Ford Diesel Van Buying Questions...Part 2.

[BravestDog]

Thanks to all of you who offered your advice on my last post re buying a Ford Diesel Van...I'll post the link below for those interested in reading it...But I now have more questions re the purchase of a new/used diesel van.

If I was to go to a dealer and buy a new diesel van...I would prefer a cargo style van, with maybe 2 back windows and a sliding door window, Air Cond and maybe AM-FM radio, maybe a second seat behind the front bucket seats, carpeted floors, walls, ceiling, and a color like silver, dark green, anything but black or white (but I would accept white if I got a good deal)...I think that's about all the extra stuff I want. I like all the power stuff but am afaid in 10 years the power mirrors, windows...won't function and I'll have to pay big bucks to fix it...

I probablly plan on using the van for everday type light use, sleeping in when traveling, hauling my 2 dogs in it, and maybe hauling a medium weight tandem axle trailer...

My quesitons are:

1. How much should I pay and how do I know when I'm getting a good deal or when I'm being overcharged? What kind of Ford dealer should I go to and who should I speak with? Should I do my research on the phone, internet or in person when working with a dealer...? I am in the Oakland, CA area 10 miles east of San Francisco, CA.

2. Can I order a van that where the sheet metal of the ceiling, walls, doors is insulated so there is very little metal where moisture will condense on when I sleep in it, or would I be better off finishing it myself? Can you offer advice on this?

2.1 How do I know if I want the standard length or the stretched version?

3. What's the best material to use for insulation and how does a person make it work? Fiberglass, foam panels...? How do you lay the stuff in and how do you finish it? I have done some carpentry and have lots of power saws, screw guns...

4. Do most people with diesel vans order them new or do they get them off the lot?

5. Is there anyone else who wants to buy a van where we both could go in and try to negotiate a better price because there are 2 of us buying?

6. When people add upgrades to their motors, vans...what upgrades are the most important and give you the best return for the dollar? What do the upgrades do? Which upgrades would be done first in priority and what are the cost associated?

7. If I buy a used diesel van, what should I look for when I arrive and look at the vehicle. What should I ask the owner? How can I tell it the vehicle has been abused, mistreated...? How do I know if I'm overpaying in price?

The more I read about the vans and diesels, the more I like them...

Please add anything you think might be helpful and thanks in advance.

Here is the link to my first post for those who wish to read it.
http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbt...o=&fpart=1

BravestDog [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

[Larry M]

[ QUOTE ]
I probablly plan on using the van for everday type light use, sleeping in when traveling, hauling my 2 dogs in it, and maybe hauling a medium weight tandem axle trailer...

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, but with that description a PSD Van which will have to mostly likely be specially ordered (not many rebates/reductions there) might not be right for your useage ... I know that's heresy here but I have to be honest. Please provide a description, weight, type of the trailer, and known useage as to what you're now towing it with ... Mark K. uses his extended E-350 V10 towing a 33' TT and seems very happy with it ... if you only tow a couple times a year and do a lot of short trips the PSD might not be the ticket.

Larry

[BravestDog]

What is the type of van that I am most likely to find on the lot? I try to stay away from the full power versions since all those extras seem to add up in $$ and are things I could live without.

Right now I have a little teeny tiny 4 cylinder toyota truck pulling a 5x8 single axle trailer and I find it way to small to travel in, tow with...but if I get a bigger van/truck, then I will probably get a bigger trailer because I like hauling around a lot of luxury type items...canoe, dogs, food, motorcycle, water, cooking gear...

I'm an enterprising type of person. Give me a big truck and I'll find a way to make money using it.

[2003E350]

I paid invoice for my 2003. Take a look at my pics in my sig. Power options and accessories are usually less expensive ordered through the dealer at the time when ordering the van. They cost much more to add later on. I ordered the premium van group. This included the power options, insulation package and interior and exterior upgrades. I also added the extended,7.3L diesel, privacy glass, 3:55 POSI, and trailer tow package. I went with the double doors on the side. You can go to www.ford.com and go to the commercial truck section and build your van and price it. Build it to all the different configurations you want to price it different ways. DO NOT PAY ANYMORE THAN INVOICE!! The sticker price was $33,195.00 and I paid invoice $29.147.00. I also ordered it and waited (7) weeks to get what I wanted. It was worth the wait!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

[DivinDave]

I too just picked up a new 03 van and paid the invoice cost on it, plus it had a 3k cash back at delivery that I gladly accepted. Like you, I was originally going to get just a cargo van and order it with full headliner and the finish panels in the rear interior. You can do this by selecting some of the available packages. I just did the entire chateau package with the 7 pass seating in the end after looking at what I really wanted. You most probably will not find a diesel van on the lot unless it is a straight cargo body. I did not and I live in an area where ford dealers are everywhere.

If you want the straight info on an E van go to someone at a ford commercial truck center. They deal with this everyday and know the options inside out (or should). The guy I used was very informed and worked up several different vans until I decided. 2003e350 is right about just doing the options up front for those things you will really want anyway. We have a big fleet at work that gets heavily abused and things like power windows, mirrors and locks rarely give any problems are very nice to have.. The ford www site is good as well. Colors are no additional cost, so get what you want.

As far as issues on a used diesel powered van, they are similar in nature to any vehicle; service and maintenance history are important. With the 7.3 the oil change history as well as the coolant service are critical to long life. If these areas are taken care of consistently, big mileage is possible. My previous 7.3 idi vans had 300K+ on first when I sold it and the one I am selling now has 180 and they both are still going strong.

Ext body is just a question of how much cargo room do you want? I have had two stretches and this new one is a shorty. Cost no more to haul around the extra couple of feet but I just didn't like the look of the new ones with the little window in the back end.