What to look for in a 1999 E 350

[idamanzz]

Hi Gang
Ive got my eye on a 99 e350 diesel and was wondering if there are any issues on the 1999's to be concerned with.
144K mi with good history - Is this a concern? What to plan on replacing?
Trans has been rebuilt by John Woods in so cal. (well recommended)

Do the 99's have the e40d or something any better?
The rig also has a Camburg Engineering long travel kit which I want as a replacement for the 93 Quigley 4x4 I just sold. (The plan is to put a locker in it)
$ seems high for this # of miles but with the lift kit and new trans it may be worth it. How long will a stock 99 trans last?
Thanks in advance for all the good insight
Cheers
Aaron

[Late99EconoWagon73]

Aaron,

What is the build date of the van?

From what I've learned from this forum, International made updates to the engines starting with engine build number 896812. These updates included 3" turbo plumbing to manifolds (versus 2.5" for the Early 99s). Not sure what else...

My 99.5 was built 1/15/99 and is a few thousand engines past the engine number above. It also has the 4R100 transmission, although I'm not sure if that was a 99.5 change or not...

Rear disc brakes were also introduced with the 99.5s.

Mine has 150+k on the original (as far as I know) trans and is still going OK although I'm $aving for a replacement based on what I've read...

Only things I've had to replace so far are a bad CPS [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img], Fuel Drain Valve O-rings (thanks to ULSD), and Turbo Pedestal O-rings (oil leak that looks like it might be a rear main seal leak from below).

Still need to replace pinion seal on rearend as it's got a slight leak.

Just learned here too (from Gooch, the Cooling System Man) that engine build number 940614 (2/2/99) was the first engine officially approved by International to use Extended Life Coolant (just missed that one!).

That's my story (so far). Good luck!

Stu

[ddog]

[ QUOTE ]
Trans has been rebuilt by John Woods in so cal. (well recommended)


[/ QUOTE ]

From what I have read, You won't have to worry a bit about the trans [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

Thats probably a $3500-4000 trans if I had to guess (on par with BTS and Suncoast) and should have all upgrade/update parts, HD triple disk torque converter, etc.

Find a van with the same miles and condition and an original trans, now add the above amount for custom trans to the price. It figures in the price consideration.

[bork]

My early 99 has rear disc. Dont know about tranny. BTS could tell. Ddog didn't you say the 98 you test drove felt peppy?

[Late99EconoWagon73]

bork,

I stand corrected. Rear Disc Brakes must have been a Early 99 introduction. Thanks for straightening me out on that. And I thought my 99.5 was special... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Stu

[ddog]

[ QUOTE ]
Ddog didn't you say the 98 you test drove felt peppy?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep and quiet ! as in No injector noise. As Madvan pointed out, no deadhead fuel system in the 98 (94-97).

It has a John Wood Trans, California equivalent of going to Arkansas (BTS) or Panama City (Suncoast). If you've been to one of those three with a Ford transmission it doesn't matter if it was a E4OD or 4R100 after they get done with it.

ddog

[bork]

So, then the smaller 2.5 manifold in older years isn't a big issue unless you want mega power? OR do you think its the rear end ratio, made it feel peppy?

[MADVAN]

Bork
Of all the vans i have driven. The 97/98 in stock form performed best. 94/96 less perf and more noise (single inj). 97/98- (split inj). 99 to date (splits) dead headed (more noise).
97/98 vans inj sys is setup like cali f-trucks
97/98 are good quiet runners due to the splits and fuel system.
Also had better programing. 97/98 ford repaired alot of trans/rears under warrenty. I think after 99 they tuned it down abit.

My findings of best year powerstroke
E-97/98
F-97 cali
99 and up have better cold startup due to it has fuel pressure at start, it just has to make high pressure oil while cranking. Pre 99 has to make both.

Bill

[bork]

I wander why they went to dead head system? if more noisey & possibly less power due to cackle? Money?

[MADVAN]

It went to electric fuel pump.
Bill

[clev]

Hi atay. I ordered my '99 E-350 and took delivery in Dec., '98; the documented build date was Nov., '98. It did have rear disc brakes and 4R100 Trannie. The passenger side rear wheel bearings had to be replaced (out of warranty) about '02 and the rear end had to be replaced (out of warranty) about '03 ~ '04. Both were expensive repairs. There was a 'silent' recall on '99 torque converters and I had to have mine replaced in '04 (out of warranty).

This has been the most expensive vehicle for 'out of warranty' repairs that I've ever owned. I love the van, but if I have any more major expenses, I'll get rid of it.