Best cargo van?

anyone know if the 1500 and 2500 promasters have the same interior dimentions?

Nick Goldsmith wrote:anyone know if the 1500 and 2500 promasters have the same interior dimentions?

seems like if you are looking for the same length they are the same inside, I am not considering the 118", but if you are looking at the 136" in the 2500 it only comes with high roof, the 1500 comes as either low ( 304 CF ) or high roof ( 353 CF ).

The Dodge website gives you exterior dimensions: high is 101", low is 90", and it tells you there is 48" between wheel wells, but does not tell you inside dimensions.

I have heard maybe on this forum that it is 72" wide inside making a bed cross wise possible.

geoff georges wrote:I have heard maybe on this forum that it is 72" wide inside making a bed cross wise possible.

I have mine set up this way. This couple did the same on their buildout.

Nick Goldsmith wrote:anyone know if the 1500 and 2500 promasters have the same interior dimentions?

The only differences people could find (thru part number digging) between 1500, 2500, 3500 are the final drive ratio, rear spring rate, brake material, & the addition of a rear sway bar on the 3500. Structurally (& interior dimension wise) all versions are the same.

geoff georges wrote: I have heard maybe on this forum that it is 72" wide inside making a bed cross wise possible.

~73" between the horizontal support beams, ~76" above it. Mine is mounted above & fits a 75" (full size) bed after conversion.

Rob Warden wrote:The ford comes in V6 gas, I5 Diesel, I6 ecoboost

Googling seems to indicate that the Ecoboost engine is a V-6.

Are companies doing conversions on the Mercedes Metris yet? The sprinters and the like are way too big imo, the Toyota and Honda minivans are too small and overpriced since they are family cars and the American made vans (Econoline etc) simply don't have the quality or reliability I'd want. The Metris seems like a much needed player in a quickly saturating field.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote:Are companies doing conversions on the Mercedes Metris yet? The sprinters and the like are way too big imo, the Toyota and Honda minivans are too small and overpriced since they are family cars and the American made vans (Econoline etc) simply don't have the quality or reliability I'd want. The Metris seems like a much needed player in a quickly saturating field.

the Metris is a re-badged VITO there's been loads of work done with Vito vans

Also there's a dedicated forum for it (like there is for EVERYTHING :D )
metrisforum.com/

Has anyone opted for the the Quigley 4x4 conversion for the Ford Transit? If so, do you feel that it was worth the additional expense?

Transit is pretty damn small. if you wanted a 4x4 that size why not just buy a jeep cherokee???

geoff georges wrote: seems like if you are looking for the same length they are the same inside, I am not considering the 118", but if you are looking at the 136" in the 2500 it only comes with high roof, the 1500 comes as either low ( 304 CF ) or high roof ( 353 CF ). The Dodge website gives you exterior dimensions: high is 101", low is 90", and it tells you there is 48" between wheel wells, but does not tell you inside dimensions. I have heard maybe on this forum that it is 72" wide inside making a bed cross wise possible.

This site has different specs. Use the dropdown menu arrow next to Specs at the top of the page: Home / Used Cars / Ram / ProMaster / 2014 / Specs

thecarconnection.com/specif…

From what I've researched the ground clearance on a Promaster 1500 is slightly better than a Ford Transit 150 (6.9" compared to 6.1").
As a reference, a 2006 Sprinter 140WB has a ground clearance of 8.3".

Anybody have any experience with a lift kit on a vehicle and specifically on a Promaster?

I was inside a high roof 2500 promaster with a tape measure a few weeks ago. I thought that there would be about 76 in of useable space side to side above the wheel wells.

JulianG wrote: The promaster vans don't have a lot of clearance at the rear axle. About the same as a sedan I spend 1 1/2 months converting a 2005 158wb Sprinter It come out really nice but with the bigger vans makes it hard to turn on narrow dirt roads. On the first road trip I got it stuck at Rifle when I did a K turn. Also because the vans are tall and light it is hard to drive then in high winds 50MPH winds made the trip back from Spearfish more very interesting. People say they get warning lights in 15 mpg winds. The mpg is good 22 and the price was right.

Hi Julian - Curious if you still have this van and how it is working out for you?  I'm looking at the same but it has pretty high mileage and I'm not sure I want whatever surprises come with that.  It has somewhere around 180k miles.  Should I pass or keep pondering? 

Yes I still have the van, it is parked in north boulder. It is fun to drive on road trips and much more comfortable than the Vanagon. Just get a mercedes mechanic to look over the van and make sure you get the harness checked. Most cars we buy are made to last 150k miles. Sprinters are made for businesses fedex that put a lot of miles on vans  I expect to get 300k from my sprinter vans. So a van at 180K that has been well maintained it is a pretty good deal. 

I have the bigger van. If you don't need the extra save go with the shorter van, it is easier to drive on dirt roads.