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Path: utzoo!linus!gatech!akgua!mlg
From: mlg@akgua.UUCP (M.L. Graham [Mike])
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: van advice
Message-ID: <1607@akgua.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 26-Jul-85 16:35:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: akgua.1607
Posted: Fri Jul 26 16:35:53 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 28-Jul-85 03:45:58 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Technologies/Bell Labs, Atlanta
Lines: 21

We plan on ordering a full size van (window, not a conversion) this 
fall. For various reasons, we think Ford will fit our needs best, and we pretty much know what we want as far as interior
optioins. But I don't have much basis for deciding on the 
power train.  I doubt that we'll ever pull a camper or
boat, its main use will be highway travel. 
I would like to get reasonable mileage(15-18mpg), but I
don't want to sacrifice all power.  Ford only offers their OD transmissioin 
with the 6 and small V8 engines. (Is that because its a car transmission and
won't handle the larger engines in the vans?)

I'm thinking about either a small V-8 with OD transmission and rear end in the
3.5 range, or a larger engine with a 3 speed automatic
and rear end in the 2.7-3.0 range.

Does anybody have any experience with Ford vans, good or bad?  Any
recomendations on engines, transmissions, rear ends?

Thanks in advance.

Mike Graham @ AT&T, Atlanta
akgua!mlg