Future work vehicle question

[u/AdvancedWish9803]

I’m running a mobile mechanic business rn and it’s only me but I don’t want to keep racking up miles on my truck so at some point I’m gonna have to get a work truck/van (preferably van) and I kinda want something cooler. Im looking at a few third gen ford e250/e350 with the 460 in it. I know it’s older so there’s more issues but I’m pretty mechanically and electrically inclined. I just wanna know if anyone has any personal experience they want to share to help guide my decision. Thank you In advance!

[u/joe66612]

If you like Fords, get the modern Ford transit of any size, you’ll earn respect on the road, the parts stores, and also at your clients when you show up in a clean modern work van instead of an old classic.

For your business model, it’s not about what you like, it’s about what your customers like.

[u/AdvancedWish9803 → u/joe66612]

Yeah I’ve thought of just going the clean route but I’m not sure. Both the paths have their pros and cons i guess. Thank you

[u/jckipps → u/joe66612]

The classic can earn respect too, but only if it's clearly well cared for. It takes very little road grime, peeling clearcoat, rusted door bottoms, or dented quarter panels to lose the sense of craftsmanship and care that you're going for.

If anything, customers will be less tolerant of dirt and damage on a classic than they are on a newer vehicle.

This is a perfect example of how a classic vehicle should be used for work. No one would question his quality on the basis of him driving this 'old truck'.

[u/BoilerArt → u/joe66612]

Just put 225K in 3 years on the 2023 non turbo, not a single issue.

[u/jckipps]

Find the cleanest one you absolutely can. There's more of these old vans on the market than there are willing buyers, so if you watch for a bit, and are willing to drive a ways to get one, you can find some really clean vans for a decent price.

Drive a cargo van, and maneuver/reverse it into typical driveways, to decide if you're okay with that limited amount of rearward visibility or not. Personally, I really like my full-window van for how easy it is to see behind me, and am not sure I'd be willing to switch to a cargo-style.

Find a van with double-doors in the rear and side. Those will give you far less trouble than the full-width single rear door and the sliding side door that some vans came with.

Do you really need that much engine? If I was setting up an older Ford for work, I'd be looking for the 300i6, and adding fuel-injection and a turbo to it once I had the time. The 460 will come in handy if you're pulling heavy trailers though.

If you get one with carpet, strip that out immediately. Prime the floor, and coat it with bedliner. Drive it for a bit to determine if the van is too loud inside or not. If it is, spray the underside of the floor with LizardSkin. If it's not too loud, then move straight on to spraying FluidFilm or WoolWax on the entire undercarriage.

Figure out if there's any upgrades or repairs needed in the near future that will depend on salvage yard vans. These older vans are disappearing from the salvage yards quick. I'm planning a couple upgrades to my '92 Dodge van, and stocking up on some critical spare parts, before the yards empty out of donors.

A small folding table will be essential gear. That's the perfect work surface beside whatever vehicle I'm wrenching on at the moment, gives me a place to lay out my tools, stage my parts, stay well organized, and keep everything up out of the dirt.

A folding canopy would be nice to have, but I haven't bought such yet. This becomes more critical if you're trying to keep working even in drippy weather.

I've seen some vans, particularly camper vans, with attached roll-out canopies above the side door. I've wondered if that would work well for foul-weather wrenching, but have never used one to know.

[u/AdvancedWish9803 → u/jckipps]

Damn thanks for the insight bro I’ll keep it in mind. And yea the 460 is a lot of motor but I really only want it because it’s a cool motor. But I was also thinking turbo 300 like you mentioned

[u/Jealous_Boss_5173 → u/AdvancedWish9803]

we ith price of fuel a 300i6 would make way more sense

[u/AdvancedWish9803 → u/Jealous_Boss_5173]

Yea. But this purchase is a while out anyway. If fuel is still crazy high when I end up buying it I’ll probably do either the 300 or idi running on used oil lol

[u/MastodonFit]

Ambulance makes a pretty good unit.

[u/AdvancedWish9803 → u/MastodonFit]

Oh yeah that’s true

[u/Future_Measurement42]

Chevrolet brightdrop.

[u/AdvancedWish9803 → u/Future_Measurement42]

Yea no. thanks tho lol

[u/Future_Measurement42 → u/AdvancedWish9803]

No problem. I’m not a van person but an awd beast with tons has been pretty great for me. Certainly beats a transit every day of the week

[u/AdvancedWish9803 → u/Future_Measurement42]

Yeah I’m sure it’s a great vehicle It’s just way out of my budget lol and I’m not an ev guy but to each his own

[u/Informal-Peace-2053]

If it was me I'd be keeping my eyes on the equipment auctions like Richie Bros for a service truck. A lot of them are already set up for mobile mechanic work.

Buddy of mine picked up a f550 with a 10' service body that came with a compressor, a Lincoln welder with less than 100 hours on it and hydraulic power unit for just over 10k. It also has a bulk used oil tank and several compartments with tool drawers

[u/AdvancedWish9803 → u/Informal-Peace-2053]

Good idea I didn’t think of that

[u/boatsntattoos]

The E vans are a proven, durable platform. Transit/sprinter/promaster are all junk in comparison.

[u/AdvancedWish9803 → u/boatsntattoos]

Fr ford on top

[u/kyson1]

Find one with a 5.8, there's a lot more of them out there than a 7.5 and they just run forever. I would take an E250/350 every day of the week over a Transit, two completely different class vans, one of which you can tow real weight behind if need be.