2002 GMC 3500 AKA Juggernaut

[2j_macrae_z]

Hey long time lurker first time post

for the last few years I’ve been looking for a van to be my daily/highway driver and weekend camper. Well in my area (northern BC Canada) vans cost a premium, along with Covid now vehicles are stupid expensive. Like I’ve looked at 2000 Chevy Astro AWD was rusted,misfired, door handles didn’t work/broken off, and dented and guy wanted $4500 firm. But I was patient and it payed off. On Oct 25 I found a 15 passenger, 1 ton, 2002 GMC Savana in 8/10 shape for $1500! I called the guy and said I’ll make the 6hr drive tomorrow. I made the drive and found out with was used insured through a church and used as a school bus for Sunday school kids. Checked it out and the 5.7 has high Km, 304,000km but it runs great and the 4L80e shifts smooth, tires, alternator, battery are one year old. so I gave the guy the money and made the long drive home with it. So far all I’ve done is changed the oil, changed the thermostat and topped up the ATF. I’ve been daily driving it since and I love it! It’ll be a slow build, this is basically for me to keep track of everything I’ve done to it. Does anyone know if bumpers, front and rear from a 2003+ Savana/Express fit this body? I’m looking at MOVE and Aluminess bumpers but they all say 03+.

 

[john61ct]

What an unbelievable score

even if you paid for a New crate engine, new diff tranny and converted to 4*4 or at least a Detroit locker

will still be great value

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Yeah when I picked it up I gave the guy full price didn’t bother negotiating lol. He showed me other messages he got after me and people were saying they’ll give him $5000 if they sell to them instead of me but he said he’s a man of his word and he said he’d sell it to me for $1500. I’m quite happy with the purchase but getting tired of hearing the same jokes about it “oh you bought a pedo van” or “oh driver a creeper van huh” “needs free candy sticker on it”

 

[john61ct]

art project

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Pretty much how everything thinks it should be. I’ve owned the van for what 3 weeks and I’ve heard that joke about 20 times now

 

[john61ct]

just needs a little pivot

 

[2j_macrae_z]

That’s the plan eventually! On that note, I’ve heard that a “budget boost” lift from a 88-98 Chevy/GMC 1500,2500,3500 2wd will fit these vans, does anyone know if this is true? If so I’ll be ordering a 3” budget lift here for spring time

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Not much of a huge update, been too cold in my neck of the woods to go outside and work on the van. Have about 4’ of snow so far and this week it’s warmed up to -30 ?. Only thing I don’t like about this van is the light output. I do lots of highway driving and it gets dark at like 2pm so I bought some LED driving lights. They’re a knock off ARB 9” Round. They seem super bright on the guys truck I met, once it warms up I’ll install them and get some pictures of the light output.

oh I also put my motto on the back door of the van ?

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Slow progress. All that I’ve done is added two 9” lights to the front bumper. Next on the list is a 2.5” lift and 30” tires

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Does anyone know if bumpers for the OBS Chevy/GMC C/K series fit these vans? Looking for a front winch bumper

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Another question. Does anyone have any experience with a journeys off-road 2”-3” lift? I ask cause there doesn’t seem to be a lot of options for this gen van. And I looking to net atleast 3” all around. Looking to fit a 285 or a 305 tire ??‍♂️

this kit in question

Express & Savana 1996-2016 2WD 3"-2" Lift Kit

CHEVY EXPRESS & GMC SAVANA 1996-2021 2WD 1500 3" Front-2"Rear LIFT KITTwo (2) Custom JOR 3" Front Spring SpacersTwo (2) 2" Rear Leaf Spring spacersFour (4) Extended Fit U-BoltsAll hardware and instructionsOptional Extended Rear Shock Part #: Monroe Reflex 911044(Not Required)Spring tool works...

www.journeysoffroad.com

 

[Grassland]

Another question. Does anyone have any experience with a journeys off-road 2”-3” lift? I ask cause there doesn’t seem to be a lot of options for this gen van. And I looking to net atleast 3” all around. Looking to fit a 285 or a 305 tire ??‍♂️

this kit in question

Express & Savana 1996-2016 2WD 3"-2" Lift Kit

CHEVY EXPRESS & GMC SAVANA 1996-2021 2WD 1500 3" Front-2"Rear LIFT KITTwo (2) Custom JOR 3" Front Spring SpacersTwo (2) 2" Rear Leaf Spring spacersFour (4) Extended Fit U-BoltsAll hardware and instructionsOptional Extended Rear Shock Part #: Monroe Reflex 911044(Not Required)Spring tool works...

www.journeysoffroad.com

It's lift blocks for the rear and a spring spacer. Not the most optimal but not tons to go wrong with the lift parts itself.
I don't know how the front ends of those vans do with lifts, but lacking the drive train bits, it might just wear out front end parts.
With lift blocks you generally increase the risk of axle wrap.

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Long time since I last posted. Haven’t done a lot. Built a temporary bed platform to fit a queen size mattress. And some wheels and tires for it. Have my first kid coming so haven’t spent a whole lot of money in this project for a bit lol

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Another slow update lol

Those tires in my last picture are bald 265/75/16. They “fit” fine only rub at full lock. Gonna finish running then this summer and I bought myself a “new” set of tires. Guy bought them for his truck but didn’t like them and sold them after 500km. They’re Toyo M-55, same tire used on all the service trucks at the mine I work at so I know they’re a tough tire. They’re a 285/75/16 though. Mocked them up next to my van…let’s just say I need to figure out a lift and maybe trim my bumper now 😂

 

[2j_macrae_z]

Does anybody know if I can throw a 1 or 1.5 inch body lift on this without issue? I ordered a 3” spacer lift for a 89-98 c1500/2500/3500, consisting of a coil spacer and a block for the rear. I’m just trying to make as much room as needed to run these new tires. I’m not one to shy away from trimming my body but if I can slap in a 1-1.5 inch body lift then that’d be best