BioDieselNow - Renewable biodiesel fuel

Aloha,

 My old GMC Jimmy is on its last legs (surprise, surprise), so I have been researching diesel vehicles as a replacement. I am in search of  a diesel van, and the Ford Econoline is one that is in my sights. Does anyone have any experiences with E350 Diesel vans, either positive or negative? Do the E-Series vans use the same engines as the F350 full size trucks?

 Any info would be greatly appreciated,

Kit

I manage a fleet of about 15 E350 vans. Regrettably, none of them are diesel. The non- engine parts of the vans are quite top notch though. Here in Detroit they salt the roads and all my non-fords are rusting out at 10 years, while my 13 year old Ford is rust free.

We do have a small bus like this: It has a 6.0 liter Ford diesel and gets about 9 MPG.

You may also want to evaluate the Dodge Sprinter vans. My Locksmith drives one and gets 20 MPG. He has a friend who drives one to Texas and back all the time and has put almost 400,000 miles on it with no significant problems.

I am the proud owner of a 2006 ford E350 super duty V-8 powerstroke diesel 1 ton exstended cargo van . I bought it new with 0 miles on it in last part of August of 2006 . Paid ford

$ 43,900.00 total take $ 6,000 off that and that was full price . at 731.99 a month for 5 years no intrest to pay it off . Thats  $ 8,000 a year to keep her .

I have had it for one year and I have put 145,406 miles on it as of today nov 27th 2007 . I have had no problems with her really . I am a courier and I have been to all states from the mid us

to the east coast north and south . I love my girl alot. I haul skids or some people call them pallets with things on them , heavy loads of up to 4,000 lbs a trip . I have a towing pkg too.

shes registered for 9,000 lbs total on the paperwork . Anyways I have had to get the one item cleaned 2 different times after many thousands of miles it had carbon in it. No problem

And in the beginning I had to replace the alternator and a belt for that it was loose. But this van was on a lot in indiana for one year before i got her setting there from the factory .

Other than that I have changed my oil every 5,000 miles and my fuel filters every other oil change . And my dealer says my fuel filters are clean . Because I do change them regularly.

I take her to the dealer I got her from for her stuff any stuff that needs to be done. Not some cheaper mech. You will get what you pay for.

I love my ford van .  And I wouldnt trade it for the world .

So theres a low down on this type of ford van if you are interested in buying one new .

Shes tough and rides smooth with or without a load . I honestly think if you maintain your vehicle regular like you should you wont be walking ever .

Thanks for letting me share my ford with you .And if you buy  one of these from ford you wont be sorry its money well spent shes a tough vehicle . I would buy one more .

If there was any thing to fuss about on this vehicle I would be the first in line to bark about it all day long. But I havent found a thing yet .

R 

 Hey there,

I've owned a raft of gas engine Econolines, including my very first rig at age 16 (back when pterodactyls were still flying); a 1963 Econoline-the Blue Bomber!!!!

She had a 170 CID inline 6 in her, with a one barrel carb. She was underpowered but could go nearly anywhere and took me all the way to Wyoming and back to Washington State!

I have also owned a 7.3L Powerstroke in my 94 F-250 4x4 Supercab and got 15mpg-21mpg, stock all the way, depending on speed and whether it was straight highway driving, city, or combined.

My ultimate rig (barring cost) would be an Econoline E-150, 4x4, with a diesel in her (that 4.4L Lion coming out might be nice, or the 2.7L Lion with the right gearing), extended cab, with standard swing-out side doors (with windows thank you), but no windows in the back.

 I can heartily recommend the Econoline platform, but unless you're in dire need of hauling heavy loads, and I mean really heavy loads, stick to a 3/4 ton for most uses; it'll be cheaper all the way around.

Cheers from Wyoming,

Neanderthal 

Thanks to all for your input. The price of diesel fuel in CA right now is close to $4.50/gallon! So I am in no rush.....