Hmmmm, full-size vans.

I love my '98 E350 Chateau. I only use it for towing and trips to home depot, but it serves those purposes extremely well.

A few months ago, I was looking to replace my old Chevy work van, and came across a good deal on an E150 delivery van that had be decommisioned from DHL. It has no seats, just a cargo van, which fits my needs perfectly. I can lock up my tools, keep them out of the weather, work out of it at a jobsite, and live in it if I have to. Vans are way cool, but you likely already know that.

Now that DHL has decided to shut down it's North American business, you will probably start to see a bunch of the yellow cargo vans up at auctions and used car dealers, etc. Being a fleet vehicle, you can be certain they have been regularly serviced, although there is no telling about how gently it has been driven, considering the rush most delivery drivers are in.

DHL used all different brands of vans for their delivery service, so keep an eye out for them; I'm pretty happy with the one I got.

Yeah, they have a bunch of Sprinters down here. Wonder what they will go for. Mercedes diesel, FTW!!

I used to sell a boatload of Budget E series vans. If I were to pick up one, I'd probably opt for the diesel.

Try the Auctions for the DHL ones, and remember it is a buyers market. (the color should help for lower pricing)

We have a 98 E350 box-van that we use for work. It's been reliable, there's been a few issues - the vacuum heater servo failed, so it's stuck on full-heat, and the radio/clock seems to only work sometimes and even then you can't change channel or volume. I am a bit dissapointed that it uses a small amount of oil, given that it only has 55k on it. We see about 10mpg with mostly in-town driving, and about 12mpg on the highway. Of course, that's with an 18' box on the back.

On thing I heard about them when we had tires mounted last fall is apparently these vans are hard on steering components, but that may only apply to the E250/350 chassis.

They sure are cheap, though.

Convsion Vans have what seems to be just about Zero resale. The started life as a cargo van and what has been bolted in can be bolted out to strip them down to your tastes or needs. Some ultra tint or black paint on the rear windows and you can keep prying eyes out.

I bought a Chevy Express 3500 cargo brand new in 2002. It was a POS, and the fuel milege was horrible. It also needed brakes about every 12k. After I sold it I bought a well used 94 Astro AWD. It wont fit two dirtbikes, But I dont want a dirty gas smelling bike in the van with me anyway, and the all wheel drive is nice. I'm currently swapping in a transfer case out of an S10. True 4wd. I am on the lookout for a cheap full size chevy conversion van though. They have tvs, sofa beds, etc.

If you shop conversion vans you might even find a hi-topper. Not a good choice if you want to mount a ladder carrying roof rack but I bet the extra headroom would appreciated while loading in motorcycles.

Sample:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=250716539&dealer_id=6490178&car_year=1991&rdm=1231692133684&num_records=25&model=FORDCLUB&make3=FORD&systime=&make2=FORD&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&model3=E250ECON&model2=E150ECON&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&first_record=26&make=FORD&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=43551&advanced=&end_year=2010&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=3000&cardist=105

NYG95GA wrote: Now that DHL has decided to shut down it's North American business, you will probably start to see a bunch of the yellow cargo vans up at auctions and used car dealers, etc. Being a fleet vehicle, you can be certain they have been regularly serviced, although there is no telling about how gently it has been driven, considering the rush most delivery drivers are in. DHL used all different brands of vans for their delivery service, so keep an eye out for them; I'm pretty happy with the one I got.

When I went up US 15 from Frederick, MD to Dillsburg, PA last week there were about 20 ex-DHL vans sitting on the lot at the auto auction north of Gettysburg. I also passed another group of 5 headed that direction on my way up. There were two new-looking Sprinters in that group.

Just picked up a 94 E150 for $850, and I love it. Just like Dave mentioned, limited use (but until I get my CRX running its a DD) I get 13 MPG in the city. 351 and it is suprisingly quick once its moving. Factory 4 captians chair setup, with a bench, dual A/C and heat, power windows and 2 batteries. Class III hitch, 175K miles and use no oil and has no rust (it is Colorado).

The conversion vans do have no resale. I was looking for one of those when I found this one. Craigslist is your friend

The puddle is actually washer fluid, the box was cracked and I had to replace it with a junkyard one. It is now sporting some 90s-riffic BFG raised white letters and I have a set of Hella lights to mount on the bumper. This summer its going to Elkhart Lake for the ALMS race, and we plan on sleeping in it.

Hi-Top conversion van FTW!

Depending on your needs these have some great advantages:

1. they are friggen INVISIBLE. Seriously. You can load it with tons of expensive bikes, tools, whatever, inside and people don't give it a second look.
2. they are 1/2 tons. While this is both good and bad (limited towing and weight capacity), they are often classified/titled as "station wagons" vs. a "truck" = lower registration and insurance costs.
3. as previously mentioned, the raised roof greatly increases working room with loading things like dirt bikes and when changing.
4. surpisingly good in the snow, providing you pay attention to what you're doing.

I'm planning to replace my 3/4t Cummins 4x4 with another van. Only for this van (which will be my 2nd), I will do what I planned to do with the 1st (before stupidly dumping it for the Dodge): gut the interior and put down T-track, rubber floor, black out the rear windows and other hauling/camping-related upgrades.

I've thought (and dreamed) about a Sprinter... but certain things about it scare me. The MB engine = $$$$$$ when it breaks. I've heard a number of reports about flakey transmissions. The biggest advantage of the Sprinter over other conversion vans is the 6'+ interior height. While the fuel mileage (a buddy of mine has gotten 29 mpg in his) is nice, I simply don't see myself driving it enough for that to matter.

In reply to Mental:

there are no vehicles in MI from 1994, with that kind of mileage, that still have OE rocker panels.

those vans go through brakes. plan on new rotors and linings every 10k if it's a dedicated tow vehicle.

nice score! tint the windows as much as is legal, and that van will be a great toolbox.

Im also considering this option, though it would mean id have to sell my Vehicross. I dont use the vx much now, and do really need something larger that can still tow. a class b would be great, something like this: ive been looking, but not seriously yet, but ive seen a few for under 2k that are tempting, and it would be nice to be able to go away for a few days and take all the critters with us, finding dog sitters is a pita and we hate to leave them for more than a day or so...

Don't forget to paint "Free candy and puppies" on the side of your van.

Shawn

All the total beaters around here are either Le Sabres or Full sized vans. A beater van is shown.

Hal wrote: When I went up US 15 from Frederick, MD to Dillsburg, PA last week there were about 20 ex-DHL vans sitting on the lot at the auto auction north of Gettysburg. I also passed another group of 5 headed that direction on my way up. There were two new-looking Sprinters in that group.

That would be York Springs.

I might be able to keep an eye on that, i.e., see what they brought.

mel_horn wrote:

Hal wrote: When I went up US 15 from Frederick, MD to Dillsburg, PA last week there were about 20 ex-DHL vans sitting on the lot at the auto auction north of Gettysburg. I also passed another group of 5 headed that direction on my way up. There were two new-looking Sprinters in that group.

That would be York Springs. I might be able to keep an eye on that, i.e., see what they brought.

UPDATE:

Stopped by York Springs Auto Auction. There are now approx 40 DHL vans on the property, split between Ford and Chevy. Also at least one box van, make indeterminate.

I was told that the DHL vans are being stored there at the present time. They MAY be sold sometime next month.

Further info www.yorkspringsautoauction.com

Derek, I have a 2001 Dodge Ram Wagon 2500 van that I bought about two years ago. It has 112k miles on it,and is in good shape. I know most on here don't like Dodge's but mine has been great. I am a Dodge guy,and after driving a 98 3500 cargo van the last 4 years for work(company van) I would say they take a bunch of abuse with little to no maintinence,and live on.

I have recently been thinking about selling it because now that we have a pop-up camper instead of the full sized camper I don't need a full-sized V8 vehicle. I even think my wifes Sienna can tow the 3500lb pop-up,so I may sell the van if you are interested.

I don't like conversion vans because they usually have beds in the rear,and the exteriors look tacky in my opinion. If I were you I would look for a Passenger van like I have instead of the Conversion vans even though the conversions are cheaper just to limit the creepy factor a bit. I found mine on CL in Tewksbury,and I probably paid too much for it,but it was clean,and didn't need any work at first. I have replaced the cooling system,and the front brakes including rotors,and calipers,but that was after two years of use.

The shag carpet inside helps to muffle the screams...

Shawn

I've had my 94 E150 Chateau for about a year now, its a 351 with tow package.

I get about 17 mpg on the highway which shocked me, it tows anything (legally rated to 7000lb), I can throw a complete rear end, engine or trans into the rear easily (and have done), hauls 7 at a time, does the school run daily, awesome shopping trolley, wife loves it, use it for work when I need to pick up stuff after my daily drive, it is comfortable on long runs, I am super happy with it.

It does have the infamous rusty sills which i hope to fix this spring, its worth it to me and the wife.

Mental wrote: Just picked up a 94 E150 for $850....

I learned to drive in my parents '86 E150 that had that exact same configuration and virtually the same color scheme.

Handling was so-so, but I can parallel park anything.