2006 Ford Econoline Cargo Trims and Specs

The base model for Ford's commercial hauling van is the 2006 Ford Econoline Cargo E-150, a three-door van that's available only in the regular 211-inch length. The rear-wheel drive van comes with a 4.6-liter, 225-hp V8 that gets 286 lb-ft of torque and is matched to a 4-speed auto tran. A 5.4-liter, 255-hp V8 is optional. Based on the F-series platforms, the 2006 Econoline Cargo E-150 can tow up to 6600 pounds and features a front independent and rear live axle suspension, a front stabilizer bar, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, dual front-side airbags, and 16-inch wheels with all-season tires. A limited slip rear differential is extra. The van seats two, but an optional rear bench seat can be added.

Minimally equipped, the 2006 Econoline Cargo E-150 comes with air conditioning, power steering, a tilt steering wheel, radio and intermittent wipers. Cupholders, a front power outlet, tachometer, and storage console are also included. The double rear doors open out, and there is also a hinged side door, which can be replaced by an optional manual sliding door. Options include alloy wheels, a CD player, power features, cruise control, rear air conditioning, daytime running lights, captain's chairs, tie-downs, a roof rack, and a trailer hitch. The best power in its class makes the 2006 Econoline Cargo E-150 popular, though the 15/19 gas mileage, while expected, is not satisfying.

While the E-150 is the half-ton commercial van, the 2006 Ford Econoline Cargo E-250 is the three-quarter ton version, and it is available in both a regular and extended model. The regular model is a three-door, two-seater van, with a 211-inch length and a 256-cubic foot cargo area. The front independent twin I-beam and rear live axle suspension is based on the F-series trucks, and a limited slip rear differential can be added. The 2006 Econoline Cargo E-250 comes standard with a 4.6-liter, 225-hp V8, while a 5.4-liter, 255-hp V8 that gets 350 lb-ft of torque is optional. A 4-speed automatic is the only transmission. The larger size allows the van to tow up to 7300 pounds with the optional trailer hitch. The cargo area comes with rubber mats and built-in racks and bins.

16-inch wheels and all-season tires, 4-wheel ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, and dual front-side airbags help earn 4-star crash ratings for the 2006 Econoline Cargo E-250. Equipment is sparse, and includes air conditioning, a radio, tachometer, intermittent wipers, cupholders, tilt steering wheel, and a front power outlet. Captain's chairs can be substituted for the front bench seat, and a rear bench can be added. Other options are power windows, locks, and mirrors, cruise control, a CD player, running board, daytime running lights, and a manual sliding side door to replace the hinged version. A good solid commercial hauler, with lots of power and dependability, say owners of the E-250.

A lot more cargo room comes with the 2006 Ford Econoline E-250 Extended van, a commercial hauler that can tow up to 7300 pounds and has 309 cubic feet of cargo space (compared to 257 in the regular van) thanks to a 232-inch length. Engine choices range from the 4.6-liter, 225-hp V8 to the 5.4-liter, 255-hp V8, with 286 and 350 lb-ft of torque respectively. A 4-speed auto tran comes standard, and electronic throttle control is new this year. The rear-wheel drive van offers 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, 16-inch wheels with all-season tires, a front stabilizer bar, front independent and rear live axle suspension, and dual front-side airbags are all standard and earn four stars in crash tests. A limited slip rear differential is extra.

The 2006 Econoline Cargo E-250 Extended van seats two, but a second row bench can be added. Cloth upholstery is optional to the standard vinyl. Because it's used for cargo, conveniences are few. A hinged side door can be replaced with manual sliding one. The cargo area comes with rubber mats, and tie-downs and a roof rack can be added, along with a trailer hitch. Air conditioning, a radio, tachometer, intermittent wipers, power steering, and a front power outlet are standard. A full power setup is optional, along with a security system, CD player, rear air conditioning, cruise control, and daytime running lights.

The 2006 Ford Econoline Cargo E-350 is the monster of the bunch, a super-duty one-ton commercial van with three engine choices -- a standard 5.4-liter, 255-hp V8, a 6.8-liter, 305-hp V10, or a turbodiesel, 6.0-liter, 235-hp V8 that gets 440 lb-ft of torque. A 4-speed or 5-speed auto tran are available. Either the V10 or the turbodiesel can tow a whopping 10,000 pounds (trailer wiring standard, but a hitch is extra). If that's not enough, the cargo area of the regular length van holds 257 cubic feet, and tie-downs and a roof rack can be added. 16-inch wheels with all-season tires, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, an F-series truck platform with twin I-beam front suspension, and dual front-side airbags are all standard. A limited slip rear differential can be added.

There's not much standard equipment inside. Air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, intermittent wipers, cupholders, a front power outlet, and a radio are the basics. The vinyl front seats can be replaced with cloth captain's chairs, and a second row bench is available. Other options include a full power setup, CD player, security system, running boards, cruise control, and daytime running lights. A manual sliding door can be substituted for the standard hinged side door. The 4-star crash ratings please owners, who find the 2006 Econoline Cargo E-350 one of the more powerful and affordable haulers on the market. The 15/19 fuel economy is the only disappointment.

Plenty of cargo space and class-leading towing power are found in the 2006 Ford Econoline Cargo E-350 Extended Van, the super-duty version of the rear-wheel drive commercial cargo van, with 309 cubic feet of storage room and the ability to tow up to 10,000 pounds. A standard 5.4-liter, 255-hp V8 can be replaced by either a turbodiesel 6.0-liter, 235-hp V8 (with 440 lb-ft of torque!) or a 6.8-liter, 305-hp V10. A 4-speed auto tran is standard and 5-speed automatic is optional. Electronic throttle control is new this year. The van seats two, with an optional second row available, and the vinyl front bench seat can be replaced with cloth captain's chairs.

4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, a front independent and rear live axle suspension, front stabilizer bar, and dual front-side airbags are standard. A limited slip rear differential is optional. Air, radio, intermittent wipers, a front power outlet, cupholders, tilt steering wheel, and a tachometer are standard, but you can add power features, cruise control, daytime running lights, a security system, rear air conditioning, and a CD player. The power and solidity of the 2006 Econoline Cargo E-350 Extended Van are what sells it, despite the low fuel economy.