Can we talk about vans?

I have a full sized Chevy pickup with a 350, 2WD.  It does everything I could ever ask, pull a trailer full of car, comfy over distance and the cruise control is less tiring.  It has a big fiberglass tonneau cover that weighs a ton, new pistons help that, but I can't put a motorcycle in the back and I don't have a MC trailer.

Logdog's E-100 build got me thinking vans.  My friend has a newish E-150 with a six in it, hauls a car & trailer OK and gets ~23 mpg.  Are there any draw backs to a van?  Any plusses that would make it better than a pickup?  Most are work vehicles so creature comforts and cruise are rare.  Ford, Chevy, Dodge, why or why not?

Thoughts?

Thanks, Dan

I'm a huge fan an of vans. I think I'd rather a van than a pickup at this point.

Find all Peter Egan’s R&T articles on his vans.  You will buy a van. 

914Driver said:

 

  Are there any draw backs to a van?  

Incessant "Free Candy" jokes.  

Wrong kind of vans???

In reply to stafford1500 :

Those are nice for Vanning since you slip them on and off when you travel from the drivers seat to the rear fold down bed.

I've been looking at conversion vans recently too. Just for fun. At least then we could use the old VHS tapes my in-laws still have from  when my wife was a kid.

pro:  all your E36 M3 is weather-tight.

con:  you have to smell all your E36 M3.

There's a whole lot of awesome in that pic.

 Stafford, my brother wears those, also the ones with Flamingos on top when he does his glass etching gig at car/van shows.

I like this one, but Mopars suck at MPG vs other brands.

E-350 for the win.

I'm partial to the Ford with the 4.2 V6. They will literally run forever. Over 400K on one and 490K on another. They are pretty much bullet proof. 

In japan you haul your motorcycle in your van the race the van.

As big of a Ford hater as I am they had those E series vans figured out. I'd still choose a GM though.

Do we  know anything about Chevy Astro vans?   Can it tow?

Hard to find but the Savana SLT was a factory Luxury package.  NOT a conversion.  Last year for it was 2001, then is 03ish you could get AWD with baby LS motors and doors on both sides.

They and most vans have extra 50 amp fuses under the hood for upfitting.  I rocked this one for ten years, this was the day I sold it.

Side the Savana SLT have sliding side doors ?

I drove an E series for a parcel delivery service. I delivered out in the country. The forward visibility on these for people's excuses for driveways out in the sticks is worlds better than a truck.

Also, I love not having to tie things down or worry about weather

914Driver said:

Do we  know anything about Chevy Astro vans?   Can it tow?

Depends on how much you need to tow and for how far and over what terrain. A small, light car?  Maybe. The big problem with the Astro is they haven't made them in a long time (and they were never huge sellers) so finding one that isn't beat to hell could be a challenge.  Also, I'm not sure you can fit a motorcycle inside one, height-wise.   Almost certain not a dirt-bike.  

I'm partial to Fords, but concede on the used market, condition is more important than brand. One thing I like about Fords vs. GM or Dodge is they tend to have a bit more room in the foot well area.  The trade-off is the engine is a bit more forward and under the dash, so they can be a PITA to work on vs the others where more of the engine is under the dog-house.

If you want to carry a motorcycle often, look for one with a raised roof.  It just makes life a lot easier.  I speak from experience here. 

In reply to californiamilleghia :

No sliders just dual barn doors on the back and side, newer ones on both sides.

Our family loves vans. We've got 3.

#1)1993 AWD Astro bought new and hauled kids and a 5000 pound travel trailer all across the western US. LOVE this Astro. Take out the seats and the inside is huge. 

#2) 2003 Chev Express 3500 15 passenger. Bought in 2003 with 7000 miles. Long wheelbase tows like a boss. Never a sway problem. Currently towing a 8000 pound travel trailer.  Take seats out and the inside is as large as your living room! Or leave as many seats in as you need and have cargo room too. LOVE this van. 

#3) 2017 Toyota Sienna. Bought new last year. Great setup now that the kids are leaving the house and we need a versatile, comfortable vehicle for long distance. Also has tons of space when the seats are tucked away. 

Vans RULE over SUVs and CUVs.

EDIT: And if you are into that type of thing, a buddy of mine was able to even find a unicorn 2006 Express with a factory diesel.  

You also need to look at Astro Van back doors , 

they come 2 ways , the regular 2 van doors , full height ,  

or the  3 door type ,  where the top half flips up and then you have 2 "half doors"

Not sure what Chevys idea was with the 3 door set-up but the hinges are not the same so you cannot bolt the 2 full doors onto a 3 door body

914Driver said:

Do we  know anything about Chevy Astro vans?   Can it tow?

I had a GMC Safari. I believe it was a 1988 model. It was about a foot shorter than the one pictured. I loved it. Had a 4.3 v6. It was the first vehicle I performed a J-turn in. If I could find another clean one I would love to have one. Mine meet it's demise hydroplaning into the trailer wheels of an oncoming 18 wheeler. I was not damaged in the incident.

914Driver said:

I have a full sized Chevy pickup with a 350, 2WD.  It does everything I could ever ask, pull a trailer full of car, comfy over distance and the cruise control is less tiring.  It has a big fiberglass tonneau cover that weighs a ton, new pistons help that, but I can't put a motorcycle in the back and I don't have a MC trailer.

Logdog's E-100 build got me thinking vans.  My friend has a newish E-150 with a six in it, hauls a car & trailer OK and gets ~23 mpg.  Are there any draw backs to a van?  Any plusses that would make it better than a pickup?  Most are work vehicles so creature comforts and cruise are rare.  Ford, Chevy, Dodge, why or why not?

Thoughts?

 

Thanks, Dan

Vans are cool!  As the saying goes "Some people think a van is a rolling bedroom, I think its a suite ride!"

The only real disadvantages I see are rarity of 4wd if that's important and they can be a pain to work on sometimes.  But having a big enclosed place that can have tools and equipment securely stored along with providing a place to comfortably sleep more than make up for it.  

I think somebody else pointed out with used vans it is more important to buy on condition than anything else.  They all have pros and cons but getting something well maintained at the right price is always my goal.  I wasnt looking for a Ford when I found my E100.   I was looking for something with fuel injection and cruise but the condition and price were too good to pass up.   Plus it passed my self imposed guideline of only buying a Ford if it has pushrods (I always HATED working on 4.6/5.4s)

I think any V8 with a tow package would do everything you would want to do.  

A buddy of mine had an E250 in his business.  He mentioned that it needed its first oil change before he made his first monthly payment, and it just kept going.  It might not have been fancy, but it was indestructible.

At some point before 2010 or so, Ford changed the rear barn doors so the latch for the right one wasn't square to the body but rather exactly in the arc of the door as it closes – or, rather, is brutally slammed shut by somebody in a hurry.  OK, it's a tiny detail, but to me it shows that Ford knew its market.

Did you see this in the "CList lust of the day" thread?

$1500.  Rip out the DNA ridden shag, painted wheels and Baby Moons, done!