Since there are a lot of diesel people asking this question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

yuke · #1 11-08-2016, 04:27 PM

I am thinking about getting a diesel van since I travel very long distances and carry a lot of things. What do most people think is the best engine and van on far as ease to work on and a good engine? I heard all diesel engines since 2013 have a DEF on them and have to burn urea I think its called to lower the emmissions. I dont want any of that crap nor a computer. I want a simple durable easy to work on diesel van. Would a good choice be the sprinter, like FedEx uses or an older Ford up to 99-03 with the 6.9 or 7.3 Int. Powerstroke. I have an 89 Dodge 12 valve 5.9 cummings and it is about the best engine I have ever seen and will get you 18-20 mpg and can pull 8 ton down the road like theres nothing on. I could just put a camper on the bed but if I wanted to go with a van whats a good choice thats also adaptable burn wvo?

TylerH860 · #2 11-08-2016, 05:39 PM

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/283625-my-new-diesel-purchase-let-good-times-roll.html

I had one. A factory built 6.2 diesel van with a Good Times conversion kit.

w123fanman · #3 11-08-2016, 08:14 PM

No computer? That rules out almost anything newer than 1990. Sprinters definitely have computers, not that it should be anything to worry about, the injection system has more problems than the computer.

ROLLGUY · #4 11-08-2016, 09:05 PM

You can't go wrong with a Ford E series with the 7.3 if you have to have a van. Yes they are hard to find, but they are out there.

yuke · #5 11-09-2016, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

You can't go wrong with a Ford E series with the 7.3 if you have to have a van. Yes they are hard to find, but they are out there.

Yes that is what I was learning towards the 99-03 second generation 7.3 powerstroke not familiar with how hard the acessability of working on the engine is?

babymog · #6 11-09-2016, 10:01 AM

In a van it is a pain. I have had gas E-150s, the engine is split under the windshield/cowl, changing plug wires is a multi-hour job of under the van, in the passenger compartment, and under hood. Fortunately mine were new and sold off before they got too old.

Although I liked the utility of the van, and IMO Ford made the best (double-wall construction, even half-ton was body-on-frame unlike half-ton Dodge and Chrysler), and it was the best at towing. Maintaining a mid-life or high-mile engine in a van is not a quick in-and-out thing, if you need to get in there, you're going to hate it.

strelnik · #7 11-09-2016, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

In a van it is a pain. I have had gas E-150s, the engine is split under the windshield/cowl, changing plug wires is a multi-hour job of under the van, in the passenger compartment, and under hood. Fortunately mine were new and sold off before they got too old.

Although I liked the utility of the van, and IMO Ford made the best (double-wall construction, even half-ton was body-on-frame unlike half-ton Dodge and Chrysler), and it was the best at towing. Maintaining a mid-life or high-mile engine in a van is not a quick in-and-out thing, if you need to get in there, you're going to hate it.

You can still find used 6.5 liter turbo vans using the same GM engine used in the HMMWV.

They will be used, but not that much. Some come with duallies in the back. I own two of them with the 6.2 non-turbo, one with an electronic 4L80E and another with a THM 400.

The four-speed is a little better on gas, but each of these is a box truck that you can live in, stand up etc.

One glow plug is hard to remove. GM put the two small batteries in there in place of the one larger one like in an MB, but it works well.

I would add a trans cooler if it doesn't have one, extends the life of the vehicle by far.

charmalu · #8 11-09-2016, 01:23 PM

If you are interested in the 6.9 or 7.3 Ford Diesels this forum can be of help to you.
Lots of guys here that have the Vans etc... lots of good reading here.

These guys post and more or less talk about the same problems etc... as we do here on the MB Forum.

Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Here is the whole forum.

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Ford truck and SUV owners and enthusiasts Community And Information Source.
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vstech · #9 11-10-2016, 12:30 AM

I enjoy my sprinter. It has its share of gremlins, but power and fuel economy are not among them...

Mine is the tall boy 9' van... easily stand up and stretch your arms in there. I haul around 2 tons of tools and cargo in ir, and have no complaints of handling, acceleration or braking.

Mine is an04, with around 230K on the clock.

compu_85 · #10 11-10-2016, 11:05 AM

Apart from some tank heater problems the Urea system VW uses has been fairly reliable. If they had left it switched on in all conditions it would have made the emissions very low too.

IMHO I'd look for a newer gas van. Perhaps a Chevy with the 6.0 V8. It will get worse fuel economy, but the rest of the running costs will be so low it will offset the repairs you're going to have to make on a Diesel, or some old worn out van.

-J

888 · #11 12-04-2016, 07:29 AM

I think you were on target with the 12v Cummins if you want something simple. I've owned 8 or 9 of them over the years and I'll never be without one. Put your stuff in a trailer and haul it around behind your truck. I drove a gas V8 Econoline for years left over from my dad's toy business and it was a serious pain to work on. If you add the electronics on a Powerstroke to that mix, you're probably going to regret it but if you must have a van, the 7.3 Powerstroke is probably your best bet. My plumber had three or four of the big version with the extended rear section packed full of heavy stuff and they seemed to do well for him. Check out wikipedia for the best versions of the 7.3 Powerstroke engine, some are definitely better than others. All I can tell you about the Sprinters is that they appear to rust quickly around here (SW Ohio).

sixto · #12 12-04-2016, 10:33 AM

An option might be a Diesel Suburban or Excursion. You won't have the cargo volume capacity of a van but you'll have 4WD, a usable front seat for a tall passenger and better road manners. The Suburban was available with the 6.5 through '99, with mechanical pump to the mid '90s. The Excursion started with the 7.3 PS. I've not read good things about the early 6.0 PS. Obviously easier to work on the engine than in a van.

Our '97 Suburban 2WD has been trouble free between 150-200K miles. There's a hiccup in the tranny control module causing harsh mid-throttle 1-2 shifts. It's not a common problem based on how little information there is about it. It hasn't been a problem since I learned to reset the system by pulling a fuse every oil change. Let's see what post 200K miles brings.

And you get to hang out with John/vstech at The Diesel Place.

I appreciate the aversion to electronics but a buddy has an early '00s Duramax with an aftermarket module that lets him change personality at the press of a button. I wish I had a Duramax in the Suburban!

Sixto
83 300SD

dkveuro · #13 12-04-2016, 02:31 PM

I'll second the pick up with a 5.9 1990/2 Cummins power and a trailer.....although I don't know about the Getrag 5 speed. Mine jumps out of 4th.

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Stevo · #14 12-04-2016, 03:55 PM

I dont have a good answer about "which van" but I will echo your sentiments on the Dodge Truck. Those engines fall in the category with Jimmy 6-71s, Cats, and a bunch more, good old commercial engines. The Mercedes 616 and 617 in the W 123s have proven to me over the last ten + years their place in that category. I'm no mechanic but I've managed to do majors repairs on my cars and they still run well. I guess I'd go for a Sprinter since that would be the closest thing to the old W123 powered cars, either that or something Cummins powered or maybe an old Jimmy powered bus

OM617YOTA · #15 12-04-2016, 04:40 PM

I drove an F250 w/ a N/A IDI 7.3 for a couple months, doing work for girlfriend's dad at the time. He was trying to get me to buy it, and I ultimately passed because it pretty steadily got 13mpg. A little less when towing. 4wd, manual trans w/ OD, no lift, tires were aggressive though stock size, just sucked down fuel like crazy. A comparable gas motor(8+ liter big block) would have been into the single digits easy. The 3/4 ton Chevy gasser I had at the time did all I needed and got way better mpg. Shooting trip would get 19mpg easy, on less expensive fuel.

So that's my contribution. The older Navistar IDI's were solid workhorses, but thirsty. If MPG is important to you, then there are other diesel options that will give better results.