Ford’s E-Series is the best selling van in North America. Period. In fact, the full size E-Series van holds almost 80 percent of the big van market share across the continent. Even more telling is the fact that it has been the best selling full-size van for three decades straight. That’s a strong report card, and there’s good reason for it. The E-Series is loaded with features targeted squarely at the working man.

Ford Van History
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. The first E-Series (Econoline) was based on the compact Ford Falcon platform and was sized to compete with cross town rival, Chevrolet’s Corvair van (and more than likely, Volkswagen’s Type 2 van). The big difference was that the Econoline had a conventional front-mounted water-cooled engine, in comparison to the competitions’ air-cooled rear engines. Ford’s layout was clever: It was laid out similar to big cab-over highway tractors where the driver’s compartment was mounted over the engine. This resulted in an easy-tomaneuver snub nose and a highly useable flat load floor. And from a user perspective, the new van was a home run. The Bell Telephone System and other utilities immediately recognized the Econoline’s capabilities. They flat-out worked and they were economical to operate. Over 50,000 Econolines of various configurations were sold in the 1961 model year.

Task Master
Fast forward to today. The 2010 Ford E-Series Cargo lineup starts off with the E-150, which provides a considerable 3,240-pound maximum payload rating (3,180 pounds in 20-inch longer Extended Van models). For heavier-duty requirements, check out the E-250 and E-250 Extended Van models (3,600 and 3,450 pound payloads respectively). And for those applications where you have to maximize hauling capability in a standard configuration full-size van, there's the E-350 Super Duty and longer E-350 Super Duty Extended models with 4,040 and 3,900 pound payload capabilities. That’s not the end of it either. E-Series vans offer you lots of choices when it comes to powertrain and body configurations: four combinations of engine/transmissions, the TorqShift® five-speed automatic with Tow/Haul Mode, sliding or swing-out side cargo doors, windows all around or panel sides, no-charge racks and bins packages, and special packages geared for various trades.

Power on Demand
The base engine in the E150 is a 4.6-liter V8 that produces 225 horsepower and 286 foot-pounds of torque. Next up is an optional 5.4-liter, 255-horsepower single overhead cam V8 producing 255 horsepower and 350 foot-pounds of torque. The 5.4L is the base engine for the E350 Wagon. Both the 4.6L and 5.4L engines are Flex Fuel (E85) capable. Ford Flex-Fuel capability allows you decide right at the pump: Both E-Series Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) can run on E85 (85 percent ethanol/15 percent gasoline), straight gasoline, or any combination of the two. Available in heavy duty E350 and E450 models is a 6.8-liter Triton V10. The 10-cylinder engine is based upon architecture similar to the 4.6 and 5.4 power-plants, but (obviously) adds a brace of cylinders. The V10 produces 305 horsepower and an impressive 420 foot-pounds of torque. The 6.0L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel is optional on E350 Super Duty van models along with E350/E450 cutaway vans. The robust turbo-charged diesel cranks out 235-horsepower along with 440 foot pounds of torque.

People Movers
Configurations are, as you can well imagine, diverse. As a people mover, the E-Series Wagon (previously known as the Econoline and Club Wagon) is available in E150 form or in heavier duty E350 Super Duty series. The E-150 Wagon incorporates seating accommodations for seven or eight, while various versions of the E350 Super Duty wagon can lodge eight, 11, 12, 14 or 15 people. The E350 Super Duty wagon shares the same 138-inch wheelbase with the E150 wagon but is available in regular and extended-length versions.

Commercial Modes
As you may have guessed, the vast majority of Ford E-Series models go to commercial ventures. As a cargo or cartage workhorse, E-Series vans come in E150, E250 and E350 configurations, while cutaway van chassis (which have no bodywork behind the driver's seating area and are primarily for use as motor home or ambulance conversions) are available in E250, E350 and E450 models.

Features and Packages
Standard cargo vans are worker-basic, with 16-inch steel wheels, front vinyl bucket seats, airconditioning, a tilt steering wheel, manual mirrors (complete with a spotter lens) and an AM/FM radio. Specific options include halogen headlights, a second-row bench seat, upgraded towing packages, a limited-slip differential and performance axle ratios for increased towing capacity. If you require additional creature comforts you can specify interior insulation, various upholstery trim levels, captain's chairs, cruise control, keyless entry, power accessories, a navigation system, user-defined upfitter switches, a rearview camera, SIRIUS satellite digital radio, a six-speaker CD stereo and an auxiliary audio jack along with Ford’s SYNC (a factory-installed in-vehicle communications and entertainment system). For the working crowd who require targeted features, Ford offers several special packages that equip the E-Series with a variety of racks, bins and drawers, as well as a remarkable electronic option package geared squarely at folks who work out of their vans (more below):

Ford Work Solutions™
Ford has come up with innovative “Ford Work Solutions™” packages for the E-Series van. The first one is in-dash computer that provides full high-speed Internet access. As an example of the capability, this amazing system allows you to access files from the home office computer network. Developed in conjunction with Magneti Marelli, the Work Solutions computer incorporates Microsoft Windows CE and gains access to the Internet by way of Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Network. Meanwhile, navigation is based upon Garmin technology.

Tool Link™
Another feature sure to be popular with technicians who work out of their vans is Tool Link™. This is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking system from DeWalt that is designed as a real-time inventory of tools and equipment in the truck. You check Tool Link before you leave for a job to make sure you have the inventory, equipment and tools you need. Check it again at the end of the workday to see that all the gear you used at the job site is back on board. This way, you don’t misplace or lose expensive tools at a job site. Additionally, the system provides for “consumable” inventory control. You’re alerted when something is used or missing. The bottom line here is, this is one seriously useful piece of technology.

Crew Chief™
The third segment of Ford Work Solutions is called Crew Chief™. This allows businesspeople to manage their fleets by way of vehicle telemetry and diagnostics. In operation, you access the website on the Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer in your truck, or use any computer with web access. With Crew Chief, you can see which truck is closest to the job you need done. Crew Chief can also provide vehicle operating information that’s vital to the life of your trucks. Optional diagnostics and maintenance reports provide you with the information necessary to help keep your trucks on the road. As you can see, it’s a simple, but effective means to manage a small fleet.

Driving Impression
Behind the wheel, Ford's big van drives and handles as well as any other commercial vehicle on the road. Ford’s AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) is standard on Wagons and Recreational Vans, and optional on Cargo Vans and single-rear-wheel Cutaways. That basically means the truck’s on-board computer can help get you out of tight accidental situations where the van might be skidding or losing traction. Don’t expect the van to out-corner or out-perform a Mustang. That’s not the point. The real key with the E-Series is the fact you can customize the van to suit your business needs. The option list is both extensive and innovative. It’s like Ford walked in the shoes of a myriad of working business people and built a van (and extensive options list) around them. That’s one very big reason why most trades have come to rely upon Ford’s E-Series family. The truth is, the E-Series vans are serious workaholics.