Goodbye Econoline

[HHR]

Ford is replacing the E-series vans with a US built version of the full-size European Transit. They just announced that the main engine will be the 3.5L EcoBoost V6.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/new...s-to-be-replaced-by-transit-with-ecoboost-v-6

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yea, this was announced around the first of the year.

Chris

 

[Travelover]

It was a long run. That chassis was from about 1975 and the last major body redesign was 1992. Good vehicle, but like the Crown Vic and Town car, way past it's prime.

 

[frischtr]

It was a long run. That chassis was from about 1975 and the last major body redesign was 1992. Good vehicle, but like the Crown Vic and Town car, way past it's prime.

I'm skeptical about the new van. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the existing style for a work van. They have done everything construction tradesman need it to, while being cheap and reliable. And I guarantee that many companies are not going to be interested in turbo-charged engines in a work van. These things are driven and abused like rented mules... My boss has already said he'll switch to GM vans based on what engine options and any unnecessary options driving up the cost of the Ford.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I disagree. Look at what the Sprinter both by Mercedes and Dodge has done to the market.

The new Nissan NV is really taking off here. Large plumbing outfit has about 50 of them and our local blood bank is now driving them.

Its time for a change and Ford has a winning combo with the Eco Boost and the Sprinter style/sized van that can be stood up in unlike the current Econoline, Ram, or Savannah vans by Ford, Dodge, and GM.

What the real story here is though is the EPA and the new mandates for "FLEET" economy.

Kind of like the PT Cruiser. It was only built to offset the Hemi when Dodge brought it back in the trucks. Throw a cheap body on a Neon chassis and running gears and list it as a truck.

Chris

 

[frischtr]

I disagree. Look at what the Sprinter both by Mercedes and Dodge has done to the market.

The new Nissan NV is really taking off here. Large plumbing outfit has about 50 of them and our local blood bank is now driving them.

Its time for a change and Ford has a winning combo with the Eco Boost and the Sprinter style/sized van that can be stood up in unlike the current Econoline, Ram, or Savannah vans by Ford, Dodge, and GM.

What the real story here is though is the EPA and the new mandates for "FLEET" economy.

Kind of like the PT Cruiser. It was only built to offset the Hemi when Dodge brought it back in the trucks. Throw a cheap body on a Neon chassis and running gears and list it as a truck.

Chris

I don't see many Sprinters here, used to see more when they first came out, but less now.

I haven't seen many NVs either, maybe too early to tell on them.

Can't use tall vans here, can't get them in parking garages in the city, though obviously more useful in the 'burbs. Probably why there are less sprinters here. Plus, many companies don't want the diesels.

Ram van? Been out of production since '03.

All that being said, you may be right, time will tell...

 

[Dmace]

That EcoBoost is crammed into the F150 so hard you can barely see the air filter. I can only imagine how it would be in a cab forward van!
It's about time Ford caught up to the Sprinter but they still don't have a solid drivetrain lineup like a small diesel.

Good to see it will be built in the US!

 

[frischtr]

One option I would like to see would be duals for the 1 ton vans, like the sprinters. We haul a lot of weight in the back of some of our extended wheelbase vans.

 

[Red Horse]

I'm skeptical about the new van. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the existing style for a work van. They have done everything construction tradesman need it to, while being cheap and reliable. And I guarantee that many companies are not going to be interested in turbo-charged engines in a work van. These things are driven and abused like rented mules... My boss has already said he'll switch to GM vans based on what engine options and any unnecessary options driving up the cost of the Ford.

I'm an E series die hard too. The original Econoline came out in 61-with a 144 cu.in. Falcon six! Talk about a long run!

But the new Transit should not be confused with the Transit Connect, which is the little 4 banger front wheel drive built in Turkey. the big Transit has been built in Europe for quite a few years. About five years ago I saw two of them here in MA. One was being run by DHL and the other was being run by some Ford parts delivery operation-actually talked to both drivers. So ford has been planning this for a long time. As for the EcoBoost, if its good enough for Police Interceptor duty, it should be good enough for van duty. Keep in mind, they have been selling very well in F-150's for the past year with no issues. I have a 2010 Taurus SHO that is just about to turn 35,000 miles-has not been back to the dealer since the day it was delivered and gets no worse than 22/23 mpg average. I 've done as well as 27.1 on a 350 mile run. This is a proven motor. And torque? this thing will run around town in fifth gear at about 1200 RPM!

 

[Dmace]

Keep in mind, they have been selling very well in F-150's for the past year with no issues. I have a 2010 Taurus SHO that is just about to turn 35,000 miles-has not been back to the dealer since the day it was delivered and gets no worse than 22/23 mpg average. I 've done as well as 27.1 on a 350 mile run. This is a proven motor.

35k miles is hardly "proven".
That engine still needs a good 5 years in truck / fleet sales to be "proven" in my eyes. Especially with new technologies. Running in early Lincoln cross-overs and sedans hardly proves it can work also...

 

[Tomtint]

I have had 4 E250 and E350 vans. They are a bullet proof time tested workhorse. I was ready for a new van 2 weeks ago and did not want to wait for the new E series. I ended up with a 2012 Transit, it is MUCH smaller but I'm getting 25-26 mpg. So the tradeoff was worth it to me. Hopefully it will treat me as well as my Es did.

 

[frischtr]

I have had 4 E250 and E350 vans. They are a bullet proof time tested workhorse. I was ready for a new van 2 weeks ago and did not want to wait for the new E series. I ended up with a 2012 Transit, it is MUCH smaller but I'm getting 25-26 mpg. So the tradeoff was worth it to me. Hopefully it will treat me as well as my Es did.

Smaller in the back? That's not good news at all...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Smaller in the back? That's not good news at all...

He is talking about the Transit Connect, not the new Transit Van. The Transit Van is the size of a Sprinter or NV. The Transit Connect is about the size of a mid size SUV like a Jeep Cherokee.

Go to Fords site and take a look at the lineup. Lots of good info.

Chris

 

[frischtr]

He is talking about the Transit Connect, not the new Transit Van. The Transit Van is the size of a Sprinter or NV. The Transit Connect is about the size of a mid size SUV like a Jeep Cherokee.

Go to Fords site and take a look at the lineup. Lots of good info.

Chris

Didn't realize he meant the Connect, I've seen them around. Worthless for my requirements.

 

[Red Horse]

35k miles is hardly "proven".
That engine still needs a good 5 years in truck / fleet sales to be "proven" in my eyes. Especially with new technologies. Running in early Lincoln cross-overs and sedans hardly proves it can work also...

.
Trust me- I was not talking about my 35,000 miles- I'm talking about the thousands of 150's that have been sold with the EcoBoost. And granted, we are talking about ACCUMULATED miles as opposed to mileage say that has been accumulated by individual vehicles over say five years, but do you think Ford would be sticking it in PI duty if they did not have a lot of back up to support that decision. I would also say that turbocharger technology has had a lot of time to improve since the fifties.

Then again, if my memory serves me right, I do believe you are not exactly a fan of the Blue Oval correct?

 

[Dmace]

Then again, if my memory serves me right, I do believe you are not exactly a fan of the Blue Oval correct?

I'm not a fan of any manufacturer that changes drivetrains more often than headlights due to poor designs, failures and recalls...
As I said before, this engine will be great IF it passes the test of time but it's still FAR from proven...

 

[Red Horse]

I'm not a fan of any manufacturer that changes drivetrains more often than headlights due to poor designs, failures and recalls...
As I said before, this engine will be great IF it passes the test of time but it's still FAR from proven...

I see-good reason- you sound like a very experienced guy that could educate a lot us- please elaborate-but please leave out the 6.0. While I know some people who had no issues, there were enough who had their fair share.

 

[Dmace]

I see-good reason- you sound like a very experienced guy that could educate a lot us- please elaborate-but please leave out the 6.0. While I know some people who had no issues, there were enough who had their fair share.

I had a 7.3l IDI diesel that failed with cylinder wall cavitation and started burning coolant, had numerous 5.4l tritons spit out plugs, two V10 tritons with ceased plugs, a couple of Mustang 3.8's dropping valves and cracked pistons, three Ford Ranger 2.3's lose a timing belt destroying the head, a 2.0l Focus that went through ignition parts and fuel pumps like candy...
I could go on between my vehicles, family and friends' vehicles I fix and my companies fleet but you get the point.

On the flip side, I've owned/repaired many Chrysler/GM vehicles and rarely have seen these problems which are clearly design failures...

 

[Cat_Driver]

Yep my brother saw on on the road in Arizona all covered up near the Ford testing grounds.

Looks like Ford is waking up to the Sprinter size vans.
I've had the traditional Ford vans and now I own a Sprinter. No comparison. For one the room, I love the fact that I can stand up straight in the van without bending over. The volume of things I can haul is unheard of.

Now for the diesel part. I overloaded the van by 30% and it climbed the the Rockies without missing a beat.

I got rid of a dually Duramax 1 ton for this sprinter and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

With all the seats I can haul around a gaggle of kids to a field trip, then pull the seats out and it doubles a s pick up - only better. Better because it's enclosed whereas the pickup was open.

Put one seat back in and not it's a road trip van. Camping gear, bikes, etc. Sleep inside it of use the tent.

The ride, it rides like a car. Mileage, bets I ever got was 24mpg. Average over 20 all day long with the Dually I never passed 12mpg.

There are way too many reason this Ford will be a HUGE hit. I'll be first in line for one. Yes I love the Sprinter, but they screwed the pooch by not having enough qualified Sprinter shops to service them.

I've got 75K trouble free miles and as I get up in miles I'm assuming trips to a dealer and for me that 75 miles away.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had a 7.3l IDI diesel that failed with cylinder wall cavitation and started burning coolant, had numerous 5.4l tritons spit out plugs, two V10 tritons with ceased plugs, a couple of Mustang 3.8's dropping valves and cracked pistons, three Ford Ranger 2.3's lose a timing belt destroying the head, a 2.0l Focus that went through ignition parts and fuel pumps like candy...
I could go on between my vehicles, family and friends' vehicles I fix and my companies fleet but you get the point.

On the flip side, I've owned/repaired many Chrysler/GM vehicles and rarely have seen these problems which are clearly design failures...

I will take it for what its worth. I have owned about 20 Fords with no major issues. Biggest problem was a failed fuel gauge.

1 Dodge, 2 trannys in 68,000 miles, AC compressor, Power steering pump, ect.

4 GM's, 2 good, 2 horrible. Bad injectors, glow plugs, transfer case, blown motor at 30,000 miles.

Whats your point. I find it hard to believe you had noting but problems with all the Ford you have but no other brands.
Chris