@@Mk2Mitch rare option, but the 90hp engine can be swapped in from a Mk1 Mondeo / Mk6 Escort car of that model if one can be found (the internals are different).
I had the intercooler Diesel mk6 car (N reg) - it was very rapid for the time. I've also had the 1.8 Diesel (non turbo) in van format. That was gutless and arguably a liability on the motorway in modern times. Maestro vans are far superior although the Fords always look sleeker.
Ran an n/a one as a work van for around 3 years, glaciers move faster but it was absolutely bulletproof. Rev the nuts off it until it can’t rev any more in 3rd and you’ll hit 70mph, I had to do that quite a bit to keep up with traffic on the motorway on uphill sections. I think I saw the dizzy height of 95mph out of mine once 😂
Had a B prefix Mk3 I bought for £50 and ran for over 5 years before the rust got it. Came with lots of dings and rust painted over with Hammerite rust primer in light poo brown that didn't match the blue paint. I did the rear arches (inner and outer) using 4 outer repair panels. Easy. Had a 1.1 Kent in it, revved like a flymo and handled like a go-cart. Put a 1.3 Kent in it and it was better on long journeys. No chips and fabulous access for servicing. Then a MK4 or 5 non-turbo diesel on a G plate that flogged on for several years but was too slow on motorways, so I sold it to my Mum (for cheap) who transported dogs in it and then gave it away after several years, still going perfectly. Good vans. Rear shock upper mounts inside the wheel arches rot, but chop them out and it's an easy fix that Mr MoT won't even see. They mount differently to yours. I did all four. Shocks were fine, got a de-rust and repaint and they all lasted out my ownership. You can get plenty of stuff in the back or kip in it if you need to. Changing motors, gearbox, whatever, is a doddle.
drove them in the 90s in royal mail. non turbo 1.8 diesel engine, very sluggish. but very comfortable, compared too the horrible sherpa vans we also had. now driving peugeots.
If they can survive Royal Mail then they are good vehicles, as they are really put to the test 🤣 The Peugeot vans are good, I believe Royal Mail are only buying electrics now! (I work on them as a Royal Mail Fleet mechanic) 👍🏻
well I've done almost 40 years with royal mail,and when i started we had morris marina, small vans, and a few Bedford CFs, so the creature comfort has improved slightly, especially after the sherpas,and there sliding, drafty doors, lol 😂
It's definitely do-able. It's just the risk of scratching the fragile dashboard / panel parts and managing to squeeze the matrix into place without damaging the fins - which is failed to do. At least we have RUclips to share ideas and watch videos. Good luck and soon to be warmer heating hopefully ! @@Mk2Mitch
Had a P reg 55 1.8 non turbo, was solid but slow and noisy would only do 55 max up windy hill on the M62....waggons would overtake me, it also had an oddity in which if you clutched down when doing around 70 the engine would rev it's nuts off briefly rather than go to idling speed, I put this down to its Wabco injector pump. The company I was working for then replaced them with 1.9 Renault Extra vans I got a R reg 575 which was flimsy compared to the Ford but much more comfortable, quieter and ridiculously fast off the mark with the big 1.9 driving tiny 155 tyres. Your video took me back to the 90's though......happy times when there were no speed cameras.
Yes boy!!! Love an escort van!! I’m currently doing my mk4 finally after leaving it sitting in my garden for months!, I used to work on loads of mk6 vans… I mean loads! To the point I had a template and made my own spring repair hangers because you can’t get them….. I keep meaning to draw them up on cad and plasma cut and fold some up for sale. Really looking forward to seeing what you do on this
It will be great to see you progress with your Mk4 escort van! That’s wicked, you should definitely get those repair pieces made up, you’d be everyone’s best friend! 🤣 Hoping to lower the van on some banded steels!
Have a R reg ex post office 55 van use it every day, had it for 15 years and only problem in all those years was a new alternator last year. And of course some welding ! Great little Van's But God is it slow ! But it always gets there + Get around 50mpg
Ive git a 2001 plate 55 TDi. Bought it 9years ago for £300 from a plasterer. It's been a real rustbucket and I've gradually spent £4 000 getting it welded up properly. Rust cut out really well, new mountings for back suspension etc., almost a complete new floor. Amounts to about £450 a year if cost spread, so well worth it! I"ve had mostly Escort vans for 30 years.. It's metallic blue, goes really well loaded up, done about 135 000 miles. I absolutely love it and hope to keep it going for work for a long time yet!! Great engine, great workhorse - such a great friend...😁👍👊
Had a few of these, over the years. Super reliable bullet proof engine, won't pull you out of bed but will go forever. Suffer rusty rear ends behind the bumpers, also as you've found out heaters fail too and are a pig to get too.
You could stick a turbo on the non turbo. My rear wheel drive Sierra P100 1.8 turbo diesel blew up so I managed to get hold of an Escort non turbo 1.8 diesel engine and simply turned it the other way and added the turbo. This required nothing more than knocking out a blanking plate which was already there at the bottom of the block and adding a short stumpy 15mm pipe for the oil drain. It was a nice tight fit with a bit of permanent sealer and worked without any issues. Also worth noting that if the diaphragm in the fuel filter housing splits, this would start to suck air in to the fuel system and would quickly go from poor starting to not starting at all. Many owners would then chase the pump or the injectors when the fault could be quickly and cheaply resolved by simply changing the fuel filter housing (the part with the fuel primming button on top).
That’s very interesting to hear you managed to use one of these engines in a RWD application 👍🏻 Also thank you for the information regarding the fuel filter housing, very helpful!
All the rear wheel drive Sierras used the same diesel engine as the front wheel drive Escorts. As for the filter housing, it was a common fault with the diaphragm splitting and then sucking air into the system. A piece of clear hose used to bypass the filter would quickly diagnose if that was the fault. The clear hose allowed you to see the fuel coming up from the tank.
May friend had a murdered out escort van with full body kit, 90‘s TSW Alloys, fully decked out back, and big speakers and a big carpeted sub. I spent much of my later youth sliding around the laminate flooring, and diamond plating. Good times, clasping my Mad-Dog 20/20, and bifta.
I had a 2001 55 Escort Van for a couple of years. The engine etc was bulletproof but the body on mine was rotten. I welded it enough to get it through an MOT but the chassis had gone so I scrapped it. Like yours, it was the non turbo & it certainly did lift your levels of planning your drive. Hills were a challenge. I remember some cyclists waving me past but I just didn’t have the power to pass them as the hill was so steep. There are also very very few 1.6 petrol versions as they were special police orders. My mate was in West Yorkshire police as a Dog Handler & he had a 1.6 petrol escort van.
That sounds like a familiar story with the rot taking over these escort vans! Such a shame. Very interesting about the 1.6 petrol special orders though, thank you for sharing 👍🏻
My father had one of them back around 2003 my dad was from bermingham and he lived here in Ireland and went over and back every year brought one back from England and registered it here in Ireland it was a 55 in red and was a ex Royal Mail van and used it as a daily here in Ireland
Had quite a few including a few turbo ones, great workhorses,also modified a few mondeo turbo parts and even fitted a focus tddi engine in one made it go really well
Hey Mitch I would keep that Ford Escort van as your daily driver use it too carry your tool box, wheels and other things it just needs too be tied up and put a set off alloy wheels on it.
It's well looked after example, considering the body on them is a rust bucket, red oxide works miracles on my smiley transit. Low miles on bulletproof engine, will keep going for many years.
I delivered many of these as a Trade Plate Driver, and yes they were slow by today's standards. But then along came the Berlingo, and by 'eck what a game changer ... Further still, the Focus with cup holders...(Like smartphones, I can't remember how we ever lived without them!) But no Focus derived Van, and It seemed an age before they introduced the confusingly named Transit Connect. Probably named by the same Wan who came up with Ka!
When I was a windscreen fitter we used to get lorry windscreens In them between the seats lol. Not a bad van mate the dark coloured ones seem to have less rust.
Owned 2 of these and my dad had one great vans in fairness just mornings when its cold can be optimistic heard putting another glow plug loom over the top helps
Hey Mitch. Congrats on your new purchase. I mentioned some time back that we never had that model panelvan here in South Africa, that being said, i also mentioned that this is one of my favourite model vans. If we had them here, i would have one, for sure. Shot man, for collection is growing fast. Top man. 👍👍
We had a shared MK5 diesel for the sum of £200 back in 2004 we had no battery and used dumper truck battery on it and dropped the bonnet it was smoking like a George Foreman grill cooking a steak 😅
Just found your channel, these Escort vans bring back memories from my childhood. My Dad was a painter and decorator and had loads of Escort vans over the years. Remember one of them he bought was an ex police dog van, within a couple of weeks he got pulled over by the police with them recognising the number plate thinking it had been stolen :-D. Tempted to buy one myself but haven't got the space to store. We've got a T5 camper so looking forward to your videos on the T4 as well.
Hi Mitch, I can see why the previous owner put red oxide round the fuel tank. My one rotted out where all the dirt and crap gets flung up from the road. I went to go to work one day and I had a big pool of diesel in the road so had to get a new tank. It might pay to fill up with smaller amounts of fuel until you are sure the tank is solid as they can also rot out on the top as well. Mechanically they will go on forever if looked after, just keep an eye on the rust. I used to put Redex diesel treatment in mine, it kept the injectors clean and it ran much nicer. Love your passion, good luck mate!
Hi mate, thank you for that useful information! I will be dropping the tank at some point to check for any major rust and whilst I’ve got it down I will also prep and paint the tank so it lasts a little longer in the future 😎
Well done on getting such a peach of a van mate you have done well , had quite a few in the day they are a slug nice nickname for it but great van mate and they look cool with escort cossie rims on too 👍🏻👍🏻😍
My first car was a mk6 escort van, me and my dad brought it in 2012 for £200. Sadly the rust got the better of it after 9 years of it being with us. It was the only car ive ever been guinuinly upset to get rid of.
It's kind of interesting for me i had a 1998 s eeg fiesta identical to the van you have but in 3 dar car form with the 1.3 petrol endura engine. It had 59 horsepower no power steering no rev counter manual windows no rear head rests no high level brake light and the same seats out of the escort van. I think I bought it on 59 thousand miles one owner from new and not too much rust did leak water tho so got the name fishesta but yeah loved it was a great first car but without power but if you rev it it's great fun with 59 horsepower there so light. And so simple it didn't have much issues with me just a dead battery as I couldn't use it much on a provisional but didn't really have much wrong for an older ford that hadn't been serviced much just usual stuff really and suspension bushes and brake lines
my 98 escort TD estate finesse was a really comfortable, fast, + reliable motor would be good to find a rusty one to swap interior + lump mine had an extra 2 turns [4cc] inside the fuel pump + the wastegate almost nailed shut, 44MPG + 120MPH, but not at the same time... the usual culprit for the blower was a burnt out track inside the fusebox [which was an awkward fix or make a by-pass] so keep your fingers crossed for a duff motor. keep it up young man...
That sounds like a cracking motor you had, I’d like to engine swap this in the future when I’m not daily driving it and I can drive it as a weekend toy 😎 I’ve got my fingers crossed it’s the blower motor 🤞🏻
You don't see that many about now,i had a ex BT grey one,in the back had the rack thing on each side so there was no dings from the inside out,i took it out and boarded it out with plywood,i jhad it for years,my son took it out one day and smashed it,sold it to a guy wfho strips them for parts.
Tell you what, for its age that's in really good nick! I had a 1998 MK6 which at the time was maybe 5 or 6 years old, and the salty roads around Aberdeenshire had taken their toll. Sills were shot, bodywork was tatty...but still a great wee car to drive! Happy motoring 😎
i still run 3 of these but they are the turbo variants..still gutluss but u can jus about overtake with a toolbox on board..the non turbo ones are dangereous you need full revs and to drop the clutch to get you out of a junction..put a toolbox onboard & u aint going nowhere...these things wouldnt even pull you out of bed..even on a nice sunny day..
I had a 1997 TDDI and for all that it was "just" a cheap Ford that I bought around 2000. It already had 75k miles when I got it. I put 75k on it in 2 more years and all that went wrong was the gearbox literally fell off after about 50k of ownership (so 125k). Had a second had box fitted but that turned out to be a box from a regular diesel which I believe was a shorter ratio. So I ended up with a flying machine that revved too high at motorway speeds but was a hoot on slower roads. Downside though was the 50+mpg turned into 40-ish. Soon got rid of car but it trundled around my area for years after I sold it.
Cool van,me dad had a mk3 1.3 cvh a reg one in the late 80s.when i passed me test in 1988 me and me mates used to race around in it before i got my 1st car,a y reg ford sierra 1.6 gl.just seen your channel,noticed you seen a bit if s fird guy so its a 👍and a subscription for me.
Hi mate love the escort van, the only advice I’d give is I had a mint one a few years ago with 72k on and I bought it back 3 times and this time it’s not as good as it once was these vans really need to be dry stored to keep them good! Not a problem in the summer obviously but they rot like hell
I had the exact same van 20 years ago. First van I bought for my business. Never missed a beat. Sadly, the bulkhead developed serious rust issues. Same as what happened to my RS Turbo. Paddling pool footwells, haha. Sold the 1988 RS Turbo for £500 😢 That was 25 years ago.
Work got a G Reg brand new 1.6 petrol which absolutely flew , lasted 2 weeks and got smashed up , 2 weeks old ad brown bread but fastest standard van in Britain pre 1990 for sure was a 1600 petrol mk4 escprt
In addition to the 60hp 1.8 Diesel and 70hp 1.8 turbo-Diesel there was also a 90hp 1.8 turbo-Diesel intercooler offered.
I never knew that! Thank you for informing me 😎👍🏻
@@Mk2Mitch rare option, but the 90hp engine can be swapped in from a Mk1 Mondeo / Mk6 Escort car of that model if one can be found (the internals are different).
I had the intercooler Diesel mk6 car (N reg) - it was very rapid for the time. I've also had the 1.8 Diesel (non turbo) in van format. That was gutless and arguably a liability on the motorway in modern times. Maestro vans are far superior although the Fords always look sleeker.
I’ve had mine for a year now it’s a 2001 and had done 36k miles from new ,42 k now, genuine mileage.
Loved my 2000 ex Royal Mail Escort Van. Served me very well for 4 years. I still regret selling it 5 years down the line
Lots of them still about! You might be able to get another one day 👍🏻
Ran an n/a one as a work van for around 3 years, glaciers move faster but it was absolutely bulletproof. Rev the nuts off it until it can’t rev any more in 3rd and you’ll hit 70mph, I had to do that quite a bit to keep up with traffic on the motorway on uphill sections. I think I saw the dizzy height of 95mph out of mine once 😂
Your right, they are very slow vans but great characteristics for a workhorse 🤣 I’m yet to test the limit on mine 😎
What a work horse bringing a big smile on my face MEMORIES 😢thank you Mitch
I’m glad you enjoyed the nostalgic throwback mate! 😎
I used to have an x reg van when I worked in London, great little van, engine was brilliant.
Wicked! They are great vans 👍🏻
My dad had a bunch of them over the years for work and taking the dogs hunting. He loved them
Had a B prefix Mk3 I bought for £50 and ran for over 5 years before the rust got it. Came with lots of dings and rust painted over with Hammerite rust primer in light poo brown that didn't match the blue paint. I did the rear arches (inner and outer) using 4 outer repair panels. Easy. Had a 1.1 Kent in it, revved like a flymo and handled like a go-cart. Put a 1.3 Kent in it and it was better on long journeys. No chips and fabulous access for servicing.
Then a MK4 or 5 non-turbo diesel on a G plate that flogged on for several years but was too slow on motorways, so I sold it to my Mum (for cheap) who transported dogs in it and then gave it away after several years, still going perfectly. Good vans. Rear shock upper mounts inside the wheel arches rot, but chop them out and it's an easy fix that Mr MoT won't even see. They mount differently to yours. I did all four. Shocks were fine, got a de-rust and repaint and they all lasted out my ownership. You can get plenty of stuff in the back or kip in it if you need to. Changing motors, gearbox, whatever, is a doddle.
drove them in the 90s in royal mail. non turbo 1.8 diesel engine, very sluggish. but very comfortable, compared too the horrible sherpa vans we also had. now driving peugeots.
If they can survive Royal Mail then they are good vehicles, as they are really put to the test 🤣 The Peugeot vans are good, I believe Royal Mail are only buying electrics now! (I work on them as a Royal Mail Fleet mechanic) 👍🏻
well I've done almost 40 years with royal mail,and when i started we had morris marina, small vans, and a few Bedford CFs, so the creature comfort has improved slightly, especially after the sherpas,and there sliding, drafty doors, lol 😂
Love RM Sherpa sliding doors (back in the day) 😊
I fixed an internal radiator (heater matrix) leak on one of these - very hard to get to. Better when fixed though in winter !
That’s my next job unfortunately 😬
It's definitely do-able. It's just the risk of scratching the fragile dashboard / panel parts and managing to squeeze the matrix into place without damaging the fins - which is failed to do. At least we have RUclips to share ideas and watch videos. Good luck and soon to be warmer heating hopefully ! @@Mk2Mitch
Had a P reg 55 1.8 non turbo, was solid but slow and noisy would only do 55 max up windy hill on the M62....waggons would overtake me, it also had an oddity in which if you clutched down when doing around 70 the engine would rev it's nuts off briefly rather than go to idling speed, I put this down to its Wabco injector pump.
The company I was working for then replaced them with 1.9 Renault Extra vans I got a R reg 575 which was flimsy compared to the Ford but much more comfortable, quieter and ridiculously fast off the mark with the big 1.9 driving tiny 155 tyres.
Your video took me back to the 90's though......happy times when there were no speed cameras.
Great to hear your experience and comparison with both vans! I can’t help but think life must’ve been much more simple back 20 years or so 👌🏻
Yes boy!!! Love an escort van!! I’m currently doing my mk4 finally after leaving it sitting in my garden for months!,
I used to work on loads of mk6 vans… I mean loads! To the point I had a template and made my own spring repair hangers because you can’t get them….. I keep meaning to draw them up on cad and plasma cut and fold some up for sale.
Really looking forward to seeing what you do on this
It will be great to see you progress with your Mk4 escort van! That’s wicked, you should definitely get those repair pieces made up, you’d be everyone’s best friend! 🤣 Hoping to lower the van on some banded steels!
Loved my ford van when I was a postman so robust went up farm tracks never missed a beat 👍
That’s great to hear 😎
Have a R reg ex post office 55 van use it every day, had it for 15 years and only problem in all those years was a new alternator last year. And of course some welding ! Great little Van's
But God is it slow ! But it always gets there + Get around 50mpg
That’s brilliant to hear that you love your escort van and it’s barley caused you any issues in 15 years!! 😎
Great van had mine for 10years never missed a beat but the rust got to it in the end
That’s unfortunate to hear! Great vans but just rust in so many areas 🙄
Ive git a 2001 plate 55 TDi. Bought it 9years ago for £300 from a plasterer. It's been a real rustbucket and I've gradually spent £4 000 getting it welded up properly. Rust cut out really well, new mountings for back suspension etc., almost a complete new floor. Amounts to about £450 a year if cost spread, so well worth it! I"ve had mostly Escort vans for 30 years.. It's metallic blue, goes really well loaded up, done about 135 000 miles. I absolutely love it and hope to keep it going for work for a long time yet!! Great engine, great workhorse - such a great friend...😁👍👊
I've had it under sealed now - should have git it done straightaway... Lessons learned...🤔
Had a few of these, over the years. Super reliable bullet proof engine, won't pull you out of bed but will go forever.
Suffer rusty rear ends behind the bumpers, also as you've found out heaters fail too and are a pig to get too.
Spot on 100%. I've just typed above about my experience with the heater matrix, and the pulling power.
You could stick a turbo on the non turbo. My rear wheel drive Sierra P100 1.8 turbo diesel blew up so I managed to get hold of an Escort non turbo 1.8 diesel engine and simply turned it the other way and added the turbo. This required nothing more than knocking out a blanking plate which was already there at the bottom of the block and adding a short stumpy 15mm pipe for the oil drain. It was a nice tight fit with a bit of permanent sealer and worked without any issues. Also worth noting that if the diaphragm in the fuel filter housing splits, this would start to suck air in to the fuel system and would quickly go from poor starting to not starting at all. Many owners would then chase the pump or the injectors when the fault could be quickly and cheaply resolved by simply changing the fuel filter housing (the part with the fuel primming button on top).
That’s very interesting to hear you managed to use one of these engines in a RWD application 👍🏻 Also thank you for the information regarding the fuel filter housing, very helpful!
All the rear wheel drive Sierras used the same diesel engine as the front wheel drive Escorts. As for the filter housing, it was a common fault with the diaphragm splitting and then sucking air into the system. A piece of clear hose used to bypass the filter would quickly diagnose if that was the fault. The clear hose allowed you to see the fuel coming up from the tank.
May friend had a murdered out escort van with full body kit, 90‘s TSW Alloys, fully decked out back, and big speakers and a big carpeted sub. I spent much of my later youth sliding around the laminate flooring, and diamond plating. Good times, clasping my Mad-Dog 20/20, and bifta.
Had one with xr3i engine good fun
Used to have MK6 GTI as a company car, the vans were a staple fleet vehicle for the company i worked for.
Very nice, you don’t see many Mk6 GTI’s on the road anymore!
The endura unit is a brilliant engine
Not the greatest performance (although the turbo one wasn’t bad ) but so reliable.
I agree, do love the reliability & cheap running costs 😆
Love vans, back in the day I had a MK4 van, It was really low with adjustable leda front suspension etc. Wish i still had it.
I owned a few Escort Vans back in the day, rear brake cylinders always leaked. The TD model did make a big difference pulling off from junctions etc.
I’ll have to check my brake cylinder as I do think it’s leaking 👍🏻 Maybe one day I’ll find a turbo kit to add 😎
I got a brand new on e of these when they came out Awsome van 75 Deisel. Absolutely loved it great tape radio
Used to drive a brand new t reg van as a courier. Used to love sleeping in the back on nights out
I had a 2001 55 Escort Van for a couple of years. The engine etc was bulletproof but the body on mine was rotten. I welded it enough to get it through an MOT but the chassis had gone so I scrapped it.
Like yours, it was the non turbo & it certainly did lift your levels of planning your drive. Hills were a challenge. I remember some cyclists waving me past but I just didn’t have the power to pass them as the hill was so steep.
There are also very very few 1.6 petrol versions as they were special police orders. My mate was in West Yorkshire police as a Dog Handler & he had a 1.6 petrol escort van.
That sounds like a familiar story with the rot taking over these escort vans! Such a shame. Very interesting about the 1.6 petrol special orders though, thank you for sharing 👍🏻
My father had one of them back around 2003 my dad was from bermingham and he lived here in Ireland and went over and back every year brought one back from England and registered it here in Ireland it was a 55 in red and was a ex Royal Mail van and used it as a daily here in Ireland
Very nice, they’re just such good vans!
Had quite a few including a few turbo ones, great workhorses,also modified a few mondeo turbo parts and even fitted a focus tddi engine in one made it go really well
Your living the dream mate
Trying my best 🤣
I had a mondeo mk 1 for 15 years. Soaked the underside with Waxoyl and she never rotted.
I had a 96 in black, It was a great van, Enjoy your new purchase.
Very nice! Cheers mate 👍🏻
Great little vans Mitch they were bulletproof
Cheers mate, that’s good to hear! 😎
It looks very nice.
Hey Mitch I would keep that Ford Escort van as your daily driver use it too carry your tool box, wheels and other things it just needs too be tied up and put a set off alloy wheels on it.
Cheers mate, that’s exactly what I’m thinking! 👍🏻
Hay, nice can,your right I hardly see them anymore
It's well looked after example, considering the body on them is a rust bucket, red oxide works miracles on my smiley transit. Low miles on bulletproof engine, will keep going for many years.
Wow! This takes me down memory lane.
Hi mate , I got one , had it from new , mines a 1.4 petrol mk6. 75 with hundred and forty thousand on the clock, and still going Strong..
Very nice! Is that the 1.4 cvh??
I delivered many of these as a Trade Plate Driver, and yes they were slow by today's standards. But then along came the Berlingo, and by 'eck what a game changer ... Further still, the Focus with cup holders...(Like smartphones, I can't remember how we ever lived without them!) But no Focus derived Van, and It seemed an age before they introduced the confusingly named Transit Connect. Probably named by the same Wan who came up with Ka!
Love these vans! It would look awesome lowered on late peugeot steels, with mk2 mitch 'keeping classics alive' sign writing on the side 😉👍
Mate, that is exactly what I plan to do! 🤣 Great idea 😉
The jedi student has a millenium falcon in the house what a clean van nice one Mitch crack on and polish it up nice
Cheers mate! I’m looking forward to giving the van a full machine polish 😎
was you up in suffolk this week at any time
Had a mk3 around 1988 lovely little workhorse my German shepherd dog used ride in the back obviously no thefts 😂
Haha brilliant! 🤣
Had mine for 7yrs non-turbocharged version also carried way more than 750kg.
What articulate young man, you could go far, that could be cheap motoring. We have a 1996 Fiesta V-tec auto cheap to run and no rot.
Love the vans new an old. Luv a transit 👍
When I was a windscreen fitter we used to get lorry windscreens In them between the seats lol.
Not a bad van mate the dark coloured ones seem to have less rust.
Owned 2 of these and my dad had one great vans in fairness just mornings when its cold can be optimistic heard putting another glow plug loom over the top helps
They certainly are good vans! This one starts up alright in the mornings but I admit my Mk4 Fiesta van takes a while 🤣
Great buy, Mitch. These Mk6 vans are becoming quite rare now. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with this.
Thank you mate! I hope to keep this one on the road and make it a cleaner example! 👍🏻
Nice one Mitch, looks like you've had a result! Good to see the original wheel arch liners etc👌👍
Thank you! I’m very happy with the purchase 😎
Lovely Van love the sound of them 1.8 Endura Diesel Engines beautiful
Can’t beat them 😎
Hey Mitch. Congrats on your new purchase. I mentioned some time back that we never had that model panelvan here in South Africa, that being said, i also mentioned that this is one of my favourite model vans. If we had them here, i would have one, for sure. Shot man, for collection is growing fast. Top man. 👍👍
Hi mate, that’s a shame that SA never got these vans! Maybe you’ll have to get one imported 😆
Hi Mitch, that thought did cross my mind. 👍Take care
Love the new van mate great choice go and enjoy it 👍
Cheers mate! 👍🏻
Im JEALOUS !!!!!!!!!!allways wanted a mk3 / 4 escort van !!!!!!
They are getting rare
I had an ex-Securicor one. It had double layer windows to hold back attacks.
We had a shared MK5 diesel for the sum of £200 back in 2004 we had no battery and used dumper truck battery on it and dropped the bonnet it was smoking like a George Foreman grill cooking a steak 😅
You have a good eye for buying cars and vans well done mitch.
Thank you pal! 👍🏻
Just found your channel, these Escort vans bring back memories from my childhood. My Dad was a painter and decorator and had loads of Escort vans over the years. Remember one of them he bought was an ex police dog van, within a couple of weeks he got pulled over by the police with them recognising the number plate thinking it had been stolen :-D. Tempted to buy one myself but haven't got the space to store. We've got a T5 camper so looking forward to your videos on the T4 as well.
And how did I forget my first car was a mk6 escort so will always have a soft spot for them.
I’m glad you found my channel! Haha what a brilliant story about your dads escort van 🤣 Yes I hope to keep continuing with the T4 camper build soon!
Hi Mitch, I can see why the previous owner put red oxide round the fuel tank. My one rotted out where all the dirt and crap gets flung up from the road. I went to go to work one day and I had a big pool of diesel in the road so had to get a new tank. It might pay to fill up with smaller amounts of fuel until you are sure the tank is solid as they can also rot out on the top as well. Mechanically they will go on forever if looked after, just keep an eye on the rust. I used to put Redex diesel treatment in mine, it kept the injectors clean and it ran much nicer. Love your passion, good luck mate!
Hi mate, thank you for that useful information! I will be dropping the tank at some point to check for any major rust and whilst I’ve got it down I will also prep and paint the tank so it lasts a little longer in the future 😎
Well done on getting such a peach of a van mate you have done well , had quite a few in the day they are a slug nice nickname for it but great van mate and they look cool with escort cossie rims on too 👍🏻👍🏻😍
Cheers mate! Haha I like that, the slug 😎 Yes they look unreal with cosworth alloys on, I’m unsure if my wallet will allow me a set just yet 🤣
My first car was a mk6 escort van, me and my dad brought it in 2012 for £200. Sadly the rust got the better of it after 9 years of it being with us. It was the only car ive ever been guinuinly upset to get rid of.
very common top of rear shocks going.mate still drives his mk6 van daily :)
Thought it might’ve been! That’s wicked, you do see them floating around still 😎
Had a few of these mate, turbo and n/a, not the quickest but good old vans non the less! That looks a good one, think you've done alright there 👍
Thank you mate! Yes I wouldn’t turn down a turbo one but who knows what’ll pop up in the future 👍🏻
Tidy van you got there, I’ve just finished a full rebuild on one waiting for April to come so I can get her back on the road again
That sounds great! Feel free to send me some pictures over on my Facebook if you get the chance 😎
It's kind of interesting for me i had a 1998 s eeg fiesta identical to the van you have but in 3 dar car form with the 1.3 petrol endura engine. It had 59 horsepower no power steering no rev counter manual windows no rear head rests no high level brake light and the same seats out of the escort van. I think I bought it on 59 thousand miles one owner from new and not too much rust did leak water tho so got the name fishesta but yeah loved it was a great first car but without power but if you rev it it's great fun with 59 horsepower there so light. And so simple it didn't have much issues with me just a dead battery as I couldn't use it much on a provisional but didn't really have much wrong for an older ford that hadn't been serviced much just usual stuff really and suspension bushes and brake lines
Great run a round. Tidy van mate
Cheers pal 👍🏻
Yer I had one mk 6 best little van ever
Tidy little van wow getting rare now 😊👍
Thank you! 😎
lovely van
Nice old chapper.
I remember when the MK3 diesel van came out and I tried to buy one but all the Ford dealers were sold out for months.
Cheers! That’s crazy, they must’ve been very popular 👍🏻
Nice van use mine as a daily and love it. Get timing belt changed though as mine snapped and it wrecks cam.
They’re great vans! I will be doing the timing belt, I was told it has been done but no proof so I can’t trust their word!
A growing fleet of vans when's the transit coming ha ha
Don’t tempt me!! 🤣
hi love the van and all the videos you do🙂🙂🙂
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy the videos 😎
my 98 escort TD estate finesse was a really comfortable, fast, + reliable motor
would be good to find a rusty one to swap interior + lump
mine had an extra 2 turns [4cc] inside the fuel pump + the wastegate almost nailed shut, 44MPG + 120MPH, but not at the same time... the usual culprit for the blower was a burnt out track inside the fusebox [which was an awkward fix or make a by-pass] so keep your fingers crossed for a duff motor. keep it up young man...
That sounds like a cracking motor you had, I’d like to engine swap this in the future when I’m not daily driving it and I can drive it as a weekend toy 😎 I’ve got my fingers crossed it’s the blower motor 🤞🏻
You don't see that many about now,i had a ex BT grey one,in the back had the rack thing on each side so there was no dings from the inside out,i took it out and boarded it out with plywood,i jhad it for years,my son took it out one day and smashed it,sold it to a guy wfho strips them for parts.
That sounds like a great example, shame about the ending! 😬
Brilliant
Sweet!!! Love a mk5/6 escort just some Peugeot 17 steels with a slight lower & that would be the bomb
I like your thinking! 😎
Tell you what, for its age that's in really good nick! I had a 1998 MK6 which at the time was maybe 5 or 6 years old, and the salty roads around Aberdeenshire had taken their toll. Sills were shot, bodywork was tatty...but still a great wee car to drive! Happy motoring 😎
Thank you mate! That’s a shame, these escort vans seem to attract rust so quickly 👍🏻
@@Mk2Mitch could be worse, remember the state of Ka filler surrounds 🤫
Sound proof and carpet the rear
Tidy looking motor
That’s a great idea! I might just do that 😎
i still run 3 of these but they are the turbo variants..still gutluss but u can jus about overtake with a toolbox on board..the non turbo ones are dangereous you need full revs and to drop the clutch to get you out of a junction..put a toolbox onboard & u aint going nowhere...these things wouldnt even pull you out of bed..even on a nice sunny day..
Oh come on they’re not that bad 🤣😉
Hi Mitch, would you consider creating a video showing all your current collection of vehicle's?...
Hi mate, yes possibly when the wether gets a bit better!
Love them vans
Great van. Wishing you many happy miles in it.
Thank you! 😁
I had a 1997 TDDI and for all that it was "just" a cheap Ford that I bought around 2000. It already had 75k miles when I got it. I put 75k on it in 2 more years and all that went wrong was the gearbox literally fell off after about 50k of ownership (so 125k). Had a second had box fitted but that turned out to be a box from a regular diesel which I believe was a shorter ratio. So I ended up with a flying machine that revved too high at motorway speeds but was a hoot on slower roads. Downside though was the 50+mpg turned into 40-ish. Soon got rid of car but it trundled around my area for years after I sold it.
Nice one Mitch!! 👍
Cheers mate! 😎
@Mk2Mitch no worries me 🫶. Me mate had a mk5 van that colour but dropped the rs2000 engine in it 😁👍
Cool van,me dad had a mk3 1.3 cvh a reg one in the late 80s.when i passed me test in 1988 me and me mates used to race around in it before i got my 1st car,a y reg ford sierra 1.6 gl.just seen your channel,noticed you seen a bit if s fird guy so its a 👍and a subscription for me.
Very cool, sounds like a great first van and car 😎 I’m a huge Ford fan, I’m glad you’ve found the channel!
Great video mitch 👍
Cheers Paul! 😎
Hi mate love the escort van, the only advice I’d give is I had a mint one a few years ago with 72k on and I bought it back 3 times and this time it’s not as good as it once was these vans really need to be dry stored to keep them good! Not a problem in the summer obviously but they rot like hell
Hi mate, yeah they do really attract the rust. I’ll be doing my best to protect mine against the elements in the winter months 👍🏻
Looks a decent van, I had Mk6 Escort RS 2000 back in 2005
Cheers pal, I love the later RS Escorts 👌🏻
@@Mk2Mitch thanks also had a Series 1 Escort RS Turbo long time nearly 24 years ago
I used my Escort 75 van for valeting with a water tank plus all equipment. Bout 1300 20years ago
That’s proper cool! Would look smart now 👀
I had the exact same van 20 years ago. First van I bought for my business. Never missed a beat. Sadly, the bulkhead developed serious rust issues. Same as what happened to my RS Turbo. Paddling pool footwells, haha. Sold the 1988 RS Turbo for £500 😢 That was 25 years ago.
That’s gutting to hear, the rust really does eat up these Old Ford’s! Who would’ve known what they would be worth now 😩
Work got a G Reg brand new 1.6 petrol which absolutely flew , lasted 2 weeks and got smashed up , 2 weeks old ad brown bread but fastest standard van in Britain pre 1990 for sure was a 1600 petrol mk4 escprt
Oh that must’ve been gutting!
@@Mk2Mitch yeah the other vans were F reg 89 mk4 1.8 diesels which were economical but the 1.6 petrols went like a xr3i
It looks a decent van mate. I like it.👍
Thank you pal 😎
I’d have one tomorrow to be honest especially with underside being as sound as that.👍
Yes Mitch!
Sounds amazing! Would love to see a really cold start up but without glow plugs heating up first ☺️☺️☺️☺️
Without the glow plugs heating up? 🤨
@@Mk2Mitch yeah then its a proper diesel cold start!
Great purchase Mitch, iv'e never had a van as i need a pick up for my work 👍
Cheers mate! I see 👍🏻
That looks good, as you say, tidied up its worth well more than the 1800 you got it for. Great stuff, Best wishes.
Thank you! Yes I’m very happy with the price but even happier I now own one 😎
Fit the wood dash and leather seats from the Ghia X
Yes brother 🙌
Nice clean van that is a good survivor
Cheers pal! I’m very happy with the van 😎