I'm planning on buying a used 1994 Ford E350 15' box van. I want it to take me and my kids to the races on the weekends AND to be able to pull our travel trailer.
From what I was told, it was a previous Ryder rental truck. It currently has 191,000 miles on it. It has a 7.2L V8 gasoline engine in it. The truck is remarkably clean. Of course when I get it, I'd flush the engine, trans and cooling system and install new fluids.
What I would like to get your opinions on:
1) The VIN on the dash and the VIN on the door are different. (Tells me that at least the door was replaced).
2) Since the VIN on the door is different, I wonder if the information that the sticker on the door displays is truly what is in the truck (axle, trans, etc).
3) Durabiliaty and reliability: How durable and reliable is the drivetrain in this truck?
4) The truck has been inspected and has new things such as tires, brakes and rotors. I've seen the receipts and they look new on the truck. Anything else to look out for?
5) Does anyone know where I can go to find out the towing capacity of the truck? My trailer is 5,000lbs but I'd like a bigger one in the future and I want to know that the truck can pull it.
6) The rear hitch says that it can tow 6,000lbs. But what I'm thinking is that that is a limitation of the rather cheesy looking tow bar welded onto the truck. If I install some sort of frame mounted hitch, would my towing capacity be higher?
7) Does anyone have any ideas, pictures or know where to point me to see how they set up thier box vans? Right now, it's completely empty. I've looked at some vans at the local tracks, got a few ideas, but I really have no idea what to do with the setup.
8) I've heard of places that can help you decode the VIN number. Anybody know where I can go to do this? I've done searches and found *some* useful information.
Thanks for any information,
Ed Lennon
From what I was told, it was a previous Ryder rental truck. It currently has 191,000 miles on it. It has a 7.2L V8 gasoline engine in it. The truck is remarkably clean. Of course when I get it, I'd flush the engine, trans and cooling system and install new fluids.
What I would like to get your opinions on:
1) The VIN on the dash and the VIN on the door are different. (Tells me that at least the door was replaced).
2) Since the VIN on the door is different, I wonder if the information that the sticker on the door displays is truly what is in the truck (axle, trans, etc).
3) Durabiliaty and reliability: How durable and reliable is the drivetrain in this truck?
4) The truck has been inspected and has new things such as tires, brakes and rotors. I've seen the receipts and they look new on the truck. Anything else to look out for?
5) Does anyone know where I can go to find out the towing capacity of the truck? My trailer is 5,000lbs but I'd like a bigger one in the future and I want to know that the truck can pull it.
6) The rear hitch says that it can tow 6,000lbs. But what I'm thinking is that that is a limitation of the rather cheesy looking tow bar welded onto the truck. If I install some sort of frame mounted hitch, would my towing capacity be higher?
7) Does anyone have any ideas, pictures or know where to point me to see how they set up thier box vans? Right now, it's completely empty. I've looked at some vans at the local tracks, got a few ideas, but I really have no idea what to do with the setup.
8) I've heard of places that can help you decode the VIN number. Anybody know where I can go to do this? I've done searches and found *some* useful information.
Thanks for any information,
Ed Lennon