2000 Ford Club Wagon W/7.3L Powerstroke

[ZTR_Diesel]

Looking at a passanger van locally, it was a trade in to our Chevy dealer. Van is in good shape, with 163k on it, has the Chateau package w/captains chairs. It's an E350 that is the standard length, so it's up to 9 passangers. Unit looks clean and tight, I know the 7.3 PSD is a great engine, and for $6k it may just be a good buy as well.

Now - what should I know? I know the Ford Van is a solid product. How's the 7.3L and transmission do in this vechile? Are there specific problem areas and years to avoid? Would you consider such a van with 163k on it. I actually found two extended-length vans with the 5.4L Triton with over 200k on them for more money.

Any comments or ideas...and does anyone have an idea roughly what mpg you could get out of this? Thanks...

[hosejockey2002]

The 7.3 in a Ford van is an economical, reliable combination. I've seen 7.3 powered E350 ambulances with 200K plus miles on them that still run great. With proper maintenance this van you are looking at probably has many tens of thousands of good miles left.

[J&R Landscaping]

The 7.3L is a great engine. If the van has over drive, the tranny may be the weak point. It would not stop me from buying the van, but just be leary.

[ZTR_Diesel]

Thanks for the help but....

Well - unique expearance today looking at this van. The salesman, who is a friend of mine through our church had walked out with me to it, just after I started it up, he got a phone call (this is 9:00 in the morning). He comes back in two minuites and says: "Sorry, I have bad news...this van was just sold via a wire transfer of money from a customer in Ohio." Seems this customer found it on autotrader and, aside from photos, bought it for full asking price, sight unseen!

It was the truth and not a sales tactic! So I simply shut it off and we walked back into the dealer. Same thing had happend to the salesman earler that week while he was showing a woman a Honda Van.

What this tells me 1) the car business is changing, and fast at that. 2) there IS still a Van subculture, and a pretty dedicated one at that. 3) Those diesel 7.3L Vans must have a very dedicated following.

Thanks for the info, I'm planning to help a friend find one of these, and it may be a hard search. Was the last year for the 7.3L 2002 or 2003?

[doubleedge]

Was the last year for the 7.3L 2002 or 2003?

I believe that Ford stopped making the 7.3L in the beginning of 2003.

[hosejockey2002]

The 7.3 continued longer in the E series than the F series, well into 2003.

[ZTR_Diesel]

Thanks for the tip.

Most of the other ones I've found in nationwide searches are 15-passangers with vinal seats, and most of them look pretty trashed, even just in pictures.