Ford E series Overview Manufacturer Production 1960—2014 1961—2014 Assembly , United States , United States , Canada Body and chassis Chronology Predecessor Successor For , , and The Ford E series also known as the Ford Econoline and Ford Club Wagon throughout various stages of its production is a range of produced by the automaker since 1960. In 1982, to increase the fuel economy of the Econoline without a major loss in engine output, Ford introduced the option of a 6. Based on , Ford became the first American manufacturer to adapt body-on-frame construction to a full-size van. The interior sees several revisions, with an all-new steering column for the first time since 1997 , a redesigned instrument cluster, and increased. Diesels were no longer offered after the 2010 model year. Along with the 6-door windowless cargo van, Ford introduced an 8-door cargo van in 1963, adding two doors to the driver side.
To aid in engine compartment ventilation, the model was given a conventional grille, styled similar to the F series. In three body sizes, the Econoline was produced in a cargo van and passenger van, with the latter produced in three trim levels; base, Custom and Chateau. For 2009, the E-Series gained with 4. Since 2006, the E series has been assembled at the Ford Motor Company plant in. In addition, the heavier-duty front axle required the use of a larger front bumper and plastic fender flares shared with the F-550 truck. A stillborn variant of the Econoline, the , nearly reached production as the first American minivan.
As with the smaller , the fourth-generation model line was offered two body lengths on a common wheelbase. Depending on trim, E-550s were fitted with either chrome grilles, chrome bumpers, and flush headlamps, or gray plastic grilles, bumpers, and sealed-beam headlamps. The shared drivetrain with the F series marked the beginning of aftermarket four-wheel drive conversions. When properly equipped, the E-150 Van can tow up to 6,800 pounds, the E-150 Wagon up to 6,500 pounds and the E-350 Super Duty and Super Duty Extended Wagon up to 10,000 pounds. For 2009, the dashboard was completely redesigned, with only the steering column carried over. In line with the F-Series, the Econoline was sold in 150, 250, and 350 series, denoting ½, ¾, and 1-ton chassis the Club Wagon was not designated by chassis size. Production numbers of Mercury Econolines were low; for example, a total of 1,291 Mercury Econoline pickup trucks were built in 1965.
While introduced alongside the Chevrolet Corvair van for 1961, the Ford Econoline established many design precedents adopted by successive designs of American vans, including the Chevrolet Van and Dodge A100 and the European Ford Transit. In contrast to the Falcon, the Econoline was fitted with a solid front axle and a solid rear axle suspension with leaf springs for all four wheels. In 1965, a 240 cubic-inch inline-six became the optional engine, with the 170 six becoming standard. In 1979, a minor facelift updated the grille design; round headlights were replaced by rectangular units. The E-Series is assembled in Lorain, Ohio. The new-generation Econoline would become common not only in its own right, but as the basis for other vehicles. The Twin I-Beam layout was retained making it the last Ford vehicle to use it.
While far shorter than an F-100, the pickup was configured with a seven-foot long cargo bed. In January 2002, the 5. The interior saw a complete redesign of the dashboard, adopting dual airbags for all models. Another option first introduced on the vehicle is a rear-view backup camera; widely available on smaller vehicles, it is the first in the full-size van segment. The Racks and Bins System is ideal for customers who must secure tools and parts. For 1995, the taillamps were revised, removing the amber turn signals. Using the sparsely-equipped Econoline cargo van as a basis, a luxurious interior was fitted, along with extensive customization of the exterior.
As the engine was placed between the front seats instead of behind the rear axle as on the Corvair, a larger rear door and flat load floor was created, allowing for additional load capacity. In addition, the Club Wagon was produced solely as a passenger van. Safety and Security The driver and right front passenger second-generation air bag supplemental restraint system provides protection in frontal and near-frontal collisions. Frame and suspension improvements ensure smooth ride and handling characteristics. In 1964, a panel van variant was introduced, deleting the side loading doors. For its 2021 model year revision, the E-Series cutaway cab adopts the 7. New to the lineup is an E-350 with a 138-inch wheelbase and three-way-tipping flatbed Ð ideal for landscape operations.
Archived from on 17 April 2018. In 2019, Ford unveiled its first revision to the E-Series in its production as a commercial vehicle chassis, with revisions to its drivetrain, a new steering column, and wiring updates to improve functionality of equipment installed during manufacturing; it is announced for the 2021 model year. In addition to increasing the strength of the chassis, the configuration allowed more commonality with the F-series trucks. In 1988, the 124-inch wheelbase was discontinued, leaving the 138-inch wheelbase as standard. Toward the end of the 1990s, Ford began to phase out the use of the Econoline and Club Wagon nameplates. Alongside the truck line, the Mercury Econoline allowed for Ford of Canada to maximize its presence in rural areas served by either a Ford or a Lincoln-Mercury dealer network, but not both.
Archived from on June 14, 2010. Subsequently, the next van sold by Mercury was the 1993 minivan. For 1997, the E-Series underwent a revision of its engine lineup, retaining only the 7. Archived from on September 12, 2011. Two innovative storage systems are available to best utilize that cargo room.