain,(you get wet, not the tools). it has 99,400 miles, bought it new. I carry about 1300 lbs tools & materials, it curb weighs just over 9000#,and gets 16 mpg.,has a ton of power, and overall has been pretty reliable.

I had a 1 ton Dodge extended van. I bought it second-hand from Columbus, IN Gas & Elect. It had 80,000 miles on it when I got it. 360 V8 automatic with OD. Bins, shelves,floor drawers, ladder rack and spot light. I put tires on it, a couple of batteries and an alternator. Used no oil between changes and got 10 mpg whether I was empty or loaded pulling my 6x14 enclosed trailer. I sold it to another sparky last January with 188,000 miles on it and he's still driving it! I found a 1988 Ford F-250 XLT with 50,000 miles on it and set it up with truck boxes and a ladder rack. It's been a fine truck. Pulls the trailers like they aren't back there and gets about 14 mpg. 351 EFI with automatic and AC! Now my shirt gets dry before I get home this time of year! I'll never buy another brand new vehicle for work. The depreciation made me sick as well as that first scratch. From now on I buy 'em used, pay cash and work 'em.

See what you've started Jim ?

LOL !


we spend lot's of windshield time, so trucks are a fairly important issue. no trucky--no worky !!

This thread does bring to mind all the abused company fleet trucks i drove in the past.

Maybe we should thread 'the worst Co. truck'?

JIM for what its worth be it dodge chevy ford it doesnt matter stay with a V-8 I guarntee at some point and more than once you'll be glad u had the 8 and not a six
I have had 240 6 cylinder and 300 with a set of headman headers on it with a 650 holley 4 barrell also dodge slant sixes and chevys but it still does not beat the small v-8's on the market go with a 302 up to a 318 or 350 the gas mileage will be there and the power. WE have a son that is a darn good auto mechanic so he has seen them all

I drive a 86 GMC 1 ton with the 6.2 diesel. If you plan on running the vehicle over 150k the diesel is the way to go. Diesel fuel is cheaper than gas and gets better mileage. I get 20-24 mpg depending on what I'm hauling, which is usually every I have plus material. Probably about 7500lbs.

This truck has a 3.83 rear and it tows better than any truck I have including my Ford F350 powerstroke.

Next truck will be a Freightliner Sprinter with the doesel of course.
http://www.sprintersavvy.com/