This Post may be opening up a quivering can of worms, but…
I’m in the market for a real van (been driving a ’90 Pontiac Transport – you know, the soccer-mom van that looks like a dustbuster). My needs are: ability to carry small quantities of plywood or (I hope not often) drywall, as well as serve as my mobile storage shed for tools.
I always figured I’d do well with a Ford E-150. Then a guy I know who is in auto sales told me that a 250 with an 8 cylinder engine was a much better idea, that 6 cylinders is underpowered for those vans. THEN, another guy I know told me that the Chevy Astro (which I always thought of as a soccer-dad van) is being made a bit longer now, to accommodate 4’x8′ sheets. The Astro also has a slightly beefier 6 cylinder engine on a smaller frame, and gets 3 to 4 more miles to the gallon than the 150 or 6 cyl. 250.
What are other tradesfolks driving? What are you happy with? Myself, as a mechanic, I make a great carpenter. I’d appreciate any helpful words.
Thanks!
– Benjamin
Replies
I am not a big fan of any American made vehicle, but I have owned 3 Chevy Astro vans. the 1st 2 were repurchased by Chevrolet for major electrical problems, the 3rd was actually a pretty decent van. I had the passenger version (LT), but would frequently remove the seats during my home re-model and loaded the crap out of that van. I'm sure on many times I exceed the GVW ratings, but it always bounced back. It worked great and the mileage out of the 4.3 V6 was reasonable. Good luck, it's a big decision.
Tried two different pickup trucks but when you take away space for big tool box not enough room and when you chain and cable all your tools down and make it real hard for someone to rip them off, they just steal the whole truck and cut the tools loose at their leisure and them dump the truck (ended up costing ~ 5g's in lost tools and damage to truck.) Felt like blowing big chunkers when that happened!!
Got tired of this mean cycle and got Ford E-250 super duty econoline cargo van. 5.4ltr v-8 engine, with built in shelves and bins, and steel and heavy mesh bulkhead behind driver and passenger. Left off top mounted racks so van would fit in overhead parking garages.
Best investment I ever made. Tools out of weather, gobs of room, well layed out for tools and material. Secured it by having state of art security system installed and then windows tinted, limo dark in back area, and then mounted heavy expanded mesh screen over all back windows. Now thiefs can't seen in back, can't break into back, ect...
Work vans like this are common and are based on the pick up trucks the big 3 make so they are good vehicles. To find info on them just google cargo or work vans. Also shopped for mine on internet. One GREAT learning expierience. Saved BIG on money and time doing it this way.
Payed cash and to drive it off lot with all mentioned above final price was 21 g's. That's a big chunk of change but I've already got sinking fund going for next one in 5 years. I consider this vehicle a keeper and will never switch for other type.
Good luck on your hunt for van. Hope you come out good like I did!
Cork
Depends on your budget and real needs. The fullsize vans E-series FD, GM Savana, etc. come plenty big enough and with enough power. If you do need a fullsize, definitely upgrade to a 3/4 ton(E-250 or GM 2500). It's well worth the additional cost to have better drivetrain and suspension setups. If the Ford, get the diesel-the 5.4l are very underpowered and th v-10s are popping head gaskets monthly. The GM motors are all excellent(gas and diesel). The Dodge offerings are fair game too.
If you don't really need a fullsize, or if the budget's tight, the Astro vans aren't too shabby. You'll need to add helpers or air assist bags to the rear for any real load capacity, the standard 4.3l Vortec v-6's are excellent-just about bulletproof, and great power for it's displacement gives you better mileage than any fullsize(eng. management sys is very octane sensitive, so run plus or better=better power&mileage).
Just my 2c,
Mike
Mike,
I saw a 95 Ford E-350 for sale with a 460 engine in it. Do you have any words of wisdom for those motors in that vintage?
I am not in any hurry to get a van and I would be fine getting a GM/Chevy, I just saw this one for sale and it looked clean and well cared for so it got me to thinking maybe it was time.
Thanks, Karl
Nothing comes to mind in particular, the older cast iron motors were pretty reliable and the 460's got plenty o' torque for hauling. I would be curious to know what trans is in it though. If it's a AOD or AODE(both 4spd overdrive A/Ts) they were commonly snapping output shafts under heavy use and Ford does have upgraded parts. A friend(guitarist in my band) owns a painting co. and one of his work vans is a '94 Ford with an AOD, I did that fix about 2 yrs ago.
Mike
Thank you Mike,
I appreciate the input on the van. I will post if I pursue it further.
Karl
you can't go wrong go'n bigger... the f350 is a 1 ton for what you do brakes ect... should last forever... the 460 gas burner is a great motor and for what you do again... it's just loafing... and should run forever and will pull down a house if need be... the mileage won't be that bad cause it's not work'n that hard... i'd guess 14-15 if you drive it easy.... i've had a few trucks with the 460's and they are great engines a few of the old dudes around here try to find old 70's 460's for dump trucks... now if it was me :) i'd find one with a 7.3 diesel but i have a thing for diesels....
pony
i started out with nothing... and seem to have most of it left
i've had two vans both gmc's one i got in 83' new ran it two 196,000 miles , and in 95 brought a 94 w/11,000 and that has213,000 and is treated like a flat top red headed step child. and just now redy for a tranny, and a oil change. neither ever gave me me more than a 500.00 dollar(at one time) headache . G.M.C 350 c.i. very dependable, tried and true. plenty of power and the one tons front ends are tight ,and take a whooppin' on.
i'll never buy a ford- front ends have problems-, and with the experiance i've had with the gimmy's . I'M SOLD... good luck and think for the long haul.... b
get a plain jane full sized van, 3/4 or 1 ton, gmc or chevy cant go wrong
year doesnt matter, older ones are cheap and still reliable
cant beat a chevy 350 with turbo 400 3 speed auto, they go forever
The van I drive is a Dodge Ram 350(1 ton). It was a 15 passenger bus for the YMCA(or something like that). It's not one of those school bus or ambulance looking vans, but a standard, run of the mill looking van with one exception- 11'-7" behind the seats. The rear seats just clip in or out, and it even has heat and AC in the rear. I bought it at a really great price, and has been one hell of a vehicle. 16" tires, posi rear, the only thing I don't like is the fuel consumption, which is 17mpg as long as I keep it under 60.
I'm on my 2nd Astro and I love them . I still have the first one and it has 135,000 trouble free miles. Mine have bulkheads, so that makes it impossible for 4X8 sheets to be loaded, since there is only 7' of room left. Also I have racks on each side and I carry almost all my tools inside. I have tinted glass with metal cages on the inside as a theft deterrent. I DO NOT have my company name on outside, because I feel like this just identifies what you will find inside. Good gas mileage, great power, and a trouble free engine. The front ends are a little quirky with their double tie rods that fail early, but otherwise it's a good rig. I pull a small trailer for my materials. highly recomend.
Two years and two months ago I bought a full size 1988 Chevy Conversion Van for $600 (there is some body damage on the drivers side down low). It is the 3/4 ton.
It has a 5.0L V8. I get twelve miles to the gallon.
All of the seats are gone except the drivers.
I haul a whole lotta tools and a mess a ladders on top.
I get twelve miles to the gallon.
Not counting oil changes (which I don't do often enough) I've spent $76 for a U joint and just this week $650 for lots of brake work and lots of front end work (all new tie rods). Still adjusting to much less play in the steering.
So for $1,326 I've had a very dependable vehicle for over two years of daily use.
I can't lay 4x8 material down flat because I have too much stuff, but I can load up to ten or so pieces of 4x8 on the long edge. If I'm getting more than that, I can get it delivered.
I used to work out of a Dodge Caravan.
From this little bit of experience, I don't see how you can go wrong with a full size GMC/Chevy van.
Another day, another tool.
Geez Rich, You've only had it two years and two months, and you've already wrecked the driver's side ?
And I'll bet you don't get any more than 12 miles per gallon on that thing, do you ?
; )
he he he A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
Astro's are still only 1/2 ton vehicles.
I'd love to be able to fit all my stuff in one...but I know I'd kill it.
All depends what you're gonna haul around. I carry most all my stuff everyday....so I need big and heavy.
Last time I upgraded to a 1 ton and I'll never go back. I know I won't beat a 1 ton to death.
Also depends where ya live and drive....I got lotsa hills.....live on top of one and drive the steep winding hill down then up again everyday.....loaded with all my stuff....
I'd kill a 6 too...so I drive an 8.....Chevy 350.
Where ya at? I'm toying with the idea of trading both van and truck for a van with AC...maybe you'll make me a deal?
Hurry up...next week I'll probably change my mind....again.....and decide to hold onto the van for another year.....
I'd love a trailer for the goofy stuff and an Astro for the daily driver....but I have no space to park a trailer....
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Jeff how call you stay on BT at 1:30 in the morning and still get up and work the next day.Greg
99 GMC Savana... cant imagine anything better! It's my rolling billboard since I have advertising on it. Get stopped in parking lots all the time. Great storage. 90k on it and just had its first tune up and mechanical work.
With the experiences I have had, you couldnt hold a gun to my head and make me buy a ford.
Check out the pics of my new truck post 760 I think in what tool did you buy today..................Rik
I have a Chevy work van. It has worked great for the couple years I've had it. 305 engine, decent power and 12-14mpg. I always have it full in the back and if I need materials it'll pull my 16' trailer with no trouble.
A good friend of mine bought an Astro that used to be a fleet vehicle. It had heavy single-leaf fiberglass springs in the rear and was titled as a 1 ton van. It will haul twice as much as mine and the v6 in it seems plenty powerful for working and hauling all his HVAC stuff around everyday.
Greg
just put signs on my 95 gmc vandura 3500 diesel tow racks dirt 4000. getting jevy with flip top sides. oooooh
I'll sell you my Dodge Grand Caravan with 140K real cheap...
Fits a 4x8 sheet of plywood real nice.
Seth,
I have a 2002 F-250 Super-Duty p/u and love it. I am getting ready to purchase a Freightliner Sprinter as well. The Sprinter is a litlle bigger than a standard van. The rear doors open all the way a round, in other words 270 degrees! At 6'3" I can all but stand up inside. There are all sorts of options to this dreamboat. And, it is powered by a Mercedes-Benz 5 cyl. with automatic trans. Check out www. freightliner.com and find Sprinter.
Curly
what's that Sprinter gonna run?
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Jeff,
There are many lay outs and options for the Sprinter, 3 wheelbases, 2 or 3 different heights, one side sliding door or two, and then the creature comforts as well. Figure high twenties through high thirties (list price of couse), not much more than a standard range of pick-up prices.
Curly