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Comments
how long you expect to keep the vehicle
how well you maintain and treat the vehicle (fully loaded with heavy plumbing supplies?, towing?, hard driving?, not regularly checking fluid levels, etc.)
your expectation of the vehicle's reliability.
I plan on keeping mine for 8 years.
I don't expect any GM to be as reliable as my old honda was even though it had transmission problems. So I got the extended warranty. I try to take better than required care of it (easy driving and frequent fluid changes), so I am perhaps paying too much (warranty and extra care).
Make sure you have written evidence of taking it into the shop for the transmission--especially if you don't get the extended warranty.
Over 12,000 miles on mine...no big problems.
Hope you enjoy your van as much as I have been enjoying mine.
Other the van was great---thus the decision to buy another--same engine, 5.0 engine. Hope this one is as good as the other.
The salesman told me the 2000 5.0 engine had more horsepower and torque than the '97 engine. Is this true?
Sid
Good Luck!
Any good mechanic will tell you that, during the break in period, you can expect higher than expected oil consumption as the parts wear-in.
Keep good records, fill to the same spot on the stick, always measure when the same temperature (hot). Take the records to the GM dealership and they will have guidelines to compare to your oil consumption.
The dash instrument cluster was replaced under warranty after 12k miles still no problems. Had the front end alligned after 300miles they (dealer) tried beg off of this but I found every new car I have ever bought (except my Toyota and Honda) had misalligned front ends and the van was no exception, I was insistent and they did it. (got under and checked).
Starcraft was great replacing VCR and other minor things on their end. Still no drivers window problem but after reading these stories I remain on the lookout.
I wish Toyota or Honda made a full size van for conversion but then it would probably use US parts and the quality would be in the pits as GM, Ford and Mopar.
Do you ever purge this, or any part of this, list?
I'm not sure if it's admissible, but this list and the items mentioned may be of use down the road. I find it incredible that the same items are continuously being mentioned, yet GM seems to be very, er, unhelpful.
Topics/Discussions over 50 posts are not deleted from the system unless it is determined it contains little/no value, i.e., off topic posts and/or spam. After 30 (or so) days of inactivity, the discussion is frozen and eventually archived.
Whether the information/experiences posted here would be considered relevant to GM is another matter.
Hope this answers your questions!
KarenS
Vans host
wing1
4th problem: front passenger side brake stuck on while working in a remote area, i drove it 500yrds hoping it would release, it did, but then would jam on as soon as the brakes were applied, locking up the brake on the passenger side and jerking the van to the right(collapsing brake line and one set of burnt brake pads) 5th problem:sliding side door, it doesn't open from the inside, i've tried the child lock switch in both positions and it still won't open.
i love the way the van drives, but the problems are getting expensive. i'm thinking of getting rid of the van, but i don't want another 2500 savana if its going to have as many problems. has anyone else had as many problems, or are my problems attributed to just the 96 model? your responses are welcome.
Of course the dealer says its my driving and I had
to pay. No warranty. Vehicle is GMC Savana 1500 SLE.
I too haven't seen too much mention of problems with the 3500's; I hope that is a good sign. I have put in an order for a 3500, 8.1 liter, extended wheelbase Savana, hoping that the heavier-duty transmission, brakes, etc. will provide better durability. I will still get an extended warranty, though!
Response to Vortec V6 : Whether or not you plan on towing, I would go with a V8 at the very least in a full size van. Remeber the commercial - "I could have had a V8!"?
Between the way this thing goes through brakes, the above mentioned hesitation, the occasional transmission "slip", and the lack of dealer quality, I think I'm going to dump this van soon. It is really sad since I love the ride, and the kids enjoy the TV and all the room the conversion package offers.
I'd be interested to know if you have experienced transmission problems. If you go back an read past posting you'll see that there are so many problems with that, I can't believe there wasn't been a recall.
I do not know about the "YF7" upfitter option, but I ordered a 3500 GMC 155" BB SLE passenger van at the beginning of September through a dealer, and took delivery November 20, with the intent of taking it to a local converter for further customizing. I wanted stock windows and a sliding side door, not after market cut-out windows (less crash worthy? No one is sure, don't want to take chances with kids). I am about to take it in to get the high roof, headliner, TV & VCR put in. I was also going to get 6 captain's chairs put in to replace the front seats and first three rows of bench seats, (leaving the last bench seat in) but over the last 2 1/2 months the stock seats have come in very handy. It is amazing how many people you can bring along comfortably! (With the 15 passenger configuration, 10 adults is a comfortable number).
It took a long time to get it, but WOW. Knocks those pansy little Excursions out of the water!
This doesn't add up.
Sounds like a nice van, though. Definitely more more utility and practicality than an SUV in a vehicle of about the same length, width, and heighth.
If you really want to toast the Excursion/Suburban crowd, throw in your own 4wd
http://www.quigley4x4.com
I know, you'll never use the 4wd, but neither do they!
As far as the 4x4, you are right, I will probably never need it, but I've thought about it. Just another reason I went with the 3500; I can always do it later if I want. For now, I don't want to invest the $8,000 or so for the 4x4 conversion, and I've not been in any area where a locking rear diff. (and chains, if snow/ice) were not sufficient to get me where I want to be. That and a light foot. The torque is great until you want to get up an icy hill.
And please note, I live in CA, where you have to elect to drive in snow & "difficult driving conditions" means dodging hundreds of cel phone users & other distracted drivers each day.
It didn't show up for the first 18 months I owned the vehicle. Has any one had a similar experience?
I have seen literature on ambulances with extended roofs often accompanied with gimacky looking photos with the vans upside down resting on there tops. These are difference creatures than a cruising van's hightop. The ambulances were heavily reinforced due to the dangerous driving habits of there owners.
Sounds like you are building a great van. I really like the six captains idea. Enjoy it and let us know how the customization goes!
After one month, the first problem became later identified on GM's technical bulletin as a solenoid fault within the transmission. The local Chevy dealer wanted to replace the entire transmission for $1700. Badger Transmission fixed the problem with a torgue converter for $650.
Stalling, hesitation and hard starting seem to be quite common with this van. Indeed, the Chevy dealership wanted to rewire the entire vehicle without knowing the outcome.
I had an independent repair shop examine it. After working on it for a week, they installed a mass air flow sensor for a unit cost of $340 plus labor. That seemed to work for about a month, but the problem returned.
I took it back to the same shop and they later discovered that the computer was corroded. Express owners, please note that the computer is located in the worst possible place for exposure ~ inside the front left fender, underneath the water bottle. The aluminum casing got so hot from electrical shortages due to water/winter salt, it actually fused the copper pins where the wires connect. A new ECU costs about $700. I got a remanufactured one for about $300.
The computer still has to be re programmed at a Chevy dealership. While it was there, the service manager tried to convince the auto mechanic that the main problem was due to a gasoline leak that was following the wires to the computer and that the only way to fix it was to replace the wiring harness. My mechanic knew better. (He's my brother).
I got the van for my dogs. It truly is for the dogs.
Thanks. p.c.
I got the 3.73 and I get just about 11 mpg (10.88 to date at 4050 miles) with a rather heavy foot. My old 1500 conversion never got more than 13.5 (it had a 350 and the 3.73), so I am not shocked, although 11 mpg is abysmal when compared to smaller vehicles. Depends on what you want. I've already had 2 "road / day trips" (300+ miles) with 9 other family members (my wife and our 3 kids, brother & sister in law & their baby, grandma and grandpa) & all our stuff. We all have great fun together, so being together for the trips is nicer than taking 2-3 cars.
And I can't deny it - I like to drive, I always liked full-size vans, and I love the big V-8 torque and horsepower.
Best regards,
Marc
I ordered the 3500 with a 3:73 locking rear miff. My wife drives the van around town everyday with kids etc. I'm worried that the 3500 will be too tall, too truck like and a beast to drive. Since the dealer can't actually show me one, I'm sort of left in the dark while I wait for this thing to arrive. Any experiences anyone? And if you do have one with the high-top.. how tall is it? The dealer is just not sure.
I did speak to the factory rep. about the Allison 5 speed transmission and was told it's not available in a van. Anyone know if that's correct?
As for the Yukon, my wife really loves the van. We've had three full size Explorer conversions since 1992. They have all been good vans and excellent on long trips with our 3 kids. The 1 ton should be even better with its ability to tow our rather heavy 26ft camping trailer.
I'm sure you are right that the 3500 will be much stiffer than the 1500. I wonder if it is possible to change the ride height with a different shock/spring set-up to make it a little lower and easier to get in. Time will tell. We have until April to wait for ours.