Hello,
I'm currently looking for a commercial van, either an E-250 or an E-350. Is the suspension of the 350 significantly stronger than that of the 250?

Also, is the 4.6L V8 much more fuel efficient than the 5.4L V8? Is diesel more efficient than these?

Thanks

 

What year van are you thinking of getting? Ifan S/D van than the 4.6 isn't an option as 5.4 is the base enginefor the E350 S/D,,then the 6.8 and 6.0.. Rear end gear ratios also affect payloads/ratingsas does the engine selection from payload 'decreases' from the heavier engines.. What kind of weights are you planning on loading/hauling?

 

With suspension - they're likely not far off from each other and you could install heavier suspension deals on the smaller one and save a couple of dollars in registration/insurance fees. As far as the engine - you'll get better mileage by going by the standard weight load your're planning on hauling. If you haul heavy you'll get better mileage with a bigger engine, but if you haul lighter you may want the smaller engine. As far as that goes though - it doesn't all depend on engine size. Transmission gears and rear end gears are something more important to consider. If you haul heavy you'll want lower rear end gears. If you haul light you may want higher gears. Either way if you have higher end gears in the higher section 3,4 and 5 gears in your transmission (Overdrive is a plus for highway travel) you can see a significant improvement whentraveling at higher averagespeeds. If you travel a lot in city- you'll want to pay special attention to your lower gears in your transmission. Any engine can haul any weight if geared properly - but that doesn't mean you'll save gas. Gearing down to haul heavy means the engine is underpowered for it's purpose and the gears are doing more of the work. There are three choices you'll have to deal with - Engine, transmission and rear end. You'll want the highest possible geared assembly that isn't geared too high for your standard loads and isn't underpowered.

 

Thanks for the responses. The van will be used for a small home improvement business, namely carpentry. I think I will be going witha 2007E-250. For this type of application, would the 4.6L or the 5.4L be recommended? Also, I have noticed that there is a choice between a 3.73 and a 4.10 axle ratio. What would be the best combination for this application?

Also, does the limited slip option make a noticable difference in vehicle performance?

Thanks

 

First - a limited slip axle is similar to a locking rear and improves straight line driving and handling especially when hauling. On the other hand (as with anything) there are more parts to maintain than in a standard rear. (In other words - no matter how you look at it you eventually pay to repair all the comfort-giving equipment one day - is the couple extra dollars for repair at high miles agreeable?)
As far as the gearing the 4.6 with the 3.73 the 5.4 with the 4.10 will give the best towing performance if hauling a small utility trailer and the usual stuff. If you may be hauling heavier loads on occasion the 5.4 with the 3.73's might benefit you.

 

Thanks for the response. I won't be hauling anything heavy - just tools and supplies. Would the 4.6L with the 3.73 ratio give the best fuel performance?

Thanks

 

In that case you might go with the 4.10 rear.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm not exactly sure how the ratios work. Is it correct to say that with a 4.6L V8 engine, a 4.10 ratio would have better fuel economy than a 3.7 ratio?

 

Exactly. As long as the engine isn't umderpowered for the type of gear set it is better to go for the higher ratio.