Above 100,000 miles: Ford/Chevy/Dodge vans?
Hello all! I am planning to move up to a full sized van. In my price range that usually means over 100k miles. I have not ruled out a Class B, but I think I prefer the DIY route -- buying a plain...
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Having maintained fleet one ton vans. I prefer fords over the Chevy. Both had pretty much bullet proof drive trains. Both needed front end overhauls, ball joints , tierods etc at 125-150k miles. Biggest problem with Chevy was the cargo doors. Hinges would seize up and stick and sometime break off. Also the gas petal would need replacing at 200k or so. Its a drive by wire and the gas petal would stop working a $300 replacement part.
As for ford lower rad hose will need replacing at 100k+. Tie rod nicks it as you turn wheel, after 100k of nicks it wears. $100 part I would cut piece off old and zip tie on new to cushen it. In 2008 ford started putting on plastic shields.
Sway bar bushing $60 after 2008 they change style of sway bar so no bushing wear.
2003 and earlier coils for the plugs would fail. If buying those years see if they have been replaced. 8x $30
We would get 500,000-600,000 miles out of the fords. Oil changes every 8-10k miles. I NEVER serviced the transmissions and never a failure.
Good E350 are hard to find around here. Just spent 2+ months looking for one for a new business. Finally found a 2011 extended with 125k on it for $11000. Ford discontinued them in 2015 and good ones bring a premium $$.
Good luck with your search.
JKaz
As for ford lower rad hose will need replacing at 100k+. Tie rod nicks it as you turn wheel, after 100k of nicks it wears. $100 part I would cut piece off old and zip tie on new to cushen it. In 2008 ford started putting on plastic shields.
Sway bar bushing $60 after 2008 they change style of sway bar so no bushing wear.
2003 and earlier coils for the plugs would fail. If buying those years see if they have been replaced. 8x $30
We would get 500,000-600,000 miles out of the fords. Oil changes every 8-10k miles. I NEVER serviced the transmissions and never a failure.
Good E350 are hard to find around here. Just spent 2+ months looking for one for a new business. Finally found a 2011 extended with 125k on it for $11000. Ford discontinued them in 2015 and good ones bring a premium $$.
Good luck with your search.
JKaz
