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Glad to introduce myself, please follow and introduce yourself too.
I am now a new owner of a 2007 Chevy Express 3500 15 passenger van with a smaller 6.0 liter V8 engine hoping to save a few miles of gas.
Anyone else have a 2006/2007 Express with any comments about this model year?
Brian
We are thinking about getting a 2000 Chevy express with a Regency prestege conversion. It is white with tan leather interior, High Top, 5.7 vortec engine, TV with DVD, 2 CD players, GPS,and everything else imagenable. It has 80,000 miles and looks to be in close to perfect condition.
It is exactly what we are looking for.
Before I travel 1000 miles to get it I would like other peoples opinion. You can't find one close to Seattle so before I commit I would appreciate any help.
Problem is I can't seem to find the value of this Van anywhere.
Dealer states 20mpg highway, is this true?
Pro's and Con?
I Appreciate your help
Dan
My name is John. I'm located in Round Lake (northern IL). I have owned many Chevy's including 87 Beauville & 91 Extended 15 passenger Beauville Vans. Currently I have a 2003 3500 Express Access van. These have all been used as work vehicles. I love the access package!
My 03 has both side 60/40 doors, 3.73 gears, a reese hitch which I hate because its too low, a conversion with no topper, 20 inch wheels/ 275/45/20 tires.
To answer a couple questions, that I saw above me, the front suspension is the same as the torsion bar 4x4 gm trucks. The van uses the 8.2 diff in the front that is indepedant. They use the same a arms, upper and lower as the 4x4 trucks, its the same diff as the ss truck. Same sealed unit bearing as the trucks as well.
The engine in the awd's is a 5.3, 325 inch ls gen 3 engine, which is interchangable with the 4.8, 5.7, 6.0(364 inch) and now the 6.2. All exterior of these engines is identical. You can put a 6.0 in the same place as your 5.3. The difference is the bore in this case. You can also use stroker cranks to make engines well into the 400-430 inch area. The 5.3 is very durable, and responds well to the usual modifications that result in better mileage and more power.
To change the shifting, thats controlled in the pcm. Anything could be commanded depending on how you drive it. The same as the engine control parameters. I can do it for you if you want to send me your pcm...or get another one (about $100) if you need one. It should down shift and stay in 3 rd for most hills. 4th is a .7 overdrive and 60 is really low rpm for it to be able to use 4th.
I tried a deep pan for the trans but it looked like there would be less than 1/4" clearance as the exhaust crossover pipe runs under the rear of the trans pan.
Anyone know if there is a pan that will fit?
Also looking for an aluminum cover for the diff. Anyone know who makes a good cover.
Also if I get one of these is there a small lift kit avaiable for them? could I use the same stuff from the pickups?
Thanks,
Andy
I'm also looking at some other 1500 cargo and passenger/conversions and would like to know the real differences. I know you can not get the 2500 in AWD anymore, but the 2003's are the ones I am interested in.
I would love to convert my current van to 4WD but 10k is out of the question right now.
I wish GM made a 3500 155 wb AWD!...Too bad we can't get the Ford Transit in the states.
Thanks,
Andy
I think if there was a true 2500 awd, it would have 8 lug wheels, a 6.0 and 4l80e trans instead of the 5.3, 4l60e. My 1500 awd also came with a tow haul mod, trans cooler, hitch. As far as I know of all the 1500vans came withthe 2 piston brakes that were an option on the denali and escaldes when they got the tow option.
The 2500 chassis, was never a torsion bar front end that I know of either. The frames are different.
Had to disconnect the battery ground cable to turn them off. . Any info appreicated
I'm a worker with a 2007 chev express 2500. This van works for a living, as do I.
Would appreciate any experience regarding the best tires and any related info about tire pressure and front end issues.
Feel free to e-mail me
John
There are two different things to consider.
Tire load capacity and Performance
Load capacity is controlled by size and inflation pressure. With a 2500 (3/4 ton) I suspect you plan on carrying some loads. Your van came with a Tire Placard that specifies the original tire size and the recommended inflation for the expected load. You should not run a smaller size tire or less inflation unless you have put the van on a scale to be sure you are not overloading the tires.
For "Performance" or Ride, Hanbling, Wet, Dry and Snow traction. The first question I would ask as a tire engineer is "What do you like about your current tire and What do you not like?"
Once you have identified the performance characteristics that you want then the tire engineer or sales person has the information needed to fill your wants.
1st id say the paint sucks..must have been industrial style and applied by a chimp tho when new it looked shiney as hell. roof paint is faded and looks the color of a broke in pair of jeans.
2nd all the glass in the van absorbs all the crap mother nature can throw at it. if you let the glass go and dont clean regular it will take an act of gm god to get it clean again. im replacing windshield soon.
3rd replaced the whole throttle body on engine at 38,000 miles because of built in sensor that couldnt be replaced by itself (gm paid for this one) but the 2nd time i replaced throttle body from same issue at 64,000 miles i had to pay half cost.
4th brakes started squealing early on but performance aftermarket brake pads solved that with no issues even after turning rotors at 55,000 miles.
5th o2 sensors and comp gave up the ghost at 72,145 miles but gm was fair and replaced all with my cost of $168.
i bought 20 inch rims at 10,000 miles for the van and had no issues with drivetrain,shifting etc..i replaced the muffler and had true duals installed with magnaflow and had no issues. the motor has always been strong,sounds great thru duals and trans has worked great whether easy takeoff or stompin the go pedal. rearend has had no issues.
id buy this van again in a heartbeat if my dad hadnt left me a 2002 chevy express conversion with the 5.3 and only 56,000 miles.
let you folks know when either dies but i expect it will be a few yrs yet.
later -