The Last Straw - 1999 Ford E350

[Fleetw00d]

Noticed this the other morning on our 1999 Ford E350 (237K). Several years ago I had to kludge together some rear body mounts because they were rusted away (including holes in the frame where the bushings clamped on it). I think this condemns the vehicle; sway bar bushing mount rusted out of the frame, much of the rest of the underside doesn't look much better. Just got a EGR code, "BRAKE" warning light is on all the time. AC no longer works. Lot of rust in rockers, rear wheel wells, and door bottoms. Tires dry rotted. Holes rusted through floor where rear bench seat mounts. Only plus is that it still runs well.

20211228_084837_HDR by Paul Kemme, on Flickr

20211228_084801_HDR by Paul Kemme, on Flickr

[hiptech]

It's bad enough to own a depreciating asset but to watch it literally disintegrate before your eyes and endure the futility of trying to repair it would literally drive me nuts!

Honestly I don't know how you do it (and maintain your sanity)!

[Grumpys93]

Totally Agree with hiptech. Paul I remember when you dropped off the interior parts you were telling me about the rear end rusting out. I thought you already got rid of the van. But I know its a great parts hauler.

[Fleetw00d]

Up until now, I thought the frame was reasonably solid, so it was still useful to haul bulky, but not so heavy, items and even tow a CB7 or FWD Element. With the bench seats out, I saved hotel bills on solo trips by sleeping on a cushion in the back, usually at a truck stop so facilities were available. Getting $530 for it from Cincinnati U Pull and Pay - they are coming to get it tomorrow morning. This will hasten my wife's request for a replacement.

With Ruby going too, I can spend some time/energy trying to prevent this from happening to Ruth (Ruthenium, my Element).

My wife would argue that I have already lost my sanity.

[Raf99]

$530 is good considering. I've owned Fords and they all had the same story. One day you think, "frame looks good, just some surface rust", next week some major part of it breaks in half which makes you question your safety in it.
Are you going to get something close to the same ?

[Fleetw00d]

Wife wants another E350. I'm going to resist replacing it at long as I can - I'm down to just two vehicles on the insurance from five three months ago.