This is a treasure chest for me as I began working on the Econoline in the fall of 1960 and never leaving this product until I retired in 1999. Thanks for the memories!
In the Navy we had some of the early 60s Econolines and the equivalent Dodge vans and pickups. Of course painted Navy gray, with 3 speed manual transmissions and 6 cylinder engines. To obtain a license to drive overseas I remember having to learn to drive in one of the Dodge ones. I had difficulty getting accustomed to the steering column that was vertical, but I finally did. On my ship for a while I was the only crew member that had an overseas military license. My ship was USS GRASP (ARS-24) . We worked out of Danang doing repair and salvage work.
I've owned four Ford Vans....my 1995 E-150 with 4.9 straight 6 engine and E-4OD transmission ran for 415,000 miles before I retired it! My favorite vehicle!
PS: I have a passenger side, front door window glass (for manual mechanism) for sale reasonable. It will fit any of the mid 90 Econoline Vans. Very good condition... I'm in South Amboy NJ, so just send me a message if interested...
Great video clip! I'm a major van nut too! I always liked the original cab-forward vans of the 60's. The third gen vans had the same gauge cluster, and the same body lines as the F-trucks. A pickup bed thrown on a 74-79 van cutaway cab would have it body lines match up! There was a minor face lift in 1997. That's when Ford put an oval ring in the grille, and changed the dash panel to a more rounded look to accommodate a passenger airbag. Then, in 2004, they went to the squareish grill.
I got a 1970 econoline van. My dad drove the van alot. It towed cars, trucks, and vans. Its been sitting for over 17 years not that much rust! The 1970's van were the best at size, space, and driving. (MY OPINION)
My family used to own 2 econolines. One was a '96 E-150 Club Wagon with a 302 Windsor V8 and the other was an '03 E-350 Super Duty with a 6.8 Triton V10. Both of those things held up EXTREMELY well to over 100,000 or so miles, and they survived numerous road trips. The only real downside was fuel consumption, but hey, they're vans, they're supposed to carry people. It really sucks that ford is discontinuing the E-Series after 45 or so years, but I am interested to see how the Transit will do here in the states.
I've a 1981 E150 Super Van 300CI 6L It's a very reliable truck and also very powerfull I love them as you do. Congratulations for your videos about Eco from Argentina! C_u
i have a 1980 (4.9L 300 L6 with a manual 4sp on the floor), and all i can think is...'THAT'S the best picture of a 1980 you could find??' so many other cool ones out there!!
Great video. I used to be a ups mech. and worked on hundreds of them over a 36 year period. They all use to have 240 and later 300 cid engines in them. All you had to do when you got a new was take out the fiber timing gear and put in a racing gear. They would run for over 300 thousands miles if you had a good driver. Very well build vehicle.
Had a 69 we took out the 240 and put in a new 300 inch with a two barrel on it. I made a three speed floor shifter for it. I miss that ride we had a lot of fun together. It had no side windows and Vega high back bucket seats.
Van's kick ass, full size and the current (not so mini) minivans rock. Forget being jammed into a sedan, I can roll out with 6 or 7 in comfort for a whole day of driving.
There isn't a 68, Ford skipped that year, guess it was retooling, there is a drastic change between the early and mid body, I just bought a 73, love that bodystyle.
man im almost certain the first redesign was 1968. but 5 stars for vans (or any vehicle for me except the low, cheap impractical thing called the car), 5 stars for the song, and 5 stars for e-series especially. nice job man.
ever looked under the hood of a second generation (engine forward) Econonline? In order to install the master cylinder under such a short hood, they placed it at a right angle, and then engineered an ingenious lever system to transmit the pedal movement to it!
loved it dude! 2013 the econoline is done! stupid fullsize transit replacing it, gm will now out sell fords fullsize van maybe for the first time since 1980
Where did you find the pic of the van at 1:47 that says lovelady vol. fire department? That is where I will be volunteering next year and I am pretty sure the department I am going to has that EXACT van
5 stars for this awasome video!!! i really like the 1969-1974 (1974 is the best of that series to me), 1988 looks very good, 1992-1995 and the 2005,, if I had to choose, would opt for any of these models, any of them would be great!!!! i want one of those vans so badly!!!
@frayed100 yep...but i love them all...1961-2013.(i think they will be discontinued then and man i dont like it but they will be replaced apparently with a global next generation ford transit. maybe it will be a nice van. i hope.)
that particular 1996 you showed was mint! but most of them were great, like 1982 was nice too. but most were, and the few i didn't like was the van itself, nice video man!
@Maples01 Yes you are right, there is no 68, but ford took left over 67's and called them 68's they are very rare and were still 67's. Do a google search and you will see ther is even ads for a 68 econoline.
I heard the Transit was going to replace the Econoline by '13 or '14. A lot of traditional American models are pretty much dead now converting over to foreign style which sucks.
My very first vehicle That I have ever driven was my father's 1971 Ford Econoline 100 those were the good old days. The van had 3 on the tree and a 6 cylinder 240ci engine.
the 1985 is your machine? nice van. then again, most of them are nice. well, all of them that dont have freakish mods are nice. love the third generation, though.
+vandriver85 when I looked at the description you said your van is the 1985,it's really dirty,did you bring it off road,if you did then your an awesome Van offroader
vandriver85 you like offroading too? Well your like me,when I grow up,I'm gonna go drive in some small mud puddles with my dad's car when he gives it to me,well just small ones
+Michael. RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ I have found quite a few front grills for my E300. However, the scalpers must know a perfect grill is mission-critical for an E300 restoration, so they all want $900+. Have to just keep on looking.
5 stars for the vans, 0 stars for the noise (whatever it is, sorry -- just not my style of music). Mine is the 1990 Ford Econoline e150, The original owner had it customized with a wheelchair lift, so it's got extra head clearance. 82K miles on the odometer. I'm currently looking for a Haynes DIY service manual.
Pretty sure the second body style was '68-75 with the change to the later style happening mid-year '75. But the '68s were the second body style. But of course I could be FOS - I had a '74 E300 one-ton BEAST (no power steering or brakes - 3 on the tree) which was the last full year of that style. Cheers.
@alyr315 Yes. Keep the econline alive. I agree 100%. IT's going to be replaced by a Euro-engineered vehicle with 1/3rd of the power. By-By highway performance, and towing capacity.
Like the history of ford and then international harvester now known as navistar over the history of diesels starting at the 6.9 and ending after problems with the 6L power-stroke forced the relationship to end after the 6.4 power-stroke as those took a look at the history of the econoline when for a short time in the 1960's there was an econoline pickup when in '10 ford started phasing out the econoline for an euro styled van to be named the transit.
This is a treasure chest for me as I began working on the Econoline in the fall of 1960 and never leaving this product until I retired in 1999. Thanks for the memories!
In the Navy we had some of the early 60s Econolines and the equivalent Dodge vans and pickups. Of course painted Navy gray, with 3 speed manual transmissions and 6 cylinder engines. To obtain a license to drive overseas I remember having to learn to drive in one of the Dodge ones. I had difficulty getting accustomed to the steering column that was vertical, but I finally did. On my ship for a while I was the only crew member that had an overseas military license. My ship was USS GRASP (ARS-24) . We worked out of Danang doing repair and salvage work.
I've owned four Ford Vans....my 1995 E-150 with 4.9 straight 6 engine and E-4OD transmission ran for 415,000 miles before I retired it! My favorite vehicle!
PS: I have a passenger side, front door window glass (for manual mechanism) for sale reasonable. It will fit any of the mid 90 Econoline Vans. Very good condition... I'm in South Amboy NJ, so just send me a message if interested...
RIP Econoline, 3 body changes and a couple facelifts since the 60s. its been a good run. Now we gotta deal with euro-junk.
Right
My uncle has a '79 and it still runs great! I love that van!
I worked at Lorain Assembly (ohio) and helped assemble the last one made there, the econoline Assembly moved to avon and is still there
Which generation Econoline was being produced during your time of employment there?
Great video clip! I'm a major van nut too! I always liked the original cab-forward vans of the 60's. The third gen vans had the same gauge cluster, and the same body lines as the F-trucks. A pickup bed thrown on a 74-79 van cutaway cab would have it body lines match up!
There was a minor face lift in 1997. That's when Ford put an oval ring in the grille, and changed the dash panel to a more rounded look to accommodate a passenger airbag. Then, in 2004, they went to the squareish grill.
I got a 1970 econoline van. My dad drove the van alot. It towed cars, trucks, and vans. Its been sitting for over 17 years not that much rust! The 1970's van were the best at size, space, and driving. (MY OPINION)
I was hoping to see my van in this video. I have a 1974 all redone to look original. I saw some vans I recognized though, thanks! Spoti
The music is "Big Rock" by Kevin McLeod.
My family used to own 2 econolines. One was a '96 E-150 Club Wagon with a 302 Windsor V8 and the other was an '03 E-350 Super Duty with a 6.8 Triton V10. Both of those things held up EXTREMELY well to over 100,000 or so miles, and they survived numerous road trips. The only real downside was fuel consumption, but hey, they're vans, they're supposed to carry people. It really sucks that ford is discontinuing the E-Series after 45 or so years, but I am interested to see how the Transit will do here in the states.
I've a 1981 E150 Super Van 300CI 6L It's a very reliable truck and also very powerfull I love them as you do.
Congratulations for your videos about Eco from Argentina! C_u
i have a 1980 (4.9L 300 L6 with a manual 4sp on the floor), and all i can think is...'THAT'S the best picture of a 1980 you could find??' so many other cool ones out there!!
Great video. I used to be a ups mech. and worked on hundreds of them over a 36 year period. They all use to have 240 and later 300 cid engines in them. All you had to do when you got a new was take out the fiber timing gear and put in a racing gear. They would run for over 300 thousands miles if you had a good driver. Very well build vehicle.
Had a 69 we took out the 240 and put in a new 300 inch with a two barrel on it. I made a three speed floor shifter for it. I miss that ride we had a lot of fun together. It had no side windows and Vega high back bucket seats.
I own a 1986 Ford Econoline,it has the 302 EFI V8 first year for fuel injection on those,it has a few dings and a little rust but it runs great
Love the idea of roadtrip'n in a classic Ford home on wheels to this awsome music.
Great video💥
Van's kick ass, full size and the current (not so mini) minivans rock. Forget being jammed into a sedan, I can roll out with 6 or 7 in comfort for a whole day of driving.
mate Im aussie, we got most fords but they were not sold here Ive only seen a few of these but I reckon they are the best lookin van ever
I just got a '93 Conversion van. This is my 61st vehicle and I'm only 43. I cant wait to get my hands on a 67 or 68.
i like the older vans
My 1996 300 inline 6 with 216000 miles still gets a average 18+ MPG & I love it!!!!
I've had a 1988 cargo, 1995 cargo and an 85 clubwagon xl, love those vans
Fantastic Tribute to these great Ford vans :D 5 stars for sure! We have a 1987 Ford E350 Motorhome with a 6.9 diesel! Very rare!
There isn't a 68, Ford skipped that year, guess it was retooling, there is a drastic change between the early and mid body, I just bought a 73, love that bodystyle.
A history of awesomeness.
love flat nosed vans and trucks....wanna see more like that!
i like this video and van . Great...... i have a 85 model ford 100 econoline .
man im almost certain the first redesign was 1968. but 5 stars for vans (or any vehicle for me except the low, cheap impractical thing called the car), 5 stars for the song, and 5 stars for e-series especially. nice job man.
I love Ford vans. Just bought a 2011 E350 XLT trim
I like the 69-74 ones! :)
68 to 74
Nice vid man, thanks for sharing !
ever looked under the hood of a second generation (engine forward) Econonline? In order to install the master cylinder under such a short hood, they placed it at a right angle, and then engineered an ingenious lever system to transmit the pedal movement to it!
Hi vandriver85.
I like 69~74 econo!
Cool Van!
I want it!
loved it dude! 2013 the econoline is done! stupid fullsize transit replacing it, gm will now out sell fords fullsize van maybe for the first time since 1980
larry309 you are right men transit WTF
Where did you find the pic of the van at 1:47 that says lovelady vol. fire department? That is where I will be volunteering next year and I am pretty sure the department I am going to has that EXACT van
Does anyone if the econoline 5 lug bolt pattern change over the years? And is the econoline 5 lug pattern compatible with other ford vehicles?
5 stars for this awasome video!!! i really like the 1969-1974 (1974 is the best of that series to me), 1988 looks very good, 1992-1995 and the 2005,, if I had to choose, would opt for any of these models, any of them would be great!!!! i want one of those vans so badly!!!
@frayed100 yep...but i love them all...1961-2013.(i think they will be discontinued then and man i dont like it but they will be replaced apparently with a global next generation ford transit. maybe it will be a nice van. i hope.)
nice i just bougth a 76 econoline custom its a nice van
When I go camping, I never sleep in a tent. You can always find me in the back of my dads '86 E150.
i had a 1995 e -250 6 cylinder now i have a 1997 e-250 with the triton 5.4L great vans
hey i love van, i own a 1966 dodge a-100, also love the old ford, specialy 1969 to 1979, coud you do the same with Dodges?? was very interssting..
Vans are useful, if you're ever broke, you still have a house on wheels.
And a shag-pad too.
that particular 1996 you showed was mint! but most of them were great, like 1982 was nice too. but most were, and the few i didn't like was the van itself, nice video man!
@Maples01 Yes you are right, there is no 68, but ford took left over 67's and called them 68's they are very rare and were still 67's. Do a google search and you will see ther is even ads for a 68 econoline.
I heard the Transit was going to replace the Econoline by '13 or '14. A lot of traditional American models are pretty much dead now converting over to foreign style which sucks.
wow I am a car buff and I had no idea they kept the first gen style so long. WOW! very interesting. :)
its out there, national event every year since the early 70's still with hundreds of vans showing up
beautiful, man, i love ford e-series. great vans, great video. thanks man.
im a ford truck guy but i still got love for the old vans too, when done right they can be pretty badass
My very first vehicle That I have ever driven was my father's 1971 Ford Econoline 100 those were the good old days. The van had 3 on the tree and a 6 cylinder 240ci engine.
the 1985 is your machine? nice van. then again, most of them are nice. well, all of them that dont have freakish mods are nice. love the third generation, though.
sweet my dad's has a 2008 E-150, really nice
1986 was the best year for the E350 you could get a factory 4x4 contert and a 6.9L turbo diesel A/C and for all that it still only cost $12,000
I love Ford Econolines I have one from 1980 its blue and white and its also used as an icecream truck
Ice Cream Truck
Something about the econolines reminds me of the transtar II's from the same period.
Video's great, music, too.
@Ihateoldyork 1977 Econoline club wagon...351 2 barrel runs good 1 grand....deal?
@sadoid i think its 1968-1974, actually. but yes they are nice but my own personal favorite is 1975-1991.
@hickster699 yes, they had a new grille for 1997 and 2003
I think the first year for power windows and locks was 1986.
Great video I got a 92 I dont really like the changes on the 2008 & above the grill seems to big it looks better on a pickup.
There was no 1968 van my dad got a van in May of 68 and it was titled as a 69 the new style with the engine between the two front seats
+vandriver85 when I looked at the description you said your van is the 1985,it's really dirty,did you bring it off road,if you did then your an awesome Van offroader
Yes, the van was still wet from hitting some mud puddles when I took the picture. It is my favorite picture of the van.
vandriver85 you like offroading too? Well your like me,when I grow up,I'm gonna go drive in some small mud puddles with my dad's car when he gives it to me,well just small ones
My favorite is the '71 Chateau Club Wagon @1:03 but I also love the early Falcon versions.
great work bro ;) the econoline is so beautiful
No '68?
1969-1974 the best !!!
68 to74
I loved owning a 65 ford falcon van but before it I had a 71 1 ton ford econoline van with a boss 302
my first vehicle, a 1975 econoline, luv,d it
i have a 1978 150, I love it :)
I actualy have 2 85's, but this was my first and my favorite of the two
'61-'74. Would take any of them !
I don't really like the early 70's but the others are pretty nice.
The ones I like best are the 80's ones and the 2008-2010 models.
I have owned a 1969 E300 1-ton Ford van since 1979. Sure would like to find a front grill to begin a restoration. Anyone out there have one?
+Michael. RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ I have found quite a few front grills for my E300. However, the scalpers must know a perfect grill is mission-critical for an E300 restoration, so they all want $900+. Have to just keep on looking.
1 out of nearly 6,000 people that has a complaint about the music, well you can always just play your own music and mute my video.
i have a 83 its a beast!
5 stars for the vans, 0 stars for the noise (whatever it is, sorry -- just not my style of music).
Mine is the 1990 Ford Econoline e150, The original owner had it customized with a wheelchair lift, so it's got extra head clearance. 82K miles on the odometer. I'm currently looking for a Haynes DIY service manual.
Pretty sure the second body style was '68-75 with the change to the later style happening mid-year '75. But the '68s were the second body style. But of course I could be FOS - I had a '74 E300 one-ton BEAST (no power steering or brakes - 3 on the tree) which was the last full year of that style. Cheers.
@alyr315
Yes. Keep the econline alive. I agree 100%. IT's going to be replaced by a Euro-engineered vehicle with 1/3rd of the power. By-By highway performance, and towing capacity.
Thanks you Ford Econoline/Club wagon for all
I own a 77' E-350 with a 351 2 barrel and she still purrs
why is it that the old fords look better and attractive compared to th
e newer ones?
I always like the Red White & Blue coca cola van 1976, first vehicle 1972 E 300 top of the line, 1979 E350, 1980 E150. move on to the F 150
sweet vid thank you
I own a 1977 Econoline Club Wagon.......351 2 barrel...5 door
Nice Van !!Econoline!! 👍👍Transit?👎😒orrenda!!
Personally i'd prefer the 80's ford van, you can customized them.
Like the history of ford and then international harvester now known as navistar over the history of diesels starting at the 6.9 and ending after problems with the 6L power-stroke forced the relationship to end after the 6.4 power-stroke as those took a look at the history of the econoline when for a short time in the 1960's there was an econoline pickup when in '10 ford started phasing out the econoline for an euro styled van to be named the transit.
1971 is my favorite.
I like gen 3 best. BOF construction, 300 I-6 availability, and all mechanical trannies.
1:52 My fav pic
ford econolines are cool i love the powerstroke
I have a 1980 Ford Clubwagon with a 302 V8. Its an icecream truck in the summer and in winter my stoner car
Ice Cream Truck
Ford killed an iconic piece of Americana, only to replace it with a cheap, euro-trash hauler.
Yes sir , the transit its very Uglyyy !! No match whit America. Ford plis awake !
William Gottlieb They do still sell them actually you can special order them I've even worked on a 2016 econoline at work
Ford replace this with a Transit!!!? JAJAJAJAJA!!!!
69-75 those are the best. As always, you should stop before it's too late and everything good is ruined :)
1990 econoline...steady workhorse...still going strong....
ok,, big econo yeahh!!
my dad has the 1961 pickup