Van wheelbases

[bigjbear]

I'm on the hunt for a tow rig/DD/camper. Anybody know the WB of different fullsize vans? Have any experience pulling about 6-7k lbs w/ one? Right now I'm looking at an E250 (3/4 ton Ford van), it has a V8 (assume 351) and a FF rear (???), whatcha think guys?

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Find one with a bigger gas engine for that kind of weight, or a Diesel.

 

[bigjbear]

I've never seen a Powerstroke van. If they are out there they are not very common and sound like a nightmear to work on. As far as a bigger gas engine, I'd rather not. Remember the DD part in the original post, work is an 81 mi round trip. It would only pull that much weight about 7x a year.

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Make sure if you get one with a small engine that you get one with 4.10 or better gears then. My C30 struggles to pull my 5er only on hills, and I'm sure if I had a little more gear it'd pull much harder.

There is such a thing as a powerstroke powered van, too.

 

[Can Can]

I've never seen a PS cargo van. There are plenty of van cab/chassis units as well as cube vans out there, however. Is this what you're talking about, Tim?

 

[u2slow]

If you mean 90's E-series, they're either 138", 158" (extended), or 176" (probably the cutaway). The two longer wheelbases are E350 only.

The rear end could be either a Dana 60/61 or a Ford 10.25". Not sure which came as the FF in the vans. Pay attention to the tranny - the C6 was still used through '96.

PSD available for '95. (I saw a cargo van with one - it belonged to a coroner /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif ) Rear disc showed up on the E250 (w/full-float) & E350 SRW for '99.

81-95 GM vans are either 110", 125", or 146" in full-bodied form. Definitely need the 1-ton for towing. The 3/4-ton uses a 10-bolt /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. Even the 1-ton only uses the 14bSF unless the heavy suspension is optioned. 454 avilable for '89.

96-up is better for towing. True body-on-frame construction. Heavier axles in 3/4-ton. Available 6.5TD. Comes in 135" and 155" wheelbases (full-bodied).

 

[bigjbear]

Thanks, that is what I was looking for. Sounds like any of the Fords (except the cargo) would work. I didn't know they got rid of the 10B in the 3/4 Chevy, is it a SFB14? Or is better just the 30 spline 8.6" R&P 10B? That 6.5 would be intresting, but probably loud in a van.

 

[u2slow]

The Savana/Express 2500 can have a 6-lug 14bSF, and 8-lug 14bSF, or an 8-lug 14bFF. The 6.5TD in these vans may already have been discontinued. I didn't see it on the 2004 lineup. No D-max either. /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif