[dankay]

Hi,

Who's got a Ford Escort Van 55/75?
What are they like?
Has yours got rear windows to show that there's "nothing worth" breaking in for, except few water barrels, bits n bobs?

 
At the moment I've got a small car but am now looking to get myself a small van to carry more 25l barrels, etc.
Not looking to spend too much for a van or go for an old battered nail, just want it to look clean and presentable, which I think matters most  (which also might take abit of looking for).

I have heard that spare parts for or when it goes wrong with Berlingos/Kangoos can be very expensive, since these are foreign. What's your thought?
I know these Escort vans have that "old school look" but hey, it's all good to me, as long as spare parts, etc must be on the cheaper side. 

Any advice is appreciated.

Dankay

[formb]

I used Escort Vans for many years.

They served me well, but forget the idea of cheap parts.

We bought ours for about £500 each with 1 year MOT, when they failed or went pop we replaced them.

Went through 5 (running 2) in about 5 years.

[daz1977]

i have got a escort 55  and it is ok, i run a 400 litre system, (only ever fill it to 300, i bought it cheap)  the only thing i had to replace was the shock on the back but they where a £10 each on ebay new   so no big problem  u might have to do this, as chance are they wouldnt of been replaced,  i will take a pic and show u what the back of mine looks like,  not the worlds  biggest van, but i get tank, battery, reel and pole in,  plus buckets and trad gear, i dont carry ladders

if you can get the 75, as this holds more

[Dean Taberner]

I've just scrapped an R reg one that I had as a spare.

Was a good work horse and I had a 250 l tank in the back.

I only had it 6 weeks and did just under 4000 mile in it in that time. Seriously.

It only cost 500 quid though so I can't complain.

In the end the cambelt snapped but it earned it money. I just wished idve got the belt changed :-(.

Dean.

[glen parva]

beware they are prone to cambelt snaping ive had 2 vans this both snap on me just scraped them worth more money

1 was a r reg and 1 was a t reg never again
just bought a x reg tranny best work horse ive had 

[jarvy]

Just make sure you leave early for work in thde morning,they ain't quick  
The turbo diesel is slightly better,but not by much! I had the non turbo and when it failed the mot it was my excuse to get rid of it. But they are a good workhorse though................

[daz1977]

can you send me ur email address as the pic is to big to post

[East coast window cleaning Services]

Had a Escort 2002 75 td years ago very good van

Had a 400ltr tank in in with no problems at all

[dankay]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.....
What about security: rear windows or paneled back doors for those nosey ones that might want to try n break in?
I will have van sign written, so there might be less interest as it's not  a builders van with all those "expensive" tools.

daz1977 see your email inbox.

[dankay]

daz1977 see your email inbox

[East coast window cleaning Services]

mine was panelled but if they wanna get in they will get in

[daz1977]

sent dankey

i dont have my windows blacked out, if they want to get in your van then they will

[dankay]

I know they can get in if they really want to.
By looking in first through rear windows they might see nothing that great that they might want and spare me from having to buy/fix new rear lock/window, especially in London with van parked on public road.

[paul rulton]

does any1 know wots the lates plate u can get on these please? 

[dankay]

latest plates is 2002 from what ive seen and been told

[paul rulton]

hmmm noy 2 bad  thanks dankay 

[Ian B]

I personally think the 75s are better as they have more power, therefore more speed (I've had both in the past). I now have a VW Caddy, and is far and away better. Someone told me once that the Escorts are'dirtier'.

[Paul Coleman]

Escort vans are OK but it's a bit embarrassing when the cyclists overtake you going uphill.
I used a couple of Escort 55s during my trad cleaning.  I would want something to carry more weight with WFP though.  A 75 might be OK if you don't need to carry too much water but I wouldn't use a 55 for it.  If you kept other weights down you might get away with a 55 but I doubt you could carry enough water to do the larger jobs.

[Slash]

I had an x-post office 55 on on a 52 plate and was crap,there is no power in them what so ever and I had a 250 litre upright tank,mind you when I went to trade it in to get another van after taking the gear out it went like the clappers but then again the journey was all down hill!

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

escort vans are the bee's knees. You can use & abuse them and i've never been let down by one.

Yes, they have that "old school" look but there just workhorses.

easy to fix if anything does go wrong.

the only time i had something go wrong, was when i replace a fuel filter & took me about an hour to get it started..... had to drag start it in the end.