A year later, I have found myself in the same position.
2 kids, and 2 on the way, although I will be transporting the clan mostly in my 87 F350,
I found myself in the need for a van.
I scoured craigslist, and with not much cash to spend, I found a 98 E350.
7.3, auto, and it has a posi. I bought it of a kid, that won it at a company auction.
The company had written it off due to the fact that the mechanic claimed that it had rusted out fuel lines.
And the kid didn't know any better. He never messed with it.
I saw it on craigslist, and went to check it out. It was from IL, the entire rig was rust free, minus the "fuel lines"
Plugged it into my scanner, "NO CODES PRESENT"
So we talked and this kid being so frustrated with craigslist and this van told me, "just give me $2,000and get it out of my life"I couldn't come out of pocket quick enough.
Got her home, and looked at said fuel lines, and they turned out to be rear heater core lines!
The van does have 300k, a worn out air pump that squeals, but it did come with bran new E rated tires!
The van did get it on the riverside taking out the 1/4 panel, door, and fender.
I've bought a new fender, went to my local yard and cut off a 1/4, and I will be buying both forward doors, and converting to electric windows.
What's have you done to the interior? I was thinking about taking the stock seats out, replacing the rubber floor mat with some insulation and some shag carpet, installing a leather couch sideways opposite of the barn doors, and a bronco bench seat behind the buckets for the newborns. I'll still have loads of room for gear and the dogs.
I've thought about putting in a 5 speed, but I have 86'd that idea on the basis that I too, have too many damn projects and I will address this again when the auto trans dies.IF I don't decide to slap my spare AODE in it. Lol
I've been building a project with this same exact engine, so I have parts for days.
Can ya post some pics of your van?