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hoipolloi
climber
A friends backyard with the neighbors wifi
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2010 - 01:07pm PT
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Hey Great info! Didn't see this thread, thought it wouldn't generate so much chatter, but I am glad for the info!
What do you guys all think of the V6 E150? Thats kinda what I was looking at, thinking it would get slightly better gas mileage, and not really seeing why I need a huge amount of power from the V8 (and for sure not the V10).
I am definitely not going to get the extended version. I just don't want to have that much car, even though it would be cool. I am planning to have a pop-top conversion added to it. so I don't feel like the giant length is as necessary.
So glad to hear about the really high mileage these bad boys can get, wish the MPG was a little better, but I suppose its a sacrifice for the comfort.
Thanks for the info.
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caughtinside
Social climber
Davis, CA
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Mar 12, 2010 - 01:11pm PT
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hey hoipolloi,
Can't really speak for the econolines (although my granddad had one for years that I borrowed for a couple trips, great rig) but I have a dodge ram 1500 van with the somewhat rare v6. I bought it because of the smaller engine.
It is definitely a little underpowered going up long steep grades, but if I have to crawl up those at 50 no big deal. The upside is the mpg, I get 17.5 on average a tank, I usually set the cruise at 62 or 63. I can get 20 mpg if I cruise at 55mph.
Don't really miss the extra power, it might be an issue if I drove faster. I'd be curious to hear how fast the 12mpg v8 guys drove?
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Barry Bates
Boulder climber
Smith River CA
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Mar 12, 2010 - 02:22pm PT
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Bruce
The reason you get pulled over is not the age of the van, Its the age of the driver.
Cheers, Barry
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willie!!!!!
Trad climber
99827
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Mar 12, 2010 - 02:30pm PT
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I've had the opposite experience with the law and my econolines.
A half-way decent cargo van with a cargo-master and an extension ladder or two screams, "I'm employed and on my way to work!"
Not even a second look. I've run with expired plates for months.
So do they not make the straight six 300 anymore?
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Mar 12, 2010 - 06:06pm PT
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Mike,
Hey, Juan, I was hoping you'd post up. Is yours a Quigley? Gas? Bitchin set up. I'm digging the no pop top. ARBs and aux fuel tank on our wish list. Quigley cuts down the tank to "31" gal to make room, but I think it may be less.
Thanks. Gasoline Triton 6.8L V10.
Quigley in PA does a quality conversion, so not knocking their work, however, I prefer a leaf spring front suspension. I like to mess around with inches of lift/travel and spring rates. Easy enough to add or subtract a leaf when desired. though my previous van was coil sprung. National Spring made new coils to my specs, with great results off road. That beast had a built 460 CID and Detroit Lockers front and rear.
My current van was converted by Advance Four Wheel Drive in Utah (took over Pathfinder's business). I reworked the leaf spring suspension for another 4"- 6" travel. Dana model 44 front axle. The ARB Air Locker in the rear axle requires a compressor, so I added a 5 gallon air tank and plumbed it with air fittings fore and aft for connecting an air hose for tire inflating/air tools. Before commiting to ARB, you might check out the Eaton E-Locker which engages the locking differential with the touch of a button via an electro-magnetic ball-ramp mechanism. Love the one on my hard-core Wrangler w/ Ford 8.8" rear axle.
Check out http://www.transferflow.com/index.html for fuel tanks. From my research a few years ago, they had the ideal, though pricey, system.
Do you have diesel or gasoline power? There is room for an auxilliary "saddle" tank alongside (outboard) the frame rail. Shouldn't be too hard to find one from a pickup truck (wrecking yard or Craiglist/Parts Trader), and save hundreds by doing it yourself.
I like the non-pop top, but then, I don't spend much time camping "indoors."
A climbing partner camped for almost 2 years out of his Quigley/Sportsmobile diesel. Had it shipped to NZ and then AUS. He custom fabricated a full roof rack that hinged open like a clam shell to allow for use of the pop top. Quite innovative!
Post up a pic of your rig.
-John
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Mar 12, 2010 - 10:38pm PT
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No Mike, I believe they are called "Chester Molester" vans. HAHAHA!
Man those Sportsmobiles sure look like the way to go if you have gas money.
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F10
Trad climber
e350
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Mar 13, 2010 - 02:33pm PT
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I have been using a 2002 e350 extended body. It's a Sportsmoble, but I did all the interior myself to save some dough. I feel like it has paid for itself with all the nights I have racked up in it. I opted for the 46 gallon fuel tank which gives the diesel a pretty good cruising range. Vans are definitely the way to go,
John, sure sounds like you know how to set up your vans,
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franky
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Mar 13, 2010 - 02:44pm PT
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The econoline is just a ford f150 with a van body, same everything else. The ignition coil problem is well known on 1997-2007 models(i think that is the model year range).
Fortunately, there is a very easy fix. The problem isn't with the coil itself, it is with the springs they use to establish the connection between the spark plug and the coil. Go to napa and buy replacement springs and gaskets ($20 for all 8), put the new ones in, and when you do, use dielectric grease so they don't corrode again. less than $30. The dealership will always try to replace the coils for over $100 each (lots of times they will try to do all 8). I've got a 2001 f150 with 162,000 and no problems, fixed the coil problem myself a few years ago.
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Mar 13, 2010 - 03:20pm PT
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F10,
James? Hey, nice van. What MPG are you getting with that diesel?
Franky,
Thanks for the tip on the coils. I've had four go bad over the years. I think you have may have just saved me a lot of money!
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franky
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Mar 13, 2010 - 03:30pm PT
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yeah, no problem. They got me for two before i found out the easier fix.
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F10
Trad climber
e350 / Bishop
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Mar 13, 2010 - 03:55pm PT
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John, if I keep it close to 65 it's 16 mpg, with a heavy foot 15 mpg
James
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Mar 13, 2010 - 04:09pm PT
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F10, That's really good. Double the MPG of my gas V10. That's okay though, I make up for it at the pump because my tank is only half as big as yours!
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F10
Trad climber
e350 / Bishop
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Mar 13, 2010 - 04:19pm PT
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" I make up for it at the pump because my tank is only half as big as yours! "
Would you like me to slice your pizza into 4 or 8 slices?
Make it 4, don't think I could eat 8 lol
46 gallon tank sure makes it nice to shop around for cheaper diesel, it's amazing how much difference there is between filling stations.
I guess one one the things I like most about my van is the swivel on the front passenger seat.
When the weather sucks outside spin the seat and it's like your at home in a recliner but you have the Nature/Discovery channels right out your window! I must be getting old?
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Mar 13, 2010 - 07:10pm PT
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the swivel chair is the one thing I miss in mine. ha
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exposeur
Trad climber
california?
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Mar 13, 2010 - 07:38pm PT
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I've been living out of an 84 econoline diesel that i got for $1200 for about 2 years. i converted it to run on vegetable oil, and since the second fuel tank was missing i found a 55 gallon drum. so i can drive about 850 miles at a time for free. it's had problems and always felt like it was about to fly apart, but it still trucks on and i haven't really invested much in it. i think it has 210k but you can't be sure with the 5 digit odometers.
no rent + no gas = happy dirtbaggin...
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lunchbox
Big Wall climber
santa cruz, ca
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Mar 13, 2010 - 10:21pm PT
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500 Pesos will get you a new one in mexico!
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Adamame
Trad climber
El Portal
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Mar 13, 2010 - 10:32pm PT
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I saw one for sale for 300 pesos with turbocharger and headers cruising the riverbed in front of the pool complex in the chico today.
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lunchbox
Big Wall climber
santa cruz, ca
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Mar 13, 2010 - 10:35pm PT
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dude, i think it was 4 wheel drive too!!!
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Mar 13, 2010 - 10:45pm PT
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Dude, it's crazy. those things can do doughnuts in the riverbed, on their rims! But, you have to learn to drive on three Carta Blancas to do it up right.
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Adamame
Trad climber
El Portal
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Mar 13, 2010 - 10:48pm PT
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That same van had a sweet campus board that extends off the rear end and and was painted like a huge pink eraser.
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