[mtnxtreme]

I've got a 98 Quigley with the powerstroke, 250,000 highway miles, previous owner lived in it all over the country, it's a plain jane cargo van, no power except air, and its rotted, picked up a mint 03 150 Chateau, California van never seen snow, has the 5.4 , 148,000 highway miles, previous owner used to go on trips with the family, has full power, leather etc. Now my dilemna, my original plan was to find a clean donor van and do a body swap onto my Quigley and use the rotted one for my guys as a work van. But now I see how nice this 5.4 runs so I'm contemplating just taking all the 4x4 stuff, differentials,transfer case, etc. and installing on the 03 with the gas engine instead of using the higher mileage diesel, with the idea, gas is easier to get, cheaper,quieter, smoother, or should I stay with the original plan and swap bodies, with the idea that even though the diesel has higher mileage, I'll get better mileage, longer engine life, and better mpg? Can you guys chime in on the pros and cons, I know I'm gonna lose some power going with the gas, but how much, I tow a car trailer only abt. 4 times a year, I would say swapping bodies or 4X4 parts would be abt. the same labor. Help, I'm ready to start ripping into it, but which way should I go.??,

 

[van_350sd]

I am no pro mechanic,
but I think the wiring harness and other parts are way different
in the gasser vs. the diesel van. It would be so expensive to convert to diesel.

You may want top just stick to gas on this one, others will chime-in;

Unless you decide to sell it and get yourself a nice 7.3L van on ebay.

 

[mtnxtreme]

Well the labor is all me, I know the wiring behind dash and the dash itself would have to be swapped, but the body swap itself is not so bad, I know of a few guys who have done it and a guy over on ford-truck.com forums did a gasser body on a diesel frame with pictures and all step by step on that forum, and he said it was a day off a day on, not too bad. The body comes off in one piece, nose on and all, all he did was swap out the harnesses behind dash, and dash itself. Just don't know if the high mileage diesel is gonna be a money pit with all those miles, the diesel does have a fresh tranny, drivetrain should'nt be too bad high mileage, I know steering boxes are short lived though.

 

[drinkypoo]

I'd keep the 'stroke unless you're having problems with it, that seems like it was a pretty good year. Plus a 'stroke with a Quigley has a lot of resale value.

 

[therabbittree]

If you want to do a 4x4 conversion on your van .. look at the U Joint Offroad kits.. MUCH MUCH better then Quigley. WAY more strngth and beef... not subpar. and a lot cheaper, you can do it your self..I'd sell your quigley , do a u joint 4x4 conversion and swap a cummins in your gasser van and have the best of all worlds... thats may plan at least.

www.ujointoffroad.com

Thanks,
Deo

 

[mtnxtreme]

I like the U joint set-up, I've actually talked to Chris, he actually thought the body swap would be easier, since it's already converted and I plan on using some of his stuff for upgrading. I notice his are leaf sprung front, I think it would ride harder than the coils, I do a lot of highway, tow a car trailer 4 or 5 times a year, some camping etc. so I think the setup I have may be better for me. I do like the Cummins conversion but they are pricey, even the conversion kits with just the conversion parts I thought were overpriced, and I think there are a few different Cummins engines that you can use, but the better ones are big money. I'd love to have one of the new, quiet , more powerfull Cummins in there but it's gotta be big money.

 

[SIC-E]

No decision here. Use the diesel and do the body swap. A reconditioned 7.3l can be had starting at $3,500 from here in Chesapeake, VA when the time comes. Several people claiming 6-700k moles so no worries for a long time. Put all that 4x4 gear with that 5.4 and you're gonna be sorely disapointed. Not gonna pull much of anything with it. Wake up that 7.3l with a DP Tuner and you'll never wish you went the other way. DO IT!

 

[mtnxtreme]

No decision here. Use the diesel and do the body swap. A reconditioned 7.3l can be had starting at $3,500 from here in Chesapeake, VA when the time comes. Several people claiming 6-700k moles so no worries for a long time. Put all that 4x4 gear with that 5.4 and you're gonna be sorely disapointed. Not gonna pull much of anything with it. Wake up that 7.3l with a DP Tuner and you'll never wish you went the other way. DO IT!

I hear ya, just gotta finish up a small sled project then the van goes in the garage. Someone else mentioned the same thing all that 4x4 stuff is gonna kill that van. Makes sense.

 

[MikeL46]

Seriously, this is a diesel site. Did you expect anyone here to suggest you go with the 5.4?

Prejudice aside, the 5.4 is an adequate engine. Millions of them out there, and easy to find parts and techs. The 7.3 is much more repairable than the 6.0, but sometimes just getting a diesel tech to look at your van is a problem. We spent 5 days in Nova Scotia waiting for a tech to come available to work on our van. Last time we needed semi-major work (injectors) we spent another 5 days in British Columbia waiting for a tech. Both dealerships had gas techs ready to go.

I really like the mileage of the diesel. But, I don't know if I would do it again or go with a gasser. Right now I don't have to worry about that decision.

Mike

 

[curt1656]

I have both 5.4 and a 7.3 vans. I hate the 5.4 for towing anything. I'd vote for the body swap onto the 7.3 4x4.

 

[rick3114]

If you're not going to tow anything and you only have the e-350 4x4 ford to carry around and you change the oil and get the new oil filter, is it really going to be that much worse than the 7.3. The gas millage probably isn't a factor when you figure the cost of a valve job on a 6.0 liter, if that's what's going to happen after 300,000. I'm about to retire and love the ford 4x4 van and need to explore areas like the White Canyon Rd. in Canyonlands, UT. Any feedback?

 

[mtnxtreme]

If you're not going to tow anything and you only have the e-350 4x4 ford to carry around and you change the oil and get the new oil filter, is it really going to be that much worse than the 7.3. The gas millage probably isn't a factor when you figure the cost of a valve job on a 6.0 liter, if that's what's going to happen after 300,000. I'm about to retire and love the ford 4x4 van and need to explore areas like the White Canyon Rd. in Canyonlands, UT. Any feedback?

What year and engine do you have in that van ?

 

[Lilnuts]

If you tow anything do the body swap. The 4X4 goodies add close to 700#s that 5.4 will feel it. While the bodies are off freshen up the 7.3 and your good for another 200k

A diesel 4X4 van is the best way to go, and you know that : )

 

[mtnxtreme]

Second That !

 

[Texas_proud77836]

Yep, 5.4 is a gas hog when it's under pressure. A v-10 would be the route if you wanted to do a comparison to the diesel motor...v-10 likes it's fuel too tho.

 

[Coolerking]

lol....old thread.. but great info...