2000 Ford E150 "Chateau Wagon" Econoline van. Priced under blue book at $6700.
For sale by original owner.
With its great condition, you won't believe the odometer shows 106,600 miles. Always maintained, no expense spared. This is same or better condition of used cars advertised as "like new". While I don't like that phrase, the van's exterior is nearly perfect and the inside is very clean and not all nasty like most used cars I look at.
(lots more pics further down)
[img width=600 height=365]http://www.ducatitech.com/wsmc/01/img/0107_pits.jpg[/img]
Specs and details:
White with silver panel at the bottom *
*- means is part of the Chateau option package group
Engine is 5.4L triton SOHC V8, 250 hp / 350 ft·lbf
4 speed automatic
Limited slip rear axle *
Power steering
Dual front air bags
Seats 6 (or 7): 2 front, 2 more capt's chairs as 2nd row, bench seat is 3rd row *
Allow / premium wheels - 15" *
Mp3 CD player (sony) with 6 speakers
Keyless entry
Handling package
Trailer Towing package
Leather wrapped steering wheel *
Power locks and windows *
Privacy Glass *
Cruise control
AC
Rear AC w/ rear controls
Sliding side door for easy access
Split rear doors (only choice?)
Deluxe "dog house" console and glove box under passenger seat *
Normal length, not extended, is 17 feet long
More reading about specs:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2000_econoline.html
Why am I selling?
1- I bought a car to save gas $$$ so I drive my van a LOT less. It is parked at my business and will wait for me to drive it. This van appreciates attention and will want to be driven once or twice a week.
2- It is starting to occasionally need maintenance. When I do need my van, there is little planning and I'll need to drive it to LA in a moment's notice. So I chose to "reset the clock" and just bought a 2006 van with 49,000 miles.
Kelly Blue Book pricing:
Excellent $7,740
Good $7,135
Fair $6,350
What's great about this van:
- Super comfy for long trips. The cruise control and upright seating make this van really great for weekend trips or get-a-ways.
- Drives VERY well, even when loaded up
- Stereo we put in makes long trips more tolerable.
- Still looks great. No problems with the paint or anything.
- Low floor height makes loading motorcycles or heavy objects easier. One person can load a fridge into the van onto its side using 4 pieces of wood.
- Optimized for motorcycle lovers with tie-down points
- Tie-down points are great for when moving or holding TVs in place
- You can fit queen sized bed inside. And 4x8 sheets of plywood. Or a small number of 12 foot long pieces of pipe or wood from feet of front passenger diagonally to left rear door.
- You can fit a foldout futon in it! You know those cheap-y almost-queen sized ones? Yes, can open and "lay" flat as the mattress height is above the wheel wells.
- Optimized for towing
- Amazing visibility when driving
- Gets reasonable fuel economy... it has a 30+ gallon tank. Around town, you'll always get a minimum of 300 miles to 27~28 gallons. If you keep out of the throttle, it'll approach 325 miles. On the freeway with the cruise control set just under 80, you will never go less than 400 miles on a tank of gas. Normally is more like 430 or so, but you'll need to stop and pee before it runs out of fuel.
Why this van is better than a cargo Astro or other van for track use:
- Look closely at the fuel economy: the 5.4 V8 is pretty close to the Astro's V6. The V8 snoozes at 80, while you'll be into the gas pedal more with the V6.
- The interior of this van is awesome! It's comfy, clean, AND you can put the seats back in it to haul family around and not make excuses.
- The bench seat is great in your cubicle office. Put strips of wood under the feet and set it against a wall - very sturdy. :-)
- Interior is sound insulation, making the van more quiet on the road.
- Interior is also protection! If you're moving a bike in/out of the van and start to lose balance, stand up. When you stiff out, you are pressing into cloth or plastic: no sharp metal edges to cut you or gouge your bike. Likewise, should you drop your bike in the van, the interior prevents you from denting the outside of the van's body from within.
- When you take the seats out, the M12 threaded mounting points are there in the floor -- no drilling the body and trying to avoid hitting the gas tank, or other bits. (seats come out easy, and 4 bolts hold the platforms to the floor)
- Rear A/C.
- Having windows all around means you can actually see when driving (they're tined so it's hard to look in)
Improvements:
- I just purchased and installed an awesome Sony stereo, the cdx-GT520. It comes with a remote and has an audio jack input on the front and can read mp3 data CDs. It's also "satellite / HD ready", meaning it has the sony special input on the back. It's face comes off, leaving a plain black space in the dash.
Links:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/mod...l?mdl=CDXGT520
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-wjDAILI...spx?i=158GT520
All manuals and packaging included.
- Motorcycle optimizations:
... powder coated steel platform bolted to the floor (under the seat platforms) to create tie down points.
... enough space behind front four seats to put two "sportbikes" into the van. No problem taking 2 bikes and up to 4 people.
... air-lift suspension to handle the load of bikes. No problems putting 1000 pounds of motorcycle in the back. You don't notice it at all.
- Well set up for towing!
... Draw Tite "Ultra" hitch installed. Product link:
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-H~41926.h...cleid=20001212
... Hitch is "J-pin" type to allow anti-rock pin to be used:
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-L~63201.htm
... We had the biggest transmission oil cooler available installed to keep the transmission oil cool. Also put on a deep sump aftermarket transmission oil pan with a drain plug and cooling fins. The intention behind the drain plug was to help transmission longevity by changing the oil more frequently than Ford recommends. The cooler is so good to the transmission that even with towing, the oil stayed clear and red! So we stayed with Ford's suggested intervals.
... Air lift suspension installed in the back. Air bags can take 10 to 100 psi and made an amazing improvement to the van's load capacity without making the ride harsh.
... Electric Brake Controller installed under the dash using Ford wiring already in the van.
... Electric trailer lighting power supply: using a separate "trailer" relay that is part of Ford's towing package, this device isolates the trailer lighting from the vehicle wiring. This was installed from the van's existing trailer wiring at the left rear wheel.
... 7-pin trailer connector mounted to bumper.
http://www.etrailer.com/faq_wiring.aspx
Service History:
- All maintenance performed at recommended intervals. Over $2000 spent in preventive maintenance in the last year, including the 100,000 mile tune-up.
- Changing the oil is not difficult, but it does require 6 quarts of oil for a change. Spare filters included.
- Brakes changed with Ford OEM parts at 30,000 miles, but switched to Napa "lifetime" pads at 60,000, receipt included.
- Ford supplied Michelin passenger tires replaced at roughly 35,000 with heavier duty, longer wearing "LT" light truck tires. Current set installed roughly 10,000 miles ago and are in great condition.
- Rear axle seal developed a leak near 80,000 miles. Both seals replaced and new expensive Ford special anti-slip differential lube oil used.
- Rear wheel speed sensor failed causing "ABS" light to come on. $28 sensor replaced when rear axle servicing performed.
- New fuel pump and filter installed recently. Apparently this is expected every 100,000 miles... especially if you allow the tank to get close to empty on road trips. In tank pumps use the fuel for cooling.
What's wrong with it?
Not much. But I'm brutally honest and tell it as it is.
- There are two tiny scratches (less than an inch) on the top from when desert gusts pretzeled an ez-up canopy towards the van. I keep touch up paint in them.
- The 5.4L Triton V8 engine has started a light mechanical sound that they all do when they age. Goes away when allowed to warm up a minute.
- If you let it sit up, the rear drum brakes act grabby for half a day.
- Lots of small scratches at rear opening from motorcycle ramp.
- Wheels aren't as shiny as when new.
Things about the Ford E series to pay attention to:
- Watch the front brakes: they can wear quickly. Ford brand brakes last 30,000 miles. I put in the lifetime ceramic Napa premium brakes and they are wearing MUCH better.
- Sensitive to tires: rotate every 6000 miles, keep tires to at least 40psi, and know your tire store when buying. There's a thing called a "radial pull". It might sound like BS, but tires can be ever slightly different sized and it will cause the van to pull to left or right (follows the tire). So when you buy tires, be sure they're selling you good tires.
- Keep good following distance on freeway trips. Once over about 72 or 75 mph, rocks are very likely to cause cracks. I've put in 2 windshields then figured this out. Glass is perfect now...
Use history:
- Purchased to transport street-based "sport bikes" to the racetrack at Willow Springs, near Palmdale. Approximately 50 of these 200 mile each way trips have been made. 30 with a tandem axle 12x6' enclosed trailer.
- Longest trips: to Northern California or Las Vegas.
- Commuting for 4 years.
- Has not been used commercially or for "business delivery" service.
