I have a GMC van, But am finding the Ford E series are in my budget range around $2500. Also the GMC had some gremlins.

What is the most reliable motor in the 90s and tranny? I am looking at the 6 and 8 cylinders that have around 180k on the motors. I am told the steering is problematic, but that was from a dealer.

Is it easier to get to the motor than the GMC, and not so damn cramped?

Thanks for all your help

 

From my personal experience the older 5.8 ford engine seemed better than the 5.4.
The van bodies themselves held up pretty well. If possible always try to obtain some type of maintenance records on a vehicle you might be considering. In my opinion the later trans version of the E4od was somewhat better since it was beefed up a little.
Maintained a fleet of many Ford vans and Chevy vans at one time and the Fords provided much better service for the money. As far as working on them , what may appear easy to one person may be a "pita" to another. They all had their good and bad points.

 

Loves Vans. Where are you located? I have a 93 E-250 extended length that has been rebuilt but is having some engine issues. (One plug gets fouled and have not figured it out yet).


Retired and used the van to drive across country to take care of mom. She is now old enough to warrant us staying at her house for a longer time so we picked up a newer (2013 E-250) to make sure we could do our runs without delay.

Our 93 van has new upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, front shocks, brake calipers, pads, and brake hoses, new radiator hoses, new alternator, new fuel pump (had to drop the tank to do it), new muffler and pipe on rear half of system, newer front catalytic converter, new fan belt tensioner, new stabilizer bar bushings, 4 new (only 7,500 highway miles) Uniroyal Laredo Tires (Paid $800 at Wal-Mart), replaced hydraulic lifters since one was sounding so pulled the engine top and changed out all 16, and installed new radial arm bushings. The engine was replaced with a Jensen longblock at 145,000 miles about 10 year ago so it only has 62,000 miles.

If you are on the west coast (los angeles area) let me know.

Truck has no rust and have never been in an accident. Just driven hard. It has 207,000 and needs somebody younger who can climb under the hood and keep it moving.