Ford E-Series 4x4 Van Buyer's Guide (4th Gen) W/Ujoint Offroad | Inside Line
Coming onto the scene in the 1960s, the Ford Econoline chassis has been used for everything from C Class RV’s and Ambulances to basic delivery vans and overlanding explorers. With an array of gas and diesel engine options, along with millions produced over the years, it’s no surprise that the E Series continues to thrive on the roadway today. While you can still purchase a brand-new E-Series van from Ford today, it’s only offered as a cutaway (forward cab and stripped chassis only).
The good news is that the more conventional and popular fourth generation models (1992 to 2014) are plentiful. Even better is that many of these can be picked up on the cheap. On this Inside Line, our Senior Off-Road Editor Ali Mansour talks with Ford E-Series upfitter Chris Steuber from Ujoint Offroad about what you need to know before purchasing a 4th Gen E-Series.
00:00 Intro
00:33 Why Ford E Series
00:55 Chris Steuber from Ujoint Offroad
01:22 Best Years
01:56 E Series Cutaway and Buying New
02:50 Powertrain
03:50 Gas or Diesel
05:24 4x4 E Series Conversion Options
07:31 Overland Interior Setups
08:53 Roof Options
09:53 How Big of a Tire Can You put on an E Series Van?
11:16 E-150, E-250, E-350 differences
13:13 Rust issues
14:39 E Series RVs
16:49 Ujoint Contact Info
17:43 Outro
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Haven't even got halfway through the video and its by far the best guide I've seen. Thanks for being honest about pricing!
It’s a shame ford doesn’t offer the full body van anymore. The tall skinny euro style vans just look tippy.
A lot of people agree with you on that one!
They could have at least kept the E350 in the line up
It's pretty obvious for the last 20 years car manufacturers have been trying to screw us any way they can
@@Introverted_Outlander only with there conversion inside. And really long waitlist
The new vans looks like shit.
Chris is a great guy all around. He’s very active on forums helping answer questions for people to help them choose the best van for their use. I really wish I had the money for a U-joint 4x4 conversion. Thanks for bringing him on, and Chris, thank you for all you do for the industry!
Thanks very much!
Hi what forum is this? Would love to read more info about the e series and the conversion.
Thanks for this video! Just purchased a 92' Airstream B190 (Extended E350) with a 7.5 460. Can't wait to start getting my suspension upgraded. Going with the Ujoint kit
Thanks for the video. I've been wanting a U-joint conversion for a long time. Great information!
Thanks for all the information Chris, love your vans.
Great information!! Just the video I was looking for.
Awesome video, very informative. I trust Chris’ opinion as there’s a lot of mixed info out there on forums. Hope to own a Ujoint van in the future.
About a month ago I found a 95 E350 7.3 turbo diesel ambulance with a newly rebuilt engine. Cannot wait until it looks like the vans in this video. Suspension and tires coming first!
Great interview / info. Thanks !!
I was happy to hear that he likes the V10 the best. I just took my recently bought E350 to Alaska and back. And I really like it. In Canada people on the Alcan will go 50 for miles dragging a travel trailer then boot it up to 75 as soon as they hit the passing lane. Its lightly loaded, there is no scenario where I don't pass you, LOL
This is a fantastic video, extremely informative. Thank you very much.
Thank you forthe information, it was very helpful.
Great video ! Chris is the king of the Econoline geeks 👍
Thanks!
Love, love, love 4x4 vans...I own a Quadravan! But seriously, all pick-up models give you a factory 4x4 option. Even the RV makers are using the Class 4, 5, and bigger truck cab-chassis, with Thor offering a 4x4 factory model. Great interview, by the way.
such good info thank you!!!
Super helpful. Thank you!
Awesome video, very informative!!
These look like the most capable offroad vans I’ve seen
Thanks for the great video. I'm a follower of Chris @ Offroad and he IS THE MAN~
Thanks!
Really like these vans , best looking imo . I would literally want one bulletproof .
Totally agree I prefer gas over diesel
Nice thorough interview
Absolutely love me 2001 E450 shuttle bus with its 321,000 mile 7.3 powerstroker. If only it wasn't sub 200hp.
Great questions
Thanks to you and Chris from UJoint. Very informative and I hope to one day get one for Ujoint to convert.
Thank you.
That was really helpful and thanks for making the video, this is something I have wanted to do for years now but have no idea what is what with these vans
Great interview 🎉
He's 100% right about diesels. The only way diesels make sense to an average guy is if he tows 90% of the time or if he needs to make a shit ton of power (mostly towing power or TORQUE).... Any other time a gasser is better
The Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston,Texas areas have some of the best deals on clean Ford vans I've seen lately.
TX is always a good spot to source a van!
I have their 6" kit on my e350 and I've been running 37s with very minimal rubbing in the rear. So if you're thinking about doing a 6" kit on 37s its fine
How much did that effect your mpg?
On a 2011 E450 Class-C RV w/6" lift and full 4x4 conversion how do I go about getting wider tires on the front axle and only carrying one spare tire? As rear duals can only handle narrow tires without rubbing sidewalls. I heard UJoint was coming out with a new tire/wheel package to address this?
Hey, what kind of rack do you have on top of the van and did you install it yourself?
I just bought a 2006 e350 5.4 high roof mobility van i cant wait to get this done to Ujoint.
How’s it holding up? Got any pics?
Right ! If ford was smart they’re bring back the old school vans just smart
After spending a lot of money on an older van, most of which are overpriced these days, you get an engine that has 170K miles on it, same with the transmission and all the rubber / plastic bits and pieces in under the vehicle and in the engine compartment... how much longer is that whole package going to last without a total engine rebuild? At some point I think a person has spent way, way more than it's worth. I'm wrestling with this idea and I look at used prices and new truck prices... the market is crazy right now. Great video and excellent information. Cheers!
If you can do all the work yourself, buy an old van. You’ll come out money ahead. If you have to pay someone else to do all the work, buy a new one and get it converted. Simple as that.
Great information in this video. I'm still considering this 4x4 conversion. I went with a 2021 Ford E350 cutaway van with the 7.3 gas motor. The boxes are easier and cheaper to build than the traditional van body. My interior height is 84" and the interior width is 79". The power out of the 7.3 gas motor with a aftermarket tune is around 450 hp. Factory limited slip differential with 4.56 gears.
Excellent choice!
I doubt you're pulling 450 hp without some mods.
@@Shawnsrobloxworld 5Star tuning has a ton of info on their site about the #s they're getting out of the stock 7.3 gasser.
Definitely mom an pops for conversion, because sportsmobile is exspensive
Good video,
😲I know what you are talking about on the subject or higher costs for diesel compared to gas. 👍🏼
I bought a Quingley today and a zf5 swap kit.
great info ! so knowledgable on vans ! 👍👍
Thanks!
No hacking only slight rub at full lock going up an incline (like pulling into a gas station) I’m running 33s on my 2wd van
Are these Triton v8 motors any good? I’m getting one with 130k miles, anything I need to watch out for?
I completely agree with him on his gas vs diesel. He did skip over the goat in my opinion.... the 300 straight 6. I have a 96 E250 that I use as a picture car, and a tool truck, with a 6. It's a towing pig. Ive loaded that thing with 3000 lbs of tools, pulling a single car trailer, with a 5500lb suv on it, and its 335,000 mile ole straight 6 pulls it down the road 75 mph. Great video.
The 300 is a legend. We don’t see them often
Yeah, I was surprised he didn’t mention the 4.9 or the 351w vans. I know they’re getting old now, but a lot of my friends ran 351w’s in their F series 4x4’s. One of my favorite engines of all time. The older speed density ones were definitely limited by the crappy computer, but the 94-96 mass air ones were pretty sweet and could be modded to make good (and reliable) power. If I could find a 96 ob2 mass air 5.8 truck that wasn’t beat to hell and back I’d buy it without giving it a second thought. I’ve always owned 302 trucks, and they’re pretty much the same thing, just with a bigger stroke and deck height. For an EFI truck, they were simple as balls and reliable as hell.
I’m wheelchair bound and I have a 2013 e150 wheelchair van…. Really need some sound deadening, new side doors and head unit with backup camera
I got the 2005 E350 V10 6.8 extra long with the tow package !!! I'm staring from scratch, where do you suggest I start my build ??? Zero rust from Az !!!
That’s a unicorn! Email us for more kit info
Diesels are way more common in most other parts of the world. They are known for reliability. And the lower end torque is great for pushing big tires
This video is about the Ford E series
There is no single E series with gas engine that l have seen in europe
Try driving a 7.3 diesel south of Baja Mexico and see what happens. Our diesel fuel requirements are different than the rest of the world. Your dash will light up like a Christmas tree and that’ll be the end of your trip. Get the gas v10 instead.
Is there a go-to site to purchase fully converted Van?
with the UJoint upgrades, how well would the a e350 pull a 6k LB 28'camper trailer? Currently pulling it with a 2014 eco F150 with no issues.
Great, V10/5R110 is the best combo for towing.
Interesting to hear how great the 5.4 is. There seems to be mixed opinions on the 5.4 between van enthusiasts and truck enthusiasts. Truck enthusiasts are usually hating on the 5.4. On the other hand they love the 7.3 and bulletproofed diesels.
Yea we’ve only seen 2 failures in many years. Head gasket on one, timing chain on another (avoidable)
@@ujointoffroad Can you explain more about the timing chain being unavoidable?
Is it really a quality product if you have to bullet proof it?? 🤔 Remember the 6.0
The E series never got the 3 valve, they were all 2v, which was the more reliable of the 5.4s...we run a fleet of 50+ 5.4 vans with very minimal issues. The F series manifolds were always more prone to problems, the 3v plugs require a specific method of removing and re-torqueing to prevent blow outs or broken plugs, as well as the cam phasers being more susceptible to failing from lack of oil changing.
@@drew8642 nobody has to bulletproof a 5.4
I have an 80 modle 3/4 ton 460 C 6 two wheel drive van. Are you only talking about leaf spring front axle set ups ?? I live WAAAAY off grid and all our driving is rough off road style. Not about city boy luxury 5.$50,000 toys
I'd like to convert a van into a heavy tow truck I just prefer the idea of taking a cut away and maybe putting in a better transmission to be able to match a f350 in capability I live in tiny house and I'd like to not have to worry about towing it.
ZF6
@@schoumv6 would that be a good transmission to use?
@@1987Confused best
@@1987Confused just my two cents, that’s not very good advice. Putting a manual transmission in an E series van, while not impossible, it is a tremendous amount of work. Take it from someone who has done stick shift conversions on trucks, and owns a van also. It’s a pain to do on pickups, it’d be a nightmare to do it on a van. There’s a guy on KZhead who did it, but he ran into more problems than you could believe, and he flat out said it wasn’t even worth it in the end. Lol. These vans never came stick shift from the factory, unless we’re talking like 1960’s econolines. And most of them were 3 on the tree. Leave it automatic. The automatic van transmissions are basically identical to the pickup truck transmissions. Having a transfer case (4wd) is what gives it the ability to perform off road. As far as transmissions go, either keep the stocker and rebuild it (you can buy what they call “heavy duty” rebuilt and upgraded transmissions from companies like gearstar or monster transmissions) or I guess if you have a whole lot of time and disposable income, buy a bellhousing adapter kit and put an Allison 6 speed in it. To know which is the better choice depends on what engine you have, and what you plan on using the van for. If it’s a diesel or a V10 the Allison would be nice, but not necessary. If it’s a smaller gas engine, there’s absolutely no reason to do so at all.
… Got a 89 Clubwagon with a 460/Auto is there support for it?
Not much love for the 3rd gen these days
I reached out to U-Joint, was looking to do a build...got a reply, then nothing...reached out again but got nothing back (I'll have to check my e-mail, but I think I went back a couple of times) and still got no further response. So take that FWIW...kinda surprised, definitely disappointed.
Sometimes the emails get overwhelming, always do my best to respond.
I have an E350 v10 15 passenger van, does anyone make windows that can open that fit the original cutouts? Also, who does raised roofs?
Fiberine makes the van tops.
thanks@@DrivingLine
Can you do a 4x4 full conversion swap on a dodge ram 350 class B camper Van?
Anything is possible but nobody has a kit for the Dodge vans since they don't have a frame.
❤❤❤
4x4 vans, a good example of if you make it they will buy it
5:15 Crap, I have 2008 E350 6.0 Diesel that has been bulletproofed... So I guess it's not that great??
In my opinion, no such thing as a bulletproofed or reliable 6.0
Well fingers crossed... I heard FOrd fixed some issues with the 6.0 on the 08 and later models but i'll let you know if anything goes wrong@@ujointoffroad
Do you have any advice for someone trying to get into contact creating❔
05 E250 4.6L is what I have for my business. Id like to know what it would cost to do a 4WD conversion and suspension lift. Nothing to do in the interiors.
Just contact Ujoint Off-road. They can break down the full conversion cost.
4.6 is terrible for a 4x4 swap. 5.4 or larger is ideal. 4.6 will leave you very disappointed.
@@mattlentz5107... I'm sitting in my 2009 e250 with 4.6 that I bought new. It has 169,671 miles on it. I own an HVAC company in Texas. I haul an ungodly amount of weight with tools , refrigerant , parts , motors etc. it has no problem getting down the road. Nor any problem trailering my 8k lb tractor to my Deer lease in West Texas. These engines are bullet proof and make a decent amount of power.
My 80 e 250 has the dana 60 rear axle. Prob with a ford can is they're uni-struct.( No freakin frame)
Ford vans have full frames
Closed captions are great. When u introduced your guests club. Jew joint. I was imagining a dedicated group of hardcore off road Rabbi's.
🤣🤣🤣 my southern accent doesn’t work well with the auto-captions!
Can someone answer why wouldn’t you just buy a F350, F450 or F550 flatbed instead of the E series cutaway? Genuine question.
shorter nose and more cargo area on the same overall length.
The owner of this van also owns Ujoint Offroad, which specializes in Ford E Series vans.
I have owned BOTH (F350, F550) 7.3s .... love the vans for functionality, currently own 5.4, 5.8, v10, and 7.3 (PSD and IDI) vans 1991-2014... hands down. The 4x4 conversion is the challenge .
Keep making the cut away chassis. So when that become electric. I just put my hightop van body on that chassis LOL
Who doesnt avoid the 6.0....
Can a E350 pull two jeeps on a trailer?
I believe the max tow rating is right around 7k.
In a v10 NOT a problem. I easily haul my skidloader 7k, or JD backhoe up the mountains. The REAL key is that 5 speed auto he spoke of.....MAN that tranny is The Shit!! Completely AWESOME. I had a 2014
Where are you guys located?
Ujoint Offroad has locations in Colorado and North Carolina.
Can Ujoint convert a new Ford Transit van ?
They actually built one or two of them a while back. I don’t know if they do that anymore. You might have to reach out directly to them for that information.
why is it so difficult to get gasoline into my 07 E250 ?
I have the same problem with my 2011 E450- but it's directly related to Joe Biden shutting down America's gas production...:) I did have your issue on a older Ford 4x4 and turned out to be mud had clogged the fuel tank return vent hose. When gas goes in, air pressure has to come out.
@@HighCountryRambler Ill check the return tube, thanks. And im FJB eith ya
If you close your eyes, Chris Steuber sounds just like Danny McBride…”your weakness is disgusting to me”.😂🤣😂
No one does all this for the Chevy Express. Why????
Chassis isn't as easy to deal with.
My 7.3 powerstroke 98 E350 has 413xxx miles ..so I guess it sucks🤣🤣🤣🤣
The guy driving 5.4L for daily talking about economy of diesel vs gas!! What the heck anyone needs a 5.4L for daily!!??
"Why" does anyone need a 5.4 for a daily? Because its the most common engine in the E series?
12-15 thousand for a diy thrifty guy 4x4 swap.... If youre a diy guy and thrifty, you can do it for under 3k.
I've heard that many times, rarely happens and when it does they're quite scary.
@@ujointoffroad caster and good ball joints/rod ends. It really isnt rocket science. Probably safer than plating crumple zones.
All depends on what you can source. I have grabbed a number of front axles Dana 44 and Dana 60, transfers, adapters from vans mostly Quigley...(yes, short arm). My dream van is a 1993 E350 4x4 with an IDI and same grill that your leaning on (2014 in black) . I have the parts/engines/wiring harnesses and vans here to do it. Maybe someday. Finding the parts reasonably is THE key.
This guy probably lives in California 6$ a gallon for diesel the rest of the country is half price
Negative but I did experience $5/G diesel there in 07/08!
4x4 with modest interior camping space.. buy a 2wd van, spend >$20,000 on a 4x4 conversion, then more on interior, more on pop or high top install. Or, buy a stock 4x4 truck and put a Four Wheel Camper or even their light Project M on it. Probably save 10's of thousands going the truck route. Financially, the 4x4 vans make no sense to me. That said, I'd rather have a 4x4 van.
$20,000 is if you pay them to do it. Have you seen the price of insert campers these days?
this man said that the 5.4 is a good motor lol
I’ve only seen 2 fail in our world. One head gasket and another because the guy ignored warning signs
The 2 valve is super reliable
the vans didnt get the 3v one which is the crappy one.
@@atodaso1668 welllll, that AND after 2005 they thickened up the spark plug threads . Loved my 2011 5.4 E350 med high top wheel chair van . I am waiting to find extra cash to redo the motor ..valves got weak ...not c gonna fix that without a full rebuild or low mileage swap.
Just buy a 4x4 Ecursion for 1/3 or 1/4 the cost of an aftermarket conversion on a van
Less interior space in the EX, more weight.
I suppose you’ve never owned a Cummins lol ford ain’t known for their power stroke lol so not surprised on your experience
Cummins was never available in a Ford van. This video is about the Ford E series.
@@ujointoffroad ya no shit. I assume you didn’t watch the part of the video where he was talkin shit
Id much rather just work modest hours and own a private home.
Your so called expert on E-series is a dud! I never seen a V10 reach or get a million mile badge. I have had 4 diesels 7.3s with one 670,000 miles. I sold it still running great! My current daily driver is a 1999 F-250 with over 300,000 miles and its just getting broke in. The Ford V10 has a life expectancy of roughly 200,000 miles. I have never seen a v10 get 17 Miles to the gallon.
There are plenty of 1M mile Ford mod motors.
Mine did, 97 e350 extended 15 passenger, I drove from sf to Portland and back and got 17.5 loaded with my sons belongings when he went away to school. Set cruise at 70 although it was two wheel drive
am am amam
Thats just stupid, gas motor better than giesel. You got to be kidding me. Youll never see heavy duty equipemnt with gas motor. Gas motor will never last as long as diesel.
I knew this comment would come :) This video is about the Ford E series.
Powerstrokes are garbage 🗑
Dude absolutely doesn't know what he's talking about.
😉 post a link to any informative videos you have
@@ujointoffroad listen Brandon your the one who is talking out your ass and who needs to post where your getting your info from. I'm not a youtuber saying misinformation
@@igotursixx2665 what do you do for a living
@@ujointoffroad Lifetime rancher, 26yrs Law Enforcement and own a media blasting company
@@igotursixx2665 so with 20+ yrs in law enforcement you’d consider yourself an expert? If you were interviewed because of your expertise and experience I’m sure you’d love a comment like yours 😉
To bad the transit doesn't come with more eng options & a transfer case instead of all wheel drive.
They do it's called the Ford Transit Trail. 4x4 with 3.5 ecoboost that makes more hp than the v8's. Its 65k
@@maxyorkshire5930 Transit Trail is AWD which u can get in the standard transit already. With a transfer case u have the option of 4 high or 4 low & u can run in 2 wheel drive on the street. Ford did offer a diesel in the US but discontinued it a few yrs ago. In Europe u can get a diesel engine & standard shift tranny & the mpg is much better. The new 2023 Sprinter went to AWD & dropped the transfer case but does offers a diesel. The diesel gets great mph but doesn't compare in power to the ecoboost.
What’s his ig
@ujointoffroad