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Comments
My experience with Starcraft was a good one. I'd certainly consider buying again.
It was unsold after 1.5 years on the dealer's lot, so I got a very good price.
I've driven it a little over 1,000 miles and, so far, I'm very pleased with both the Savanna van and the Gulf Stream conversion package.
van, and I've been looking around and the Savana
conversion by GMC is the one I liked the most.
I was looking through internet and I couldn't find
prices for used ones. I'm looking for 1997/98
hightop with no more than 25000 miles. I know it's
hard but...
Also I would like to know what is the best
conversion brand, and what are the pros and cons
for the GMC vs Ford, Chevy, etc.
Thank you
van, and I've been looking around and the Savana
conversion by GMC is the one I liked the most.
I was looking through internet and I couldn't find
prices for used ones. I'm looking for 1997/98/99
hightop with no more than 25000 miles. I know it's
hard but...
Also I would like to know what is the best
conversion brand, I like a lot of wood.
What are the pros and cons for the GMC vs Ford, Chevy, etc.
Th
Suggestion - if you can possibly do it - try to find one with a heavy duty chassis/transmission. Perhaps one that is set up for trailer towing...
dad4kidz
Explorer has been a well regarded converter based on posts I read here.
I'm close to a purchase of a new 2000 Ford. Rebate just went up from $3,000 to $4,000. My first choice is a Discovery by Sherry Designs and my 2nd choice is an Eclipse. Both sticker at 45-46k.
I've been diving a Ford for over 3 years (55k miles) and have been very satisfied.
Fuel efficiency won't be what it is with a mini-van. Insurance costs are usually higher on a conversion van too.
Jerry
I am comparing two Chevy vans... Apples to apples as far as I can tell. The conversions are Explorer and Regency. Both very similar packages. Nearly the same price. Does anyone have a preference of one company over the other? The Explorer Rep told me that he had a customer trade her Explorer in for a Regency when her lease was up and regretted it. Well, I can't really trust his word, he's there to sell his van!
Both seem to build about the same way and the van structures seem to be about the same as far as the reinforced framing around the windows and such. Just really curios as to whether anyone has an opinion on this.
Deb
My spouse and daughters gave me a conversion van for Christmas. We had been searching for over a year to get a larger vehicle for our family trips and found a dealer who was willing to work us vice gouge you. I was interested in the versatility Glaval builds in their vans by offering an option called the "Fold and Tumble Sofa." It's a manaul sofa that folds forward against the second row captains chairs, enlargibg the space behind the sofa when needed. Also the sofa and second row captains chairs can be removed from the van to haul anything you need too!! The dealership did not have a van equipped with the "Fold and Tumble Sofa" so they contacted the factory which had a DEMO, with 3800 miles and the following equipment: TRITON 5.4 V8, TV/VCP/Nintendo, Driver/Passenger seat warmers, limited-slip differential, towing package, handling package, custom paint job, high top, leather seats, premium sound, the works. equipment. Needless to say it was brought sight unseen with Ford's $3,000 rebate, and the dealership's standard $98 over factory invoice. The Glaval factory took $5000 off the price of the conversion package. This van is great!! Handles well, quiet, fit and finish impeccable. From reading the posted messages here I believe Ford is the way to go for maintenance and reliability. My Dad still has his 1978 Ford van, the first year the body was changed to an extended front end, and has had NO engine or transmission problems.
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Unfortunatley the U.S uses PSI to indicate oil pressure, while Canada uses KPa(Kilapascals)...like metric is really helping us now? Still, I find the same characteristic of the needle moving up and down. Mine rests almost halfway between 275 and 550KPa while driving around 40mph and it does change with engine speed, being lower at a red light.
I assume we have the same OWNERS MANUAL....so try checking page 2-64. It states oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside temperature and oil viscosity.
My CHILTON MANUAL shows how to perform a oil pressure test:
______________________________________________________
FROM CHILTONS MANUAL
-------------------------------------------------------------
1.Start the engine and allow it to idle.
2. Check the oil pressure reading when cold and record the number. You may need to run the engine at a specified rpm (check specifications chart. For 5.0 and 5.7L engines for 1997 it is 18PSI@2000RPM).
3. Run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached (upper radiator hose will feel warm).
4. Check the oil pressure reading again with the engine hot and record the number. Turn the engine OFF.
5.Compare your hot oil pressure reading to that given in the chart. If the reading is low, check the cold pressure reading against the chart. If the cold pressure is well above the specification, and the hot reading was lower than the specification, you may have the wrong viscosity oil in the engine. Change the oil, making sure to use the proper grade and quantity, then repeat the test.
Low oil pressure readings could be attributred to internal component wear, pump related problems, a low oil level, or oil viscosity that is too low. High oil pressure readings could be caused by an overfilled crankcase, too high of an oil viscosity or a fualty pressure relief valve.
________________________________________________________
If your still not feeling confident, then see the dealer where you purchased the vehicle and ask to test drive another vehicle...then compare for yourself.
Hope this helped.
What is important for you is that this was my lowest reading (17.2PSI at idle) and while driving it went up and down as I accelerated. My gauge varied about 3/4" in fluctuations.
I would not just trust the mechanics, instead I would ask to test drive another identical vehicle to confirm it a 3rd time. Mine can be considered #2. The reason I say this is that the mechanic can not be fully familiar with every vehicle they sell regarding minor differences in behaviour.
For example, the transmission specialist felt my tranny had major troubles when I returned it and complained of a loud noise (after just leaving the lot for the first time). Turned out when the shop supervisor stepped in that it was just the fan clutch and normal. This mechanic was not fully familiar himself. Nothing like test driving another vehicle to set your mind at ease, that's what I did.
One other thing, if there was a pressure problem, guranteed the computer would say something with a CHECK ENGINE WARNING.
Good luck!
Anyone had experince with these? Safe? Robust? I know that some telescop and swing out of the way of the rear doors. Does it really work? Your help is much appreciated for our trip across the USA!!
THanks and happy trails.
Thanks,
Mike
Does anyone know if converting a van like a 1999 E-150 to a lo-top conversion, changes the gas mileage any?
http://www.glaval.com/
Good luck.
High top w/roof air/cond and on board gas generator. This extra high 8'1/2" may be my problems source.
Any comments about my problems would help PLEASE! Constructive Please?
I am looking at an Eclipse Conversion Van . . . hi-top, TV/VCP, leather, power sofabed, etc. Chassis is a Ford E-150 with the 5.4L Triton V-8. Dealer wants $33,700 + processing + taxes & tags.
First, how good is the quality of Eclipse? Second, is the asking price a good deal?
Thanks all
Who knows which make and model cargo van is the most reliable? I'm thinking about buying a 1998.
Thank you. EMAIL: sean@jizskateboards.com
Is Choo Choo Conversions in Chattanooga still in business? Gladiator? Who's got the best conversion for daily usage on the market right now?
Thanks!
I do agree with everything else you say.....both Ford and GM have created a perfect conversion van...without the bed of course. I would not own a fiberglass high top.
I love my E-150 Chateau (4 captains chairs in cloth), but would consider the Traveler if I could get a DVD vs. VHS system.
VG
I'm in need of your advice/help. I'm in the market for a used full-sized van/wagon to pull a 26' travel trailer for summer camping trips and handle two teenage boys!I saw a 1999 Ford E-150 Tuscany (Sleekstar model, low top)conversion van in Auto Trader (private party)and took a quick look. Having never ventured into van conversions I don't know what to make of them. The van specs include most bells and whistles. It has 52k and appears in immaculate shape. The asking price is $14,500. The warranty has expired. OK ... now the questions:
1. Is this a fair price? NADA and Edmunds seem not to have price listings for conversion vans.
2. I've heard conversion vans are prone to electrical problems. True? Other things they have problems with?
3. Does Tuscany do good,reliable work?
4. Do Ford E-150s hold up in the long run (100k and more)?
5. Do conversion vans handle towing (this Ford has a 4.6L V8 engine)?
Thanks so very much for helping this novice!
Me & the wife are thinking of the above mentioned full size van. Is there some suggestions on these vehicles or should I be steared away & look at conversion done by outside vendors & not GM. We like the Safari but w/ the AWD system I get worse gas mileage than my friends w/ full size vans & I have alot less room than they. Any insight or suggestions is greatly appreciated.
It was RWD (as all vans were) but with the extra weight it didn't matter what the weather was, snow, loose gravel, sloppy mud/field after weekend of rain, it performed great.
Now I am looking at purchasing my first van and I am going to the same GMC dealer my dad got his at. I am looking at a 2500 Full-sized GMC Explorer conversion. Not sure of all the options yet, I am sort of hoping I can still get a deal on a 2002 though I doubt it. Not sure I am ready to purchase a 1st year AWD van. Great concept but GM doesn't have a great record of 1st year success with redesigns. Having been in a family that owned a van for years I could care less that the doors are on both sides. Doesn't seem to make that much of a difference for my use, I can see some benefits but they don't sway me on just the fact that it has a drivers side passenger opening.
Also, with the Explorer conversion there used to be an issue with the trailering wiring where Explorer would not bring the wires under the vehicle like normal instead you had to open the rear door and flip the wiring out of the passenger compartment, then close the rear door on the wires. Totally unacceptable in my book for properly wiring a hitch. This was a few years ago and they said Explorer would not drill a hole in the bottom of the passenger compartment because it would break the seal and allow moisture in. This sounds like complete BS to me since trailer wiring should tie in with the rear lights and not ever go inside the passenger compartment, but what do I know. I do know there is no way I will purchase the van if this is the case.
Another gripe on the conversions I have seen is the price and quality of the video systems. I understand the flip down models, but it seems like you should be able to get a better quality TV in there. And VCP? Is there a reason I can't just go to Wal-mart and get a $50 VCR and have the ability to record as well? Why in the world do they only play and not record? I understand the logic of well you can't really get a signal, but why are they making special VCRs instead of just getting stock of the shelf at any electronics store? Also the one I saw had an option for a DVD that sort of awkwardly plugged into a cigarette lighter off the mid passenger drivers side console. Ridiculous when there is open space in the roof around the TV. Why not stack like a stereo system, bolt them down and enclose in a classy glass door? Also, the Explorer vans have a Nintendo option. That was great when I was a kid, but Sony Playstation is the ticket now, why not have an option for all of them with wireless controllers? Why not offer DirectTV satellite like they have on 18-Wheeler trucks? No option for a CB? Maybe I can understand that, but why does the Denali get a full touch screen mapping On-Start program and the vans don't? No option of Lo-Jack? It just seems like the video system could be much much better.
Other interesting things, it seems like it is IMPOSSIBLE to find a dealer around the St. Louis, MO area that sells a Chevy van conversion, they are all GMC. In other areas of the country it is impossible to find a GMC converter. Anyone else noticed this? I saw a very nice Chevy conversion by a company called Southern Comfort, but they are down south in AL or GA or something. If I call up a Chevy dealer and ask for a van here all they will have are cargo vans.
Let's see, what were some of the other questions here. Parking garages were fine for us with the old van, did not have a pop-up roof. The pop-up will prevent you from going into most garages, but that isn't really a big deal most places have large vehicle parking now.
Finally, I would appreciate it if anyone can help guide me towards a pricing guide for the new conversion vans. I don't think the TMV has info on new conversion vans.
Thanks all, look forward to your discussion.