[JK23112]

I bought a 1990 F-150 extended-length panel van that I used for my business. I had it four years and put on 200,000 mostly "easy" highway miles.

It "only" had the 302 (5.0L) OHV V-8 in it and a four-speed automatic overdrive (AOD) transmssion; nothing special. I used synthetic oil and changed both it and the filter ever 5,000 miles (just about once a month, if I remember correctly). When it came time to replace it with a bigger truck (1993 International 7.3L diesel), I "retired" it and used it as a personal vehicle for a few months before selling it to an acquaintance.

He bought it with 200,000 on it (and it still looked almost new) and drove it another five years. When it finally gave up the ghost, it had 500,000 miles on it with a gasoline engine. It was honestly put together pretty well, I must say that. The only "upgrade" I did was better shock absorbers at 100k and the addition of 'helper springs' that upped my payload from 1700 pounds to 3000 pounds, though I never carried that much weight.

The transmission had to be replaced twice during its life (once by me under warranty and once by the second owner out of his pocket), as did the A/C compressor and the alternator. Ball joints, tie rods and idler arms also saw their fair share of turnover. Not too shabby altogether, and it probably could have served in a Ford advertisement.


If I could have done it again all those years ago, I would have opted for the E-250 (heavier suspension) and I would have kept it longer as a 'personal vehicle' instead of selling it. The old lady just did not want it sitting in the driveway.



P.S. Good luck with your E-Series vans. They are the unsung heroes of the Ford workforce.